“And he lied to his friends for you?” Mom asks, stealing my breath some more.

I nod once again.

“He cares for you, Autumn. I don’t want you to make a mistake and let something very special slip from your fingers just because we’re all stubborn to prove your grandparents wrong.”

24. Lukas

24

LUKAS

I meet Autumn’s mother on her way out of the inn’s main door.

“Hi, Lukas.”

“Hi, Laura.” My interaction with Autumn’s parents has been pretty limited. When they asked me to visit Cherrywood four years ago after her grandfather’s stroke, I was here only for a few hours and promised that I’d visit whenever they were ready for the annulment after Grandpop’s passing.

Two weeks later, I received a call from Autumn’s dad that her grandfather was doing well and had been brought home. We decided to talk about the annulment whenever the unfortunate incident happened in the near future. But that day never came.

“I see your arm is healing well.” Laura looks down at my hand.

I nod and flex my arm. “Yes. It feels almost like before.”

“Why don’t you and Autumn come over for dinner sometime? You’ve never been to our home. Though I must warn you, I don’t cook as well as Suzie.”

“I’ve been eating my own plain cooking for so long that I’m not at all picky when it comes to food.”

Her eyebrows rise. “You cook? I’ll have to tell Jasper. That man is good at everything except cooking. He’s a disaster in the kitchen. The amount of time and energy I have to spend on cleaning and then cooking after him is not worth the pleasure of seeing him fumbling with the pots and pans.”

Laughter spurts out of my mouth at her vivid description. “Then you should keep him out of the kitchen. Maybe put him on a grill instead?”

“Why didn’t I think of that?” When her eyes crinkle, I see a hint of resemblance to Autumn. “We should barbecue when you guys visit us. Let’s plan something soon.”

Laura gives me a wave before getting inside her Mini and driving away.

I knock on Autumn’s door as she’s perched on her office couch, head thrown back and eyes closed. “You look like you’re thinking about global warming.”

A small smile brightens her face when I step inside. “My problems are much simpler than that.”

“Tell me. Maybe I can help.” I flop down next to her and hold her hand in mine.

I absently make small circles on the inside of her wrist with my thumb, but I don’t think she notices it. Her gaze is focused on my face, and I don’t know what she’s searching for. But a moment later, she shakes her head and gives me another smile.