Autumn's Hope (Cowboy Seasons) (7 page)

Autumn
touched her upswept hair to make sure it was in place, smoothed down her gold
strapless dress and walked toward the door with her shoulders back and a big
smile on her face. This was it and she so hoped that people would come.

She
unlocked the door and pushed it open. Summer, Holden, Matt, Mark, Luke and John
were all there waiting. She almost broke down in tears. “Thank you for being
here.”

Summer
took her hand. “Of course we’d be here. What are friends for? Besides, I heard
that the menu is very different and I can’t wait to see it.”

Autumn
smiled and led them to a table. She handed them menus and almost laughed at
Luke’s expression. It looked like he already decided he didn’t want to try
anything. She winked at him. “If nothing strikes your fancy, I make a mean
grilled cheese sandwich.”

“With
fries?” Luke finally seemed interested.

She
was tempted to ruffle his dark hair but restrained herself. “With fries.” She
signaled to Cody Park. “I’m leaving you in good hands and thank you so much for
coming.”

“Wouldn’t
have missed it,” Holden replied.

The
place started filling up bit by bit. Autumn’s heart felt lightened and her
energy pushed into high gear. The door opened and in came Sheriff Brown with
Beverly Rain by his side. She approached them with a smile. “Table for two?”

“Of
course not,” Beverly practically growled. “The whole town council will be here
to pass judgment.”

Autumn’s
smile vanished. “A table for how many?”

“If
you plan to be a part of my community then you should already know. There are
three of us.” Beverly looked around and glared at the other patrons.

The
“my community”
didn’t sit too well
with Autumn. “Let me show you to a table.” She bit the inside of her cheek as
she led them to a table in the far corner. “Here we go. I’ll send Stone over as
soon as he arrives.”

“I
don’t like her,” Beverly said when she thought Autumn was far enough away.

“Let’s
just get through this meal then you can dislike her all you want,” Sheriff
Brown answered.

She
wondered if Stone would even show. Stone arrived fifteen minutes late, much to
Beverly’s consternation.

Everyone
except for Beverly seemed to enjoy their food. Beverly sent hers back three
times. Richard wanted to come out and have a word with “the old battle axe.”
Luckily Autumn calmed him down. They worked well together and she felt good
about the whole night.

The
staff made her proud. They were all top notch, especially Laura Thumb. She
handled the juice bar like a pro. Autumn’s shoulders relaxed as the night progressed,
but her neck hurt from looking at the door every time it opened. Each time it
wasn’t Jonas, a bruise developed on her heart. If he didn’t show soon, her poor
heart would be black and blue. It wasn’t fair. She never wanted to get involved
again.

Biting
her bottom lip, she shook her head. What the hell was she talking about?
Involved? Not likely, maybe in her imagination. She put her finger on her sore
lip and vowed to stop biting it. Pulling her shoulders back, she remembered
that she alone was responsible for her happiness. She didn’t need a man, a good
looking, sexy, kind, cowboy named Jonas. No, she didn’t.

Now
that her little chat with herself was over, she put a smile back on her face,
done feeling sorry for herself. She was a business woman now.

Autumn
stopped by the town council’s table. Stone McCoy kept shifting in his chair.
“How is everything?”

Beverly
drew herself up, and she reminded Autumn of a puffed up old hen. “You might
have people in here tonight. People are curious, but after tasting this
food
I don’t think you’ll have repeat
customers.”

Sheriff
Brown’s mouth dropped open and his face turned red.

“I
enjoyed the food,” Stone said. “Very sophisticated and quite delicious. I’ll be
back and I bet a lot of the town will be too. Look at all the content faces.
Congrats, Autumn.”

Beverly
scowled at Stone, and then she turned her gaze to Autumn. “Don’t get your hopes
up, dear.”

Stone
quickly stood up and threw his napkin on the table. “I’m done.” He gave Beverly
a cold glare before he turned and smiled at Autumn. “Best of luck, Autumn.”

She
watched him leave then busied herself clearing tables and chatting with
customers. The pain in her back was calling for her to go to bed. Back pain
wasn’t something she’d considered. Hopefully it would go away.

The
door opened and closed a few times but she no longer looked. The night was
almost over. She sighed. There was no use in staring at the door. He wasn’t
coming. Why should he? She left him with the impression that she and Richard
were a couple.

Another
table of people called her over to congratulate her on her success. Her heart
still carried bruises but she smiled anyway. She sensed him before she saw him.
The heat from his body radiated and entered her heart, soothing her bruises.
Turning, she breathed in spice, musk, and Jonas. Her big, tall, handsome Jonas
towered over her. They stood toe to toe and she couldn’t take her gaze off of
him.

Her
chin wobbled as she tried to smile. “Welcome. Table for one?”

Jonas
stared into her eyes. “No, table for two.”

A
smack to her head by a two by four would have felt better. She blinked then
turned away. Her shoulders drooped. “Right this way.” Autumn showed him to a
table. “How’s this? Would you like something while you wait?”

Jonas
didn’t sit in the chair she pulled out for him. “What time do you close?”

“Yours
will probably be the last order of the evening. Is your date going to be here
soon?”

“I
hope that she’s already here.”

Autumn
scanned the restaurant and no one stood out as being alone. “Where?”

He
took her hand in his big work worn one. “I was hoping to have dinner with you.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.

“Why?”

His
thumb caressed the top of her hand. “I was just hoping is all. I can see you’re
busy.” He dropped her hand and tried to smile.

“Of
course I’m busy but I always have time for a friend. Sit, I’ll be right back.”
Her vision blurred and she hurried into the kitchen. She waited and waited for
him and now that he was there…

Reaching
for a tissue, Autumn wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. “Richard, I need
two grilled cheese sandwiches with fries please.”

“Are
you all right? You look a bit pale.”

“I
appreciate the worry, Richard. I’m fine. In fact, I’m going to get off my feet
and eat.”

“Good,
I’ll have your order sent out when it’s done.”

Autumn
smiled her thanks and slowly walked out of the kitchen. Her thoughts were
crowded in her head and they didn’t make sense. Jonas was such a nice man. She
halted her thoughts. She knew the path she was being led on and it ended at her
broken heart. He was just being neighborly. No matter how she tried to explain
it away she couldn’t undo the anticipation that was zinging through her body.

She
clasped her shaky hands together and made her way to the table. Jonas hopped up
and pulled her chair out for her. She sat, and then looked up catching his gaze
with hers. Something passed between them and she wished she knew what it meant.
He folded himself into the chair opposite her. The width of his shoulders
always amazed and delighted her. “I hope you don’t mind but I ordered for you.”

Jonas’
brown eyes lit up with a hint of amusement in them. “Veggie plate?”

Autumn
chuckled. “How did you know?”

“Wild
guess.”

They
smiled at each other and she still wondered what he wanted. “Thanks for coming.
It means a lot to me.”

His
eyes grew serious. “Does it? Mean something I mean.”

She
summoned up a grin and nodded. “I kept watching for you all night.” Her face
heated at her confession.

“I
was going to come earlier, but I wanted to talk to you. It looks as though your
place was rocking tonight. That’s really great, love. I hope you make a go of
the place.” He glanced away and appeared lost in thought.

“What
did you want to talk to me about?”

“What?”
Jonas glanced back at her and studied her face. “I wanted to make sure you were
okay, you and the baby. I know I’m not part of the equation but I do care. Aw,
love, don’t cry.” He handed her his napkin.

“I’m
not crying, really. It’s just the hormones and I’m tired.” She took his offered
napkin and wiped her tears away.

“I
was wondering why Richard let you move by yourself. Something seems off to me.
I just don’t see the chemistry between you. I know it’s not my place to pry but
I can’t get the whole thing out of my head.” He reached across the table and
held her hand.

“Here’s
your dinner,” Jennifer said as she put a plate in front of Jonas and one in
front of Autumn.

“Thanks,
Jennifer.” Autumn smiled at Jonas. “Would you like something from the juice
bar?”

“No,
water is fine. I’ll need an excuse to come back. I’ll try the juice bar then.”

Autumn’s
body was zinging all over again. “Well are you surprised? French fries are your
veggies.”

“This
does look good but I was prepared to eat anything you put in front of me. I was
dreading it but I would have eaten it.”

She
chucked. “I don’t know about you, Jonas, but I appreciate it.” She took a bite
of her grilled cheese and sighed. Comfort food was her favorite. Just looking
at Jonas, the weight of the world lifted from her shoulders.

“This
is good.”

“Richard
makes great grilled cheese. He uses three different types of cheese.”

They
ate in silence. Jonas fidgeted playing with his silverware. “So, about Richard—”

“Richard
is my partner in the restaurant and that’s all. We are very good friends but he
is not my baby’s father. He’s staying here because it has taken all of our
resources to get this place open.”

Jonas’
eyes widened. “Really? I thought. Well, you know what I thought.”

“Yet,
you were willing to come in here and have dinner with me. You, Jonas Barnes,
are a very special man.” His blush thrilled her. Her heart beat faster and she
couldn’t hide the smile that spread wide over her face.

He
stared down at his plate and moved the silverware around some more. “I wouldn’t
go that far. I’m nothing special, just a guy. I’m glad I came, at least I got
you off your feet for a while.” He lifted his gaze and met hers. “How far along
are you?”

“Seven
months. I don’t want to talk about the father, Jonas. Not tonight.”

He
nodded. “You certainly don’t look seven months gone. You fooled me.”

“It
was never my intention to fool anyone.” She crossed her arms in front of her.

“Fool
is the wrong word. I didn’t mean that you intentionally… I don’t even know what
the heck I’m saying. Your staff is staring at us you know.”

She
scanned the restaurant. “That’s because we’re the last ones in here. We have cleanup
to do.”

“I’ll
go, but I want you to rest.”

His
concern touched her and her chin began to wobble again.

“Hey,
none of that. You had a great night and you should feel like you could fly.”

She
swallowed hard. “You are so right. Now, get out of here and let me get my work
done.”

Jonas
stood and grasped her hand, helping her stand. “I do have to get up early.” He
leaned down and kissed her cheek and before she could say anything he was gone.

Chapter
Five

The
next morning Jonas sat on the edge of his bed, grinning. His heart felt light
in his chest and he could swear that everything looked brighter. Last night had
done something to his soul and he felt a better man for it. Richard was only a
friend, and he was pleased.

He
stretched his arms over his head, loosening his tense back muscles, then got up
from the bed, walked into the bathroom and turned the shower on. Out of the
corner of his eye he caught his reflection in the mirror and flinched. It was a
nice dream while it lasted, but he knew the score. Autumn would recoil if she
ever saw him naked. Hell, he made himself cringe.

His
battered body had seen better days and that was that. Most women wanted a
family, but he wasn’t willing to do what it took to make a baby. The doctors
said he was good to go as far as making babies, but he couldn’t give a woman
what she wanted looking like he did.

He
turned away from the mirror. He couldn’t look at himself anymore. Some called
him a hero and perhaps he had been, once. Now he was just a rancher with scars
and a bad limp. How had he let her get under his skin? He stepped into the warm
spray and adjusted the shower head so it hit his hip. Every day it was a
different spot. He turned, lathered himself up and let the water relax his
back.