Chapter 25

Emmett

I hated having to drop my brother back off at the old house, but he had plans to spend the next few days cleaning it up. Even though I told him I’d come by and help, he said it was something he needed to do, and I could understand that. We all needed to be able to do things in our own way, and I knew that getting the place ready to sell was going to be a good purge for him mentally.

I called Autumn to tell her I was on my way to get her, and she breathed a sigh of relief that I had bought a phone. She said that she was already on her way back in the company truck, and she was bringing a guest for dinner.

Somehow, I made it back before she did, and since the house was empty, I went to the guest house to clean up. I didn’t know who she could be bringing home with her, but I was having such a good day, and she sounded like she was, too. That was all that mattered. I liked her happy.

I was sitting on the couch, looking for some of my favorite apps when I heard the truck. I went out to meet her as Pen jumped out and ran inside. Then a dark gray sports car pulled in the drive behind her. Knowing Jason drove a truck, I breathed a bit easier and then thought I should have known better than to think he’d have been the special guest.

I couldn’t believe it when the car stopped and her father stepped out with a big smile on his face. “Emmett Burke. It’s been a long time, son.” He walked over and offered his hand, and I took it, making sure to give it a firm shake.

“Mr. Cooke. It certainly has.”

Autumn walked up behind me with a sack of groceries. “Dad is joining us for dinner. Which I better get started. So, you two come on in and get comfortable. I’ll let you catch up while I get the lasagna in the oven.”

Pen came out from the kitchen. “I’ll make the salad and bread, Mama.”

I walked over to the couch, wondering when was the last time her old man ate a frozen lasagna. “How have you been, Mr. Cooke?”

“Foolish. Never let time get away from you, Emmett.”

“I’m afraid I’m already guilty. I’ve been gone ten years from home.”

“I heard about you being wounded. I read the article in the paper. I should have known Autumn would find you.” He gave a chuckle. “I remember the first time she brought you in for dinner. She asked her mother if she could keep you.”

I laughed. “Did she?”

“Yeah. She was a lonely child, that one. There weren’t any other girls around her age nearby, and since we worked so much, we never got to know the neighbors too well until she started school.”

“I never knew that.”

“Yeah, my wife had to convince her you weren’t a puppy. I always rested a bit easier knowing you’d look out for her.”

I thought of all the times I had done just that when some of the other neighborhood boys had thrown rocks or been mean to her. I’d whipped the snot out of a few boys who thought being mean would get them some of her attention, and instead, they’d gotten my fists.

I spent the next twenty minutes talking about the good old days with him while the girls got the food going, and then Autumn and Penelope came out to join us.

“How did your trip go today?” Autumn asked.

“I’ve got good news. I don’t have to go back tomorrow. I can do the last portion online.”

“That will make it convenient,” she said. “I know you’re probably already sick of the drive.”

“Well, as a matter of fact, I took Paul with me today.”

Her eyes filled with disbelief and a bit of concern. “Yeah?” She looked at her father as if she didn’t want him to be upset by the mention of my brother’s name.

“Yeah, I finally got him to open up to me. He’s been struggling, but he actually seems to have a decent head on his shoulders. He’s trying to better himself, but it’s tough being stuck where he is. He’s been sitting on Dad’s house because he needed me to agree to sell it, too. I told him that’s exactly what he should do. I’m going to help him get on his feet, and we’re getting a place together.”

“I’m sure you have quite a nest egg built up from the military,” Mr. Cooke said.

“Yes, sir, I do. I have that and my degree to get me started.”

“And a job at our company come Monday, I hear.” I wasn’t sure if she’d told her father, so I hadn’t wanted to mention it.

“Yes, sir. I’m looking forward to it. It will be nice to put my degree to use.”

“My daughter has secured a special project for you. We landed a big client that she’s eager to put you on, but I suppose we won’t talk about work tonight. I’m taking the day off.” He gave me a wink and Autumn laughed.

“This day just gets better and better,” she said.

“It’s the best day ever.” Pen came over and held out her hand. “I have purple, and my mama has red.”

My eyes widened. “Those are some fancy nails. You grew them yourself?”

“Yes, silly. My mama says I’m too young for fake ones, but when I get older, I’ll get some.”

“Natural nails are prettiest,” said Autumn, who held hers up for me to see.

“She’s sure growing up.” Mr. Cooke leaned back against the cushion, and I’d never seen the man so at ease.

Autumn walked over to the bar and poured a few drinks. “Yeah, I think she’s going through a growth spurt too. We bought clothes today and had to go a whole size up to get her the length she needed.”

“Well, I know she’s grown at least two feet since I saw her last,” Mr. Cooke said. “I know I need to come around more often.”

Autumn brought the drinks to the coffee table, and her father and I each took one as she lifted her glass. “Here’s to fresh starts. For you, Emmett, and Paul.”

After we drank to the toast, we made small talk about engineering and what Paul was going to do to sell the house until the buzzer went off in the kitchen.

We had a nice meal, and I could tell that Autumn was over the moon to have her father there. Pen was too. They needed some joy from the other men in their lives, and even though Jason was still a no-show, perhaps the old man would help make up for his absence in ways I couldn’t.

After dinner, Mr. Cooke excused himself for the night, and as Pen walked him to the car, Autumn watched them from the door.

“Still mad at him?” I asked.

She turned and gave me a smile, and it was then that I saw the tears pooling in her eyes. I pulled her into my arms and held her. “You know, for once, I’m not mad at him, and it feels good.”

“I’m glad for you.”

Pen walked up, and the car started in the distance. Headlights came on and then the car pulled away. “Mama? Are you crying?” Pen hugged our legs, and then Autumn looked down at her and brushed her hair back.

“Not sad tears, Pen. Happy ones. I just needed that from your granddad so badly.”

“I’m glad he came, too. And I was hoping that since it’s a special day, we can watch a movie before bedtime.”

“It is bedtime, Pen. You had a late dinner and a long day.”

“Please, Mama. I won’t pick a long one, and I’ll still be in bed on time.”

I gave her a nudge and nodded so that Penelope wouldn’t see.

“Fine. I guess that will be okay. But only a short one.” She raised her voice as Pen ran to the next room to get the movie started.

“I was hoping that one night I’d get her to bed on time.”

“She’ll be extra tired this way and won’t know where her mother is sneaking off to.” I realized I still had her in my arms, and she hadn’t pulled away with Pen there.

“I wanted to talk to you about something actually.” She gave me a look that told me she was unsure about something, and I hoped she wouldn’t tell me that she didn’t want to do any more sneaking into my room. I knew it had been a close call for her that morning, but I really didn’t think Pen would have thought anything of it.

“Is something wrong?”

She reached over and shut the front door. “No, not at all. It’s just that, well, Pen mentioned today some things that make me think she knows we like each other and that you might be interested. I want to take it slow where she’s concerned, but I wanted you to know. She notices more than we think.”

“I had a feeling she might. I don’t think it’s a bad thing and listen, Autumn. I’m happy. Are you happy?”

“For the first time in years, yes, Emmett, I am. So much that I’m afraid it might all fall apart. Promise me it won’t.”

“I promise. I’m not going anywhere. Well, other than getting my own place, but you know, not away from you.”

“Good.” She stepped back into my embrace, and I kissed her cheek, wanting to do more.

I searched her eyes. “Do you really think you’re getting rid of me that easily?”

“I hope not.” She reached up and brushed back my hair, which was starting to get a little longer on top than I liked it.

Pen called us from the next room. “Are you guys coming or what?”

“Coming,” her mother called. Then she turned and gave me a deep kiss that took me by surprise. When she broke away, much too soon, she smiled. “That should last until she falls asleep.” With a wink, she turned and pulled my hand to lead me into the den.

I couldn’t help but think of how emotional the day had been. Not only had I reconnected with my brother and made plans that would better our future relationship, as well as our lives, but Autumn had reconciled with her father, and she and Pen were happy. It was also the first day I’d been glad to be out of the military, even if it hadn’t been on my terms. There wasn’t a bullet I wouldn’t take a hundred times as long as it led me back to them.