by Maggie Mundy
Brett put his arms around her trembling body and helped her to the couch. The police officers were calling in what had happened to the station. They would need a team to rescue the body. They also called for an ambulance for her. Autumn started to shake—shock was setting in. Brett grabbed a cover off the couch and placed it around her shoulders. She never wanted him to let her go.
He touched her chin and tilted her head toward him. “You’re safe now. I will always be here for you. I love you, Autumn. I should have said it ages ago. I thought I would lose you if I did. I almost lost you anyway.”
She couldn’t stop the cascade of tears falling down her cheeks. The sobs wracked through her as all the tension of the last few days, if not years, eased out of her.
Brett hugged her and then chuckled. “That wasn’t the response I was expecting from my declaration.”
“I love you, too,” Autumn managed to get out between sobs. “I’m more than happy to stay close to you for as long as you want, and won’t let go.”
“That’s just what I was planning on doing.” Brett wiped away her tears with the corner of the blanket and kissed her on the lips. “I called Simon and he’s on his way over.”
There was a cough as the police officer stood in front of them. “The paramedics are here and will give you a once-over to see if you need to go to hospital. We will also need to get a full statement from you about what happened. Are you up to answering a few questions?” The police officer peered at her. “We are already aware of the restraining order you had on him in the UK.”
Autumn nodded. As long as she could keep hold of Brett’s hand, she would be okay.
Autumn told them what had led up to the kidnapping. Her body still trembled but she would go on. “When I came around, I was here. He tied me to the ledge and left me there all night while he sat, ate, and drank. Eventually, he fell asleep. I tried to break free but couldn’t. I was going to faint at one point so he gave me water. As the day wore on, he drank excessively and became more impatient. Said he had rented the place for weeks and would watch me starve if he had to. Then I heard the front doorbell and Brett arrived.”
The police officer looked at Brett. “You should have waited for us. This could have turned out a lot worse.”
“I know. I’m sorry, but I had to do something. When I burst into the room, I saw Autumn hanging over the balcony and I tried to get to her. Kevin fought me and got a knife and tried to cut the ropes holding her on. I charged him and we both went over. That was when you came in.”
Bluey lay on the couch next to her and put his head on her lap. Just patting him was calming her down.
The paramedics came in and Brett stood and left them to their examination. Because she had been unconscious, Autumn guessed they would want to do more investigations. She hadn’t eaten or drunk in hours and was weak. Plus, one side of her face was swollen and might hide fractures. She dreaded to think what she must look like and yet, Brett and Bluey peered at her with love.
The paramedic took her vital signs. “I think we’re going to keep you in overnight for observation. The doctors will need to do some X-rays and I’d like you to have intravenous fluids as you’re dehydrated. You’re still in shock and I’m going to give you some valium to help calm you down.”
Autumn tried to stand but her legs gave out and Brett and the paramedic lowered her back to the couch. They brought in a stretcher and put a drip in her arm and gave her some drugs. Exhausted as she was, as Autumn drifted to sleep, it occurred to her that she was safe now. She would be safe from now on.
Her body was bruised and battered but would heal. Her mind was a different matter. She kept having flashbacks, not only of the last few days, but of the past when Kevin had stalked her in London.
When the door to the hospital room opened, two men stood there—two men who meant so much to her—Simon and Brett. She loved them both and was so lucky to have them in her life.
Brett stood back as Simon gave her the biggest hug ever.
When he pulled away, he gave her the once-over like any doctor would. “I got here as soon as I could. Brett told me what happened, and I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“I’m all good now and they said I can go home. Thank you so much for coming. Just seeing your face helps. I don’t know what I would have done without the two of you.”
The nurses did one more set of observations and said she could leave. Brett embraced Autumn and helped her out to the car. When they got back to the cottage, Bluey ran out and Dorothy was there too. Autumn burst into tears again as she hugged her neighbor.
She would get over this with all her friends around her. She had to.
Chapter Eighteen
Two weeks had passed since the kidnapping and Autumn was recovering well. The bruises on her face had healed and she was lucky that she didn’t have a fractured skull or cheekbone. On the inside, she still felt a mess.
It was all over.
Kevin was dead and couldn’t get to her anymore, but the images in her head would not go away. Simon had stayed for a week and spent days talking to her about everything and anything so she wouldn’t freak out being on her own. Brett still had to work and Dorothy would pop in. Time would eventually heal her.
Brett stayed with her, but she would still wake up in a sweat having dreamed that she was hanging over the edge and then falling and landing on Kevin’s dead body. Brett would rock her in his arms and hold her until she slept again.
She wanted to go back to work but it wouldn’t be fair on the patients. She couldn’t risk them saying something and having a panic attack.
Brett had said he wanted to talk with her this evening when he got home. He was being so patient with her and she loved him more for it.
They’d eaten their meal but all he had done was make small talk. Something was on his mind. She cleared the dishes away and poured another glass of wine and sat on the couch. He joined her.
“You said you wanted to talk about something. I guess it’s not the new pergola Dorothy wants you to build.”
He stared into his drink.
“We’ve been through so much—you can tell me anything,” she said and meant it.
“After what happened to you, I don’t want there to be any secrets between us. You know my family was a mess when I was growing up. Mum went from man to man and none of them were good. We lived in more homes than I care to remember. Some of the men were violent. Mostly to her but sometimes to us.”
“Oh, my God, Brett. That is awful.”
“I lied to you about the bike accident that caused me to be sterile.” He took a deep breath before going on. “I got between one guy and Mum and he kicked me down there. The docs at the time said he had ripped tubes or something. I had surgery but obviously, it didn’t work. When I came out of hospital, Mum had gone back to the guy. That was it for me with her.”
Autumn shook her head in disbelief, but in truth, as a doctor, she knew such things happened.
“As soon as I was old enough, I left home and then after the fiasco with my fiancée, I left the state. I’d had enough. I felt you needed to know why I’m estranged from my family.”
“I’m amazed you grew up so strong after what you have been through. Maybe one day I can meet them when you’re ready.” She squeezed his hand. “Trust me, my parents are not your normal ones either.”
“Are you sure about not having any kids if we have a future together? I don’t think it’s fair to deprive you of that.”
“Not if. We do have a future. I can do some research and get a second opinion on the damage you sustained. Surgery has come a long way. I could ask Simon, with your permission. If all else fails, we can adopt or get more dogs.”
“I’m happy to see anyone if you think they could help.” He moved across and kissed her. “How the heck did someone as wonderful as you come into my life? I love you so much.”
“Ditto.”
Life was getting better and Dorothy was proving to be a guardian
angel. She cooked cakes and made copious cups of tea. The counseling was helping, and Autumn should have done it years ago when the original stalking had happened. She was stubborn and always wanted to do things on her own.
Autumn truly believed that one day she would be able to put everything that had happened behind her.
In the past where it belonged.
Chapter Nineteen
Brett had it all sorted. He was picking up Simon, Bridget, Brendan, and the girls from the airport. He had booked a minibus to transport them all to the Blue Mountains where he had them booked into a local motel.
He was pretty sure Autumn hadn’t guessed his plan and hoped Dorothy hadn’t let anything slip. The past eight weeks since the kidnapping had been hard on all of them.
It hurt him inside knowing Autumn was struggling with the fear and the nightmares. She would say all was okay but if there was a loud bang she would jump and drop whatever she was holding. At least she had returned to work and it seemed to be helping.
Brett would hold her at night but she’d asked if he could wait until they were intimate again. She didn’t want to be close in that way with other thoughts intruding on her mind. He didn’t care, as long as she was safe and happy.
Brett waited at arrivals and hugged Bridget and Simon and their family when they came through.
“I can’t believe what you both must have gone through. You know I wanted to come when Simon did but with the kids it wasn’t possible,” Bridget said, as Brett helped them with the bags.
“To be honest, she wouldn’t have coped. Simon was great that first week. Autumn needed someone she knew and trusted from the past.”
“I wished I could have done more and been there when you found her. I would have killed the guy.”
“I reckon Bluey has helped the most, along with the counseling. He sat with her as she read books and patted his head. Dogs understand.”
“So, what is your plan?” Simon asked.
“I plan on asking her to marry me.”
Bridget screamed and people stared as they walked out of the airport. Brett wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. He would scream it from the top of the Sydney Opera House if he could. “You’re all going to turn up at the barbecue tonight and she’ll get a surprise. Hell, I hope she says yes.”
Simon slapped him on the back. “She will. I’ve known her a long time and when I was here before, I could see she was happy for the first time in ages.”
Brett had the meat cooking and Autumn had made the salad. He had more sausages and chops over at his house to cope with the extra guests.
“Dorothy said she’ll be here soon and to leave the front door open. Said she’s bringing trifle. I didn’t know anyone made it anymore,” Brett said as Autumn sat in the shade.
“I love trifle but maybe it’s because I’m English. My nanny used to make it when I was small.”
It was hot by the barbecue but that wasn’t the reason he was feeling the heat. Now the moment had come, he was having doubts. They had been through so much and she’d said she loved him. He still had that unsure part of him inside—the insecure kid who went from one bad home to another.
Brett glanced over to the back door where Dorothy and the others were gathered. Even Bluey had jumped up and was wagging his tail. If Brett didn’t do something soon, his dog would give it away. He turned the chicken on the barbecue plate and then bent and hooked the little box onto Bluey’s collar. The two of them walked over and stood in front of Autumn.
She glanced up at them. “What?”
This was it.
Brett got on one knee and her hand went to her mouth as she stared at him wide-eyed.
“Autumn. We’re both so lucky that you came into our lives and Bluey and I would like you to stay forever. What I’m trying to say is, will you marry me?” Bluey put his paw on her lap and Brett unclipped the box from his collar and opened it to show the diamond ring he had bought. He held it out but she hadn’t said yes yet. When he gazed at her, he could see tears in her eyes.
“Yes. A thousand times, yes.”
As Brett slipped the ring on her finger, a loud cheer went up from the others as they rushed out into the garden.
“Oh my God. What are you all doing here? The girls are here, too. Now I’m really going to bawl my eyes out.” Autumn was crying with more tears of joy.
Dorothy came out with glasses as Simon opened a bottle of champagne.
Autumn kept her arm around his waist as everyone made speeches, and it was the best feeling in the world.
“I have another surprise for you,” Brett said.
“I distinctly remember telling you when we first met that I didn’t like surprises,” Autumn said, but she couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
“Simon and Bridget are not just here to see me get down on one knee. They are here for a sort of wedding.”
“What? Whose?”
“You know, for a doctor, you’re not very smart sometimes. Yours,” Simon stated, shaking his head at her.
Autumn stuck her tongue at him.
“See? I told you, Brett. She’s not very mature. You need to rethink this.”
Bridget elbowed Simon, who was smirking.
Dorothy piped up next, “It’s my fault, Autumn. I told Brett you’d said if you ever got married again, you would want something small. Told him to get on and do something.”
“I’ve checked with your work and they have someone covering for you. We’re all leaving tomorrow morning to fly to Cairns. The venue is booked for an exchange of vows. Once we get citizenship sorted, and if you are happy to live in Australia, we can get married properly. Or if you want to live in the UK, I don’t mind. I just didn’t want to wait.”
“I love it and I can’t believe you all knew about this and didn’t let on.” Autumn kissed him and everyone cheered.
Brett was definitely the luckiest man alive as he turned to see Autumn walk down the aisle toward him. Her hair was up and that kissable neck of hers was on display. She wore pants and a sexy top. He liked the way it dipped at the front and showed off her cleavage.
Brett thought back to the first day he’d seen her. His feelings had only grown since then. When he looked at her face, she smiled. That he could make her happy meant more to him than anything.
She had accepted they would not have kids, though both Autumn and Simon were going to do some research and see if there was any chance. Otherwise, they would adopt or try in vitro. It didn’t matter, as long as they were together.
He wanted to stay in Australia but would see where Autumn wanted to be. He’d told her he would give her time to make her decision, and he would stick to that. Their parents and family on both sides could come when they got married officially.
The celebrant spoke about them exchanging vows and then it was his moment.
His throat went dry when he took her hands in his.
“You know I’m a man who is good with his hands. I’m a carpenter. There’s an honesty in wood. It shows what it has experienced. From the first moment we met, I saw something in you I’d never seen before. A beautiful soul shining. I wanted to know more, and fate chose to put us together. I will be beside you as we build our future together. I will be there to love and cherish you through all the years ahead.”
Chapter Twenty
Autumn loved this man so much. Who could have known making a crazy decision to come to Australia would result in this. He had put his heart and life on the line for her and she would do the same for him in an instant.
Now, she stood holding his hands. Autumn took a deep breath. When they did get married, this would still be the moment when they promised to be there for each other.
She glanced at Simon. Her friend had been there for her over the years and she would always be grateful. Simon winked at her. It was the approval she needed. Bridget took Simon’s hand in hers. For so long, Autumn had believed it was impossible to find love. Simon and Bridget had, and now she would cherish every moment of her own a
lso.
The twins looked beautiful in identical pink dresses and Brendan wore a smart shirt with his jeans. Dorothy was glamorous in a stunning flowing pale blue dress and amazing hat.
Autumn looked back to the gorgeous man in front of her. “I know when I first met you, I thought you were funny, naughty, and definitely a bit sexy. I was at a point in my life where I had given up on love, but you made me believe again. You kept coming back and being there for me even when it meant you risked everything. I will love you now and forever for that.”
The celebrant spoke of their devotion to each other and then they kissed. A kiss that was as wonderful as their first, and it would not be their last. Autumn had never thought life could turn out like this and her heart almost burst with joy.
Their small group returned to the restaurant where they celebrated with a meal and speeches. She dreaded to think what Simon was going to say when he stood.
“I am thrilled to be here today to see this lovely lady exchange vows with the man of her dreams. I first met her when we were training to be doctors and I always knew she would do well. Probably because she is smarter than me, though I hate to admit it.”
“It’s true,” Autumn called out. “Did someone record that? I want it on record.”
“She didn’t manage to get the success in her personal life that matched her medical career. That was, until she came to Australia and met Brett. I think a certain dog had something to do with bringing them together, even though he is not with us today. For me, as a long-time friend, it is good to see you smile again. To Brett, I hope you know what you’ve let yourself in for. She can be a stubborn cuss.” Simon turned to Brett. “You’re a strong man and I wouldn’t want to see her with anyone else. To both of you, I wish a wonderful future wherever you end up.”
