All Autumn Read online

  All Autumn

  Blue Ridge Valley – Book Two

  Sandra Owens

  Contents

  Also by Sandra Owens

  Newsletter Info

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Coming Soon

  Acknowledgments

  About Sandra

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Text copyright © 2018 Sandra Owens All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Sandra Owens

  Print ISBN- 978-0-9997864-4-4

  E-Book ISBN- 13: 978-0-9997864-5-1

  Cover design by Kim Killion

  Edits by: Melody Guy and Ella Sheridan

  Printed in the United States of America

  This book is dedicated to you!

  So if you’re reading this,

  you now know a book has been dedicated to you.

  Also by Sandra Owens

  ~ Aces & Eights Series ~

  Jack of Hearts

  King of Clubs

  Ace of Spades

  Queen of Diamonds

  ~ K2 Team Series ~

  Crazy for Her

  Someone Like Her

  Falling for Her

  Lost in Her

  Only Her

  ~ Regency Books ~

  The Dukes Obsession

  The Training of a Marquess

  The Letter

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  1

  ~ Autumn ~

  Today was my husband’s birthday, and I planned to surprise him at his office. He’d once told me that he fantasized about bending me over his desk and having his way with me. I intended to make that come true, my birthday gift to him.

  After a little playtime using his desk as a prop, I’d then talk him into taking the rest of the day off. His favorite cake, German chocolate, held center stage inside a glass-domed cake stand on the dining room table. Gaily wrapped presents surrounded a bottle of his favorite French wine. For dinner I’d made his favorite food, lasagna. All I had to do was slide it into the oven.

  The table was set, candles ready to be lit, and I could already imagine how the flames would reflect off the crystal wine glasses. The interior designer in me ran a critical eye over everything, reassuring myself that all was perfect. Just before we sat down to eat, I’d turn on the Jacuzzi so it would be the right temperature when I led Brian out to the deck. My husband wasn’t going to know what hit him, starting with my unexpected appearance in his office.

  Sure, I’d gone a little crazy for his birthday, but we were newlyweds, and the glow hadn’t worn off. Well, it had a little, and that was why I planned to put some spice back into our sex life.

  We were truly blessed for a couple in their late twenties, both of us having great careers and the kind of income most people our age only dreamed of reaching someday. I would do everything in my power to see that we stayed blessed, including doing something as uncomfortable as walking out the door wearing nothing but a black raincoat and red stilettos.

  I grabbed the bottle of champagne I had chilling in the fridge, and snapping up my purse and keys, I headed to Stratton Automotive, the car dealership Brian owned. I didn’t love him because he gave me nice things, like a new Lexus, three-carat diamond engagement ring, a honeymoon in Hawaii, and a beautiful home.

  All those things were great, but Brian was my soul mate. He made me laugh, listened when I talked, and usually respected my opinions. I’d love him even if he couldn’t afford to give me more than a thin gold band and a small two-bedroom house. Hell, I’d live with him in a tent if it ever came to that. He was my world, my dream come true. Eventually there would be the happy laughter of children in our home, kids who would have a mother and father who doted on them. That was my promise to my future children.

  Because we lived in Blue Ridge Valley, North Carolina, a small town surrounded by mountains, Brian had installed satellite radio in my car since it was impossible to keep stations in nearby Asheville from fading in and out. Brian was thoughtful like that. I turned the volume up, letting the station that played love songs all day get me in the mood for some loving.

  How did I get so lucky? Of course, Brian was lucky to have me, too. How many wives showed up at their husband’s office naked just so they could give him his fantasy? Not many, I bet. Well, I planned to do a lot of things like that so our marriage didn’t go stale. It was important to keep a man happy and satisfied

  This had been the best four months of my life. I loved every minute of my job as an interior designer, and the word had spread that I was good. Brian hadn’t outright said that he was proud of me, but I didn’t doubt that he was. I’d been busier than ever the past four years making Designs by Autumn successful, but I was firm about not allowing my career to interfere with my marriage. Brian was also good about not letting the dealership dominate his time. Sure, he had to work late once or twice a week to catch up on paperwork, but that was to be expected. He had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

  I’d timed my arrival for Brian’s lunchtime, knowing he closed himself up in his office for an hour of much needed quiet. Recharging his batteries, he called it. Well, today, he was definitely going to get them recharged. A little giggle escaped as I pulled into a parking space near the door. Boy was my husband going to be surprised.

  “Autumn, what are you doing here?” Paul, Brian’s sales manager, said as he rushed toward me.

  “Just stopping in to say hi to Brian.” I walked faster, hoping he’d lose interest in conversation. Although I’d normally stop to chat, I just couldn’t, knowing I was naked under my raincoat. Not that Paul would even be able to guess such a thing, but he might wonder why I wore a buttoned-up raincoat when it wasn’t raining.

  His eyes flicked from me to the door. “Let me tell him you’re here.”

  “No need.” My hand on the doorknob, I glanced over my shoulder. What was with that panicked look on his face? “Do me a favor and make sure we’re not interrupted.”

  “Shit,” Paul said as I opened the door.

  Well, that was a strange response. I s
tepped inside, closed the door behind me, and held up the champagne bottle. “Surpr…” My voice trailed off as I stared in horror at Brian and the woman he had bent over his desk.

  “Surprise,” I whispered.

  “Autumn, what the hell are you doing here?” Brian said as he scrambled to stuff his penis back into his pants where it damn well belonged.

  The woman kept her face turned from me, but I recognized that bleached blonde hair. Oh, did I ever. That was the thing about a small town. No one was a stranger. “Lina Kramer, get the hell out of here.” I figured Lina heard the urge to murder in my voice because the bitch took off, trying to pull her panties up as she ran.

  “Autumn,” Brian said, holding up his hands as if asking for understanding.

  Well, I’d show him understanding. I walked to the desk that I’d burn to ashes if I only had a blowtorch.

  “I can explain, baby. Just listen, okay. She wouldn’t give up, you know? I had a weak moment. It’s never happened be—”

  “Shut up, Brian.” I slammed the champagne bottle down on the desk with all my strength, which was fed by the fury burning hot through my bloodstream. Shattered glass flew in all directions, the liquid drenching papers and folders, ruining them. I hoped they were important.

  “Come on, baby. Let’s talk this out.”

  I held out the neck of the bottle still clenched in my hand. “You say one more word, I swear to God, I’ll stick this in your eye.” He stepped away. Good, I had his attention. “I told you there was one thing I could never forgive.” I didn’t wait for an answer. “Considering what I just saw, apparently you didn’t think I meant it. Well, I have news for you. We’re done.”

  “I swear it didn’t mean anything. It was just a stupid mistake.”

  “Yeah, it was stupid all right. Don’t bother coming home.”

  At the door I paused and removed the ring I’d loved until a few minutes ago. Walking back to the desk, I set it in the middle of all the broken glass. I stared at it for a moment, my heart just as shattered as that champagne bottle. When the tears threatened to fall, I walked out, refusing to let Brian see me cry.

  “Don’t do this, Autumn.”

  I kept going. As I walked past the employees who’d gathered to witness my shame, I somehow managed to hold my chin up. I’d never been so humiliated in my life, and I didn’t know which feeling to embrace. The embarrassment, the rage brewing inside me, or the ache in my chest that felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to my heart?

  2

  ~ Connor ~

  I’d never been happier to lose a customer. The Merricks had been the clients from hell. I bet I’d shown them more than a hundred houses over the past six months. Nothing had been right. The living room was too small. The living room was too big. Same for the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.

  Then there was the land. The houses I’d shown them were either too high up in the mountains, too low, too close to the neighbors, or too secluded. They were too close to town, too far away. They cost too much—even though I’d never shown them a house above their stated budget—or the price was suspiciously low. That cheap, there must be something wrong with it.

  Thirty minutes ago I’d stood in the middle of the living room of yet another house, listening to both of them complain about the paint colors.

  “It’s just fucking paint,” I’d snapped. It was as if time had stopped, all three of us shocked into silence at my outburst.

  Before I could apologize, Mr. Merrick said, “There is a lady present, Mr. Hunter. I don’t think you’re the right realtor for us.”

  There was a God. “Yes, I believe you’re right. I’ll email you the name of a realtor I think would be perfect for you.” I faced Mrs. Merrick. “I sincerely apologize for my language.”

  She huffed, then marched out of the house, her husband giving me one last look of disgust as he followed her. “Good riddance,” I muttered after the door banged closed behind them. I’d never lost my cool with a client before, but since it got them off my hands, I couldn’t quite regret it. When I got back to the office, I’d send them Al Crane’s contact information. He was always trying to steal other realtors’ customers, and I’d gladly give him this couple on a silver platter. Al and the Merricks deserved each other.

  Adam, my twin brother, and I owned Hunter Brothers Luxury Log Homes. He built them. I was a licensed realtor, selling our own properties, along with other houses in the area.

  Driving home, I berated myself for letting the situation go so far downhill that I’d acted unprofessionally. I should have referred them to another realtor months ago. But they’d become something of a challenge, and I’d never backed down from a challenge. Live and learn, I guess. That was one mistake I’d never make again. From now on, if…

  “The hell?” I yelled, yanking the steering wheel hard to the right. The car coming at me swerved back into its lane, but the driver overcorrected. I watched with growing horror in my rearview mirror as it disappeared off the side of the mountain. Making a U-turn, I sped back to where I’d seen the car go over.

  When I reached the edge, I peered down, not even sure the car would still be visible. The roads around here were two lanes, often with steep drop-offs and heavy brush. There had been instances where drivers went over the side and no one was the wiser. Last month a woman had done just that, and three days passed before they found her, barely alive.

  Luck had been on this driver’s side. Not only had I seen the car go over, but there was only a ten-foot drop before the land flattened out, then dropped off again. The car’s grill was embedded in a tree, which had stopped the vehicle from flying off the second drop-off. I slid down the side of the mountain, afraid of what I’d find when I reached the door.

  I peered into the window. All I could tell was that the driver was a woman with long, honey-colored hair. The airbag looked like a huge blob of dough trying to devour her.

  “Miss? Are you okay?” The airbag began to deflate, allowing me to see her face. “Autumn?” We’d been friends since grade school. My heart pounded with urgency as I pried open the door. “Autumn, are you okay?” She was crying, so that meant she was alive, thank God. “Talk to me, sweetheart. Tell me where it hurts.”

  She lifted her tearstained face. “Right here.” She hit her chest with her fist.

  “Your chest hurts?” Christ, did she have internal injuries? I needed to get rescue out here.

  “No,” she wailed. “My heart.”

  “You hurt your heart?” That was oddly specific.

  “No, he…he did.”

  I glanced at the passenger seat, but there was no one there. Maybe she’d bumped her head, leaving her confused. I gently touched the bruise on her cheek from the airbag. It had probably saved her life, so a bruise was a small price to pay.

  “Does that hurt?” Ignoring my question, she pushed the deflated airbag over the steering wheel. “Don’t move,” I said when she started to climb out. “You might be injured, your neck or something.”

  She rotated her head. “Nope, I’m fine.” Tears filled her blue eyes again. “Except for my heart. That’s irreparably broken.”

  “It’ll make me feel a lot better if you’d stay still. I’ll call for rescue to—” I think my eyes bugged out of their sockets when she flashed me as she swung her legs to the side of the seat. “Autumn, you’re, ah, naked under that raincoat.” And why was she wearing a raincoat on a sunny April day anyway, which, at the moment, was not strategically covering her below the waist? I glanced up, not seeing a cloud in the sky, and kept my gaze lifted, giving her time to cover herself.

  “Yeah, well, you know what they say. The best laid plans and all that.”

  Whatever that meant. At least she’d stopped crying. There wasn’t a man on earth who knew what to do with a crying woman. Actually, thinking about it, she’d gone from sobbing to pissed in mere minutes. I was more worried than ever that she’d hit her head.

  “Are you decent?” I asked, still keeping my eyes
averted.

  She let out an annoyed sigh. “Yes, Connor, all my lady parts are covered. You don’t have to worry about hurting your eyeballs again.”

  For sure, my eyeballs hadn’t been hurt. Not even in the slightest. Like I said, Autumn and I were friends from way back. I’d never thought about the girl I used to climb trees with the way I was now. But hey, I’m a man. Flash us a picture of a woman’s pretty pink lady parts and all bets are off. And Autumn’s? Perfection.

  She’s your friend, douchebag. You will wipe that image out of your mind. Right. That’s what I’d do. Besides, it was so not cool to get turned on when your married friend had just been in an accident and was traumatized.

  “I wish you’d stay still and let me call for help,” I said to her retreating back. Or not. When she stopped to study the steep hill she’d need to scale, I chased after her. “You’ll never climb up that by yourself.”

  “You think so?” She eyed me as if I were a pesky nuisance. “I have so much rage inside me right now that I could probably fly to the top.” She frowned as she studied the embankment.

  I put my hand on her shoulder. “Autumn, what’s going on?” At my touch she looked up at me, tears pooling in the eyes that were filled with anger only seconds ago. Oh, hell. She was crying again. Time to shut up. Whatever the deal was, it was none of my business.

  Except she was my friend and obviously upset about something. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t try to find out what the problem was and do what I could to help?

  “Here,” I said, taking her hand. “I’ll pull you up behind me.” No way was I going to push her to the top because then I’d be looking up, seeing what I’d banished from my mind once already. Sorta. Okay, I was working on it. But getting a second look would permanently imprint it in my brain.

  Autumn was pretty damn agile, thankfully, and we made it up the hill surprisingly easily. At the top we both stood at the edge, peering down at her car. I figured it was totaled, as the tree was implanted halfway into the engine. Did she have any idea how lucky she’d been? If not for that one, lonely tree on the plateau, she and the car would have tumbled thousands of feet to the bottom.