Page 18 of Beau & Autumn

“Hey bro.” I open the overhead cupboard and pull a mug out.

“Beau, glad I caught you. Gray and Gabe are out and your sister is somewhere on the ATV.”

“You all good?”

“Callan went into town to grab another trailer of mulch. Wonderin’ if you can give me a hand for a minute while I get this fuckin’ archway cemented in. Autumn wants to photograph it, and it ain’t playin’ fair.”

Autumn?

I feel the instant pound in my chest as my heart rate kicks up a notch, like the mere mention of her name is just triggering it now.

“Of course. I’ll be there in a second.”

“Thanks, appreciate it.”

He hangs up.

I discard the coffee making and run my hands over my jeans, cracking my neck as I head out the side entrance and over toward the barn.

The second ATV is in the shop getting fixed, so I take the short walk on foot, enjoying the hints of sun on my back as I go. When the barn comes into sight, I don’t see Autumn, but I do see Hudson with his hands on his hips, a frown etched into his forehead, looking less than impressed.

“The cavalry has arrived,” I say by way of greeting.

He turns and his expression relaxes a little. “Hey Beau. The girls decided to change the location of the archway last minute.”

I note the dry sarcasm in his voice. “Of course they did.”

“But I think it’ll be better here anyway.”

The start of the footpath that leads up to the barn doors is paved with sandstone crazy paving. It looks fantastic with all the flowers in bloom and new mulch making the colors really pop. “This looks great, you did an awesome job.”

Sweat beads from Hudson's face. The sun is high in the sky and it has to be eighty degrees today. Spring can be up and down, and we can get rain sporadically. But there’s barely a cloud in the sky today. It’s perfect.

“Thanks. Let’s hope Blue Bell doesn’t come back with any more changes or she’ll be digging the cement up herself.”

My eyes scan around like they are just going to appear from nowhere. “Where are they?”

“Georgia took off, and Autumn went down to the creek to get some shots. She’ll be back once the cement sets.”

I can’t wait that long, but I don’t tell him that.

I hold the archway in place while Hudson mixes the cement and then pours it in the holes he’s made, and we have the wooden structure secured in no time.

“Mom and Dad are gonna be really happy with this.” I stand back and admire it.

“I hate to say it, but I think Georgia may have made the right decision on this one.”

“Christ, don’t give her any more leverage at being right, it goes straight to her head.”

His dry humor makes me laugh. “You’ve said a mouthful there.” I glance over toward the other side of the farm. “Gonna go check on Autumn, see if she’s alright.”

“Got it, thanks, Beau.”

“Anytime.”

I take off toward the south side, knowing that’s the best spot for photos because of the slight ridge that acts as an elevation level. On a day like today, the creek looks like glass. What would really be special is this place lit up at night.

As I get closer, Autumn comes into view and I see her crouching. At first, it looks like she’s getting into position to take a shot, but then I see her camera still strung around her neck.

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