Chapter Twelve
“I think I’d like to start with the porch first. That seems the most dangerous, and I’ve already had one person go down.” Autumn chuckled nervously and glanced at Mason Rhodes.
Mason was the contractor whom Joel recommended, and she was glad she’d taken his advice. Mason seemed fair, honest, and genuinely interested in helping her get the most bang for her buck. Not that it mattered, but he was also attractive, with dark blond hair and bright blue eyes.
“So that’s why there’s a hole in the middle of it?” Mason laughed and shook his head. “Better him than you or me.”
“That’s what I said.” Autumn smiled and felt completely at ease with him. “Actually, it was a mismatched online dating fiasco, so I think that was only one of the many danger signs.”
“Even better.” Mason grinned as someone knocked on her door.
She glanced out the kitchen window to see Joel looking back at her, and her insides immediately lit up.
“Mind if I wander upstairs again? I saw some items I wanted to get a closer look at.”
“Not at all.” She flashed a smile and opened the door as Mason wandered away.
“Well, look who’s here.” Autumn motioned for Joel to come inside, and she shut the door behind him and leaned on the counter.
It was a warm day and the house was starting to get stuffy. One thing she might splurge on was an air-conditioning unit.
“How’s it going with Mason?” he asked, glancing in the direction Mason went. “I saw his company truck out front.”
“Great. He’s given me a lot of tips that I can do myself. I think he’s going to have his guys start on the porch first though. I’d feel better about getting that out of the way. All I’d need is one big windstorm and my yellow caution tape might fly away.”
“We certainly don’t need another Ronald situation.”
“No, we don’t.” Autumn grabbed a pitcher of fresh lemonade from the fridge. “Would you like a glass? It’s made from scratch.”
“Fresh lemonade? I can’t turn that down.”
“I’ve been thinking about that whole general store situation . . .” Her voice trailed off as she poured the lemonade.
“Oh, that little incident from the 1800s?” He laughed.
“That’s the one.” She handed him the glass and their fingers touched. A current ran through her and she hid a smile. Autumn was never boy crazy growing up, but suddenly, she understood what that sensation was all about. Except in this instance, it was only one particular person who made her feel that way, and his name was Joel. “I think it would be really fun to go take a look at the museum.”
“I haven’t actually been since a sixth grade field trip.” Joel took the glass from her and took a sip. It was sweetened perfectly with a hint of tartness. “Really good lemonade.”
“Thanks. It’s my mom’s recipe. The secret is honey.”
Joel watched Autumn light up when she talked about her mom. He’d seen it a few times before whenever her parents were brought up, no matter how briefly.
“Did your mom like to cook?”
“She loved to cook. My dad was always blaming her for his waistline, but he would have been devastated if she didn’t spoil us.” Autumn had a dreamy look on her face just as Mason came back into the kitchen.
“Hey there,” Mason said, shaking Joel’s hand. “Good to see you again.”
“You too.” Joel gave a quick nod and saw by the look on Mason’s face that he was about to break some bad news.
“So,” Mason began.
“I’ve got some good news and some bad news.”
“Let’s hear the good news first.” Autumn glanced at Joel, who seemed to agree with that approach.
“The cracks in the walls on the lower floors are superficial, so they aren’t structural.”
Autumn let out a big sigh of relief. She’d been fretting about those since she moved in.
“The bad news is that the ceiling that was bowed down slightly in one of the guest rooms is because of a roof leak. I crawled through the attic, and there’s definitely water damage.”
“Ooh.” Joel sucked in a breath.
“The roof doesn’t look to be in that bad of shape, so I’m thinking there’s a leak near one of the fireplaces, but I won’t know until I go up top to check it out. It could be a few missing shingles or something simple.”
“Let’s hope for that.” Autumn’s heart plummeted.
While there was some cash left to her along with the home, there certainly wasn’t enough to cover a roof on top of everything else that needed to be fixed up. She might need to find a temporary job until she was able to start bringing in revenue, but one step at a time.
“I’m going to grab my ladder from the truck, and I’ll be able to give you a better idea about the roof.”
“Thank you.” Autumn felt like pouting, but instead, she smiled and took a sip of lemonade. She glanced around the kitchen she’d been dying to remodel, but that project might need to go on hold if she needed a new roof.
Mason let himself out the side door, and she brought herself out of despair.
“You okay?” Joel asked, touching Autumn’s chin to bring her gaze to his.
“Yeah.” She pressed her lips together. “I’m really hoping the roof doesn’t need to be fixed.”
“Those kind of budget hits are never fun.” Joel’s eyes were kind and very understanding, which made Autumn wonder if he’d encountered them a lot.
“No. It wouldn’t be. It would be more like a budget ender.”
His eyes steadied on Autumn. He wanted to help, but he wasn’t quite sure how to offer without offending her.
“I’ve installed kitchen cabinets before.”
The sound of Mason’s metal ladder clanging and banging against the home did very little to calm Autumn’s fears, but her gaze snapped to Joel’s.
“Really?”
“And countertops and floors. I’d love to help. I can teach you.” His mouth curved into one of his sexy smiles, and she wanted to kiss him on the spot.
It was amazing how much hope she was putting into this home. Every wish and dream for her future was riding on getting this B&B up and running. If she failed at this, she honestly didn’t have any plan B.
“I think I might like that.” Autumn’s eyes filled with the spark Joel absolutely adored, and he took a step closer.
“You know, sometimes, it’s the most challenging things in life that bring the greatest rewards.” Joel wanted to wave a magic wand and have everything fall into place for Autumn. He knew what owning this house entailed, and it would overwhelm even seasoned investors.
The sound of the ladder scraping along the house came to a stop and was replaced by Mason’s footsteps quickly scaling the metal steps.
“I do believe that.” Autumn nodded and took a nervous breath as she thought about whether she’d bitten off more than she could chew.
A lot of her friends in California told her she should have sold the property, but there was something inside her that couldn’t bear the thought. She hadn’t even met Uncle Fred—at least at an age when she could remember him—but she was feeling more and more connected to him each day.
It really made her wonder what went so terribly wrong that her father had left Silver Ridge, never to return to a place with so much family history. In her bones, she knew this was where she wanted to be. Never before had she imagined a future for herself where she could so fully envision to the tiniest detail how she wanted to spend each day.
“But the realistic part of me is hoping I didn’t get myself into something I can’t get out of.” Her eyes stayed on Joel’s, and he tried to read the curious expression now resting on her delicate features.
There was a vulnerability about Autumn that brought out Joel’s protective side. He couldn’t imagine having no family. He had enough brothers to keep him in trouble, a meddling grandmother with a heart of gold, a mother who took after her, and a never-ending parade of cousins who’d show up at the resort to keep them all on their toes.
If all those lives were taken away, Joel didn’t know how he’d function—if he’d want to function—and yet, here was Autumn, full of determination and hope, trying to create a full life here in Silver Ridge.
“You’re going to be okay,” Joel said softly. “We’ll get through this whether you need a new roof or a remodeled bathroom.”
“Try seven.” She smiled, but surprise flashed through her gaze when she heard him say we’ll get through this.
For so long, she’d thought in terms of I, not we, and that plural definition of existing brought with it a mixture of pure terror but also intrigue. She couldn’t imagine the relief that would come if she had someone else to bounce ideas off, but she wasn’t sure she’d be able to let go.
“As with anything in life, just remember—one step at a time.” He smiled, and her heart fluttered as it had done many times before when he was so near.
She wanted to believe that the connection she felt with him was beyond the physical. The way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t watching or helped introduce her to some places in town made her wonder if there could be more. Her eyes fell to his lips and her breath caught in her throat.
Joel moved forward to kiss Autumn, and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She’d been dreaming about their last kiss since it happened and wondered if it was going to be a one-off, and now she hoped it wasn’t.
Desire flashed through Joel’s gaze as he slowly looped his arms around Autumn’s waist. He loved how she sank her teeth into her bottom lip and looked up at him through her thick lashes. Joel was taking everything in about this moment when the kitchen door swung open.
“I don’t have great news,” Mason said, stopping in his tracks.
Joel quickly stepped back, and Autumn’s cheeks blushed as she turned to face her contractor.
“If it’s not great, is it at least good?”
Mason laughed and scratched his chin. “Depends on your definition. It looks like over the years, the roof has been patched over and over, but we’re getting to that point where it needs to be replaced.”
She let out a gutted sigh and her gaze dropped to the floor.
“I wish I had better news, but after all the snow this winter, the leaks are bound to spread.”
“It’s better to know now than later. I can rework my budget and see what needs to be done immediately.”
“The porch is a priority.” Joel pressed his lips together and glanced at Mason. “I can get that done.”
Autumn shook her head.
“I’ll work the numbers, and I’ll send over an estimate going over everything we’ve spoken about, and I’ll list the priorities as I see them. I’ll get the roofer I work with to come out to hear his thoughts, and we’ll go from there.”
Autumn’s chest tightened with unease as she thought about funding all of these projects. She couldn’t open the doors to a half-complete B&B. She’d have to figure out a way to get everything done before November. She’d get more than one job if she needed to, but she had to get these doors open without the doors falling off into the guests’ hands.
“That sounds perfect.” She kept her gaze steadily on Mason as he wrote down a couple of things on a piece of paper and handed it to her along with a business card.
“If you think of anything else, give me a call, but I’ll get back to you in the next day or so.”
“Thank you,” Autumn said, the knot in her stomach only growing.
Mason said goodbye to Joel and left out the kitchen door.
“That wasn’t what I expected to hear.” She looked up at Joel, who seemed to be thinking about something.
“I’ve got an idea.”
“If it’s single-handedly rebuilding my house, the answer is no.”
“Let me take you to dinner.”
“Dinner?”
“Tonight.”
She held in a sigh. The weight of exhaustion was pressing down on her, and all she wanted to do was get into bed and start the day all over again, but when she looked up at Joel, she knew he wanted to ease her worries the best he knew how.
Autumn took a breath and nodded. “You know what? I think that’s exactly what I need.”
Joel’s brows shot up. “Really?”
“I think so. It’s either I sit here and wallow in my misery, or I enjoy a wonderful meal with an incredibly wonderful man.”
“You don’t know that I’m wonderful.” Joel smiled.
“You’ve been awfully wonderful to me.”
He took a step forward. “Maybe it’s just you who brings it out in me.”
“Maybe.” Autumn closed the gap and looked into his eyes. Every inch of her burned with the desire to be kissed. All the emotions from minutes before came flooding back, only this time, they were magnified.
That was what kindness did to her. It magnified the feelings, attraction, and emotion she’d already been trying to ignore.
She inhaled a slow breath, and he cocked his head slightly, his eyes studying hers as she prepared to be kissed.
“Well, the place I want to take you is a little way out of town.” His smile widened as he saw the desire already stirring behind her gaze. It seemed no matter how much he told himself to cool it, he couldn’t when it came to Autumn Tucker. “We should get going before it’s too late.”
“Okay,” she said breathlessly. “Is what I’m wearing okay?”
Joel took a step back, his eyes cascading down her body, only to linger on her curves.
“More than okay, Autumn. You’re absolutely stunning.”
She didn’t feel very stunning. Actually, there weren’t that many times in life that she ever felt much beyond cute.
“You certainly know the right things to say.”
“It’s true.” He slid his hand over hers, and she suddenly felt as if she were back in high school. Autumn glanced at Joel and tried to memorize every little thing about him.
For instance, she loved the way his forehead creased when he looked pleased or the way the muscles in his neck tensed when she caught him looking in her direction. It was these little things she’d never noticed before on a man, but with Joel, they all meant something.
“So where are you taking me?” she asked.
“It’s a surprise.” He winked. “Remember, I’m good at those.”
She glanced at the unpacked boxes and laughed. “Yes, you are.”
The thrill of the unknown pulsed through Autumn as she quickly locked up her home. She’d never been much for surprises, but Joel seemed to excel at them.
By the time she was sitting in his Honcho, she couldn’t play it cool any longer.
“Are you taking me to Tucker Park?” she asked, looking at him as he pulled onto the main road through town.
“Nope. I don’t think you’d be very impressed with the park’s selection of squirrel meat.”
She smacked his knee playfully. “That’s just gross.”
“You’re not very good when it comes to allowing surprises to happen organically.”
“That’s because surprises aren’t organic. They’re all based on getting a reaction out of someone.”
“A pleasant reaction.” Joel slid his hand to her knee as he drove them out of town along Tucker Street.
She wanted to pay attention to the homes they were passing, but all she could think about was the heat rolling through her body, all from a simple touch of his hand.
When she spotted North Road, she knew exactly where he was taking her.
His resort.
As they continued the drive, her mind began racing. Would his brothers be there? Or his grandmother? What about his mom? She kept her eyes straight ahead and caught Joel glancing at her every now and then, which only made her emotions a more complicated mess of what-ifs.
It wasn’t until they drove over a little knoll that her suspicions were confirmed, but what sat in front of her surprised her even more than where they were going. A tiny little town sat in front of them.
“Welcome to Silver Ridge Resort.” Joel grinned and Autumn shook her head in disbelief.
“It’s a miniature town,” she whispered in awe.
She thought the town of Silver Ridge was adorable, but this little place tucked at the base of the mountain was what dreams were made of. She couldn’t begin to imagine what this little place looked like covered in snow.
“It is.” He nodded in agreement. “We’ve had a lot of fun over the years expanding the amenities of the resort.”
At the end of the road directly in front of them sat an enormous hotel with rustic features like log beams under the eaves and patios extending from each guestroom. Autumn assumed guestrooms were available overlooking both the slopes and this little town.
Alongside the road leading to the hotel were restaurants, shops, and activity centers. Flowers overflowed from colorful window boxes, and patio seating sprinkled the sidewalks underneath striped awnings. The streets and sidewalks were bustling with as many people as the town below.
“I had no idea the resort was like this. I thought there was just a hotel.” She nodded her head in amazement as he drove in front of the resort and two of the parking attendants came dashing out from a booth and opened their doors.
“Good evening, Mr. North,” the man greeted him. “We weren’t expecting you this evening.”
“It’s fun to keep you on your toes.” Joel smiled warmly as the man slipped into the Honcho.
“Any reason to be able to drive this beast, and I’ll take it,” the valet driver said as Autumn slid out of the vehicle.
“Have fun with it.” Joel walked around the front of the car and slid his arms around Autumn’s waist before leading her up the stairs to the hotel.
It wasn’t as if Autumn hadn’t been exposed to grand hotels during her travels, but there was something special about this place. Warmth immediately washed over her as they walked into the lobby where a large stone fireplace anchored a seating area.
The front desk staff immediately recognized Joel and began waving while one of the concierges came rushing over.
“Is there anything you need, sir?” the man asked.
“Just dining out tonight, Paul.” Joel slipped him some cash and Autumn saw the man light up.
She got the feeling Joel didn’t come here with women that often for dinner.
Or was it wishful thinking?
Joel looped them around the lobby and past a row of elevators. She spotted an outdoor fireplace.
“In the winter, that place is always so popular.” Joel pointed in the direction of the patio seating. “With the fire blazing and snow on the ground, there’s no place like it to grab a quick bite to eat.”
“I bet it’s incredible.” She found herself leaning into him slightly. “But it seems everything your family touches is unbelievable.”
“It’s funny. That’s how I feel about you.” He stopped walking and turned to face Autumn. His eyes steadied on hers, and his hands slowly brushed away loose hair before cupping her chin. No matter what he told himself, he just couldn’t resist Autumn Tucker.
Without waiting a second longer, he brought his lips down to hers, and she let herself fall into him, feeling everything about his body as it responded to her. She loved feeling his lips against hers and his hands as they slid along her neck while she sank deeper into a fantasy she never knew she wanted.