Chapter Fifteen
Even though Joel and his brothers were all in their thirties, it appeared they’d never fully grow up. Joel took a sip of his beer and watched as Austin had Sam in a headlock while circling around the food tables.
“Do you think Sam has a chance?” his mom asked, coming up behind Joel.
“Not likely.” Joel laughed and took in a deep breath of fresh mountain air. He loved being at the family’s lake house for the Fourth of July. It was one of the few excuses in the year they had to come together as a family. The gathering wasn’t a one-day event. The celebration started days before, and the finale just happened to be on the Fourth, but he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
Except with Autumn. He could imagine being just about anywhere with her.
He’d really looked forward to having her at the property, but thankfully, he hadn’t mentioned her coming to anyone so her absence wouldn’t turn into a big deal.
“Sam knows not to take the last fritter. That’s not how it works.” Joel chuckled and inhaled another breath of mountain air.
“What’s got you holding in sighs?” His mom asked, gripping his shoulder.
“You need a hobby.” Joel turned to face his mother, who was smiling, and she shook her head.
“Who needs a hobby when I have so many sons?” She beamed. “Besides, my hobby is skiing, and I only do that in the winter. That leaves me all summer to gossip with your grandmother and meddle in your business. Aren’t you the lucky one?”
“I keep telling myself that.” Joel gave his mom a kiss on the top of her head.
“Now fess up. What’s going on?”
Joel ran his hand over his face and shook his head without saying a word.
“Is it that Tucker woman I’ve been hearing about?” Her blue eyes sparkled with too much knowledge for her own good.
“You mean my new neighbor?” Joel nodded. “Yeah. It’s her.”
But he didn’t elaborate. Joel didn’t feel like going over the obvious questions with equally obvious answers.
Do you like her?
Yes.
Are you attracted to her?
Yes.
Have you taken her out?
Yes.
Then what’s the problem?
He didn’t know.
“From what I’ve heard, she’s absolutely ravishing and full of spunk.” His mom winked at Joel. “And I can’t for the life of me fathom why you’re here and she’s somewhere else.”
“You know why, Mom.” He’d been dancing around it long enough.
“No. I really don’t.” She filled her bowl with chips and guacamole. “Fred Tucker was a generous man. Sometimes too generous for his own good. If it hadn’t been for you and your brothers coming to his rescue, it would have been someone else, and I guarantee they wouldn’t have been as nice about it.”
Even though he knew she was right, he doubted many others would see it that way, especially the niece of Fred Tucker.
He didn’t know exactly what had happened in Fred’s life to put him in such dire straits financially, but he got there and was about to lose everything until he made a deal with the Norths.
“Autumn—”
“You know her name?” Joel interrupted with a smirk on his face.
“Of course I know her name.” Hi mom smiled wryly and continued. “Autumn is a smart woman with big dreams. Now that she’s in the thick of trying to restore that home, I’m sure when you explain to her the background leading up to the events that unfolded, she’ll understand.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Joel rocked on his heels and looked out at the sparkling lake. Oscar was sunning on the shore while his niece was splashing around with her new boyfriend. He spotted his brother, Kyle, watching every move they made with calculating precision. One false move and that boy would never have a chance.
“Well, you’ll have to cross that bridge.” She shrugged. “But my guess is you’re avoiding being who you really are based on things that might not matter at all.”
“Or she might think that we’re a bunch of creeps.” Joel sank his hands into his pockets and let out a sigh.
“But we’re not.” His mom smiled and pointed in the direction of Austin. “Well, that one might be iffy, but . . .”
Joel laughed and shook his head. “It’s hard to believe Autumn didn’t even know she had an uncle or any of the history of this town. I wonder what went wrong.”
His mother got extremely quiet and watched her granddaughter playing in the lake.
“Life can get extremely complicated from a few mistakes. Some people step up to the plate and others run back to the dugout.”
“So you know what happened?” Joel asked, extremely interested.
“Not a clue.”
He wasn’t sure he believed her, but when his mom decided that was enough, she’d shut up as tight as a clamshell.
“Do you know where Autumn is tonight?” his mom asked.
“Tucker Park,” Joel said a little too quickly.
“Interesting.”
“And why’s that?”
“I’m not sure why you’re here when you could be there.”
“Her friends flew in to surprise her.” He crossed his arms and squared his shoulders. “I didn’t want to interfere.”
“How noble of you.” The twinkle in his mom’s eyes returned and Joel laughed.
“I guess I’m just that kind of guy.”
“Not typically.” She waved at Grandma Martha, who was making her way over with a lawn chair.
Joel ran over to help her out, but she shooed him away so she could bring it over herself.
Joel rolled his eyes and grabbed a few chips. “I try to be a nice guy and then I get chased away.”
“When have the North women ever asked for help?” his mom teased.
“Sounds like that Autumn Tucker ought to be asking for some help on that project of hers.” Grandma Martha plunked down in the chair she’d stationed right next to the snacks. “Speaking of, when she’s coming out?” Grandma Martha looked all around the lake for her.
“She’s not.”
“But you invited her. Abigail said so.”
Joel groaned and looked up to the bright blue sky. Close families were a blessing and a curse.
“She had friends come to town unexpectedly, and she decided she’d rather take them into Silver Ridge, but I’d been tossing around the idea of showing up for the fireworks.” Joel smiled, knowing his grandmother would approve all too happily. She was a romantic at heart.
“That ought to impress her.” Grandma gave a slight nod of approval and ate a cracker with cheese.
“I don’t think she’s easy to impress.”
“Good. You need to be kept on your toes.”
Joel shook his head and spotted Austin and Sam lying on the grass near the water. He needed a guy’s perspective or he’d wind up showing up at Tucker Lake with pink champagne and roses in hand.
“Have you learned your lesson?” he asked his brother Sam, knowing the answer was a clear no.
“There’s no reason in the world he deserves the last fritter before anyone else.” Sam laughed as he sat up and slid his shirt back on.
“That’s just how things work.” Joel slapped Austin’s shoulder and he nodded in agreement.
“I saw Grandma and Mom talking your ear off.” Sam glanced in their direction. “Were they pestering you about Autumn?”
“You could say that.” Joel took a seat next to his brothers.
The sun had started to set and Kyle was attempting to wrangle his daughter and her boyfriend out of the lake. Kyle’s fiancée was at the edge of the water holding towels and trying not laugh at her significant other.
“Have you told her yet?” Austin asked, and Joel shook his head. “You know the longer you go without bringing it up, the worse it’s going to look.”
“But she wasn’t close with her uncle,” Sam offered. “So it could be that she wouldn’t care at all.”
“True,” Joel admitted, but he found it highly unlikely.
Even though the transactions were all business, they did their best to make life comfortable for Fred Tucker at the end. They knew it wasn’t an easy choice for Fred, but they also knew it was the only choice he had, so the North brothers did their best to hold off on everything until he’d passed.
He had absolutely no idea what had put Fred in such a financial bind, but he hoped it wasn’t going to be anything that put Autumn in harm’s way.
“I’m gonna go to Tucker Lake tonight.” He glanced sideways at his brothers, halfway expecting to see a smirk or two, but they looked genuinely interested. “Watch the fireworks with her.”
“Then maybe tonight, you should tell her what you know,” Sam said, stretching toward the sky.
“Maybe.” He nodded in agreement and saw Kyle and Brooke making their way toward him. Or he could just enjoy kissing her again. He worried that doing one would lead to never getting to do the other again, but she deserved to know.
“On that note . . .” Joel stood and glanced toward the lake. “I think I’m going to head over to Tucker Park.”
“And miss out on our annual show, huh?” Austin stood up and leaned in for a quick hug. “Go get her, tiger.”
“You’re lucky I’m on my best behavior,” Joel whispered and slapped Austin’s back as Kyle and Brooke wound their way over.
“Where are you off to?” Brooke asked.
She had her arm looped through Kyle’s, and she looked like she was never going to let go. Joel wondered if Autumn would ever feel that way about him. Would she ever lean on him like that, let their worlds merge and the burdens of the world feel lighter solely because they were together?
“Tucker Park.”
“Is that so?” Kyle asked, grinning. “Looks like you’ve got it bad.”
“Ooh, Autumn’s there,” Brooke chimed in and chuckled. “Now, it’s all making sense. I’ve been hearing about this fireworks show all day.”
“Fireworks?” Joel repeated.
“Oh, yeah.” Kyle pulled Brooke in tighter. “The chemistry between you two is insane. Definite fireworks.”
Joel rolled his eyes, but he was actually surprised it was that obvious to others. All it took was being in the same room with Autumn and he felt like the universe was pushing them together. He couldn’t stop looking at her, and he wanted to be near her just so he could feel her next to him.
“Okay, well, be safe.” Joel gave his brother and Brooke quick hugs.
A renewed sense of energy rushed through him at the thought of seeing Autumn. Tonight was going to be the night where he would get everything out of the way. He whistled for Oscar, who came bounding toward him, and they made their way to the truck.
It wasn’t long before he was winding down the road into town. American flags hung from each of the light posts, and families still drifted toward Tucker Park for the firework show. He saw a hot dog stand, a cotton candy and popcorn shacks, and a smoothie station as he scoured the street to find parking.
It wasn’t long before he parallel parked by the flower shop and hopped out of the truck with Oscar. He kept his eyes peeled for any sign of Autumn and her friends as he and Oscar made their way inside the park. The lawn was covered with scattered blankets and families as everyone waited for the show. He looked toward the lake, still not seeing any sign of them, but laughter and music filled the air.
He’d been going to his family’s lake property for so long, he hadn’t been to a public display for ages. Seeing all the parents running after their toddlers and teenagers playing Frisbee made him nostalgic. One of the last times he’d been to a public fireworks show was actually when his father was still around, and it was here. His chest tightened.
As he made his way toward the lake, he heard her familiar laughter singing through the air. His gaze snapped in the direction of the sound, and his mind went completely blank at the sight of her.
She was in nothing more than a bikini top and a pair of shorts. It looked like she’d just gotten out of the water with her hair still dripping down her breasts and along the red fabric of her swimsuit.
This was a bad idea.
Just as he was about to turn around and try it again tomorrow, Oscar let out a startling howl, and all three women turned to look in his direction.
Dina and Tami waved Joel over as Autumn looked frozen in place. He looked at her expression and could tell she wasn’t exactly thrilled to see him. When he waved, she smiled, but there was something different about her.
“I didn’t know the fireworks were put on courtesy of the Silver Ridge Ski Resort.” Autumn smiled and bent down to scratch Oscar’s ear. “That’s pretty generous of the North family.”
Autumn looked up at him and the same warmth radiated from her as before. Whatever he thought he sensed must have been in his head.
“Silver Ridge has been a great town to us. You’ve got to see our Christmas tree lighting ceremony.”
“We might never leave,” Tami said, smiling.
Autumn reached over and grabbed a hoodie from the plaid blanket they had spread out on the lawn.
“I’m gonna go for a walk with Joel,” she told her friends as she zipped up the hoodie.
Joel caught the same look in her eyes as before and his chest tightened.
He went to call Oscar, but he’d already lain down next to Tami and Dina.
“This is a beautiful park,” Autumn said, looking up at him.
“It really is.” Joel nodded, slipping his hand over hers.
“I went into the museum.” She nodded in the direction of the buildings. “It’s pretty eye-opening.”
“Your family has a long history in Silver Ridge.” Joel felt her pull away, and they stopped by a small dock where several rowboats bobbed in the water.
She crossed her arms and took a step onto the dock. He followed her onto the narrow pathway and waited.
“My uncle seemed to have a lot of properties until recently.” Her eyes steadied on Joel’s, and he took a deep breath.
The night sky was rolling in and soon, brilliant colors would be peppering the sky. He’d imagined holding Autumn as they enjoyed the beautiful spectacle. Now, he got the distinct feeling that he’d be lucky if she didn’t push him off the dock.
He drew a breath and nodded. “He did.”
“But it looks like now, you do.”
“That’s correct. There are several properties that your uncle owned—your family owned—over the years, that we now own.” Joel debated whether to tell her everything now or wait. She looked upset, and he wasn’t sure what he had to say would make her any less upset. In fact, it might make things worse.
“This isn’t how I expected tonight to go.” He glanced back to the shore and saw the families settling down on their blankets as people readied for the fireworks.
“What did you expect?” she asked, genuinely curious.
“I’d actually planned on talking to you tonight about the homes I showed you on Tucker Street,” he acknowledged.
“That’s why you’re here tonight?” she asked.
“Partly.” He nodded and shoved his fingers through his hair. “And I wanted to see you again.”
She clenched her jaw together and glanced toward her friends. “Have you been trying to butter me up to get at the B&B?”
Joel’s jaw nearly dropped to the lake water. “Are you serious?”
There were a lot of challenges in the world he’d thought about taking head on, but that B&B was never one of them. He knew what that old place entailed, and he certainly didn’t have the patience.
“Quite serious.” She nodded, her eyes settling on his.
“That thought never crossed my mind.”
She narrowed her eyes on him. “I saw the list of homes my uncle lost to you and your family.”
Joel’s eyes stayed on hers and he nodded. “There were many properties. Most of them, we’ve either sold or are renting out.”
“Why would you take advantage of someone like him?” She shifted her weight and continued to study Joel.
“We never would.” He scratched his jaw and nodded. “But I can see how it looks like that, at least on paper.”
“I thought you were so charming, telling me that you could get me inside those homes.” She shook her head. “Little did I know they’d been my uncle’s, and now you own them. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I guess I was trying to avoid this,” he answered honestly, but he saw that response was the wrong one.
Autumn straightened her posture and symphony music began playing. She took a few more steps down toward the edge of the dock as the first firework shot off into the inky sky. Silver and gold splattered over the sky as he stood next to her.
He leaned his mouth down to her ear so she could hear him over the music and explosions. He heard her breath catch from his closeness and he felt a slight amount of relief.
“Your uncle ran into hard times. I don’t know why or what made his life so difficult over the last ten years or so. None of my family knew the specifics, but he came to us for help.”
“Some help.” She whipped her head around to face Joel. The fire in her eyes was such a turn-on, and all he could do was keep his mouth shut so he didn’t wind up in the water. “You took all of his properties.”
“It wasn’t quite like that.” He looked toward the sky, debating whether to continue tonight or wait until she cooled off.
The music sped up and the silver sparkles in the sky switched to blues and greens.
It was a beautiful night, and he didn’t know what came over him. Joel knew she was upset with him, and maybe that made his desire for her even stronger. He didn’t know and probably never would understand what made him decide to take her in his arms and kiss her. The way she fit into his arms made the entire world fall away, and he knew that no matter what, he wanted to fight for this.