by Karen Booth
“It’s only for a few days. My business is having an emergency. If anyone should appreciate the pressure I’m under, it’s you.”
“I also know that it’s possible to get on a video call and fix most problems. You can do a lot remotely. That’s what I’ve been doing and it works great.”
Was Grey being irresponsible by leaving for New York? He really didn’t think so. “Are you seriously asking me to not go?”
“It’s your choice. But... I need you here.”
Grey sucked in a deep breath and shoved his hands into his pockets. This argument he was having with Mack was the perfect illustration of why he’d stayed away all these years. Why he’d let Mack and Travis live in their own orbits and he in his. There was always a problem. Controversy. And Grey despised it. This was how he’d been conditioned, from a very young age, the first time he saw his parents have a fight.
He turned and looked down at the lake. Guests were out walking and bicycling, enjoying the summer day. Part of him wished he could have their existence rather than his own. He hated feeling torn like this, but this was his life and he didn’t have the ability to choose a different one. “I hate it when you do this.”
“What?”
“Act so damn high and mighty. You are not a perfect person, Mack. However much you might think you are.”
“I don’t think that.”
“Well, it can come off that way. The attitude that you know what’s best for everyone is highly annoying. I can make my own choices, especially when it comes to my business. And my personal life.”
“You still haven’t told me if you’re going or staying.”
Grey turned back to the cottage and noticed Autumn’s dress was no longer draped over the bar stool. She must’ve managed to grab it and sneak off without being seen. Grey wished he’d been around to witness that. He was certain it would’ve been adorable. If there was any bright spot in any of this mess, it was Autumn. If he stayed in Asheville, he would have more time with her, and he knew in his gut that he wanted that. Things had just started between them. The embers were still white hot.
“If it really means that much to you, I won’t go.”
“Seriously?” Mack seemed as shocked as Grey was by the answer.
“Yes. But I want you to cut it out with the guilt trip. I’m working my ass off here. Stop acting like I’m not pulling my weight.”
“I will work on that. But I need you to start acting like you want to be here, rather than talking about it like it’s nothing more than an obligation. I get it. I did the same thing. But you’re with your family. And you’re spending an entire summer in the mountains. Find a way to enjoy it. Most people would do anything to be in your shoes.”
When his brother put it like that, it didn’t take long for Grey to see that he’d been doing everything Mack accused him of. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right.” Grey took another cleansing breath. “I’m really sorry that Autumn and I ducked out of your party. It was my idea. You can blame me for the whole thing.”
“Eager to get somewhere?”
Grey had to fight his smile. “Yes. I think you’re familiar with that scenario.”
Mack nodded. “I am. I get it.”
“I’m still sorry about it. And yes, I’ll keep things with Autumn quiet. And don’t worry, I will tread lightly.”
“I guess this means Sunday lunch is on for tomorrow.”
“I guess so. Pops will be happy.”
“I’ll let Giada know.” Mack opened his arms wide. “Brotherly hug?”
Grey laughed. Perhaps that was Mack’s real means of control—his charm was so disarming. “Of course.”
Mack and Grey embraced for a moment, and Grey felt like he and his brother were back on track. He was glad he’d agreed to stay. For now.
They said their goodbyes and Grey rushed back inside. Autumn was waiting right inside the door with his suitcase, wearing the same jaw-dropping dress she’d been in last night. “Grey. I don’t know when your flight is, but don’t we need to get in the car?”
“Nope.”
“Wait. What?”
“I’m not going. And the good news is that I’m definitely not going to miss your birthday.” Grey could hardly believe that Mack had talked him into it, but he’d made a compelling case. “I’m not going. Mack laid a big guilt trip on me about fulfilling my obligations. He’s right. I promised to stay for the summer. Taking off for New York would go against that.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to handle the problems you have at work?”
“I need to make a bunch of phone calls. Let people know the state of things. Then I’ll address the whole company on Monday morning via video call. It should be okay. I will remind them that I’m away because my father has been ill. Hopefully that will put things in perspective.”
“That’s good. And I’m glad you’re staying. Really glad.” Autumn smiled warmly as a flush of pink colored her cheeks. Good God, she was beautiful.
“I’m glad, too.” Grey wanted to sew up one more thing, for both their sakes. He reached for Autumn’s hand. “I need to ask you one more time, and I know that we’ve sort of beat this subject into the ground, but I need to know that you’re really okay with this. With what happened last night. And an hour ago. And what might happen again later. If I’m lucky?”
Autumn slugged Grey on the arm. “Yes. I’m fine. Stop asking me about it.”
He pulled her into his arms. “There’s nothing wrong with having fun, right?”
“Never.”
He kissed her softly. “Well, you, Autumn Kincaid, are all kinds of fun.”
Nine
It took Autumn more than two weeks to get around to packing up her old engagement ring. It wasn’t that she hadn’t been at home to do it. She definitely had, as Grey had stayed over multiple times since the Fourth of July. There had been dinners and a few movies on her couch, but more than anything, there had been sex. They were in the throes of that stage where you can’t keep your hands off each other. Every time she was around him, she was burdened with questioning thoughts of when they would next get to be naked together. Things were that hot. And that good.
Autumn’s cat, Milton, expressed some disdain at first, but seemed to be warming to her gentleman visitor. Yes, Autumn was plying the cat with extra treats, but she wanted the men in her life to get along. It was important. Grey was only there for the summer, and it was more than half-over. She wanted every minute to count and most important, to be enjoyable. She wanted zero drama. No problems.
Autumn planned to run to the post office at lunch after a morning of work at Moonlight Ridge. It was almost noon, so she pulled her purse and the small parcel out of her jumbo tote bag and set them on her desk.
Catering and Events manager Ross Barnes appeared in Autumn’s doorway. “I have to run some errands at lunch. Need anything while I’m out?” He was always so helpful, and had a knack for showing up at exactly the right time.
“Any chance you’ll be near the post office?”
“I’m actually meeting with a supplier nearby. What do you need?” He stepped into the room.
Autumn pointed at the package. “This needs to be mailed.”
“Sure thing.” He glanced down at the address label. “Jared? You’re sending something to your ex?”
“I’m sending back my engagement ring.”
“Why not just sell it? He dumped you with zero warning, days before your wedding day.”
Ross had a point, but Autumn was trying to move on. “I don’t need the money. Plus, it wouldn’t feel right. I’ve already closed the door on that chapter of my life, but I’d like to flip the dead bolt, if you get what I mean.”
He laughed. “I do. And I’m happy to help you do it. I take it you’d like it insured? ”
“Yes, please. I also want someone to sign for
it.”
“No problem. My first job was in the mail room at a law firm. I know all about that. I can take care of it and I’ll bring you the tracking info when I get back.”
“Thank you. I’ll owe you one.”
“Yep, you owe me big-time.” Ross picked up the package. “By the way, did you see that Grey’s friend moved out of her cottage today?”
Autumn really liked Ross a lot, but he loved to gossip, which was not Autumn’s favorite activity. “I didn’t. And she’s a work colleague, by the way. Not his friend.”
“What was she doing here? I don’t think she ever really left the cottage. According to housekeeping, she never let them in. She took clean sheets and linens from them, but that was it. She only ever ordered room service. Doesn’t that seem strange to you? It’s the middle of the summer in the mountains of North Carolina. People pay a lot of money to come to Moonlight Ridge this time of year.”
It did seem strange to Autumn, but Grey had been pretty quick to end the conversation when she’d asked about it before. “Everyone has their reasons for doing what they do. Maybe she needed alone time?”
He shrugged. “I guess.”
Just then, Grey appeared in her doorway. Autumn hadn’t come close to being immune to the effect of seeing him. Every glimpse made her happy. “I’m sorry. Am I interrupting something? I can come back.” He had both arms behind his back and was clearly carrying something.
“No, Mr. Holloway. I was just leaving,” Ross answered. “Autumn, I’ll get this in the mail for you and bring you the tracking info later.”
Grey stood to the side as Ross exited the room and disappeared down the hall. “Sending Ross to the post office? Don’t we have on-site facilities for that?”
“It’s personal. I’m actually sending back the engagement ring.”
Grey’s eyebrows arched inquisitively. “You didn’t give it back at the time?”
Autumn shrugged. “It wasn’t the first thing on my mind. I was too busy watching my life fall apart before my eyes. He never asked for it, either. But I don’t like having it around. It needs to go.” Autumn disliked this subject. She wished she would’ve sent the ring back earlier. Like the day after she got dumped. “What’s in your hand?”
Grey then revealed what he was toting—a large handled basket. “Can I take you out to lunch?”
The heat started in Autumn’s chest and raced straight to her face. “A picnic?” She got up from her desk.
“Yes. I guess Chef Hallie is testing some new lunch recipes and she wanted me to try them, but it’s too nice a day to sit inside. So I asked the kitchen to pack us a picnic.” He gazed down into her eyes. “Plus, I was thinking about that thing you said a few weeks ago. About how even when I’m busy, I should still have time to pop by your office. So here I am...”
Autumn grinned like a fool. “Popping by my office.”
Grey planted a soft kiss on her lips. “Precisely.”
Grey and Autumn walked downstairs and through the grand lobby, then outside. It truly was a glorious day for a picnic. The temperature was in the midseventies, there was very little humidity, and a pleasant breeze. “I was thinking we could go back to the garden behind the inn.”
“Yes. Perfect. It’s so pretty and quiet back there.” They walked along the sidewalks that wound around the building, which led out onto the lush green space behind the building.
Grey spread out the lightweight blanket packed on top of the basket, and they both got settled. Autumn curled her legs off to the side and he sat on his knees while he pulled out the goodies Chef Hallie had prepared for them—a sandwich of French bread, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and an oregano vinaigrette, along with several cold salads, one with farro and fresh dill, another with roasted corn and red pepper, and the last with seasonal fruit and mint. They also had a large bottle of sparkling water with lemon.
“I wasn’t sure about wine on a Monday afternoon,” Grey said, putting the empty containers back in the basket.
Autumn pitched in to help. “I’m already going to have a hard enough time staying awake this afternoon after all of that.” Feeling quite full, Autumn stretched out on her side.
Grey put the basket aside and joined her, lying on his back and lacing his fingers together over his chest. “I thought it was quite good. Molly mentioned that sometimes there are complaints about the food.”
“Hallie’s trying her best.” Autumn hadn’t been able to see Grey the last few Sundays, as he’d been having lunch with his family and he hadn’t extended the invitation. The one time she’d asked about it, Grey had said he’d rather save her from the drama, but Autumn had to wonder if it was something else. “Speaking of food, how was the family lunch?”
Grey shrugged. “Great. Giada’s an amazing cook.”
That hadn’t quite been what Autumn was getting at. “Grey, I meant how was seeing your family?”
“It was fine. No big arguments, so that was good.”
How he loved it when things were calm and even. “I heard that your work colleague moved out of her cottage today.”
“More gossip going around?”
“It’s just Ross. He knows everything that’s going on. Plus, I think she naturally drew attention by not letting housekeeping in for an entire month.”
Grey rolled onto his side and propped his head up with his hand. “Can you keep a secret?”
“Of course.” Autumn couldn’t imagine what he might say, but she was very good at holding them tight.
“First off, my colleague’s name is Opal Terry. She was here because she was sorting out piles of old financial records for the business. My brothers and I discovered that things were in total disarray after Pops got sick. It’s delicate work, in part because she’s looking for discrepancies. We couldn’t risk someone from housekeeping seeing what she was working on.”
“Oh. Wow.” Autumn was glad Grey had chosen to confide in her. It made her feel a little less bad about not warranting an invitation to Sunday lunch. “Do you think that someone on staff could be stealing?”
“We don’t know enough yet. But that’s why things were so cloak and dagger.”
“Well, don’t worry. I won’t tell a soul.”
Grey looked at his watch and sat up. “Dammit. I have to go. I’m supposed to meet Mack so we can talk about brewery stuff.”
“I think it’s wonderful that you’re willing to jump through so many hoops to get Mack and Molly the wedding venue they want. And that you three brothers are going to such lengths to take care of your dad. It not only shows your love for him, I think it really shows your love for each other.”
Grey dropped his head to one side and jutted out his lower lip. “How did you get to be so sweet?”
She leaned into him until her lips were an inch or two from his. “I think you know I’m not always sweet.”
He grinned. “Do I get to see you later?”
Goose bumps rolled across her skin. “I’d love it.”
“Perfect. I’ll text you.”
Grey strolled off, and Autumn stole her chance to admire him—the bold confidence of his stride, those sculpted shoulders she loved to touch, and that impossibly touchable head of hair. How was she going to feel when she had to watch him walk away for the last time? Would she be strong enough to simply focus on the countless assets of the man she’d been lucky to have? Or would it feel like she was losing someone who could have been more than a summer fling? She not only couldn’t answer those questions, she didn’t want to think about them. Not yet.
* * *
Lunch with Autumn had been amazing, and Grey was so glad he’d surprised her with it, but it had pointed out one glaring gap in his thinking about her. He hadn’t been inviting her to Sunday lunches with his family because he didn’t want to pull her too close. But he could see now that doing romantic things like bringing her a picnic could
be just as hurtful—it was not the gesture of a casual relationship. This was a delicate balance, showing her how much he appreciated and adored her, without raising expectations that they might ever be more than friends and lovers.
Grey dropped off the picnic basket with the catering department and walked over to the barn. As he started up the hill where the building was situated, he marveled at the sheer number of trucks and vans on-site. Normally, the individual subcontractors do not like to work at the same time. Often, they can’t work at the same time. You can’t put in a floor when the plumbers are still running the lines that will go beneath it. But Grey and Jameson together had pulled some strings with Mountain Builders, all so they could make Mack and Molly’s dream a reality.
When Grey arrived at the top of the hill, he could see that most of the workers had knocked off for lunch, sitting in the shade of a large red maple. This was the perfect time to discuss progress with Mack.
Grey grabbed a hard hat and walked inside. Mack was already waiting for him.
“You’re here,” Mack said. His voice was happy and upbeat, but also a bit raw.
“Of course.” Grey hugged his brother, then placed his hand on his back. “Everything okay?”
Mack nodded. “Oh, sure. I just sort of had this moment where I realized this isn’t like the other breweries. This isn’t a normal opening. Molly and I are getting married in here. We used to run around as kids in this barn. It’s just sort of crazy to think about.”
It wasn’t like Mack to be overly sentimental, but Grey completely understood what his brother was saying. “You’re absolutely right. I think it only makes sense that the Moonlight Ridge location of Corkscrew Craft Beer Breweries be a special one. The wedding will make it even more so.” Grey and Mack were both quiet for a moment, looking around the space. For Grey’s part, he was thinking about the importance of getting everything right, but he also took a great deal of pride in the fact that he and his brother had embarked on this together. It felt good to be side by side.
“Does it look like we’re on schedule?” Mack asked.
