Epilogue

Emmett

Being called to the boss’s office was never a good thing, especially when the man was your fiancée’s father. Mr. Cooke had been good to me and my brother Paul, even before we’d moved in with his daughter and I’d gotten engaged to her. But ever since he’d decided to turn over a new leaf and be a better father and grandfather, I’d waited for the other shoe to drop. Nothing could be so perfect in life.

In a way, things had happened pretty fast between me and Autumn, but only if you didn’t count the fact that we’d been close friends since we were kids. It took ten years of being in the Marines for me, and a failed marriage to my best friend for her, for us to get together on the other side.

She’d taken me in after I almost died, and later, she let my brother live in her guest house. I had a feeling her father was going to want to talk about the living arrangement. He’d been subtly hinting about it over the past six months, ever since I asked his daughter to be my wife.

Autumn had wanted things to slow down with the Helix project, and I wasn’t going to push her to act any faster. She’d been pressured into a quick wedding the first time, and I wasn’t at all like her ex, Jason, who we hadn’t heard from but once in nearly a year.

I rounded the corner on my way to Mr. Cooke’s office and ran into Paul, who was coming from Autumn’s. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“Awesome. I have a date tonight, so that’s got me in a great mood.” He stopped in the hallway with me and brushed off his cuff. My brother had cleaned up nicely and was no longer the thug he’d been when I picked him up to ride with me to Camp LeJeune.

Hearing he had a date, though, put me on edge. He’d been playing the field non-stop since moving into Autumn’s guest house. “You’re not dating anyone in the office, are you?”

I hoped that he hadn’t been messing with one of Mr. Cooke’s girlfriends or something. The old man had a few, and the way he kept his love life on the down low made me question if Autumn had it figured out.

“No, she’s way hotter than any woman working here, with the exception of Autumn, of course.” He added the last bit for my benefit.

“Of course.”

“Where are you headed?” he asked. “Off to see your lady?”

“No, I’m going to see the old man.” I gestured to his office down the opposite hall from Autumn’s.

“Yeah? What’s that all about?” Paul leaned back against the wall.

“I don’t know. I have a feeling it’s personal, though. I don’t know what else it could be.” There was nothing going on with the project, other than the fact that it was off the ground and running, and making better progress than expected. Unless there was a hitch, but it seemed it would be Autumn wanting to speak to me and not her father, since that project was her baby.

Paul’s hand fell on my shoulder. “Well, better you than me.” He gave me a wink and then turned to go to the elevator.

I turned to look down the hall and continued on my way, hoping that whatever it was, it wouldn’t take long. I came to the door and found it open a crack, and when I tapped on it, it opened up just enough for Mr. Cooke to make eye contact.

His warm smile put me at ease as he waved me in. “Come on in, Emmett. How’s this morning treating you?”

“So far, so good, sir.” I took a seat that he gestured to, and then he eased back in his chair.

“Have you and my daughter set a date for the big day yet?” It was the hundredth time he’d asked in the past six months. It was always the first thing out of his mouth when he’d see either one of us.

“No, sir. I’m afraid we haven’t. I’m leaving it up to Autumn. I know she was rushed before, so we’re taking it easy.”

“Yeah, well, it will happen. I just hope you don’t wait too long. I’m not getting any younger.” He chuckled and then leaned forward and steepled his fingers. “I didn’t call you in to grill you about wedding arrangements, if that’s what you’re worried about. I just wanted to tell you that I’m really impressed with the work you’re doing here at LOC, and with my head of engineering on the verge of retirement, I’d like to offer you the position.”

The news came as a shock, and while I was flattered, I worried that I’d be stepping on toes if I accepted. “I had no idea Hudson was retiring. If you don’t mind my asking, sir, who would be the next in line?”

“Gaines. But he’s on board with you stepping up. He’s gone through a bout of personal issues over the past two years, and he understands that he’s really not in the right place to lead. He’s also not sure how long he’ll be able to stay on.”

“Oh, so I wouldn’t be offending anyone?”

“Only me if you choose not to accept.” He gave a soft chuckle.

Even though he’d kept things light, I had a feeling he wasn’t going to let me refuse. It wasn’t that I didn’t want the promotion, but I knew what a rigorous schedule Hudson had been on, and I knew that it was going to mean a lot more hours for me and a lot less time at home with Autumn and Penelope. I wasn’t sure if Autumn was going to like it or not. On the other hand, it was exciting that I had such a big opportunity. If my life was all about me, I’d have jumped on it in a heartbeat.

“Does Autumn know about this?” I asked.

“No, I wanted to offer it to you and let you tell her the good news when you accept.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his persistence. “You really want me to say yes, don’t you?” I had done some good things for the company, but I hadn’t been there long enough to warrant such a promotion. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was another motive.

“I do, yes.” He turned his chair and looked out his window to the view below. “I need to know that this company is going to be in good hands if or when I decide to retire, and with my daughter taking my place and you in Hudson’s, I can rest easier.”

I knew I shouldn’t make any hasty decisions. I needed to talk to Autumn first and make sure she was on board with it, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure that the offer would still be on the table if I didn’t accept. Mr. Cooke was never a man to ask Autumn’s mother her opinions as far as I knew, and I had a feeling if I didn’t jump at this opportunity, I might very well offend him.

“I’d be honored. Thank you for the opportunity.”

He stood and held out his hand. “That’s wonderful. A wise decision, son. I foresee a bright future ahead for us all.”

I wasn’t so sure Autumn would see it that way, but after everything he’d done for my brother and me, giving us jobs when there hadn’t really been a position for either of us and accepting me into his family, I didn’t feel like I could say no.

“I guess I should go talk to Autumn and let her know I’ll be working a lot of long hours.” And that I’d made the decision without any consideration for her opinion, but I hoped she understood why I had to do what I did.

Things with her father had been so good lately that I hated to be the one to rock the boat. I didn’t want to have things go back to how they’d been when I first came around.

“It’s not going to be as bad as you think,” he said. “That’s just when we have a big project, and Hudson’s always managed his family well, considering he had a lot on his plate. You should talk to him about it when you have the chance. He’ll tell you it’s worth it, I’m sure. He’s retiring well, and his wife has never had to work a day in her life.” He waved his hand dismissively as if the company didn’t always have big projects going on.

Autumn had always been upset that her father had spent the better part of her life solely focused on building the company, and while it had benefited us all in our futures, I knew she wouldn’t want a husband as absent as he’d been.

I excused myself after thanking him again and then left to go down the hall to Autumn’s office on the other side of the building.

Paul came out of the office again, and I did a double-take as he grinned. “You’re still alive, so it couldn’t have been all that bad.”

“And here you are again, coming out of my fiancée’s office. Don’t tell me the two of you have a thing going; it would kill me.” I feigned an angry look and shook my fist at him playfully.

“Lucky for you, I’m not into older women. When you saw me before, I was on a mission for her.” He’d been working closely with Autumn since the company hired him, and he was actually doing an impressive job by coming up with several ways to do things faster. He’d even enrolled in the college program and had been knocking out some good grades. “So,” he gave me a nudge, “are you going to tell me what that was all about?”

“He offered me Hudson’s position as lead engineer.” I still couldn’t believe it and hoped that Gaines really didn’t have a problem with it. He had been there for years, and I had only been around for one.

Paul’s eyes widened. “Whoa, that’s big.”

“Yeah, and it comes with a bigger workload. I’m not sure how Autumn’s going to feel about that, but I couldn’t say no.” I still wished I’d asked for a little time to chew on it. I hated to make decisions quickly.

“Hell no, you couldn’t. I’m impressed and proud. You’re really making something of yourself, brother.”

“Thanks, but now I have to go and break the news to her. I’m not sure how she’ll take it, with us getting married eventually. I don’t want this to put her in a bind or anything.”

“Do you think the old man did it to put more pressure on you two to set a date for the wedding? He can’t like that his daughter is shacking up. He’s too old school for that.”

“He has asked me about the date every time I’ve talked to him since the engagement, so maybe you’re onto something.” I looked over at Autumn’s office.

“What’s she up to? Is she busy?”

“She’s a bit anxious about something. She had me go pick up some stuff, and then when I came back, she pushed me out of the office. I think she said something about a meeting. I’m not sure.”

“Fuck. I don’t want to bother her. I’ll give her a minute and come back. Maybe she’ll be in a better mood. I know she’s going to hate that I didn’t talk to her first.”

I went to the elevator with him instead, and he pushed the button to my floor and leaned against the wall. “Well, if she kicks you out, you’re not staying in the guesthouse with me.”

“Like hell, I’m not. I was there first. I’ll make you stay in Penelope’s treehouse.” I held my breath and hoped it wouldn’t come to that.