Autumn's Hope (Cowboy Seasons) (18 page)

Her
heart filled and her mind whirled. “I don’t know where that leaves us.”

Jonas
leaned over and kissed her cheek. “It leaves us as good friends. You’ll find
the right guy for you and I’ll learn to live with it.”

“Jonas,
no! Take me back to the ranch this minute.” She took her hand back and folded
her arms on top of her belly. “I refuse to stay here.”

Jonas
chuckled. “Now you’re making sense, spitfire. I would feel better if you were
at my place. At least I’d know you wouldn’t be sneaking up and down the
stairs.”

“Well
Richard is a bit unreasonable.” She grabbed another tissue and blew her nose.
“Let me pack my things.”

“I’ll
help.”

“No,
I need a minute to myself.” She started to get up and Jonas was right there
helping her.

“Fine,
no lifting.” He kissed her cheek.

Autumn
waddled into her bedroom and sat on the bed. What in the world was she doing?
Whatever it was she couldn’t help herself. Being with him had become as vital
as breathing. She couldn’t have sex anyway until after the baby was born. But the
way he always pulled away from her left a hole in her heart. He loved her, she
never thought… He was wrong, she wouldn’t find someone else. She didn’t have
much to pack; she’d hardly unpacked.

She
ran a wet cloth over her face. Her eyes were puffy but they shined. If he
thought her beautiful, who was she to argue? Why couldn’t anything ever be
easy?

Her
bag was packed and closed. “Jonas, I need your he-man strength.”

He
looked up at her as she stood in the bedroom doorway and smiled. “Happy to
oblige.”

“I’ll
wait here while you bring my suitcase down.”

“Hell,
woman I can carry you both.”

“But
your leg—”

“My
leg would appreciate one trip down the stairs. Besides you don’t weigh much
more than a plank of fencing.”

“I
weigh…” She laughed. “Now you have me trying to protest that I weigh a lot. You
are right, a strong wind could take me away.”

His
amber eyes twinkled with humor. He grabbed her suitcase and easily lifted her
into his brawny arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck. This was her
favorite place to be, in Jonas’ arms.

* * * *

“Dee
Ann is still here?” Autumn asked.

Jonas
parked the truck next to Dee Ann’s car. “You’ve only been gone a week.”

“Richard
told me that she’d be moving on now that Holden had that new barn built.”

Jonas
winked at her. He loved when she turned red. “Think she’s going to cramp your
style? Steal me away? Cook us dinner?”

She
laughed and leaned over. Her soft lips on his cheek felt heavenly. He wasn’t
sure what he was doing but he needed Autumn.

He
got out of the truck and opened her door. He swept her up and gave her an
encouraging smile.

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

“I
want to,” he whispered in her ear and was delighted when she shivered. It would
have been a great moment if Dee Ann hadn’t opened the door glaring at them.

She
quickly smiled. “Well, welcome home.”

Her
voice grated on him. It wasn’t her home to be welcoming people to. He whisked
right by her. “Thanks for holding the door open.”

Autumn’s
lips twitched and he could feel a laugh bubble up inside her. “
Shh
. Don’t laugh,” he told her.

She
couldn’t seem to help herself. He put her on the couch and she started
laughing. The happiness shining through her stopped him cold. What a beautiful
sight and her laughter soothed his heart.

“What’s
so funny?” Dee Ann asked. She closed the front door, sauntered over and put her
hand on Jonas’ shoulder.

Autumn
laughed harder.

“I’m
not sure. I did threaten to drop her though.”

“Oh.”
She dropped her hand and went into the kitchen. “I’m making coffee, would you
like some, Jonas?”

“Sounds
good. Could you make some herbal tea for Autumn?” He bit the inside of his
cheek to keep from laughing. He could just imagine Dee Ann’s frown.

“She
has designs on you.”

His
eyes widened. “I highly doubt it.” He smiled then sobered. “She’s seen my
wounds.”

“Jonas,
I don’t know what to say to you to make you feel better. I guess there is
nothing I can say. But you’d better stop insulting yourself in front of me, or
else.”

Jonas
plopped down on the couch next to her and grinned. “Or what?”

Autumn
took his hand and kissed the top of it. She slid over so she could lay her head
on his shoulder. “I’ll have to think of something.”

Dee
Ann brought the coffee and tea. She went back for her own cup and curled up in
the chair. “Things didn’t work out at your place?”

Autumn
sat up and shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t think it was a problem. Richard
didn’t want me to leave my apartment and I wasn’t about to sit up there alone
with so much going on in the restaurant.”

Dee
Ann’s brow furrowed. “You are on bed rest aren’t you? That’s a bit selfish. No
insult but you need to think of the baby not yourself.”

Jonas
felt Autumn stiffen next to him. “Good thing I went and brought her home. I can
keep an eye on her.”

“I’m
sorry if I’m such a chore. Selfish? I suppose you’re right.” She pushed herself
up to a standing position. “I thought I’d be a good mom but now I’m not so
sure. I’m tired.”

Jonas
watched her hurry to her bedroom. His heart squeezed and he wanted to go after
her but he wasn’t sure he’d be welcome.”

“I’m
sorry, Jonas,” Dee Ann said without a thread of remorse in her voice. “I didn’t
know she was so sensitive. She does need to take care of that baby and not go traipsing
around.”

“I
can hear you!” Autumn shouted from the bedroom.

“
Oopsie
.” Dee Ann put her hand over her mouth.

She
didn’t appear the least bit sorry. Jonas didn’t know what was going on with
her.

“Any
news on your animal rescue?”

Her
shoulders slumped and she smoothed the wrinkles out of her pants, glancing down
at her hands the whole time. “No, not yet but there is a need.” She gazed up at
him and gave him a fake smile. “I’m sure I’ll get the backing that I require.”

“What
about your big city practice? Aren’t you needed back?” The clock ticked loudly as
he waited for her to answer.

Her
face grew red and she cleared her throat. “I quit. I fell in love with Carlston
from the very beginning. I wanted to come here and work.”

He
pressed his lips into a thin line as he watched her squirm in her chair. She
must think him a pushover. “You knew this coming here?”

“Yes,
of course. I thought I told you.” Her plastic smile returned.

He
wanted to laugh at her attempt to brazen it out. If he had to keep biting the
inside of his cheek to keep from laughing he was going to be in a world of
hurt. “No, you never mentioned it. In fact, I thought you were coming for a
weekend visit. I know you stayed to help with Autumn and all but you never
mentioned quitting your job.” He genuinely liked Dee Ann but she was up to
something and he didn’t like games. He gave her a hard stare, somehow watching
her twist her hands together gave him a small measure of satisfaction.

“Are
you asking me to leave?” She tilted her head and batted her eyelashes at him.

“I
don’t play like that. I do encourage you to look for a permanent place to live.
You have been looking haven’t you? I mean you plan to live in Carlston.”

“That’s
why I need property. Truthfully, Jonas, you have a great parcel that you hardly
use. It would be great for horses. I know how much you love horses. If you just
gave it to me I could do so much good.”

“I’m
holding on to every acre for my children. Sorry I can’t help you.”

“Oh
for goodness sake, Jonas, we both know that you won’t have children. I’m not
even sure you are capable of doing the deed.”

Autumn’s
bedroom door slammed open. “Don’t you dare go there. It’s none of your
business. But I’ll tell you one thing he is more than capable and since he is
going to be the father of my child the point is mute. What happened to you, Dee
Ann? I really thought you were such a nice person but I feel as though I don’t
even know you. Belittling someone is not the way to get what you want. You
asked him and he said no, end of story. I suggest you find another place to
live and quickly.”

Jonas’
mouth dropped open. His spitfire was defending him and he loved it. She was
fierce dressed in her pink flannel night gown and her red hair streaming down
around her shoulders. Her eyes flashed and she had that
don’t mess with me
expression on her face.

Dee
Ann put her hand on her throat as though she was horrified. Once again he had
to bite the inside of his mouth.

“Listen,
Autumn, it’s not your place to tell me to leave,” Dee Ann said in a clipped
voice.

Jonas
cleared his throat and stood. “Since we’re getting married, it is her
business.” He walked over to Autumn and took her into his arms. Her widened
eyes amused him. He waited for her denial but it didn’t come.

“Well,
fine. I’ll find a place in the morning. Congrats on your engagement,” Dee Ann
said sarcastically. She got up and went into her bedroom and closed the door.

Jonas
was surprised she didn’t slam it. He drew Autumn against him, it was getting
harder to get close to her with her ever expanding stomach. “You are hell on
wheels, love, and I thank you for coming to my defense. Now how soon do you
want to get married?”

She
tilted her head back until their gazes locked. “I spoke out of turn, I’m sorry.
You don’t have to marry me, but I would like you to be the male figure in my
baby’s life.” Her smile wavered.

He
leaned down and kissed her sweet, soft lips. They trembled under his and he
realized she was uncertain of where she stood with him. “I want to marry you. I
want to be your baby’s dad. I do want the whole package but you know the deal.
I can’t, I mean, I won’t give you more children.”

“Jonas—”

He
put his finger against her lips. “
Shh
, love. Think
about it for a few days and then we’ll talk about it.”

She
pushed his hand away. “I don’t need time, Jonas I love you and if all you ever
do is hold me, so be it.”

“There
are other ways to pleasure you.”

Her
eyebrows rose. “Oh?”

He
chuckled. “I’ll tell you about them six to eight weeks after the baby is born.”

“I’ll
need time to plan something.”

“We’ll
do whatever you like. I love you too.” His heart beat faster as he gazed upon
her happy face. He didn’t want to ruin this moment with doubts but they crept
right in and stayed.

“Good
night, Jonas.” She stood on tiptoe and lost her balance, falling against him.

He
laughed and held her steady for a deep kiss. He set her away from him and
smiled. “Good night.”

Chapter
Eleven

It
didn’t surprise her that Dee Ann had packed during the night and was gone
before sun up. Autumn wondered where she planned to live. The hotel right
outside of town came to mind, and she couldn’t help the smile that graced her
face. What a night! Now she was going to get married. Jonas thought she needed
time to think
but she wanted him with
her whole being. He was the one for her. The one she’d hoped and dreamed of all
her life.

Of
course there was the little obstacle of his
no
seeing him naked
policy, but even that didn’t matter. Her body hungered for
him. Although, even if he was willing, they’d have to wait.

Autumn
walked out to the great room and saw a cup of herbal tea on the table and her
heart warmed. Jonas was a fine man. She needed to call Richard to let him know
but she wanted time to cherish her happiness before she announced their
engagement. Of course it wasn’t going to be simple, she expected, but things
would work out.

Jonas
came in the front door with the biggest grin on his face. He instantly made his
way to her side, scooped her up and kissed her. It was a gentle kiss that grew
deeper. She opened her mouth for him and wrapped her arms around his thick
neck. He tasted of coffee and mint.

“Whew,
you are some kisser, Fall.” He gently laid her on the couch. “Want to come out
to the barn with me again?”

“Could
I?” He already knew how to make her happy.

“Let
me make you something to eat and we can go.”

“Looks
like Dee Ann is gone.”

“She
was gone before I got up,” Jonas said from the kitchen. “Eggs and hash browns
okay?”