Page 110 of Beau & Autumn

I can tell that isn’t the right answer, her nostrils are practically flaring. “I just thought now that she was married, you’d be starting a family. It was you who told us that you wanted to make an honest woman out of our daughter.”

Technically, we didn’t have sex out of wedlock, but I’m not about to go into any of that tonight.

“And I still stand by that, but we’re newlyweds. We’re not sure what we’re going to do about children just now. Autumn is still developing her business, as am I?—”

“You develop video games?” Her face looks like she sucked on a lemon.

“He’s also a wonderful artist,” Autumn pipes up. “You should see some of his work.”

I stroke her shoulder with my thumb, my arm still around the back of her chair. “I develop online games as well as apps for gamers. My friend and I developed a new concept of?—”

“How is that going to keep Autumn in the lifestyle she’s accustomed to?” Ruth cuts me off and spares a glance at my parents. “With all due respect, your job at the distillery isn’t exactly making you a millionaire.”

“Ruth!” Chase dabs his mouth with a napkin and almost chokes on his pie.

“I don’t need to be a millionaire to provide for my wife,” I say. “She’s also very independent; one of the things I love about her. And I’m doin’ okay financially. There is nothing Autumn could want for that I won’t give her. But she won’t be quitting her job anytime soon, she loves what she does and I’d never take that away from her.”

Autumn is tense beside me and my heart aches for her. Her mom’s constant disapproval of what she does has been a thorn in her side for years. I knew that it would be baby steps with her, but I really thought after the fight in Memphis she’d be a little more reasonable. It seems I was wrong.

“Mom, we’ll talk about this later.” Autumn’s cheeks flush with embarrassment and my parents look like deer caught in headlights.

“Well, we’re very happy with Autumn joining the family.” My father places his coffee down on the table. Uh, oh. If Dad gets involved, things are usually bad. “While I was like you and a little dubious about the union, now that I’ve gotten used to the idea, I can see how in love they are.”

“Love isn’t everything.” Ruth really is like a bulldog if she wants to get her point across. “Divorce is high on the rise these days because people don’t think things through…”

“That may be true,” Dad goes on. “But a marriage should be built on love first and foremost. As well as friendship. Trust. Understanding. Compassion. Loyalty. Things like money and how many children you may have, or what you do for a living are way down the line, for me anyway.” He places his hand over my mom’s. “We’ve been married for forty years and I can honestly say that the ups and downs Beau and Autumn will no doubt go through will be nothing compared to the love and commitment they made to one another.”

I stare at my dad with an open mouth. Holy Toledo.

“I’ll drink to that.” My mom smiles over at us and it makes my heart clench. She’s so supportive of us and has been since the beginning.

“Thank you, Bob and Gayle, for welcoming me with open arms.” Autumn casts a glance over at her mom who doesn’t even appear to be one bit embarrassed or affected.

“Marriage is about longevity,” Chase affirms. “As a father, I appreciate everything you said. It’s no secret Autumn is the apple of my eye, and I want what’s best for her. She’s happy, and that’s all that matters. The rest will come.”

“But—” Ruth starts but Chase holds up a hand to her.

I try not to balk. Normally, I wouldn’t agree with shutting up a woman when she’s about to talk, but I’m just about ready to pat my father-in-law on the back.

“It’s getting late.” Autumn looks up at me. “Take me home?”

I peck her on the lips. “Love to.” I turn to my parents. “Mom, Dad, are you ready to go?”

“We are, son,” Dad says. I can see the disappointment on his face; his eyes look sad and I can tell he wants to say a lot more. It really isn’t worth it.

We know how much we love one another and how much we want to make this work. That’s all that matters.

Chase mumbles an apology to my parents while Ruth excuses herself to the bathroom. “I’m sorry, she’s very set in her ways,” he explains. “I’d hoped that she’d come round after spending some time with the family. It’s nothing personal.”

My dad shakes his head. “I understand to a degree. She loves her daughter a whole lot, I get that. I have a daughter too, and we treat them a little differently to our sons. They’re our princesses. But I know Beau will be an excellent husband. She’s in good hands.”

“I’ve maybe not always been on board with all the things she’s wanted to do over the years.” Chase glances at his daughter with new eyes. “But I respect her decision. Beau, I’m happy to call you a son and I know you’ll take good care of my princess.”

I’m taken aback as he reaches in to shake my hand and I quickly reciprocate. A lump forms in my throat as I heed his words. “I won’t let you down.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Autumn pecks him on the cheek.

We say goodnight to my parents and head to my truck to take Chase and Ruth back to their cottage.

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