Chapter Thirteen
Jett had barely slept after his run-in with Autumn out in the yard of all places. That kiss replayed in his mind as if it had been a tight call in the end zone. When he kissed her, he wanted to take her clothes off and make love to her until neither of them could handle another minute. She was going to allow her pride to be the end of them before they even started and the reason she lost her land to a stranger. Why wouldn’t she want a Backwater lifer to own it?
He ran a hand over his face. He had to stop thinking about it. The morning had started off on the wrong foot when one of the guests couldn’t get hot water in their bathroom. He had to move them to another location, refund them a night’s stay, and threaten Lock to fix it. They had to shut down the shooting range today too, because another guest refused to follow the simple rule of keeping the damn gun pointed downrange. The guy continued to do it, as if on purpose, after Jett had told him twice and Gage told him once.
Now he waited by his truck where Autumn’s driveway met the road. Logan had asked to talk to him again, and Jett didn’t want to run into Autumn. He wasn’t sure she was even home. He hadn’t seen her truck during practice, but he had tried not to look in the direction of her old lodge.
He had suggested to Logan they go into town, but Logan expressed the desire to avoid his dad. Jett wasn’t ready for whatever this conversation held. He didn’t understand why Logan would entrust him with this secret, and once he knew, what would he be obligated to share with another adult?
Logan’s car came down the drive and parked on the road in front of Jett’s truck. Logan shuffled over with his hands shoved in his pants pockets and his shoulders slumped and head down.
“Hey, Coach.”
“Howdy. Are you sure you don’t want to go somewhere inside? It would be a lot warmer.”
“Nah. Here, if anyone sees us, I can say we were talking about skiing or the team or whatever. We go anywhere else and people start asking questions.”
The boy was smart about that. “Okay, what’s on your mind?” He shoved his own hands into the pockets of his parka. Evening soaked up what was left of the sunset, throwing everything into a washed-out gray. Frosted air stung what skin he had exposed.
“I have a problem, and I need a guy’s perspective.”
Jett bit back the words asking where his friends were. At Logan’s age, he would have been hesitant to confide in his friends about much, but he had his brothers always there to help him. He was lucky that way.
“What kind of a problem?”
“With a girl.” Logan’s gaze searched the road as if he were waiting for someone to come around the bend.
“Well, I’ve dated a few. Are you having trouble asking someone out?” Now that was a problem he could handle. He hadn’t heard Logan talk about a special girl during practice or on the bus at their last competition, which Logan had won.
Logan shook his head and smirked. “I already asked her out.”
“So what’s the problem? Does she want to get serious?” He would tell Logan to take his time about that. College was in the near future. He had plenty of time to settle down with anyone.
Of course, Jett had believed that about himself. When he broke it off with Autumn all those years ago, he had believed there would be plenty of time to fall in love again. And now he was in his forties, still in love with the same woman. He could never reveal his true feelings to her after what they had been through recently. She didn’t want to hear that the guy she thought was a pimp was also in love with her. She would believe he made it up to get the land.
“Honestly, I don’t know if she wants to be serious with me. I think she loves me. But I’m not sure it matters.”
“Listen, kid, I can’t guess what’s going on with you and this girl. But if you want some advice, you’re going to have to tell me more. Did she cheat on you?”
“She’s pregnant.”
He wasn’t expecting that one and needed a second to figure out what to say next. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t kids your age know about birth control? I thought they taught that stuff in gym class or wherever.” His niece, Izzy, who was the same age as Logan… A frightening idea slammed into him. “It’s not my niece, is it?”
He didn’t want to have to pummel a kid if he had gotten his niece pregnant. And he sure as hell didn’t want to see what Gage would do if his little girl was.
“What? No.” Logan held up his hands. “Izzy and I are just friends. My girlfriend lives in the next town over. We met at camp over the summer where we were both counselors. And did you forget Izzy dates Justin Crow?”
“You scared me for a second. I did forget. My protective uncle instincts kicked in before logic. Sorry. Izzy told me about a program at school run by the students that teaches safe sex. Did you miss that one?”
“I thought if I pulled out in time, it would be okay. That was pretty dumb, huh?” Logan pressed his lips into a thin line.
“Not the surest of methods. Can I ask why you’re telling me and not your dad?”
“I don’t know what to do. What if she wants to keep it? I can’t be a dad. And my dad is going to go ballistic when he finds out. He’s going to tell me I ruined my whole future and what a screwup I am. I can’t tell him. Please promise me you won’t.”
Jett didn’t know the rules on this. He would have to investigate where his responsibilities lay. But the fear in Logan’s eyes said he was begging for secrecy. The last thing Jett wanted was to keep a secret like this from Markus Everett. They already had a huge competitive streak between them, mostly because Markus wouldn’t let anything go. If Markus found out that Jett was helping his kid behind his back, the war would be on.
“I can’t tell you what to do. You and your girl are going to have to work this out. If you want me to be there when you tell your dad, I’ll do that. I can even come when she tells hers, but it’s not my place as your coach.”
“Please, Coach Ryker, you have to help me.” Logan swatted at the tear running down his face.
His heart went out to the kid. He could imagine how scared Logan was. When Autumn had come to him and told him she was pregnant, he hadn’t been able to eat for a week because his stomach was so twisted. And they had been three years older than Logan and his girlfriend.
He had gone to Gage first with the news. Gage had put a hand on his shoulder and said whatever Jett decided, Gage was in his corner. No matter what Jett’s decision had been, they’d figure it out and Gage would be right by his side. Nature had decided for them. And he had been relieved. Foolishly.
“Listen, Logan, don’t rush into a decision. Make sure to consider all your options.”
“But I’m too young. I want to go to school.” Logan’s words came out on a squeak as if to prove that he was, in fact, too young to handle this very adult problem.
“Then that might be your decision.” He couldn’t put ideas like adoption or abortion into this kid’s head. Logan and his girlfriend would have to come up with their own plan.
“What would you do?”
“Oh no. I can’t tell you that. This one is on you and your girl. You two made the baby. You two have to make the lifetime decision. But I’m here if you want to bounce thoughts off me, or like I said, I’ll come with you when you tell your dad. Which I think you should.”
“No way. He’s going to be the last to know.” Logan threw up his hands.
“I think that’s a mistake.”
“It was a mistake telling you. I thought you would help me. You’re my coach.”
“I am helping you the best way I can. I can’t tell you what to do. No one can.” He didn’t want to be in this position. Coaching was enough, but stand-in parent too? He hadn’t signed up for this.
“Whatever.” Logan stomped off, jumped into the car, and drove away.
Okay, so much for handling that one the right way. Seemed like he was making everyone mad.
Now he was in the awkward position of what to do with this information. Did he keep it to himself, or did he find Markus and tell him?
Jett slid into his truck and kicked over the engine. He would give Logan some time to figure out his next move before he said anything to Markus. Logan needed to know he could trust Jett. The kid seemed to believe he was alone in the world, and maybe he was. Why not let Logan know someone was in his corner? Even if Jett didn’t have the answers and even if he hadn’t planned to be anything more than ski coach, being there for Logan was a small thing to do.
With that behind him for now, he was ready for a quiet night. He pulled up to the main building. His mother came out the front door, waving her hands.
Now what? He grabbed his keys and contemplated making a run for it. “What’s up, Mom?”
“Can you make a quick run to the general store and grab me two pounds of butter?”
“Now?”
“No, tomorrow. Yes, now. I’ve been watching for you to come back. I’m baking my pecan cookies, and I don’t have enough butter. They’re on tomorrow’s menu, and I’m bringing them to the ladies’ auxiliary meeting tomorrow. They’ve been asking for them.”
“Do I dare ask why you didn’t go?”
“I didn’t have time. The Wi-Fi crapped out today, and I couldn’t figure out how to get it working. Lock had to help me. I was late starting to bake when I saw I was low on butter. Lock isn’t here. I can’t drive at night as well as I used to. It’s supposed to snow too. Would you mind? I didn’t want to bother Gage. He worked all day. And Kace isn’t back yet.”
“Wait a second. What do you think I did today? I worked and coached that ski team.”
Mom put a hand on his cheek and gave him her soft smile. “I know how busy you are, and I’m so proud of you and all that you do. Your father would be proud too. He looks down on you and beams with pride for his second son. You’ve turned his business into something bigger than he had dreamed.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Since the cookies are for your guests, you’re the unlucky one who has to go. Thank you.” Karen poked a finger into the air, turned on her feisty heel, and marched back inside.
He was a sucker for his mother. She had played him. She knew how to play all of them. But she hadn’t lied. His mother would never do that. Not even when she had been caught having an affair with Autumn’s father. Karen Ryker had owned it with her head held high. She had made a mistake. She was human, and she owned every bit of it. She had taught them to do the same. Most of the time they listened.
He jumped back into his truck and headed for town. He glanced over in Autumn’s direction on his way out. What would she say about the revelation Logan had dropped on him? He wouldn’t ask even if she was the best person to discuss the problem with. It was too late for them.
****
Autumn’s last stop was the grocery store. She had run errands most of the afternoon just to not be at the house when the ski team had practice. She didn’t want to look out the window and see Jett there in all his male glory, looking sexy in his ski parka and helping the kids do their best.
Quinn had told her about the way Jett had skied the mountain with her last Saturday. He had given her pointers, told her how to turn her skis, encouraged her, and applauded her improvement. Quinn said she was still on the slow side, but the coach had really helped her. Of course he had. The damn man was too kind and too good at everything.
Especially kissing. Her body heated up as the memories of his expert mouth working her over played in her head. If they had gone on for much longer, she would have rid him of his clothes right there outside in the freezing cold and had her way with him.
She had gone too long without sex. That was her problem. She was lonely. A simple romp in the hay would do her some good. Too bad there wasn’t a single man in Backwater who interested her—except, of course, for Jett.
She parked the truck and ran inside. She only needed a few things for dinner. Her mother had already texted her three times, wanting to know when she would be home. Soon was all she could say.
She ran down the produce aisle, tossing in what looked good and vibrant for winter. She wasn’t much for cabbage stew, and this time of year vegetables were either a fortune or not to her liking. She didn’t have much money on her. She would have to be choosy. She really needed to find herself a job.
“Well, hello there.”
She turned at the sound of the male voice coming from her side. Her gaze fell on Markus Everett, and her stomach dropped. She wasn’t up for another one of Markus’s strolls down his success trail. He always exaggerated his accomplishments. The truth resided there somewhere, but anyone who knew him had to dig deep to find it.
He flashed her his cap-filled fake white smile. His skin tone looked as if he might have visited a tanning salon recently. Or he had just returned from some Caribbean vacation.
“Hello, Markus. Nice to see you.” Lie. She hoped her smile was planted firmly on her face. The smile Jett accused her of never giving him.
“How are you?”
“I’m great. How about you?” Here it comes. She braced herself for the onslaught of good news he would throw at her.
“Good. Business is good. Keeps me out of the house.” He paused but didn’t say more.
She had expected him to go on for ten minutes.
“How’s Logan?” She really did want to know, never begrudging Markus his son, even though that son had been born to the woman Markus had an affair with. When Logan’s mother passed away years ago, Autumn’s heart had broken for the boy.
“He’s a typical teenager. Sulky. Doesn’t talk. Gives one-word answers when forced.” Markus grabbed an apple and turned it in circles.
Quinn was starting to be like that too, a teenager who kept to herself more and more, who sought out her friends instead of her mother, but Autumn wasn’t going to share that. Let him think what he wanted. He would anyway.
“He’ll outgrow it. At least that’s what I hear happens.” She had even heard the stubborn teen would come back to the parent someday. She would have to wait and see.
He choked out a laugh. “I sure hope so. I heard about you putting your land up for sale. I’m really sorry. That must be hard.”
She didn’t want to talk about that with him. She didn’t want to share any of her fears or worries with him. He had never been good at the support-person role. She had failed to notice soon enough. Well, maybe she had. She had never walked down the aisle with him.
The tears burned her eyes for all her recent problems and missed opportunities of the past. She would die if she cried in the produce aisle in front of Markus.
He was one of her huge mistakes. She had run to Markus’s arms when Jett dumped her. Markus had made her feel special, like a princess. He had spent money on her, taken her places, showed her off. When he had proposed with a three-carat diamond, she had jumped at the chance to live a comfortable life with a man who might not totally support her dreams but could afford to make them come true. Or so she thought.
“Everything works out as it should. You don’t have to feel sorry for me,” she said, wanting to believe her own words.
“I don’t pity you, Autumn. I know how hard selling must be. I’m sure your mother hasn’t let you hear the end of it.” He tossed the apple again.
“No surprise there.”
“What are you going to do once the sale goes through?”
“I have no idea. I’ve been thinking about that.” Her phone vibrated in her coat pocket. She dug it out to find another text from her mother asking for her whereabouts. She powered down the phone. She was tired of explaining herself to Vera.
“Everything okay?” Markus gazed at her with what appeared to be genuine concern. But she had better remember he was a con artist at best. He had made most of his money that way. What could look like concern might be the snake ready to bite its prey.
“It was nothing. I do have to go. It was nice seeing you.”
“You too. And if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me. The number is still the same.”
She had no intention of asking Markus for help. But he did know a lot of people. She could regret what she was about to do, but she was desperate. She couldn’t afford another major appliance breaking. She worried about choosing to pay for ski school or groceries.
“You know, maybe there is something you could do. If you hear of any part-time jobs, let me know. I’m working on reinventing myself.” She left out the part about needing extra cash. Let him think it was only about a career change. If he even believed her. She wasn’t a good liar.
“This is going to sound crazy.” He came around the apple display and took a step closer to her. “I could use a little help around the house. I know you’re overqualified to be a cleaning person, but I also need a cook. Someone who could plan out a few dinners for me and Logan. He eats everything in the house. I’m always here trying to fill the fridge back up. It’s probably not what you’re looking for, but think about it at least.” He flashed a small watery smile.
She took a good look at him for the first time. His dress shirt was open at the collar and limp from a full day’s wear. His eyes were hooded as if sleep had eluded him recently. Even pieces of hair hung loose over his forehead when normally he wore it tightly groomed.
Was life getting to him too? Did everyone get to a point in their lives when reality hit a little too hard and getting back up wasn’t as easy as it used to be?
“I’ll think about it. Thanks.” She would consider the offer, even though she wanted to be anywhere besides Markus’s house. Logan needed someone to fuss over him. She could make large meals and split them for her house and his. And if she had to run a dust cloth over a couple of surfaces, so be it. She would be doing honest work for a man she had cared for once. Worst jobs existed.
They parted at the apples, and she hurried to the dairy aisle. Her house was out of milk, butter, and eggs. She tossed the items into her basket, turned for the registers, and crashed into another shopper who let out a low moan. Her basket tumbled into the air. Eggs splattered on the tile. Milk rolled out of reach. Her butt smacked the floor.
“Sorry.”
She closed her eyes because when she opened them, the man who could make one word rumble rich and full and delicious would be looking down on her with his wicked smirk. If she kept her eyes closed, maybe he would disappear.
“Are you okay?” he said.
Nope. Not gone. She opened one eye at a time. Jett held a hand out to her. She ignored the gesture and climbed to stand, attempting to tuck the frayed edges of her dignity inside her coat.
She soaked him in. His barn coat hung open, revealing a navy-blue sweater molded to his torso. His faded jeans hung loosely over his legs. He still had on the snow boots he wore on the slope. His jaw was dotted with a thicker beard than usual. He must have skipped shaving today, and that rugged-mountain-man look only made her want him more. Damn her libido.
She also took in the mess in the aisle. She bent to pick up the items.
“Let me.” Jett held up a hand as if to stop her.
She was too tired to fight. Fatigue from another long day and pretending with Markus and now seeing Jett again wiped her out. He put the items in the basket and gave it back to her.
“You never answered me. Are you okay?” he said.
“I’m fine. I didn’t see you there. Sorry about bumping into you. Are you okay?”
“Don’t worry about me. You seemed like you were in a big hurry.”
“I am. Now I need to get someone to clean up the aisle, and I’m late getting home. Excuse me.” She tried to duck around him, but he blocked her path.
“Autumn, I’m sorry about last night.”
“About what you said or kissing me?”
“I shouldn’t have kissed you.” He gripped two boxes of butter in one hand and shoved the other hand in his pocket.
Even though she believed the kiss was a mistake too, the words still stung as if her skin was stuck to ice.
“We can both agree it won’t happen again. We’ll blame it on the late hour. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get home. I’m sure you do too.” She pointed to his items, wanting to be free of this awkward moment.
She could have gone on living in Backwater for the rest of her life the way she and Jett had interacted for the past decade plus. But now that they’d kissed, twice, and the kiss had resonated in her soul, she wouldn’t be able to simply be polite when she bumped into him in the grocery store. The constant reminder of what she had lost, would never have again, kept the wound open and bleeding. She might have to consider moving away. Far away to the East Coast, as he had suggested.
He glanced down at his hand as if he had forgotten he was even holding the butter. “Yeah. My mother is waiting for these.”
A man who ran errands for his mother. Could she possibly be in love with him more? And therein lay the biggest problem. Kissing him had stirred up the love like a pot of boiling water.
“Please say hello to Karen.” She hurried past him before he could say or do anything else.
Paying for her groceries, and hoping her credit card still had space on it, she stole one last glance behind her. Jett was in the next checkout line, talking with Barbara, the cashier. He had said something that made Barbara laugh.
Autumn shoved her wallet in her bag and ran-walked to her truck. She couldn’t bear to witness the way he fit everywhere he went. Everyone liked him and his whole family. And though Autumn was no pariah, Vera made their station in town unbalanced. Moving was looking better and better.
She powered up her phone before she pulled out. Three more calls from Vera and another text. Autumn swiped to read it.
—Where are you? Hurry home. We have a guest.—
A guest? The last thing she needed was someone to entertain tonight.
She texted back.
— Is it Dottie?—
She would haul that overprocessed woman right out of her house. Even if Dottie had another buyer, which Autumn doubted, the news could wait for dawn when the sun’s bright rays and attempt at warmth would push away the demons lurking in the dark.