She bursts into laughter. “Your mother knows we’re thick as thieves, Auttie. She knows I’d put an A on any of your feedback forms. But with this inn, it’d be for all the right reasons.”

I throw an air kiss in her direction. “Thank you for staying by my side this week. And to answer you, it was great. It was everything I’d expected and more. Making decisions single-handedly is…exhilarating and scary.”

“But you did so well. The Hardys are right, you know. You’re a natural at this. Making people feel comfortable, sharing friendship and love. You’re a true romantic, Auttie.” She pauses and then her eyebrow slowly arches. “I sometimes wonder why you aren’t seeing someone.” Her gaze slips to my ring as she finishes her sentence and realizes why. Immediately, I pull my hand away.

My pulse rises and my hands automatically go over my arms. Thankfully, Mr. Big strides in. “Autumn.” He places my cell phone on the table. “You left it at the front desk. It’s been ringing nonstop.”

I pick it up and glance at the screen. “It’s not Mom and Dad.”

“Whoever it is, it seems urgent.”

I press on the green button on the display. “Hello.”

“Hello, is this Mrs. Autumn Spencer?” a female voice asks.

Spencer.

My heartbeat goes wild, and I can almost hear the pumping of my blood along with the faint background noises coming from the other side.

“Wh-who’s this?” I whisper in a state of shock.

“We’re calling from St. Peppers City Hospital, ma’am. Are you the wife of Mr. Lukas Spencer? We have your number listed as his emergency contact.”

When I don’t reply for several seconds, she asks again, “Are you not, ma’am?”

“I… I am. What happened to…him?” My voice trembles as fear grips my chest tight.

“He was shot, Mrs. Spencer.” As the nurse gives me the horrid details of how much blood he lost, I feel the onset of nausea growing by every second.

“H-he’ll be alright?”

“He’ll be fine. Your husband is very lucky that the bullets didn’t do any serious damage. He saved a young girl’s life.”

“Please take care of him. I’ll be there soon.” My hands shake and the phone slips through my fingers, falling onto the desk with a clatter.

“Hey, Auttie. What is it? Are your parents okay?” Chiara reaches for my phone before it drops to the floor.

“They’re fine. It’s Lukas Spencer.” I peer at Mr. Big.

Outside of my family, he and Chiara are the only people who know about…my husband.

“He’s in St. Peppers City Hospital. I need to leave. Right now.”

Mr. Big’s lips twist into a grim line, and he nods. “I’ll call a cab.”

Once he leaves, I turn to Chiara. “Can you please help with the inn until my parents are back?”