Page 48 of Protective Cowboy
“We made a deal,” Autumn replied. “I cook, then he and Jayden wash the dishes afterwards.”
“I’ve learned that willingness to do your fair share of the chores is important for a happy marriage,” Mrs. Parker commented.
Matt’s mother was tall and deeply tanned, with laugh lines etched deeply around her mouth and eyes. Silver frosted her light brown hair, and her hazel eyes were kind.
Autumn wasn’t sure if Matt had told his family that he and Autumn were faking their relationship, so she just smiled and said, “I’m trying to teach Jayden that.”
Hearing his name, Jayden stopped raiding the watermelon cubes laid out on a tray labeled Samples. Red smears framed his mouth. “Matt says I’m a big help,” he announced proudly.
“I’m sure you are,” Mrs. Parker said with a kind smile.
Jayden beamed back at her. “I’m gonna learn how to cook like Uncle Brock and Aunt Summer!”
“Promise you’ll invite us over for dinner when you do,” Mrs. Parker responded.
“Hey, did you see Evie’s cute knitted polar bear and panda hats?” Lily pointed at the next booth over. “Aren’t they perfect for the upcoming Snowberry Springs Winter Festival?”
“Absolutely!” Autumn agreed as Lily handed her the shopping bag, heavy now with ripe fruit, and took Autumn’s card to process the payment.
“Oh, stop, you’re embarrassing me!” Evie Carter protested. She owned the town’s auto repair shop and could fix anything. She was also becoming famous for her knitting and crocheting skills.
“You must’ve been knitting like crazy all summer to make all these things,” Autumn said, turning to admiring the selection of sweaters, shawls, mittens, and hats. “I’ll post photos of your creations on the town’s social media pages. I’m sure you’ll sell out of everything before the festival.”
“Awesome! You’re doing such a great job promoting Snowberry Springs,” Evie said. “Have you noticed how crowded the Farmers’ Market has gotten since you started posting your photos?”
After saying goodbye to the Parkers and Evie, Autumn and Jayden continued their stroll down Main Street.
“Look, churros!” Jayden exclaimed a few minutes later, tugging at her hand. He pointed at a familiar green awning announcing El Churro Redondo. “Can I have one?”
Autumn dug in her purse and fished out a ten-dollar bill. “Sure. I’ll be over there, taking some pictures.”
She showed him the Whispering Willows Jewelry booth, then handed him the cash.
“Thanks, Mommy!” Jayden grabbed the money and sprinted to join the line of customers waiting to order.
Autumn spotted Matt standing a block away. He looked tall and handsome in his tan deputy’s uniform, and she couldn’t help grinning as he tipped his cowboy hat to her.
This morning’s awkwardness between them seemed to have vanished, thank goodness.
She waved in return before returning her attention to photographing the jewelry display and the artisan, Willow, standing proudly next to her creations.
That was when Autumn caught sight of Phillip making his way towards the booth.
Oh, no.
Her first impulse was to duck behind the line of booths and hide.
Too late, though. He’d already spotted her.
“Autumn! Just the person I wanted to see!” he exclaimed in the hearty tone she’d labeled his Salesman Mode.
Not wanting him to trap her inside the Whispering Willows booth, she stepped out into the street just as he arrived.
Taking a deep breath, she asked in the most neutral tone she could manage: “What do you want, Phillip?”
“I wanted to apologize,” he announced. His gaze flicked toward the people who had stopped to listen. He continued, “I shouldn’t have shown up at the ranch like that on Friday night. I was drunk, and I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
Two apologies since Friday? And he’s sober now, too. Autumn blinked, struggling to process what she was hearing. Contrition and apologies were as foreign to Phillip as humility and kindness.