Chapter Thirteen
Joel captured Autumn’s hand in his as they walked into the restaurant. He was still spinning from the kiss they’d shared, and he really wasn’t sure what had come over him.
He kept promising himself that he’d give her space . . . that he’d give her time to get settled before he considered leading them both down a road they couldn’t easily navigate.
There was so much he wanted to tell her about his family, share about his life, but he knew it had the possibility of leading her right into revelations about her own family that couldn’t be easily explained away.
The hostess quickly found them a private table overlooking the base of the mountain. In the winter, it sparkled in white, but tonight, emerald green stretched as far as the eye could see. There was still an hour or so of daylight left, and he was glad Autumn got to see the town when she did, but he was really excited for her to see it when it was all lit up at night.
As he helped her into her seat, he couldn’t help but feel like he’d scored a jackpot by getting her to accept dinner with him tonight. The moment she’d found out about the roof, he could see the stress lodging deep within her gaze, and the only thing he could think of to do or say was to invite her out.
Well, that wasn’t completely true. What he wanted to do was what he’d done just a few minutes ago.
They ordered their drinks with the hostess before she left the table.
“Do you trust me?” Joel asked, not bothering to look at the menu.
“Are we talking dinner or something bigger?” Autumn seemed to instantly relax as he watched her.
“Maybe it’s one in the same.” Joel resisted the urge to push. “But specifically, dinner.”
“Then yes.” She kept the menu on the table. “Surprise me.”
The waitress came to take their orders as Autumn glanced around her surroundings. She couldn’t imagine a better restaurant in the middle of a ski resort. All the colors were earthy, the décor was modern and elegant, and the views were magnificent. By the time Joel was done ordering, she returned her attention to him, and he looked as if he was waiting for a response.
“I missed something, didn’t I?” Autumn laughed.
“Nothing important.” Joel was completely amused by her and wanted to know what she was thinking. He’d like to think it was about him, but he knew better.
“No. Tell me what I missed.” Autumn glanced at the waitress over in the corner. She was leaning over the bar, whispering to the bartender. Barely a few seconds passed before the bartender looked over at their table.
Joel smiled and looked at the bar, noticing the same thing as Autumn. He shook his head. “Word gets around fast.”
“What word is that?” Autumn asked, her eyes settling on Joel.
“I don’t usually come here for dinner unless it’s with family.” Joel noticed the way that made her smile, but he hid his own.
“I would probably be here all the time if I owned it. Everything smells delicious.” Her smile was genuine as she took a sip of the cocktail she’d ordered. “I can’t get over what all is at the base of the mountain.”
“It’s been a real process. Throughout the years, we always saw this resort as a little village, a place for strangers to become friends and make lifelong relationships. The hotel came first and then we built outward.”
“Do you ever have any intention of linking this village with Silver Ridge?” She’d always heard this resort was one of the region’s finest, and now she understood why. Seeing the village also gave her hope for her own B&B just down the road.
“No.” He shook his head. “There are only plans for one more phase.”
Autumn nodded. “It’s funny. I thought Silver Ridge couldn’t get any more darling, and then you brought me here.”
“Both are pretty special places.”
“So do you own any other buildings or businesses in town I should be frequenting? Do you own the other burger place?”
He laughed and shook his head about the burger joint. Her question was innocent, but Joel found himself shifting in his seat. He wanted to be completely honest, but he also didn’t think his explanation needed to be overly detailed.
“We actually own a few residential rentals in town.”
“But no restaurants or shops?”
She seemed to skip right over his admission.
“Not in the city limits.” He shook his head.
Her eyes stayed on his as he wondered if she saw right through him.
“You’re close with your brothers.” It was a question framed as a statement. She took another sip of her cocktail and felt her shoulders relax.
“To a fault.”
“And your parents are divorced?”
“Yeah.” Joel was surprised she remembered. He’d tried not to bring them up much since he’d found out her parents had passed away, and truthfully, he disliked talking about his parents. Well, mostly, he hated talking about his father. Joel loved his mother, but his father had betrayed them long ago.
In fact, the man had been indirectly responsible for Joel’s entire philosophy about relationships. Joel was loyal if he allowed himself the chance, but the truth of it was that he rarely got to that point because he saw the devastation heartache could cause.
“Does your dad live in town?” Autumn asked.
“No.” Joel felt his chest tighten. “I’m not actually sure where he moved to. I think my brothers know, but I never paid attention.”
Her green eyes were soothing as he let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. He’d often wondered if his father cared about his own sons or if he’d just left them all behind because he couldn’t handle the consequences of his own actions. He shook his thoughts free and brought his concentration back to Autumn.
“It wasn’t necessarily a messy divorce, but that was partly because my mom had an iron-clad prenuptial agreement.” He pulled his brows together in a scowl.
Autumn noticed the man even looked good when he was angry. Or maybe it wasn’t anger that flashed through his expression but sadness.
“She wasn’t going to lose her family’s legacy over a bad marriage,” he continued.
“Wait. So this is all from your mother’s side?” Autumn’s brow arched and her hands motioned in a circle about her head.
Joel’s lips curled slightly and he nodded. “North is actually my mother’s maiden name. She kept it, and so did we.”
“That’s pretty cool.” Autumn cocked her head slightly.
“She’s a pretty incredible woman.” This time, there was no mistaking what flashed through Joel’s eyes.
Anger.
“My father had multiple affairs over the years, but my mom never knew. None of us did. I think my brothers and I suspected on some level, but it still felt like a sucker punch from nowhere when it all surfaced.” He chewed on his bottom lip and glanced toward the bar. “I think what hurt my mom the most was that the entire town seemed to be aware of my father’s activities before she ever had a clue.”
“The joys of small towns.” Autumn pushed her brows into a frown. “Or maybe even big towns.”
He let out a low sigh. “Who really wants to be the bearer of that news? I think my brothers and I all kicked ourselves for not investigating what my dad was doing when he’d sneak off or press him on why he came home so late.”
The waitress brought over the first course, which was a pear and walnut salad. The presentation was beautiful, but Autumn couldn’t get over what Joel had said.
“You can’t blame yourself for your father’s indiscretions. You might have figured it out sooner, but it probably wouldn’t have changed the outcome. You and your brothers weren’t responsible.”
Joel nodded and took a bite of pear. “True. I know you’re right, but it’s still something I think about. She felt like the laughingstock of the town.”
“That’s awful, but I’m sure that wasn’t the case.”
“Not even close. In fact, most of the town probably would have driven him out if he hadn’t chosen to leave.” He wiped his mouth with a white napkin. “Which in itself isn’t kind.”
“Do you miss your father?”
The directness of her question took Joel aback. Usually, women he dated didn’t care one way or another. It was as if they barely even knew he had parents. They focused on the glitz and glamor of the resort.
“I actually don’t think I do.” He shook his head and sorrow crept through his expression. “And that saddens me.”
“Because of the affairs?” she pressed.
“Partially.” Joel was shocked that he felt so comfortable talking to her about something so personal.
He usually kept the conversation simple and away from topics that involved anything to do with drama and emotion. “But my father had also slowly started to change over the years. He became intolerant of others’ mistakes, and he didn’t seem like he cared what happened to my brothers or me. I suppose in hindsight, I can say that his intolerance was a way to divert our attention away from his own mistakes.” He shrugged.
“I tried to stay in touch, but he didn’t seem interested. He had a new family, and that was where he focused his attention. My brothers might have had better luck, but we don’t really spend much time talking about it. I’m not going to beg for a man’s attention.”
“And neither am I.” Autumn giggled and instantly lightened the mood.
“You’d never have to.” Joel’s smile widened, but Autumn wasn’t ready to let him off the hook.
“What does your mom think?” Autumn had finished her salad.
“That she’s glad she had a great attorney.”
That brought another smile to Autumn’s lips, and Joel loved seeing it. She was beautiful no matter her expression, but Autumn’s smile shone unlike any he’d ever seen.
“I like your mom already.”
Joel became quiet. He knew his mother would love Autumn. His grandmother and niece already did, which was somewhat alarming. They usually let him know all the potential problems and pitfalls of any woman immediately. From their estimation, Autumn had no issues other than that she was in over her head at the B&B, but Joel didn’t see it that way.
If anyone was capable of making something out of nothing, he firmly believed it would be Autumn who could make that place magical. It didn’t hurt that she was across the street, and he’d be more than happy to lend a hand—or a brother—if that meant it would make her stay.
“I love that your family gets along.” She glanced around the restaurant. “I mean, not only do you run a business together, but you still manage to want to speak to one another at a family barbeque. I think that’s impressive. I’d like to think that if I had siblings, that’s how it would be for me.”
“I don’t doubt it would be.” Joel laughed. “But just look at the strays you’re willing to take in.”
“You’re not a stray,” she teased, knowing full well he was talking about Ronald.
Joel looked at her and complete admiration flooded through him. No matter how serious the topic, she could always lead him back to the light. He thought back to the other women he’d dated over the years, and no other woman had ever possessed that ability.
Often, the women he’d dated brought conflict into his life. He could never understand how that happened, but he swore he was a magnet for women who craved drama and spectacle. His eyes floated over to Autumn as she happily looked on as the waitress brought over the filet mignon. She beamed as the plate was set in front of her.
Just being near Autumn made his life better.
Joel thanked the waitress and turned his attention back to Autumn.
“This doesn’t look like the Kobe burger to me.”
Joel smiled and winked. “The brandy peppercorn sauce is a must. We can do the burger some other time.”
“It looks amazing.” She picked up her steak knife and happily cut into the meat. “So there might actually be a next time?”
“If I’m lucky.”
She took a bite of steak and her eyes closed in pure bliss. “Amazing. So, have I seen any of your investment properties in town?”
Her question alarmed him and made all his thoughts slide right out of his mind. He certainly wouldn’t lie to her, but he’d hoped to omit a few details here and there until it became absolutely necessary for her to know. He hadn’t planned that tonight would be that night, but as he looked into her eyes, he knew he had to at least answer her question.
“Actually . . .” He moved in his chair slightly and waited until her eyes fluttered back to his. “Those two homes I showed you the other day—”
“The ones on Tucker Street?” she interrupted.
“Yeah. Those are the ones.” He tried to read her face, but it remained expressionless. “Both of those are rental properties.”
Her face broke into an immediate smile. “So that’s why you think you could get me a tour inside.”
His shoulders fell from the tension that released. Maybe all of his worries were unfounded. After all, she hadn’t even known she had a deep-rooted history in Silver Ridge until a few weeks ago. Why did he assume she’d be upset with him or his family for intervening when needed?
“That would be why,” he acknowledged, slightly worrying about her reaction.
“Wow.” She shook her head and took another bite, savoring the flavor. “I wouldn’t have guessed it. Do you own any others?”
“A few.” He took a deep breath and noticed his brother, Austin, walking into the bar. He really hoped he didn’t notice Joel.
“Any other homes of significance that you own?” Her brow arched and he shook his head. Now wasn’t the time to give an explanation as to why he owned them, and maybe that time would never come. He kind of hoped it wouldn’t, but he hated lying by omission to her, and that’s what it felt like he was doing. She’d been kept in the dark long enough as it was.
“Not that I know of.” Joel chuckled and took a bite of steak.
“So why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.
“I’m not exactly sure.” Which was true.
It wasn’t like his grandmother hadn’t mentioned the street and homes to Autumn either. She did suggest that Autumn go see them. There were other residences that the Tuckers had owned over the years, so he could have shown her some of those, but these were the most grand, the most beautifully restored. Perhaps, he wanted to give Autumn something that she could be proud of. His chest tightened as he thought about why he’d ended up with those particular properties and why he’d turned down the B&B Autumn now owned.
“Any other secrets I should be aware of?” she teased, and he felt his pulse dip as he eyed his brother. Her gaze followed Joel’s and she chuckled. “Guess there’s no hiding from family when you all work and play at the same place.”
“Indeed.” Joel was relieved that his brother had provided a quick distraction.
Austin caught sight of the two of them and held up his drink in their direction. He obviously had his eye on someone at the bar or he would have made his way over. Joel scanned a few stools down, and it didn’t take him long to figure out which woman caught his brother’s attention. He had a type. He always had a type.
They both finished their steaks, and the waitress offered the dessert menu, which Autumn politely turned down. He wasn’t ready for the night to be over with her, but he knew he’d soon be driving her home and they’d go back to being neighbors.
“You know, I wasn’t kidding about installing the cabinets and—”
Her eyes flew to his, and she shook her head.
“I honestly couldn’t do that to you.” She looked around the restaurant. “You have a lot to keep you busy during the day already.”
He waved his hand in the direction of the bar. “The place basically runs itself.”
A complete lie, but he’d do or say just about anything to be able to be around Autumn, even if that meant installing kitchen cabinets, counters, and tile work in the middle of summer when the temperature gauge finally ran north of ninety degrees.
“I’m looking forward to hearing back from Mason so I can wrap my head around everything.”
Joel nodded, seeing that she didn’t want to take him up on his offer immediately, which he respected. But he also knew that no matter how fair of a contractor Mason was, the B&B was a disaster sitting on top of crumbling concrete. There was a reason he didn’t bother including it in the deal with Fred Tucker. He pushed those thoughts aside, worried Autumn would somehow tap into them, and steadied his eyes on hers.
“You ready?” he asked, and she nodded eagerly.
If he didn’t know better, he’d guess her eyes fell to his mouth before flicking back to his gaze.
“I am.” She smiled and stood as Joel glanced at his brother, who gave another quick wave in his direction.
Normally, he would have made his way over to the bar to say hi to his brother, but he didn’t want to risk anything with Autumn with him. Instead, he tucked Autumn into his side and they walked through the restaurant and toward the lobby of the resort.
It was silent between them, but there was nothing awkward about the moments shared as Joel linked his fingers through hers and they made their way into the cool night air.
“I really enjoyed myself.” Autumn glanced up at Joel and he smiled. “I’m glad you convinced me to come out with you tonight.”
Joel held in a chuckle, knowing it didn’t take much at all in the way of convincing her.
“Sometimes, the best way to deal with issues is to step away, and the solutions come.” He wanted to add that he was the solution, but he didn’t want to push that on her because he wasn’t actually sure he was. He knew how much he could help her beyond pulling off wallpaper or driving her guests to the urgent care. He really could hang cabinets and do tile work, but he was also dependable in other ways.
“I’ll have to remember that.” She squeezed his hand. “I have a feeling there’ll be plenty of opportunities for me to step away.”
He pulled her to a stop, and without giving it another thought, he brought her close as his mouth came down on hers. She kissed him back, and he suddenly felt powerless. He’d never wanted a woman as much as he wanted Autumn. He would do anything for her.
All it took was a simple kiss from Autumn, and Joel was fully aroused.
Who was he kidding? All it took was a glance in his direction from her.
He slowly broke his lips from hers and pressed his forehead against hers. “Are you free on the Fourth?”
She looked up at him with a soft look in her eyes, and he knew his world would never be the same as long as she was in it.