by Lori Foster
After forking up one long spaghetti noodle, Ember nodded. “You could be right.” She leaned back on the counter and snuck another noodle to Pavlov. “I’ll wait until he sees me in the new underwear, though. That way, even if he does feel burned by someone else, he won’t be able to think about her.”
“That’s genius.” Struck by the idea, Autumn wished she’d gotten some nicer underwear, as well. Too late for that now, though. She wouldn’t put off her “date” with Tash for any reason. “Sounds like a solid plan. I like it.”
They were still laughing when a car door closed.
In Autumn’s mind, it might as well have been a gong signaling the end of her celibacy. Anticipation sent her blood singing and put a riot of butterflies in her stomach.
Allowing things to happen naturally was a lot less stressful than planning a deliberate seduction.
But... Tash. She’d be seducing Tash and she could barely wait. She’d always wanted him, first with the shallow infatuation of youth born from admiration of his smile, his body and his popularity.
Now, his physical appeal meant less than who he really was deep down—a doting father determined to nurture his daughter, a betrayed husband who’d rallied from hurt and an overall good man with his priorities in line.
Falling in love scared her, but she’d spent too much of her life afraid. Mike was right: her ice cream didn’t cut it. Not anymore.
Not since Tash Ducker had returned to town.
“Big breath,” Ember suggested. “Paste on a smile and keep thinking of how things will end.”
“I won’t be able to eat if I do that.”
Ember laced her arm through Autumn’s and urged her toward the window so they could peek out through the curtain. “Just know that however much you want him, he wants you more.”
She wished she had Ember’s confidence. She’d gotten so used to being the big-boned rejected bride-to-be, it’d take a little adjusting to think of herself differently. She hated that she’d let Chuck affect her so much, and that his treachery managed to play off her mother’s nonstop unintentional criticism.
Seeing Tash and Sadie filled her heart, when she’d refused to admit it was empty. Now that she knew them both, now that she felt so much for them, losing them would be doubly devastating.
Smiling in honest happiness, Autumn opened the kitchen door so they’d know not to go around to the front.
It was their first time inside her house and she felt a little giddy. Unfortunately, like most weeks, she’d been running nonstop with little time to prep. At least she’d gotten all the laundry done and put away, which had to be a first, and she’d had enough time to clean the dust bunnies off the floors.
Pavlov darted out to run circles around Sadie before going to Tash for a few friendly ear scratches.
“Hello, you two,” she called, loving the way the sunshine reflected off Sadie’s bright hair.
“Autumn!” Sadie dashed toward her, greeting her with a hug. Her arms wrapped around Autumn’s knees and her face tipped up with a toothy grin. “What are we eatin’?”
“Spaghetti.” She ran her hand over Sadie’s crown, touched with emotion. Oh, it was a wonderful thing to be greeted so warmly, with such enthusiasm. “Hope that’s okay. Your dad said you like it.”
“Love it!” She skipped off to greet Ember, too.
Tash followed his daughter’s example, but his hug was more complete, an open hand on the small of her back drawing her into the hard, warm planes of his tall body. Such a thrill, even here where nothing more could happen.
She, Autumn Somerset, had the town hunk holding her as if he enjoyed it as much as she did. She mentally gave herself a high five, since high-fiving Ember would only bring out questions.
“I missed you.” He kissed her throat, sending a tingle of awareness straight to her womb, then breathed near her ear, “I’m dying to see your house.”
“You are?” she whispered back just as quietly, feeling like they shared a secret but unsure why.
He was about to answer when Ember said, “We have ten minutes before dinner, right? Sadie’s coming with me to my side of the house so I can find Pavlov’s ball. She’ll enjoy seeing some of his tricks.”
Tash eyed the door. “You live on that side, huh?”
“Make it five,” Autumn said. To Tash, she explained, “Pavlov does different tricks with different balls. He’s a very smart dog.”
“Back in five.” Winking, Ember took Sadie’s hand and they hustled through the interior door, Pavlov racing after them.
“Sadie is incredibly excited about your spa day. I just hope she doesn’t come back wearing makeup or anything crazy like that.”
“Don’t worry.” Turning back to Tash, Autumn patted his chest. “Ember knows she’s not to allow anything more than a slight trim to Sadie’s hair, with a blow-style, and the salon has nail colors specifically for little girls. Ember can be outrageous, but she’s good with kids.”
“I’ve already noticed that on my own.” He wove his fingers through her hair, making her glad she’d left it loose. His gaze tracked over her face, then down her body. “Love this shirt.” He fingered the narrow sleeve over her shoulder. “Pretty.”
He couldn’t know that she’d worn it specifically because it was easy to lose, but still she blushed. “Thank you.”
Looking beyond her at the kitchen, he took in every detail.
Being a designer, people often expected her home to be fashion-forward and perfect. But she wasn’t perfect, not even close. Her house was nice—at least in her opinion—but more importantly, it was functional and cozy.
The longer Tash looked around, the more she worried. “What do you think?”
“It suits you.” His fingers tunneled in close, holding her head still for another quick kiss. “I’ve seen you at work, at the beach and out on the farm, but not here, where you live. Where you relax and shower and sleep.”
“Honestly, that’s about all I do here. Well, and read. I like to read a lot.”
He picked up a book off the counter. “This is what you’re reading now?”
“No, I already finished that one. I was going to donate it as soon as I made it to the women’s shelter just outside of town. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.”
“You keep the ones you love?”
It’d be easier to show than explain, so she took his hand and led him to the living room and her floor-to-ceiling built-ins situated at either side of the custom television cabinet.
“Wow.” Moving closer to explore the titles, he asked, “I take it these are keepers?”
Gesturing at the twenty-plus titles on the eye-level shelf, she said, “These are all from Karen Rose. She’s my favorite.”
“Nice covers. Suspense?”
“Romantic suspense, which makes them better.” Indicating other shelves, she said, “I like romantic comedy, too, horror and urban fantasy, women’s fiction, paranormal and some straight suspense.”
His smile came slow and easy. “Is there anything you don’t read?”
“I have a grave dislike of biographies and cookbooks.”
The smile slipped into a grin. “Cookbooks?”
“Bo-o-oring.” She ducked to another shelf. “But I do enjoy the occasional self-help book.” She pulled out How Not To Care.
“This,” Tash said, taking it from her, “obviously failed.” He slid it back on the shelf and drew her close. “You care a lot, about a great many things and a great many people.”
“You think so?” Yes, she did care—most especially about him and Sadie.
“I know so. Everywhere I go in town, people sing your praises. They love you.” His lips nuzzled hers again, teasing, making her want more. “I’m surprised they haven’t built a statue of you in the town proper.”
She laughed. “Come on. I’ll show you the rest. Ju
st keep in mind that I put in a lot of hours, okay?”
“Since I get the scraps of your leftover time, believe me, I know.”
Was that how he saw it? Did he feel she hadn’t prioritized him enough? She peeked at him as she paused by the guest bedroom, used as an office for her design business. “I’m sorry if I’ve—”
Looking at yet more books, Tash said, “That wasn’t a complaint. Sadie and I enjoy whatever time we get with you, and we both appreciate the results of all your hard work. Every kid in the neighborhood is now anxiously awaiting the grand opening of that pirate ship.”
“One more week,” she promised, thrilled that they were both satisfied. Once the canvas sails were installed, it’d be complete. “It really is turning out great.”
“It’s amazing. More than I ever hoped for.”
Buoyed by his praise, she led him to the hall bath, currently in a rare state of tidiness, and then on to her bedroom. Hoping to have him back to this room soon, she explained, “Ember’s place is the mirror image of this, minus all the books and with her own style of furnishings.”
Drawn by a photo on her dresser, Tash went farther into the room. “This is you?”
“When I was five. My grandpa took me fishing, but said I cried every time he caught a fish, or when he hooked a worm.”
“Sounds about right. You’ve always loved animals?”
“Much as Sadie does. I meant it when I said she has the touch. Many kids her age would be clumsy with animals, but Sadie has this innate gentleness. She’s a special little girl.”
“She certainly loves the farm.”
“I always did, as well.” Autumn moved to another photo, one of her and Ember sitting with their grandma and a newborn sheep. “We wouldn’t be able to afford the farm if our grandparents hadn’t left everything to us free and clear, along with a nice savings. I think Gram knew what we wanted to do here. I also think if she saw the farm now, she’d approve.”
Tash lifted the photo. “You were mighty cute as a kid.”
She leaned against him. “Even way back then, my mom said I had her big bones. Look at me. I was a runt.”
“An adorable runt.” He pressed his mouth to her temple. “I especially like the pigtails.”
Yes, her quickly accomplished pigtails...while her mother had labored over Ember’s curls. She sighed.
Tash turned her to face him. “That sigh... You have to know that regardless of whatever your mother says, you are an incredibly sexy woman.”
Her? Sexy? No, wait, wrong attitude.
What would Ember do? Strike a cocky pose? Give a slow smile? “I, um—”
“You’re overthinking it,” Tash whispered. “I’m not rushing you, just making a very male-inspired observation.”
Autumn bit her lip. “You really think so?”
“Damn, how can you not know?”
She didn’t want to sound like a dork, but she’d never be smooth like Ember. “I just never thought of myself that way.”
“Okay, so forgive me but I’ll be blunt.” He tunneled his fingers into her hair and curved them around the back of her head. “For one thing, you’re stacked. Seriously stacked. Screw the idea of big bones—you have killer curves that make me salivate every time I’m near you.”
“Salivate?” she croaked.
“Yeah, especially since you play down your figure. It’s like a present all wrapped up and waiting for a special occasion.”
Hopefully today would be that occasion. The smile teased at her mouth, but wow, she liked the way he saw her.
“You being a woman, this might not make sense to you,” he continued, “but you’re earthy.”
“Earthy?”
“You smile, Autumn. A lot. It’s like a kick to my guts every time I see it. No lipstick or gloss, just your mouth...” He lightly kissed her, then put his forehead to hers. “You don’t mind getting dirty...or covered in fur. And you have the kindest eyes I’ve ever seen. You laugh when something is funny, and don’t hesitate to speak your mind.”
Laughing, she pressed her fingertips to his mouth. “I—I don’t know what to say.” The way he described her, she sounded pretty terrific. “I’m flattered.”
When his tongue touched her fingers, she pulled them away, going all breathless and excited.
“You’re definitely sexy on the outside, okay? Don’t ever doubt that.”
No, with him, she wouldn’t. Tash made her feel all that and more. She smiled at him, trying to decide how to react. “Thank you.”
He nodded, his gaze full of sincerity. “It’s how pretty you are on the inside that really seals the deal.”
What deal? she wanted to ask, but then they heard Sadie’s laughter, followed by the scrabbling of Pavlov’s paws as he raced down the hall. A ball bounced in her room, careened off a dresser and got snagged in midair by Pavlov’s sharp teeth.
The dog wheeled around and raced back out with his prize.
“Time for dinner,” Ember called.
Autumn knew it for what it was—her sister’s never-subtle way of alerting her that her time alone with Tash was over.
For now.
* * *
Things had changed. Tash felt it in the way Autumn kept stealing looks at him, the pleased smile she couldn’t wipe away and the shared looks passed between her and her sister.
He never wanted to push her. Autumn did so much for so many people, she deserved to put herself first for a change—even if that meant being in a pseudo-relationship instead of having the commitment he would have liked.
He wanted her, but he needed her to feel the same.
“It’s almost unfair,” he said, “that you’re gorgeous, funny, sweet and a good cook.”
“Anything Autumn does, she does really well.” Ember wrinkled her nose. “And I agree, it’s unfair. If I didn’t love her so much, I’d shun her out of sheer jealousy.”
“I love her,” Sadie announced, making everyone pause.
Ember’s mouth twitched and she shouldered Sadie gently. “Me, too.” Then she looked at Tash.
He wouldn’t allow Ember to put him on the spot, or make Autumn uncomfortable. “Sisters like to tease each other,” he explained to Sadie. “But you know they’re close.”
As she searched each person at the table, Sadie forked up more spaghetti. “I love Tracy the cow and Tash the turkey, too.” She paused with the bite almost to her mouth. “And Matilda and Olivia and—”
Ember laughed. “We should have time for a visit when we get back, as long as it’s okay with your dad.”
“It doesn’t get dark ’til nine. How long would your hair appointment be?”
“Long as you want me to make it.” She gazed expectantly from Autumn to Tash and back again.
Definitely something was afoot...and it made his heart beat a little faster.
Autumn kicked her sister under the table and mouthed, Behave.
After a startled jump, Ember kicked back and a scuffle ensued until Autumn slid her chair closer to his.
Ember smiled in smug satisfaction.
To ensure he didn’t spoil anything, Tash pretended none of it had happened, even though it ratcheted up his awareness to a heated level. Autumn didn’t quite touch him, but he felt her all the same.
Sporting her own smile, Sadie asked, “If there’s no time tonight, could I come back tomorrow to see them? Dad got me a new book for Tracy the cow.”
Ever since Sadie started naming animals after people she already knew, the names had grown, as if “the” was the middle name, and the type of animal was the last.
He’d need to talk to her about that, maybe pick up a name book for her to peruse. Until then, this seemed like the perfect segue. “I’ve been thinking about that. Autumn, you work all the time but Sadie and I have our days free for the summer, especially since I get most of my
work done in the evening. Would we be in the way if we came over to help more often?”
Sadie cheered the idea. “I could feed the chickens and spray the pigs with the hose and—”
Ember caught Sadie’s glass of juice right before her elbow would have taken it out.
It pleased Tash when Ember played down the near mishap. “Oops, got it! High five for my fast reflexes.” Sadie hesitated, but as Ember offered her palm, she smacked it with her own.
Abashed, Sadie said, “I got excited.”
“Well, heck yeah, you did. The pigs go bonkers with that hose. I can’t wait for you to get your turn. You’ll love it.”
Skating right past Sadie’s embarrassment, Autumn said, “It would be seriously terrific if you and your dad wanted to pitch in every now and then.”
Perking up again, Sadie asked, “Really?”
“The animals adore you. It’ll be a treat for them.”
“Free labor,” Ember said, raising her glass toward Autumn for a toast, then tapping it to Sadie’s glass, too, and lastly to Tash’s. “First, though, we have to stay tidy for our salon appointment. If you like getting your nails done even half as much as you enjoy hosing down pigs, we’ll be all set.”
Autumn laughed. “I’m not a big salon person, as you can probably tell.” When she ruffled her hand through her loose hair, leaving it extra tousled, Sadie grinned. “How about you? Do you enjoy all that spiffing up like Ember does?”
“I dunno,” Sadie said, shrugging her narrow shoulders. “I’ve never done it.”
Tash felt that now-familiar gut clench. Deb always had her nails done, and she’d kept regular salon appointments.
“Never?” Ember asked with exaggerated surprise. “You’re kidding me?”
“I’ve been with my mom, but just to wait.” Keeping her gaze on her spaghetti while she twirled it around her fork, Sadie added, “Mom said I was too young and it cost too much to waste.”
Quickly covering that, Autumn said, “Ember’s salon has a special rate for little girls. Isn’t that right, Ember?”
Scowling, her face flushed, Ember said, “They do, yeah, but it wouldn’t matter.” Putting her arm around Sadie, she drew her close in a hug, catching his daughter off guard and making her almost drop her fork. “If yours cost twice as much as mine, then I’d just wait while you got your turn. In fact, you better like it, kiddo, because I’ve just decided we’re going to have a regular girls’ day.”
