Page 47 of Protective Cowboy
Then a fresh worry reared its head.
“I was just thinking,” Autumn began hesitantly, “we’re going to have to be careful from now on. Putting on this happy couple act is making things complicated.”
Instead of denying it, Matt sighed. “Yeah, it feels like we’re both walking a fine line.”
“Is it wrong that part of me really wants this to be real?” Autumn blurted.
Shoot, she thought immediately. I shouldn’t have said that!
She knew she should step away, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave his arms. He made her feel safe. Sheltered.
For a moment, Matt didn’t answer. He seemed to weigh his words. When he spoke, the warmth in his voice sent shivers down her spine.
“Autumn, I want it too. More than anything. But I also know that right now is not the best time. Once we clear up this mess with Phillip, maybe we could give it a shot.”
“Deal,” she whispered, resting her forehead against his strong shoulder.
“And for now, if things get uncomfortable, why don’t we promise to talk to each honestly about how we’re feeling?”
“Sounds good,” Autumn said. She finally found the strength to step out of Matt’s embrace. Despite the warmth of the summer night, she instantly felt cold. “Good night, Matt.”
∞∞∞
Sunday morning
“Do you think they’ll have churros at the farmers’ market?” Jayden asked as he and Autumn left Matt’s house and headed for Main Street.
“Maybe,” Autumn answered. “We’ll just have to go there after church and see.”
Despite their heart-to-heart talk last night, breakfast had been a little strained this morning before Matt left for work.
Mom and Dad greeted them with hugs at the church door fifteen minutes later.
After the rollercoaster of emotions over the past week, the familiar rituals of the service and hymns settled Autumn’s nerves. Here in the pews, surrounded by her family, lifelong friends, and neighbors, she could forget her troubles for a while and find peace.
When Sunday service ended, it was time for Autumn to get to work. As the head of the tourism board, capturing images of local events like the Farmers’ Market was part of her job.
The entire length of Main Street was closed to cars on the third Sunday of every month. Local farmers, artists, and craftsmen set up their booths along both sides of the street, displaying a variety of products beneath colorful awnings. The Chamber of Commerce hired musicians to perform, with a dance area set up next to the row of food trucks.
As Autumn and Jayden wandered slowly down Main Street, she chatted with vendors and snapped photos of handmade breads and pastries, gleaming jars of jellies and honey, and the bounty of fresh local produce.
“Look, Mom! Watermelon!” Jayden exclaimed, pointing at the Parker Farms booth.
“Ooh, and I see blueberries, too. Let’s go check them out,” Autumn said, seeing that Matt’s mom and younger sister Lily were staffing the booth today.
“Morning, Autumn! Hi, Jayden,” Mrs. Parker called out as they approached. “How are you doing today?”
“Good morning, Mrs. Parker! We’re doing well, thank you,” Autumn replied, snapping photos of the vibrant display for the town’s social media accounts.
Besides berries, the long tables under the Parker Farms striped awning displayed pyramids of ripe melons, mounds of golden-green plums, and rows of blushing apricots nestling in egg trays.
Other tables held cardboard boxes filled with the farm’s gourmet mushrooms, along with beets, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, broccoli, a variety of lettuce, and enormous bunches of fragrant freshly picked mint, basil, cilantro, and dill.
“I’d love a small watermelon and a pound each of those apricots and cherries, please,” Autumn told Lily when she’d finished photographing.
“Matt told us you moved into his place,” Lily said as she took Autumn’s cloth shopping bags and began filling them. When she wasn’t helping her parents at the family farm, she built websites. She grimaced. “Tell me you’re not letting my brother cook. He can barely reheat a frozen meal.”
Apparently, Lily hadn’t tried Matt’s blueberry pancakes. His breakfast the other day had been outstanding.