Autumn's Hope (Cowboy Seasons) (10 page)

For
a moment, she wished she could call her mother and chat. It hurt to know that
her mom didn’t want to talk to her. It was her greatest sorrow.

Who does that? Who throws their
child out of the house when they are pregnant?
It wasn’t worth getting upset over. It hurt like hell but it was done.

The
phone rang and she hesitated to answer it. It wasn’t her house or her phone,
but the thought of a hurt horse made up her mind. Pushing herself up from the
couch she headed toward the phone. It stopped ringing but the red light on his
answering machine started blinking on and off. Curious she pushed the playback button.
It was Dee Ann’s voice just checking in with him and hoping he was doing well.
She even wanted a call back.

Why
was she really calling? They had spent a lot of time together. Her heart
pinged. It was only natural that they’d be attracted to each other. She tried
to smile. Jonas deserved some happiness and if Dee Ann made him happy… The
light was no longer blinking and she’d have to admit to Jonas that she listened
to his message.

She
put her hands on the small of her back and stretched. Her back was beginning to
bother her. She slowly walked back to the couch and settled in. The remote was
in easy reach, so she watched cooking shows for the rest of the day. All day
she shifted positions on the couch. Laying down, her feet up, her feet down,
sitting up straight, slouching. Apparently, sitting still was not her forte.

What
she really wanted to do was cook Jonas a big dinner, but he’d have a fit if she
tried. Meeting his employees would be nice, something to look forward to.

The
fall days were getting shorter and it was starting to get dark. Footsteps on the
porch steps alerted her they were coming in. She patted her hair and sat up
straight. She wanted to make a good impression.

Jonas
walked through the door first. His bright smile landed on her, warming her. She
watched as four more men walked in. She nodded at each of them.

“This
is Mel, he’s been with me the longest.” Jonas introduced the oldest gentleman
first. Mel winked at her. He had gray hair and blue eyes. The lines on his face
spoke of experience.

“Nice
to meet you, ma’am.”

“Nice
to meet you too, Mel.”

Jonas
gestured toward a tall, lean man with shoulder length, sandy hair and big brown
eyes. “This is Troy.”

“Howdy.”
Troy gave her a cute, semi sexy smile.

“Nice
to meet you.”

“This
here is Vince. He might seem a bit shy, but he’ll talk your ear off once you
get him going.” Jonas said.

Vince’s
face turned bright red. He had shiny brown hair and kind, brown eyes. He kept
turning his Stetson by moving his fingers along the brim of the hat. “Ma’am.”
He nodded, and then quickly looked away.

“It’s
a pleasure, Vince.”

“Last
here is, Bob.” Jonas nodded toward a large, blond, blue eyed man.

Autumn
nodded. A chill went up her spine at his stare.

“Okay
guys, you can leave. Good work today, thank you.”

She
watched as they filed out. “How long has Bob been working for you?”

“About
three months now. He’s a good horseman, minds his own business and gets the
work done. Why?”

She
could tell by his voice her question bothered him. “No reason. What’s for
dinner? I’m starved.”

He
held her gaze as if trying to read her mind. “I’m sure Richard left you something.”

“It’s
probably for both of us.”

“I’ll
have to see what it is first before I commit to anything. I don’t do that tofu
stuff.”

She
watched him walk into the kitchen and heard him rustling through the refrigerator.
Why did people think that all she ate was tofu? “Well?”

“I
found some ravioli. Looks better than what I usually eat out of the can. Want
me to heat it up?”

She
bit the bottom of her lip to keep from laughing. “Yes, that would be great.
Thank you.”

“Good.
It should only be a few minutes.”

Autumn
had to stifle another laugh when she heard Jonas swearing. It sounded like he
burned himself. Maybe he wasn’t good with the microwave after all. The sound of
plates placed on the counter, then the clanking of silverware were good signs.
She was starved.

He
set her plate in front of her and handed her silverware and a napkin. “Careful,
it’s hot.”

“You
don’t say.”

Jonas
shook his head. “You heard me?”

Autumn
chuckled. “What do you think?”

He
turned red. “It’s here now, so…”

She
couldn’t keep the merriment out of her eyes but she kept a straight face.
“Looks good. I think you’ll like it.”

“What
exactly is in it?” He stared at the plate, and then gazed at her.

He
certainly was a suspicious man. “Relax, it’s ricotta cheese,
asiago
cheese and shitake mushrooms. The sauce is homemade
and well, give it a try. You might want to blow on it. It might burn your
tongue and I don’t want the little one to hear such language.”

A
blush swept across his cheeks and he grimaced. “I didn’t think about, I mean.
Really? The baby can hear me? Are you sure?” He cocked his head to the side.

“I’m
pretty sure. At least that’s what I read. I believe in reading and preparing
for things and I’m way out of my element when it comes to babies.”

Jonas
took a small bite of the ravioli. “This is good.”

“You
seem surprised. I told you it was good.”

“I
know you told me but what you like and what I like are totally different. Well,
as far as food is concerned. I really don’t know you well enough yet to know if
we have much in common.”

“True.”
She put some ravioli in her mouth and closed her eyes. It was pure heaven. “We
both like your house.”

“Sure,
I mean, do we have the same values?”

Autumn’s
heart beat faster and perspiration formed on her brow. “It’s because I’m
pregnant and unmarried that you think we are so different. I do have high
values and morals. One mistake is just that, a mistake.” Suddenly her food
tasted like dust. “Maybe we should change the subject.”

“That’s
not what I meant. I don’t judge you because you’re having a baby.” He clenched
his jaw and looked away.

They
were fine if they didn’t talk about life. Maybe she should leave well enough
alone, but she wanted to get to know Jonas better. His shoulders were stiff and
he stopped eating. “I’m overly sensitive about being an unwed mother. My mom
threw me out of the house because I insisted that I wanted to keep the baby.
I’m twenty-three years old. It’s not like I’m a young girl who got herself in
trouble. I’m able and willing to raise my own child.” She threw her napkin on
the table and sat back against the back of the leather couch.

He
scrubbed his hand over his face and signed loudly. “I didn’t know about your
mother, I’m sorry. Why do you call your pregnancy a mistake?”

Gazing
at him, she could see the specks of amber in his eyes. “I really don’t want to
talk about it. As far as values go, I want a peaceful life, with a husband and
children. I want love to be a big part of my life. I have no plans to leave
town. I like it here, busybodies and all. I believe in encouraging someone, not
belittling them and I try to help where I can. I believe in being faithful and
living up to one’s vows. I also believe in kindness, it has a way of coming
back to you.”

“I
like your values. You seem like a level-headed woman.”

Autumn
laughed. “Except when I’m crying all over you.”

“We
all need a little comfort now and then.”

“What
about you? I heard you were in the Army. How long have you been out?”

He
gave her a quick, false smile as he shifted in his chair. He cleared his
throat. “I’ve been out for four years now. It’s not really something I’m
comfortable talking about. I’m sure you’ve noticed my limp. I got it while in
the Army.”

“It’s
a slight limp and I understand. You don’t need to tell me anything you don’t
want to.”

“You
didn’t eat much.” He was quite adept at changing the subject.

“I’m
full for now. I’m sorry if my being here has interrupted your privacy. It’ll
only be a few weeks.”

“I
don’t mind, stay as long as you like. It gets lonely here sometimes.”

“Would
it be all right to go out and sit on the front porch? I know it’s dark but I
need some fresh air. Besides this is my favorite time of year.”

“I
wonder why?” Jonas stood, grabbed the quilt and helped Autumn stand. She started
to take a step and he scooped her up into his arms.

“You
don’t have to carry me everywhere you know.”

His
eyes twinkled. “I know.”

* * * *

The
next morning Jonas made breakfast and woke up Autumn. He needed her fed before
he headed out to work the cattle. It’d been nice getting know her and the fact
that she didn’t try to pry into his life was a nice bonus.

He
carried Autumn to the kitchen table and placed a plate of fruit and eggs in
front of her. “I like the bed head.”

Her
hands immediately went to her hair and she frowned as she felt her hair
standing on end. “You could have told me before you brought me out here.”

His
smile widened. “I could have but it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun.”

Shaking
her head, she smiled brightly at him. “I don’t know what to do with you.”

He
cocked his eyebrow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Eat.”

The
phone rang and Jonas frowned. He answered it and immediately his frown turned
into a big smile. He leaned against the kitchen counter and chatted with Dee
Ann. She was thinking of coming for a visit. “Sure, come anytime.”

“You
didn’t get my message from yesterday did you?”

“No,
I didn’t.” He glanced at Autumn who pretended not to be listening.

“Check
your machine. I left a message. Would this weekend work for you?”

Jonas
raised his eyebrows. “This weekend?”

“Is
it a problem?”

He
wanted to say it might be but Dee Ann was a friend. “No problem at all do you
need a ride from the airport?” He could feel Autumn staring at him, and the
back of his neck prickled.

“I’m
fine. I’ll be at your ranch Friday afternoon.”

“See
you then.” He took his time putting the phone in its cradle. Dee Ann and Autumn
were friends. It would probably be good for Autumn and quite frankly it would
probably take some of the romantic tension away.

“Dee
Ann?” Autumn’s smile seemed strained.

“Yes,
she’s coming to visit this weekend. It’ll be fun. I know that you two are
friends.”

“We
are. I wonder if she tried to call me?”

“She
didn’t say. She did mention leaving a message here for me though.” Her frown
pleased him.

“I
hit the red flashing button and I guess I forgot to tell you. Next time, I’ll
write it down for you.”

“Well,
finish your breakfast. I need to do something in the barn and then I’ll be
right back too get you.”

“Get
me?” Her eyes glowed. “I’m leaving the house?”

Jonas
chuckled. “You’ve only been in the house for one full day.”

Autumn
sighed. “I know. I’ll get ready as fast as I can.”

Her
eagerness was endearing. “You are not to do anything fast. Just take your time.
Don’t worry, I’ll be back in a few.”

He
walked out the door and heard her mumbling, “A few minutes or a few hours.”
Patience was one virtue she did not have.

He
returned a half hour later to find her siting on the couch, wearing a green
maternity top. It was the first time he’d seen her in maternity clothes. Her
tapping foot brought merriment to his eyes. His spitfire had no patience and he
found it endearing. “You look nice.”

“Thanks.”
Her wide grin lit up her whole face and the foot tapping stopped.

“I’m
taking you out to the barn, ready?”

“Let’s
go!” She jumped up and was by his side before he could object.

He
bit back a smile. “You are on bed rest, remember?”

“Yeah,
but—”

He
swept her up and held her close. “You smell nice.”

“Why
thank you, I usually smell like vegetables,” she teased.

Jonas
carried her outside. “Can’t take a compliment, can you?” She hardly weighed a
thing and it was hard to fathom that she was with child.

She
wrapped her arms around his neck. “What do you mean?”

“I
mean that you always have a sassy comeback. You never just say thank you.”

Autumn
tucked her head under his chin. “Sassy am I? Thank you.”