Page 55 of All Autumn
A tiny sniff, barely audible, sounded next to me. I glanced at Autumn. Her lips were pressed firmly together, and laughter danced in her eyes. Tearing my gaze away from hers before we both lost it, I focused back on Mary.
“It’s amazing what you can find on the Internet these days,” Mary said, then twirled, almost tripping in her furry dog boots.
“Easy there.” I grabbed her upper arm, stabilizing her.
“We need to have a meeting with Senator Blanton to review today’s events,” she said, grabbing Autumn’s hand.
I fell in line on the other side of Mary as we headed for the senator. “Why is he here, anyway?” I still didn’t understand that.
Mary peered up at me, her dog ears flapping with every movement of her head. “Think what a senator can do for us, Connor. He’ll be an asset to the team.”
The team? What team? But I didn’t ask, too afraid of hearing what Mary might have up her sleeve.
“Naomi told me your suggestion for a new title for our movie,” Mary said to Autumn. “It’s doable, although I still think Sam Saves the Senator’s Sister has a better ring.”
Over Mary’s head, I rolled my eyes at Autumn, getting a lip twitch from her. “What was your suggestion?” I asked.
“Brave Beau Battles a Bear,” she answered, amazingly straight-faced.
I covered my laugh with a cough, then cleared my throat. “I don’t know, Mary. I like the ring of that one. Very catchy and easy to remember.”
“Maybe we should ask the senator’s opinion,” Mary said.
And didn’t that sound like loads of fun? Senator Blanton saw us approaching, and I didn’t like the smile on his face when he saw Autumn. Going full-blown territorial, I stepped around Mary, and when I was next to Autumn, I put my arm over her shoulders, getting an odd look from her. Yeah, male brain sending out the universal signal.Mine.
Most men paid attention, but not all, and I wasn’t sure about the senator. Would a man like him interest Autumn? I mean, comparatively speaking, I wasn’t in his league. Not as much money, not as much power, and not onPeople Magazine’sSexiest Men Alive list.
“Hello again, Mary,” the senator said as if greeting a tiny woman dressed as a dog was an everyday occurrence.
“Senator,” Mary gushed. “I’ve brought our heroes.” She glanced at Beau. “Sam, this is Senator Blanton. You saved his sister.”
“Sit,” Autumn said. Beau sat. “Shake.” Beau lifted a paw.
The senator squatted. “I thought his name was Beau.”
“It is,” Autumn said.
“We haven’t decided yet,” Mary said.
“Well, Beau or Sam, it’s very nice to meet you.”
And wasn’t that a politician for you? Straddling the fence.
“You look very dapper in that neckwear.” Blanton held out his hand, and Beau rested his paw on the senator’s palm. “My family’s indebted to you, so if you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask.”
Clever bastard. The man was speaking to Beau, but his eyes were on Autumn.
“How’s Taren doing?” I asked to get his attention off Autumn.
He rose to his feet. “Much better, thank you. We’re bringing her home, to our Asheville house. Perhaps you and Autumn can come visit her once we get her settled in? She’s asked to see you both.”
“We’d like that very much,” Autumn said.
“Lovely.” He turned to the man standing next to him. “Jason, give Autumn my card that has my cell number on it.”
“Yes, sir,” Jason said, promptly pulling out two card cases from the leather man purse strapped over his shoulder. He eyed them, then opened one, handing a card to Autumn.
Senator Blanton glanced at me. “Give Mr. Hunter one, too.”
