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I hoped that would be the end of it. I held Autumn’s hand as we all headed out to eat at a local restaurant. The evening went well, and I could forget strange texts for a while.
No new message came from the mysterious Chris that night, and I considered it must have been a mistake. I made love to Autumn again and relished every moment she was in my arms. I would gather as many memories as I could.
* * *
In the morning, we checked out and traveled back home. The others said they would join us in a day or so.
I was nearly home when my phone pinged again.
Chris: Not a wrong number. Remember Melbourne in January at Dale’s party? I need to talk to you about something.
I thought back to the incredibly boozy weekend I’d had with some old friends at Dale’s birthday. We had celebrated way into the night and I had woken up the next day in a strange bed with a lady. I honestly could not remember if Chris had been her name or not. Even if it was, what the hell would she want to talk to me about? Why couldn’t she just call?
I parked out the front of the cottage, and Autumn pulled in behind me. I was staring at my cell phone when I got out of my vehicle.
Autumn walked over. “Is it the strange texter again?”
“Yes. I think I know her, but we met only once. She said she wants to talk and it’s important. I’ll ask her to call and see if we can sort it out.”
Ryan: Give me a call and we can talk.
There was no reply. I still wasn’t sure what the whole thing was about, but I wasn’t giving my address to her.
There was a bark from across the street. Bluey was letting me know he had seen me.
“I’ll go and get Bluey and see you in a while.”
Dorothy answered the door, and Bluey jumped up and down. You would think I had been away a month and not two days.
“Did he behave?” I asked.
“He has been wonderful company for me. I feel so safe with a dog barking at anyone who comes to the door. How did your weekend go?”
I couldn’t help but glance back over at Autumn as she emptied her car. It had been a mistake to go to Sydney. Now I couldn’t cope with the pain I had in my chest.
Dorothy touched my arm. “What’s wrong? She really seems to like you.”
Damn, but I should stop wearing his emotions on my face. “The feeling is mutual, but she’s only here for the year. Then she will be gone back home to London.”
Dorothy touched my arm. “You could always ask her to stay. People can change their plans.”
“It’s a nice thought, but there’s no point. She wants things I can’t give her. I think the best course of action is to keep doing what I am now and accept it was good while it lasted.”
“I’ve been around long enough to see something worth fighting for, but it is up to you. The pair of you look at each other as if it’s something more. Women like her don’t come along all the time.”
“I know, I’m just a carpenter, though. And she’s a doctor.”
“She’s also a woman. If you don’t do something then someone else might.”
The thought of another man touching Autumn the way I did, messed with my head. I wasn’t used to competing for a woman’s affections. I adored them for a short while and moved on. This time I didn’t want to move on. I wanted her to stay with me forever.
“Things will change whether you want them to or not. Now take that dog off home with you before I have to squirt him with the hose again for peeing on my rose bushes.”
I fed Bluey and headed back to Autumn’s cottage. When I walked inside, I couldn’t see her.
“I’m in here,” she called from the bedroom.
I walked in to find her sitting up in bed with a sheet covering her chest, but her shoulders were bare. Fuck, I adored her. “Are you naked under there?”
