Page 5 of Autumn Leaves and Pumpkins Please

I awake to knocking coming from my front door. When I roll over and check the time on the clock, I jump out of bed in a hurry. I’m late for work. Grabbing my cell phone from the nightstand I quickly hold the speed dial number for Warbee, as I rush down the stairs to answer the front door. Warbee picks up on the second ring. “Hey, how are you feeling?” Her voice is calm and steady.

“I’m so, so sorry. I must have forgotten to set my alarm last night when I went to bed. I’ll be there in a few minutes,” I explain, breathless.

Warbee laughs. “It’s okay. Jayse told me what happened. Jolie came in today so it’s all good.”

“Jayse told you?” I ask. Another knock comes from the door.

“Yeah, he was waiting for me when I pulled up to the bakery.”

My eyebrows pull together in confusion. I tiptoe to see out of the peep hole and there he is…. Jayse. “Okay, well I’ll make it up to Jolie. Thank you for understanding. I need to go because someone is at the door, but I’ll be there tomorrow.” I yank the door open and Jayse is leaning against the door frame, mint green paper bag and drink holder from the bakery in his hands. His gray eyes meet mine. “This is a first.”

He chuckles and it makes my stomach coil in anticipation. It’s seriously one of the best sounds in the world. “Good morning to you, too. You’re not a morning person, are you?”

“What tipped you off?” I bite back.

“Well, I did come bearing goodies so maybe the little monster would like to go hide and return Capri to us?”

I can’t fight the laugh that bubbles out of me. “Depends on the goodies.”

He holds up his hand with the items from the bakery. “Decaf coffee and tea for you as well as one of Warbee’s latest creations. Something to do with apple butter. It’s a pastry of some sort. I can’t remember what she called it exactly.”

Stepping away from the door, I motion for him to enter. “You may pass.”

“Well thank you, my lady.” I led us over to my small, two-seat dining room table.

Jayse passes me two of the three drink cups before digging into the bag and sliding the pastry across to me. “First of all, why are my drinks decaf? Coffee is life.”

“Agreed, but caffeine is bad for a concussion, so you get decaf.”

I roll my eyes. “I feel fine.”

He plants his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands. His eyes hold me motionless. “You may feel fine, but you took a nasty hit to that pretty head of yours so don’t push it.”

“So, is this firefighter Jayse or handyman Jayse talking?”

A sad look courses through his eyes for a moment. “Both.” His entire demeanor has crumbled. Moments ago, he was flirty, and he almost seemed carefree. Now, it seems he’s back to his broody normal self I’ve known him as.

Pulling the tissue paper back from the pastry, I smile. “It’s a croissant filled with apple butter.” He looks back up at me, a questioning look on his face. I point to the croissant sitting on the table.

He smiles. “So, that’s what it’s called.” I watch as his large hands pick up the croissant and take a large bite. Jayse chews for a moment as I watch his jaw work before giving me a thumbs up.

“I really do appreciate all of this, but you didn’t have to do it. I mean, going to tell Warbee what happened and bringing me breakfast.” Thora appears around the kitchen. She darts forward, apparently excited about the company. Jayse scoops her up and cuddles her. Her purrs are heard from across the table.

“Who is this pretty girl?”

I smile. “The love of my life. That’s Thora.”

Jayse continues to cuddle Thora until he places her in his lap. She seems incredibly content. “Also, I know I didn’t have to do any of that, but I wanted to. You don’t seem like the type that will take it easy, so I figured I’d better let Warbee know beforehand.”

“I guess I should thank you really. I forgot to set my alarm so at least you kept her from being shorthanded today.”

He shrugs, the gray t-shirt he has on strains against his muscles. “I also wanted to make sure you were okay, and I have to fix the washer anyways.”

“Well, it was a nice surprise.” We finish breakfast all too soon. My heart keeps wanting to watch him like he’s some foreign creature, but I already know my heart gets me into too much trouble, so I cast it aside. He’s built like a Greek God so it’s hard to not look at him.

Jayse places Thora on the floor and stands up. “I should get to the washer. I’ll probably have to get the parts if my guess is correct.”

“Oh okay,” I replied. I try to keep the disappointment out of my voice but it’s there. “Well, thank you again.” Jayse smiles as he opens the door. He reminds me to take it easy as he leaves.

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