But doesn’t he know that makes him and this so special? He has been in my life for so long. How many couples can say that?

35. Autumn

35

AUTUMN

My whole day goes by in discussions with Chiara, Suzie, and our in-house decorating team.

Every time the door to my office swings open, my heartbeat accelerates, expecting Lukas to step inside, his aviators hiding his deep blue eyes, leather jacket hanging over his broad shoulders, black denim jeans that accentuate his strong thighs, and those manly boots that are meant to crush things. But that doesn’t happen.

It’s six in the evening when I get a call from an unknown number. I pick it up with a quivering stomach. “H-hello.”

“Hi, Autumn.” An excited female voice greets me. “It’s Vienna. I just wanted to let you know I’ll be at the inn tomorrow to meet Suzie, and we’ll go over the final plans once more. I’m also playing with some custom food garnishing ideas for Maddy. I’ll show them to you and your team.”

“That sounds nice. Thank you so much, Vienna.”

“No problem.” I sense a hint of hesitation in Vienna’s voice when she asks, “I have one more question if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

“Lukas canceled the invitation to Zane’s sister-in-law’s Friday night dinner party because he’s working on some high-risk, high-profile case.” She pauses as if hesitating.

“You can ask me anything, Vi,” I assure her, because at this moment she seems to know more about my husband than me.

“I just wanted to know if Lukas is fit enough…after the injury, you know? Zane won’t say it, but I know he worries about Lukas a lot.” I can hear the tightness growing in her voice. Her worries have found an escape route through the phone and into my heart. “But I’m sure if there was any risk, you wouldn’t have let him take the case. We are really happy that Lukas has you in his life.”

My whole world spins as I end the call.

New anxieties claw at my chest. Until now, I didn’t even think about Lukas’ injuries or the accident that brought him back into my life.

I grab my phone and dial his number once more. When it rings, relief skids through my whole body, and I can’t hold back my sob when his baritone voice filters from the other side, skimming my ears. “Autumn.”

I take a breath and then one more. “Lukas,” I whisper. “You left?” My words come out in a gasp.

“I’m needed here. There’s a case Connor needs my help on.”

It really is work. He’ll be back. Hope rises in my chest, and I find my voice again. “For how long?”

“These cases take a long time. Sometimes even months.”