Page 45 of Yours Truly, Fall

“Heads-up then,” I say. “Those types are few and far between.”

She turns back around and keeps walking toward the house. “That’s okay. I only need one.”

There’s no holding back my smile as I catch up with her. I take the bag from her and give her a little wink in return. “I just might know a guy, then.”

“Make sure to introduce us.”

“I will. Don’t you or those pretty little freckles worry. But I may need to spend a little extra time with you so I can learn exactly what you like.”

We reach the steps to her back porch. She only takes two before turning back with her hand on the white railing. “I thought you didn’t like visitors?”

With me still standing on the ground, I’m eye-level with the beauty. Leaning forward, I whisper, “Who said you would only be visiting?”

The corners of her eyes soften as she stares into mine. Her smile becomes shier, and a sweet candy color tints her cheeks. “You really say the sweetest things. Someone will be very lucky to have you as theirs one day.”

I’m kind of hoping that someone might be her. Surely, this connection is deeper than only a surface-level attraction. She’s hot, but her humor has me smiling more than not. She’s not afraid to toss out a clever comment or kick a comeback my way. She’s as confident in her work as she is in her driving, which she just proved to me firsthand. Autumn is focused, but she has a soft side she saves for special occasions. I’m the lucky one for seeing it so often in such a short time.

Turning around at the top, she waits for me on the porch. She points at me, and says, “Don’t let that go to your head, Lieutenant.”

“Too late. My ego is already two sizes bigger.” So is my heart, but I’ll keep that to myself.

When I land on the porch next to her, I glance at the wooden door and the aged scuff marks that cover it now. Other than to use the bathroom, I’ve not spent any significant time in this house, not since I was younger and I came with my mom to drop off a casserole after the girls’ parents died.

“Ready?” she asks, pulling me out of a memory from that day so long ago.

“Lead the way.”

She opens the door, and calls out, “Hello?”

“Hello?” Dolly’s voice rings from the back of the house.

Glancing back at me, she whispers, “In a house full of women, a lot is happening with different schedules, combing through outfits, ironing, steaming, and getting dressed or undressed at any hour of day or night. Keep your eyes forward and stick with me, okay?”

She doesn’t have to ask me twice. “Like glue.”

“What?”

“Sticking with you. You know, like glue? Sticky?” Not every joke lands. “Never mind.”

She blinks twice and yells, “Brandon Culver is with me. You’ve been warned.”

Dolly comes in so fast I think she’s about to tip forward over her toes. Grabbing hold of Autumn’s wrist, she says, “I didn’t know you were bringing company.”

As subtle as she can be, Autumn points at her grandmother’s head. Dolly reaches up to find a stray roller hanging out at the crown of her head. She peels it out of her silvery-white hair and tucks it in her pocket.

I can remember when her hair was blond. My mom says she could only dream of having that color.

Autumn replies, “I mentioned the job at Brandon’s house.”

“You make it sound like you’re a plumber, dear.” Patting her hand, Dolly adds, “Nurses are a godsend. Brandon is lucky to have you.” When her blue eyes land on me, she smiles like she already has me figured out. “Why don’t you come with me and have some iced tea while Autumn does what she needs to do?”

Latching her arm around mine, Autumn says, “Thank you, Dolly. That’s sweet, but I wanted to show him something in my room while I pack more clean clothes.”

Two things:

Autumn Season is packing clothes. That means she’s coming home with me.

She wants to show me something in her room. I can’t wait to be in her space to discover more about her.