She returned late the following morning as promised, small basket of treats in hand, and laid out the miniature pies and pastries for Evie and Luke to try. Her friends raved about them, Evie sampling as many as she could.
“So, you think these will sell well at the fair next week?” The annual Fourth of July fair was held on Luco Ranch every summer, and the entire town came together to catch up with their neighbors and showcase their wares.
Besides the stalls that sold handmade goods, there were food carts, a free barbecue, and various rides and activities for the children.
“Are you joking?” Evie peered at her friend over the top of the glass she was holding and waved the pastry in her other hand around. “Everything you make flies off the shelves. These will be gone before you know it.”
“I’m glad you think so. I don’t know why, but I always get nervous about putting out new things. Some people are fussy about sticking to their tried-and-true favorites.”
“Everybody in town loves what you and Ruth bake, Autumn.” Luke gave her a smile. “You have nothing to worry about. I think if the two of you opened a proper bakery in town, you’d make a fortune. I hear Karen is thinking of selling hers.”
Autumn frowned. “Really? I’ve never heard anything about that.” Karen Bailey owned the town’s only bakery, situated in Main Street, and had done so for years.
“Mom mentioned it the other day. Would make sense, I guess. She’s not getting any younger.”
The cogs in Autumn’s brain started to turn. How wonderful would it be for her and her mother to have their very own store? They could have a magnificent kitchen with all the space and ovens they’d need. She sighed wistfully. What they’d need would be money, and that was the one commodity they didn’t have in spades.
But it was a lovely thought.
Maybe one day.
16
Autumn and Ruth arrived at Luco Ranch first thing that Saturday morning. They’d offered to help Diana and the other ladies set up the annual Fourth of July fair. Stalls and food carts were scattered around the place, and hayrides were given free of charge to the younger citizens of Aurora Springs.
The two women had stayed up later than normal the previous night baking individual-sized pies and assorted pastries fresh for their stall. They’d already packed up dozens of jars of jams, preserves, and butters to be sold.
The Independence Day celebrations were always a great day out for the entire town, and the Grant stall usually did very well with their takings.
Diana had breakfast waiting upon their arrival, and they gratefully helped themselves to a plate each of eggs, bacon, and pancakes.
The Whittaker matriarch had made enough food to feed double the dozen or so women who were there, and it soon became obvious as to why when a group of five men entered the large, airy kitchen.
Autumn recognized them all on sight. Mason and Hank were the ranch hands and had been with the family for years. She’d known Cody and Luke’s dad, Bill, her entire life. And there was Luke, a sweet, gentle man with a heart of gold who was fiercely loyal to his loved ones.
But it was the fifth man who made her heart skip a beat the second she laid eyes on him. While Cody and Luke were fraternal twins, there was no mistaking them for brothers.
“Good morning, ladies.” Cody gave every woman in the room a big grin, and Autumn swore she heard a dreamy sigh escape at least one of them.
‘Hi, honey.” Diana bustled around the kitchen, grabbing plates and handing them out to the men. She greeted her husband and sons with a kiss, leaving Luke until last. “Where’s Evie?”
“She’ll be along soon. She wanted to take an extra-long shower and insisted I come ahead of her. She said she’ll get here when she’s good and ready.”
Diana laughed. “I don’t blame her. I’m sure she must be aching all over.”
Autumn never got to hear Luke’s response because a certain handsome face suddenly took up her view. Cody pressed his lips to hers in a sweet kiss, one that wasn’t deep enough to scandalize but was held long enough to claim. “Morning, darlin’.”
“Good morning, sweetheart.” After one final kiss, he wandered off to load his plate and then came back over to the table and sat next to her. It was a bit of a squeeze with so many visitors, but they managed.
The chatter was excited as everyone ate their fill, and then once the dishwasher was loaded and running, it was time to start setting up for the day’s festivities.
The men ventured off to set up stalls, tables, and the rides, while the women went to their vehicles to get their goods for sale. Other stallholders would arrive over the course of the next hour or so.
Autumn and Ruth had been given what was one of the best tables available, near the entrance/exit and away from the portable toilets. Behind them was the area where the food stalls would be. Luke and Cody had agreed to man the barbecue, offering hot dogs and burgers for hungry attendees.
Marnie, the owner of The Big Dipper, the town’s ice cream parlor and fudge shop, had claimed a stall and would do a roaring trade. Another lady would be offering popcorn and cotton candy. Between them all, dessert and treats were covered.
Autumn loved this summer celebration. The entire town got together to celebrate, and there was always fun to be had. Her father would not be in attendance, but nobody had expected him to be and she was secretly glad he would be absent, because it meant she could kiss her boyfriend in front of everyone without fear of discovery.
Everyone in Aurora Springs was now aware they were dating, and they all seemed genuinely happy about it.
“Here you are.”
Autumn looked up to find her best friend standing in front of her. Evie was breathing heavily, but she had a smile on her face. She had a short, loose floral dress and sandals on, an outfit that was both comfortable and practical for the warm weather, and her hair was pinned up in a bun off her face.
“Did you walk all the way here?”
The blonde woman waved a dismissive hand. “It’s literally five minutes.”
Autumn raised an eyebrow. “Five?”
“Okay, fine. Ten for me, but that’s because I move like a beached whale.”
“Oh, Evie.” The brunette skirted around the table and gave her friend a hug. “You’re absolutely beautiful.”
“Yes, she is.” The two women looked over to find Evie’s husband standing near them, and the look on his face made Autumn’s heart melt. Luke’s love for his wife was evident.
“Kiss me.” Evie reached for her husband and he obliged, his lips pressing against hers softly. He placed a hand on her very large belly and rubbed it gently. “Are the boys behaving?”
“Yes, thank God. I think they’re asleep right now.” She stifled a yawn that made Luke frown at her.
“Why don’t you go home and rest, darlin’?”
“Because I don’t want to.” Evie scowled at him, and Autumn had to tamp down the bubble of laughter that rose up inside her. “I want to be here, helping set up for the fair.”
He glanced over at Autumn and winked at her, and she hid a smile behind her hand. “Okay, darlin’. I’m sure Autumn could use some help setting up here, and I’ll bring you some food and drink when you want it.”
“Mmm, food.”
“I think Mom brought you some breakfast.” He waved to Diana, who came over with a covered plate in one hand and a thermos in the other.
“Good morning, honey.” She kissed her daughter-in-law’s cheek. “How did you sleep?”
“Not great.” Evie sighed and rubbed her belly. “It’s hard to get comfortable these days.”
“I bet.” Diana gave her a sympathetic smile. “I brought you some food and a vanilla milkshake.”
Evie’s eyes lit up. “Thanks, Mom.” Diana wandered off with a wave, and Luke kissed her before he, too, disappeared.
When she took a seat and removed the aluminum foil covering the plate, she licked her lips at the sight of the delicious hot food it was loaded with. A
knife and fork were wrapped in a napkin.
Autumn sat with her friend and they chatted while Evie ate. Once she was done, she cleared the table and started setting up the portable shelving she’d brought to stack their jars on.
The pies and pastries would be placed directly on the table for customers to help themselves, since they were in window patisserie boxes that allowed potential buyers to see the contents.
Once the jars of various spreads—including a delicious apple and cinnamon butter that Evie snagged one of before it even made it to the table—had been prettily stacked, Autumn took a step back and nodded satisfactorily.
She and her mom had covered the lid of each jar with gingham and a ribbon, and the flavor of the spread was handwritten on pastel-colored labels.
Evie stood and insisted on helping her friend place all the boxed pies and pastries on the large table. By the time they were done, there was not an inch of space left.
“It looks amazing.” Evie placed her arm around her friend’s waist. “You and Ruth are so talented.”
“Yes, they are.” The two women looked over their shoulders and spotted the twin cowboys who’d captured their hearts standing right behind them.
Luke embraced his wife from behind, his hands on her rounded belly. Cody did the same, slinging his arms around Autumn’s waist and placing soft kisses on her neck and shoulder.
Autumn turned her head to press a kiss against his lips. “You all ready for the barbecue?”
“Yes, ma’am. The grill is ready to go and the ladies are busy chopping up the onions as we speak. We’ll get started about eleven thirty or so for the first wave.”
The fair began at ten, and it wasn’t long before it appeared the entire town had come out to support their neighbors. The Whittaker family allowed the stallholders to sell their wares for free, and since the hayrides and barbecue were also at no charge, it was a cheap day out for everyone, especially the larger families.
Autumn kept her eye on the barbecue, where the twins dazzled everyone with their grins and grilling skills. She frowned when she noticed a tall woman with blonde hair clearly out of a bottle sidle up to Cody.
The hem of her black dress barely covered her behind, and the full face of make-up she wore would soon run in the heat, especially if she hovered near the grill.
Autumn sighed at the sight of none other than Gisele Dunne, the woman who had the distinction of being the only other person besides Autumn’s father to have pissed off every single resident of Aurora Springs at one time or another.
“Oooh, that bitch.” She turned her head toward her best friend. “What the fuck does she think she’s doing? As if Cody would ever so much as touch her again! Everyone in town knows you two are dating.”
The pregnant woman eased out of her chair, her face like thunder and her hands curled into fists. “I think it’s long past time Gisele and I had a little chat.”
Autumn placed her hand on Evie’s arm. “Slow down there, slugger. She’s not worth it and you need to be careful, especially now.” The blonde woman was about five weeks away from giving birth to her twins, and she needed to rest and take it easy, not get into a scrap with Gisele.
“I can’t smack her around, just a little?”
“No.” The brunette hugged her friend. “You need to take care of yourself and my nephews. Are you hungry? I’ll get us some food and drink.”
Evie rubbed her belly. “Are you kidding? I can always eat. I’ll come with you so I can kiss Luke.”
Autumn waved at her mother, who was talking to another stallholder across the way, and pointed toward the barbecue. Ruth nodded and came over to keep an eye on the stall while the ladies went for a walk. Autumn took Evie’s hand and together they walked slowly over to their men.
Luke handed a hot dog to the cute young daughter of a family who lived just over the other side of the mountain and she skipped off, clutching her food tightly.
“Hi, darlin’.” He handed the tongs he was holding to his brother and put his arm around his wife, dipping his head to kiss her hello. “You want something to eat?”
“Yes, please. The boys are awake and we’re starving.”
He bent over and kissed her belly, and Autumn’s heart melted. When arms encircled her waist, she leaned back against Cody and turned her face toward him to meet his kiss. She couldn’t help but notice Gisele was staring at them with a sour look in her face.
“Somebody’s not happy about you touching me.”
Cody followed her gaze and scowled. “Did you want something, Gisele?” His tone was short and cold, most unlike him. He was an affable, easy going man, but something about the woman brought out the worst in him.
Gisele pasted a smile on her face and came over to where the four of them stood. Luke and Evie stopped kissing, the pregnant woman narrowing her eyes at the unwelcome intrusion.
“I’d love a hot dog.” Gisele batted her eyelashes at him. “Especially yours.”
The twins rolled their eyes. “Does that usually work on men?” Luke smirked at the woman, who barely glanced at him.
“I wasn’t asking you.”
“I’m crushed.”
Evie snorted with laughter and clung to her husband as closely as she could, which given the size of her belly meant there was still space between them.
“Will you go away if I give you a hot dog?” Cody was clearly becoming impatient with Gisele, and Autumn squeezed his hand.
“Only if you agree to have dinner with me next Friday.”
His mouth fell open, but then he closed it and schooled his face into a neutral expression. “Sure, why not? But only if my girlfriend can come with us.” He placed a kiss on Autumn’s head.
“Here.” Evie stomped over to the grill, grabbed a bun wrapped in a napkin, and slapped a hot dog in it. After haphazardly adding onions, ketchup, and mustard, she shoved the food at Gisele and spoke loudly.
“Now take your hot dog and go away. You’re being rude and annoying, and if I go into labor now because my blood pressure is too high it’ll be your fault.”
Other Aurora Springs denizens had gathered around the small group and were staring. A few of them gasped at Evie’s declaration, which made Gisele blanch. She snatched the hot dog from Evie and stomped away without another word, but not before she glared at Autumn. “You’ll regret this,” she hissed.
Autumn’s face fell at the threat, but Cody kissed her fears away. “Ignore her.” He pressed his lips gently against hers, and all thoughts of Gisele were soon forgotten.
A crowd had now gathered around the barbecue, hungry for lunch, so the twins kissed their women and loaded them up with food and drink.
Autumn led the way back to her stall, which was shaded and now had enough room on the table for them to sit and eat comfortably as the Grant women had sold more than half their goods.
Ruth left to get herself some lunch, and the women sat down to enjoy theirs. Evie devoured the loaded burger Luke had rustled up for her, along with a large helping of potato salad.
“Mmm.” She rubbed her belly happily. “That was good!”
“The food is delicious,” Autumn agreed. She’d opted for a hot dog and ate every mouthful.
“I’m going to have to walk this lunch off. Want to come with me?”
“Sure.” Once Autumn’s mother returned to the stall, the two friends donned their straw hats and slowly wandered around the fair.
Bill Whittaker was having the time of his life pulling children around the ranch on hayrides. Autumn indulged in a box of fudge to share with Cody later that night, and two small bags of popcorn—one cheese, one caramel—for her and Evie to share later that afternoon.
There were stalls with different types of foods and snacks, as well as plenty with various crafts, such as handmade jewelry and crocheted items.
After a little while, it was clear to Autumn that her friend was hot and exhausted, so she insisted they kiss Luke and Cody goodbye and go back to Evie’s place to sit in the air-co
nditioning and rest with a cold drink.
Evie readily agreed, since it was still several hours before the fireworks would be lit, and it didn’t take them long to get back to the cabin.
Autumn got them drinks while Evie made herself comfortable on the sofa, her legs up on the footstool. “Check out my cankles.” The pregnant woman pointed to her now-bare feet, and Autumn winced.
“Oh, Evie.” Her ankles were visibly swollen. “You need to take it easy, sweetie.” She handed her a large glass of ice-cold water and sat down next to her, placing the two bags of popcorn she’d purchased on the coffee table.
The two women passed the afternoon chatting about whatever came to mind, and the popcorn was soon gone. Luke had promised to call his wife when it was time for the fireworks, and true to his word he called early that evening.
Autumn offered to drive Evie back to the fair, but given it was only a five-minute walk away she insisted they get there by foot. But they walked slowly, and it took double the normal time to arrive.
The crowd had swelled since their departure, and it truly did look like the entire town of Aurora Springs was present, the only obvious absentee being Jed Grant.
People had brought portable chairs and blankets, so once everyone was settled and comfortable, Bill and the ranch hands set off the fireworks at a safe distance from the crowd.
Everyone oohed and aahed over the lights that shone against the background of the twilight sky. It wasn’t late enough to be completely dark, but it didn’t matter. The shimmying colors made everyone smile, from the youngest child to the oldest adult.
Cody and Autumn were sitting on a blanket on the ground, cuddled up together. Luke and Evie sat in chairs next to them, as Evie had declared it impossible for her to sit on the ground as she wouldn’t have been able to get up again.
It was for moments like this that Autumn loved living in a small town. The sense of camaraderie swirled through the air like snowflakes, and she adored that they could all come together as a community and one big family to enjoy the national holiday.
Finding Home (Being Home Book 2) Page 13
