Guarding Autumn (Crimson Point Security #3)

Chapter Three

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Autumn set one last curl in her hair and unplugged the hot curling wand on its stand on the bathroom counter, conscious of the anxious energy humming through her. Gavin might not be here physically, but it felt like he was with evidence of his presence all around her. The scent of his body wash she’d just used hung in the air, clinging to her freshly washed hair and skin.

She’d now had twenty-four hours to absorb the news, but she was still in shock, still had no clue on how to best handle the situation. Other than to accept the one option—the morally correct option—that would blow her life apart.

It was so damned ironic. For years, she’d let herself dream about being with him, fantasize about having a family together someday. That it was happening this way was more painful than bittersweet.

And how was she going to tell Carly? How many times had Carly told her she wished she had a dad? Two Christmases in a row she’d written to Santa asking for one. For her to find out it had been Gavin all along was either going to be the best news Carly could ever get, or—

“Mom, you ready yet?” Carly called from out in Gavin’s bedroom. Sleeping in that giant bed had made it tough to keep her mind from wandering to forbidden places Autumn really couldn’t afford it to go now. “I’m starving .”

“There’s a fully stocked fridge in a gorgeous kitchen just down the hall.”

A distinctly pre-teen sound of frustration answered her. “You promised we could get something to eat in town and then go shopping to get Gavvy and Trissy a birthday present before I start my genealogy project.”

Her stomach grabbed at the reminder. It was their birthday. The big three-oh, and Marley was having them all over to celebrate tonight.

She couldn’t not go. Wasn’t so much of a coward that she would no-show on his birthday just to avoid feeling awkward. He’d always been good to her. He deserved better than that. “Yes, I know. Gimme five minutes.”

“You said that five minutes ago.”

“Patience, please.”

“Ugh, fiii - nuh .” Carly gave a long-suffering sigh, and her footsteps retreated.

Autumn took another deep breath and confronted her reflection in the huge mirror above the sink, forcing down the tension in her belly at the thought of seeing Gavin later. She only had a few days until the conference started, and then she would be swamped for that whole weekend. She’d been so excited about the start of this trip, the chance to make the most of her time here with Carly and exploring the area with the twins and Marley.

Crazy how life could suddenly turn on a dime.

She found Carly sitting at the kitchen island waiting for her with an annoyed expression and smothered a grin. “Ready?”

“Been ready for half an hour,” her daughter muttered, hopping off the stool and heading for the door.

Ah, to go back to that time in life when being mildly annoyed at your mother was the worst thing that happened in your day. “It’ll be cool down by the water. Bring your hoodie.”

Carly dutifully tugged on the pink unicorn hoodie on the way out the door. The morning was overcast, but already Autumn could see signs of clearing in the cloud deck when they stepped outside onto the path. Lush, shiny dark green rhododendrons lined both sides of it, covered in brilliant blooms of red, pink and yellow. In between, purple foxgloves and multicolored poppies popped through.

“It’s so pretty,” Carly said, taking a picture on her phone.

They headed down the hill together toward the waterfront, the salty breeze whipping off the water making it feel more like fall than almost summer. The vibe of the town was immediately welcoming, a relaxed, charming place that soothed the jagged edges of Autumn’s anxiety.

It would all be okay. It would.

Down beyond the curving edge of the bay, long lines of rolling waves washed onto the strip of sandy beach that stretched north as far as the eye could see, the dull roar of the ocean growing louder as she and Carly approached the base of the hill. People were out walking their dogs, young families strolling along the beach and the sidewalks past the brightly painted shops, restaurants, and other businesses on Front Street.

“I love it,” Carly announced. “No wonder they all moved here.”

“I think it’s hideous,” Autumn joked.

Carly shot her a look over her shoulder, then her gaze caught on something around the corner. “Whoa, that place sure looks popular.”

As Autumn rounded the edge of the building onto Front Street, she saw the lineup of people extending down the sidewalk and into the bright blue open front door of a little café. A hand-painted wooden sign of what looked like a humpback tail hung from the edge of the building, announcing that it was called Whale’s Tale.

“Clever. Love a good pun.” The smell of freshly baked goodies carried on the air. Autumn breathed it in appreciatively. “Must be good. Should we wait it out and see?”

“Oh, there’s a bookshop inside it too!” Carly turned to her. “Can I go look for a present in there while you wait in line?”

“Sure.” Autumn joined the back of the line and watched her daughter disappear through the open bright blue door of the bookshop, feeling a sharp pang. Carly was all the best parts of her. Her daughter was the most precious present she could ever give Gavin, but it wasn’t the kind of news she was going to drop on him on his birthday.

She was going to tell him. But she had to pick the right moment, and despite their lifelong friendship, part of her was afraid of his reaction. Afraid that he might initially accuse her of hiding it from him all this time or reject Carly outright, saying he didn’t want the responsibility.

No. That wasn’t just unfair, it was ridiculous. She and Gavin had known each other almost all their lives. And while he wasn’t one to shy away from conflict, he was also quick to forgive, at least with people he cared about. When she explained that she had only just found out herself, he would believe her. She couldn’t believe he would reject Carly; he adored her. Maybe once the initial shock wore off, there was a chance he might even be happy about the news.

Yeah, keep dreaming the best-case scenario if it makes you feel better.

It did, thanks.

But she also intended to make it clear she didn’t expect anything from him, other than his relationship with Carly. Autumn didn’t want money from him or for their connection to change. He meant too much to her to lose that.

Seeing him at the airport yesterday, the way his face had lit up when he’d seen them... The shock of the news must have rattled her more than even she’d realized because her emotions were all over the place, and the old feelings she’d worked so hard to bury all those years ago had come rushing back the moment she’d seen him.

And that hug. The feel of those familiar, powerful arms locking around her. The overwhelming urge to melt into him, hide there in the safety of his embrace. For some reason it had seemed like he’d held onto her longer than normal. Like he didn’t want to let her go.

She shook her head at herself in annoyance. Wake up, Autumn. She needed to lock those old feelings down hard, shove them back into the box she’d buried them in when she was eighteen. She couldn’t afford for him to see that truth. Not now.

The lineup outside the café had moved enough that she had a clear view into the bookshop. The smells of cinnamon, caramel, and freshly brewed coffee wafting out the door made her stomach growl. Carly was in plain view through the large windows at the front, holding a couple of books while chatting away to a young, pretty blond woman wearing an apron.

Carly turned to look at Autumn and rushed toward the door, a wide smile on her face. And in that moment it hit Autumn like a gut punch. The red hair that she had always thought belonged to another man. The shape of Carly’s mouth and chin. All Gavin. She’d just never noticed it before.

“Look what I found,” Carly announced, holding up the books. “What do you think?”

Autumn grinned at her daughter’s excitement, stifling the nervous flutter in her belly. Oh, God, please don’t hate me. “I think they’re perfect.” She handed over her credit card. “Ring ’em up, then go have a look at the pastry case and see what they have so I can decide while I’m in line.”

Carly took it. “Okay. That’s Poppy, by the way. She owns this place, and told me everything here is made from scratch. That’s why it’s so busy.” She hurried away to pay for her purchases.

Autumn looked over at Poppy, who smiled and gave a friendly wave. Autumn returned it, mentally gearing up for seeing Gavin later on. Tonight she would set all this drama aside and let him enjoy his time with family. Tomorrow...

He would find out that family was one person larger.