Page 106 of Beau & Autumn

“I’m sorry we did what we did.” A sob escapes me, and I mean every word. “I wish I could take it back and do it all differently.”

He sighs. “I don’t want you to cry, pumpkin. Just know that no matter what happens, I always want what’s best for you. I can promise you your mom will be on her best behavior. I’ll book us in at the?—”

“There’s a cottage on the property. I could ask Beau if it would be okay for you to stay there, then we can be close and I can show you around properly.” The Bassetts plan on more dwellings on the farm soon to accommodate more guests, but for now they’ve renovated a couple of the old workers’ cottages.

My parents have money, that's not the issue, but I really want them to get a feel for the distillery and how magical it is here. How much I love it and how the farm and stillness is etched into my soul. I want them to love it too, and if they don’t, that’s okay. I just want them to see how happy I am.

Instead of arguing, Dad shocks me by saying, “That would be fine. I’ll message you Friday to let you know what time we’ll be there.”

I wipe my tears away. “Okay, Dad. Thank you for doing this.”

He muffles a laugh, like he’s surprised. “I know I’ve been hard on you at times, Autumn, but you’ve no idea how it feels to be an ordinary man with an extraordinary daughter. Remember that.”

My mouth gapes as I grapple for something to say. Dad never talks like this. “Thank you, Dad.”

“See you on the weekend.”

“I… I love you, Dad.”

Silence, then, “I love you too, Autumn. I will never stop loving you.”

??

I relay everything to Beau as we sit at Stones Throw Cafe when I meet him for lunch. Of course, word has spread around town and we’ve been greeted by several well-wishers. Then there’s Aunt May. “I knew you two had a sparkle the last time I saw you.” She winks. “Now, let us all know when to expect that big party I know y’all are planning.”

The gossip around town is that ‘they fell in love quickly’, which equated to ‘they couldn’t keep our hands off one another and didn’t want to live in sin’.

I guess that is a good enough excuse, and one I remember using on my parents initially.

Beau has constantly reassured me that it’s all going to be okay. We’re out in the open now, not just with my grandmother and the rest of the family, but with each other.

Beau pulls me to his side, insisting on sitting on the same side of the booth. This man cannot stop touching me and I’m giddy for it.

“Soon, Aunt May. You’ll be the first to know once we have a spare weekend between the weddings at the distillery.” He gives her a wink. “I had to take this beautiful woman off the market quickly, if you know what I mean.”

Aunt May — unlike many others who have also looked down their noses with disapproval, likely due to our age gap — claps her hands together, her rosy red cheeks beaming with pride. It makes my heart swell that she’s not annoyed with us.

“I can see why.” She smiles warmly at me. “Just don’t forget to let me know so I can plan ahead. I know how much you adore the lemon bars.”

“I think we’re your best customers,” I laugh.

“You’ll get plenty of warning,” Beau assures her as she takes off to serve at the counter. His eyes flick to mine. “You okay?”

I nod. “I’m just getting used to telling everyone about us, and then there’s the people staring.”

“Don’t worry about them. They’re just jealous.”

I smile, leaning in to peck him chastely on the lips. “You’re so cute when you make sense.”

He smiles. “Are you saying I’m not cute any other time?”

“Yes, when you wear those hunky glasses.”

His lips part, pulling them out of his back pocket — amazingly he hasn’t crushed them. “You mean these?” He slides them on. They’re black chunky ones, just like the original Clark Kent, and I can’t get enough.

“You know it’s considered rude for a woman to mount a man in public.” I bite on my lip as he nuzzles into my neck. I glance around laughing, trying — and failing — to push him off.

“Am I not allowed to snuggle with my wife?” His voice is low and gravely, the way it always is when he’s turned on.

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