Autumn Anthology

by Heather B. Moore

  Surely he wasn’t the one making the phone calls… was he?

  Hands still trembling, she worked her way to another aisle and checkout so he wouldn’t see her. Then she pulled up her jacket collar and pushed her hair under her knit hat. If she was lucky, she could get out of here without him catching sight of her.

  She paid and, lifting her mother’s newly purchased pumpkin, walked quickly out of the store. Halfway to her car, she looked back.

  Joshua was watching her from just outside the door. Even from this distance, she could see the hurt etched on his face. He knew she’d left to avoid him.

  She was furious— at herself, for feeling guilty. She’d done nothing wrong.

  And, underneath her fury, lurked a vague unease. Who was it that wished her ill?

  Chapter Ten

  I think I have something tonight that's not quite correct for evening wear. Blue suede shoes.

  —Elvis Presley

  Saturday, October 25th

  A week later, Kaitlin and her parents had moved nearly everything into her new, partially furnished rental. Her mom and dad had just a few more loads left to bring over.

  Thanks to Mr. Kosta, she now had a great job and a cute little house he was giving to her for a steal. A quaint, old brick cottage with unique architecture, which intrigued her and may have been the reason he’d purchased it. The top of the front door made an oval shape instead of the usual corners, and a huge brass handle accented it beautifully. The little white fence was just tall enough to keep Elvis corralled inside. There were three bay windows— in the dining room, the living room, and the main bedroom— and he’d added a skylight that let in sunlight.

  It was almost as wonderful as the house she’d fallen in love with before everything had gone wrong. But she’d settle for this adorable house. It made her happy to drive up and know it was hers. For now, anyway.

  She filled a box, taped it shut, and wrote sheets & towels with a marker.

  The doorbell rang, startling her. Seated on one of his cushions, Elvis raised his head as if to ask if she planned on answering it.

  She patted his head. “Yes, I am. You just sit right there,” she commanded. Might as well command him to do what he was already doing— he was more apt to be obedient that way.

  She pushed open the door, but no one was there. That was weird. Pushing open the screen door, she looked up the street both ways.

  Nope. She’d apparently been doorbell ditched.

  She started to close the door, when she caught sight of an envelope held in place on the porch with a rock. She fought the nervousness that hit her. It was probably an invitation to a wedding reception or something equally innocent. She pulled the envelope out from under the rock. It was sealed. A gust of October wind sent a chill through her.

  Back inside, with the door securely locked behind her, she opened the envelope and pulled out an index card. Handwritten on it were the words: Kaitlin Hartley, Go away. You’re not wanted in Aspen Grove.

  This was getting ridiculous. It had to be a prank of some kind. She wasn’t going to let it scare her. There was no one out to get her or scare her out of town. That was simply too far-fetched.

  But she decided to take Elvis with her back to the new place. Surely he would bite anyone who dared threaten her in person. “You would, right, Elvis?”

  He raised his chin.

  “Good boy,” she said and started loading more boxes into her car, then lifted Elvis onto his car cushion.

  Driving from her parents’ house to her new place, Kaitlin pulled into the driveway to find two forlorn figures slumped on her front steps. Joshua’s shoulders were rounded, his arm around Priscilla, her head snuggled against his side. The sight touched her heart.

  Feeling even guiltier over having avoided him at the Pumpkin Patch— she had nothing to feel guilty for!— Kaitlin unhooked Elvis from his safety restraint and set down his wriggling, excited body. He raced through the open gate toward the steps. Then Joshua had his arms around both dogs.

  What was it about this man that could get under her skin and past her defenses? She thought she’d built enough angry barriers that no one could breach them, but he kept sweeping past them.

  He and Priscilla both. She’d missed the little dog, too.

  She tried to steel her heart. She couldn’t afford to be vulnerable around Joshua. Stepping onto the walk, she latched the gate behind her. Joshua lifted his arm from around Priscilla and the little dog ran straight to Kaitlin, prancing around and hoping to be petted.

  “Hi, girl.” Kaitlin knelt and reached for the dog’s back. “At least, I’m assuming you’re a girl.”

  “Yup. She’s a girl.” Joshua gave Elvis a big hug. “Hi, boy.”

  Kaitlin crossed her arms. “Do you know who might be leaving notes on my porch telling me I’m not wanted in town?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “What? You’re getting threats?” His tone was indignant enough that it relieved her suspicion that he might be involved.

  She nodded and told him what the note said. “It’s like the UN-welcome wagon paid a visit.”

  “Did you call the police?”

  “No. It’s probably a prank of some kind.”

  “Or Bitty,” he muttered.

  “She’s annoying, but I don’t think she’d do something like this.”

  “Just be careful.” He turned concerned eyes to her.

  Locked in his gaze, she took a second too long before responding. “I will.”

  After a probing look, he nodded.

  The dogs ran into the middle of Kaitlin’s little yard and began to play. She shook her head. “They really do like being together.”

  Joshua pushed off the step and straightened his shoulders. “They should be.”

  For an instant, Kaitlin wasn’t sure what Joshua meant by that. Was he going to propose again? What would she do if he did?

  Her heart pounding, she realized she wanted to be with Joshua. Her foolish, foolish heart didn’t know any better.

  “I have one more box for you to take inside your new place.” Joshua reached down for a medium-sized box from her porch.

  “Like I don’t have enough of those already, right?” she teased.

  He didn’t smile as he handed her the light-weight box. The flap was open, and she could see dog dishes, a dog bed, and a leash the same purple as Elvis’s.

  She looked up at him questioningly.

  The sadness in his eyes almost had her dropping the box to hug him, but instead she clutched it to her.

  “I know how much you love the dogs, and I can see how much they want to be together.”

  “I don’t understand. You said you were leaving town next week and coming back for Halloween. Why are you bringing her over now?”

  “I’m giving Priscilla back to you, Kaitlin. I have something to confess. When we were at the dog race and ended up with the wrong dogs, I knew I was taking Elvis. I can always tell them apart. I just wanted to see you again. I wanted to have the relationship we had before you left. But I blew it last year, and I can tell you haven’t forgiven me. I’m so sorry.” He drew in a ragged breath. “Maybe you can let me come take them for a walk occasionally. That would mean a lot.”

  As she struggled to come up with any sort of response, he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Have a happy life, Kaitlin Hartley.”

  And he strode toward his pickup without a backward glance.

  Chapter Eleven

  I've been getting some bad publicity— but you got to expect that.

  —Elvis Presley

  Stunned, Kaitlin continued to clutch the box of Priscilla’s belongings as she watched Joshua drive away.

  What just happened?

  She knew how much he loved his dog. He loved both of them, as she did. He was actually a better dog parent than she was. He could tell them apart, while she hadn’t even noticed when she’d had the wrong dog.

  His words seared her. I wanted to have the relationship we had before you left. B
ut I blew it last year, and I can tell you haven’t forgiven me. I’m so sorry.

  She wished she could believe him, but how could he say that when he’d been the one to start dating someone else immediately? She carried the box into the house, fed both dogs, and got them settled with a couple of chew toys. “I’ll be back soon,” she promised.

  She had to talk with someone she could trust.

  Her head still reeling, she drove toward her parents’ house, but as she passed by Candy’s Café and saw her mother’s car there, she changed her mind. She parked on the street in front and pushed open the café door.

  Candy looked up and smiled. “Nice to see you again, Kaitlin.”

  Her mother turned around, saw her, and laughed. “I’m just taking a little break. Really. I got tired of schlepping boxes.”

  “I know, Mom. That’s not why I’m here.”

  The place was half full, keeping several waitresses busy, but the counter where her mother sat was mostly empty. Kaitlin took the stool beside her.

  “Hot chocolate?” Candy asked, and sing-songed, “On the house.”

  “That would be great, thanks.” Kaitlin nodded. “Even more than that, I need some of that advice you promised.”

  Candy narrowed her eyes. “As in, advice to the lovelorn?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Oh, honey, have you ever come to the right place.” Candy poured a cup of steaming chocolate, added some whipped cream, and set it in front of Kaitlin. “Tell us what’s wrong.”

  “Joshua just came over to my new place.” She looked at her mother. “Did you give him the address?”

  “When he came by this morning with cute little Priscilla, I told him you were moving. It’s not a secret he couldn’t get any other way.”

  “It’s okay, Mom. I just wondered how he got it so fast.”

  Both women looked at her expectantly, and the silence grew heavy.

  Kaitlin set down the mug. She wanted to tell them what he’d said, but she wasn’t ready to address that yet. “Joshua came over and gave me Priscilla. As a gift. He loves that little dog. Why would he do that?”

  Candy and her mother exchanged glances. Candy said, “You really don’t know?”

  Kaitlin shook her head.

  “Honey, that man is in love with you. Smitten. Always has been.”

  “Then why did he try to keep me from going after my dream last year? That’s not the act of a person in love.” She blinked back sudden tears. “And why would he propose and then immediately start dating Bitty Branson?”

  Her mother touched Kaitlin’s arm. “Honey, I love you, but you never see anyone’s side of the story except your own. There are always more points of view. Think about it from Joshua’s perspective. You hurt him by leaving him behind. And why wouldn’t Bitty want him? He’s a nice guy. He’s good looking. He’s the most eligible bachelor in town. He’s faithful—”

  “Not true! Two weeks after he proposed to me, he started dating her.”

  “Are you kidding?” Candy leaned her arms on the counter. “Kaitlin, that man was heartbroken when you left. I talked to his mother. For two weeks all he did was sit in his room with that little dog. She was beginning to really worry about him.”

  “Oh yeah, heartbroken men go out and date someone else.”

  “Sometimes men who feel like they’ve been rejected and deserted do exactly that. To feel like they’re desirable, even if it’s to a woman who doesn’t matter to them. From his perspective, you dumped him. When he proposed, you said no— not later, but a flat-out no. That was a horrible rejection.”

  Defensive, Kaitlin said, “Wasn’t I supposed to get my training? It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

  “I’m not saying he’s perfect, darling. We’re all human, and nobody’s perfect. Even you. But there is perfect for each other.” Candy snorted. “Besides, everyone with half a brain knows he only dated her to make you jealous. Even Bitty said as much to me. He probably thought you’d come running back home as soon as you heard.”

  “He wanted to make me jealous?” He hadn’t just run off and started dating because he didn’t care about her? The thought startled her. But she’d have to be blind not to have seen that.

  “Not to keep you from your dream, but because he was so crazy in love that he didn’t know how to live without you. You’ve both done some growing up in the past year.” Candy stood back up. “I hope.”

  Her mother said, “I think maybe you shouldn’t be hanging around with Lindsey so much right now.”

  “Why not? She’s my friend.”

  “Because she has a suspicious mind. She takes offense too easily, and I think she helps you take offense too.”

  Remember, Lindsey had said. Remember how he started dating Bitty so soon.

  “At least give him the benefit of the doubt.” Candy waved to another person who came in the café. “And remember that it’s easy for the rest of us to see, looking in from the outside, that the man is head over heels in love with you. Perhaps you could give him another chance.”

  Another chance with Joshua? She would love to have a second chance with him. “How?”

  Candy smiled. “Tell him the truth.”

  “What, that I’m an idiot who didn’t see the hurt I caused him?”

  “That’s a good place to start,” Candy said and headed toward the jukebox.

  Her mother sighed. “As long as we’re telling the truth today... I called Joshua and told him you’d be at the Pumpkin Patch.”

  “Mom! Whose side are you on?”

  “Yours, sweetheart. Definitely yours.”

  The jukebox started playing, and Elvis belted out “I’m Stuck on You.”

  Candy was smiling as she came back around the counter.

  Chapter Twelve

  Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess.

  —Elvis Presley

  Kaitlin hugged first her mother and then Candy. “Thank you so much. I needed to hear that.”

  “Advice to the lovelorn is always on the house.” Candy looked her in the eye. “You two will work this out. Now go, find Joshua. Have the talk you should have had last year, and be happy.”

  “I’ve always thought Joshua was a keeper.” Her mother smiled. “I’ll see you back at your place with the last of the boxes.”

  “Okay,” Kaitlin said. “Thanks for helping me.”

  Still slightly stunned at what she’d learned, she stumbled out of the warm café and to her car. She drove home, latched the gate, and climbed the stairs to her new house then greeted the dogs— hers and Joshua’s both. And could no longer hold back the tears.

  If Joshua really loved her, she’d been a fool. They’d both been fools last year.

  Until then, their relationship had been easy. This was much, much harder.

  Sitting on her new blue-and-brown couch, with a dog snuggled on each side, she realized how much she still loved Joshua. She really did. She’d always loved him. And if she could believe Candy and her mother, Joshua still loved her.

  If she could believe Joshua’s own words.

  She’d fooled herself for an entire year. Not about her feelings for him— she’d always known she loved him— but about his motives and his feelings. He hadn’t been trying to hold her back; he just couldn’t bear to let her go.

  She did believe Joshua.

  Now she had to figure out a way to win him back.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When I get married, it'll be no secret. —Elvis Presley

  Halloween ~ Friday, October 31st

  The last six days had been torture, having to put off her plans to win Joshua until he got back from his business trip. He’d said he’d be back on Halloween, so today was the day.

  Kaitlin glanced out the front window. Both dogs were playing on the lawn. She’d need to let them back in soon as it was another chilly day.

  Kaitlin turned he
r attention back to her new plan just as Lindsey called. “What’s up?”

  Without waiting, Kaitlin said, “I think you ought to make up with Ethan.”

  “What, with that jerk?”

  “And I’m going to make up with Joshua.”

  “You’re kidding, right? Have you forgotten Bitty?”

  “I’m serious. And no, he’s not a jerk. He’s a sweetheart. And so is Joshua. I took offense when I should have been looking at the fact that he’s a good man. He was trying to make me jealous by dating Bitty. And Ethan’s a good man, too. We should both make up with them.”

  There was a brief pause before Lindsey asked, “Have you started smoking dope?”

  “No. And I’ve got to go. I challenge you to go kiss and make up with Ethan. I’m going to do the same with Joshua. It’s time for us to be with the men we love.”

  “You’re crazy.” Lindsey laughed. “Okay, but only because I’m feeling lonesome today.”

  “Good. Now I’ve got to go. Call me tomorrow, and we’ll exchange happy stories.”

  She hoped.

  “Bye, crazy friend,” Lindsey said.

  Next Kaitlin called Joshua’s number, hoping he’d answer when he saw it was her.

  “Yes?” He sounded hesitant.

  She was just relieved he’d picked up. “Are you home right now?”

  “Yes.” A pause.

  “Stay there and break out the dog biscuits. The dogs want to come trick-or-treating at your parents’ house.”

  “Okay to everything except my parents’ home. I’ve moved out.”

  Surprised, she said, “Oh. All right. Give me your new address.”

  He read it off, and she wrote it down. The street name— Creole— sounded familiar.

  She hung up. Time to put her plan into action. She glanced out the window and froze. Bitty was in the yard, yanking Elvis by the collar.

  Her dog mother instincts coming to the surface, she sprinted out the door and yelled, “What are you doing?”