Page 68 of Yours Truly, Fall

“Right. It’s only a mile. It’s a smaller mountain.”

She’s staring at me again as if my words don’t make sense. “Brandon.”

Not a question. Just my name. “Autumn.”

She rolls her eyes, but I get a little laugh at least. “You don’t have to do that. It will cost a fortune. I can manage the road in my car.”

“Actually, you really can’t. And speaking of cars, we’re going to pick out a new SUV for you. One that has four-wheel drive and can handle a little off-roading. I’ll take you out to the backroads and teach you how to drive defensively in case of an emergency.”

Her eyes widen when she turns to look out the window, tilting her head to get a better listen to what’s happening outside. My attention follows, realizing all this information is probably a lot to process first thing in the morning. Her gaze returns to me with a line digging deep between her brows, and she asks, “You’re paving the road, and I’m getting a car?”

“In summary, yes.” I tie my sneakers but look up at her again. “I need to know you’re safe.”

Sitting up, she crosses her legs and stares at me. “Why am I not safe in my Corolla?”

“Your Corolla is fine. It’s you in the Corolla driving like you’re racing at Daytona that is the issue.” I come to sit next to her on the bed, reaching over to rub her leg. “I know we never talked about it, so maybe I’m jumping the gun here and assuming too much. I want this to be your home, Autumn. I want you to feel comfortable and keep your stuff here and make it your own. But I need to know you’re safe when you’re coming and going from here. So if that means paving the road and making sure you’re in a vehicle that can manage the incline and the descent on a daily basis, I’ll take care of it.”

“You can’t just take care of it. It’s expensive.” She slides over and onto my lap, resting her head against my shoulder. With her arms encircled around me, she says, “We haven’t talked money, but you’re a firefighter. I know the general salary is similar to mine here in the Cove. Anyway, I’m getting some backpay raises, and I’ll trade in the car for something sturdier that us sea-level cove dwellers never needed, if it will make you feel better.” Her smile is potent enough to make me say fuck it to the crew. They can bulldoze the entire mountain if it means I get twenty extra minutes being inside her.

She tickles under my chin and then brings me to her for a kiss. When our lips part, she whispers, “I love you with all my heart, but let’s save the money.”

I’m not afraid of talking about money with her. I trust her with my life. I’m just unsure how to broach the topic. The rumble of the bulldozer gets louder since they’re starting by pouring a pad for the cars to park. “I have money,” I say, just putting it out there to see her reaction.

Patting my back, she starts to rub it. “I was saving for an apartment or to buy a piece of property. It’s not much, but I have fifteen thousand.”

It’s so sweet to hear the pride in her voice. She would probably make double her salary over in Ocean’s Bay, but she stays because this town needs her. Her family does, too. But most of all, I need her, and I want her to stay right here. I caress her cheek and ask, “How did you manage that?”

“Lots of extra shifts and overtime over the years. How much do you have saved?” There’s an innocence to her tone because she knows, as first responders, our jobs are on the same salary playing field.

I rip the bandage of truth off and reply, “Two point three million.”

“That’s okay. It’s hard to save. You have a beautiful house—wait, you said thousand, right?”

“I didn’t.”

Rapid blinking begins again as she tilts her head to think this through. Darting her eyes back to me, she shakes her head. “I don’t get it. Did you say million? How does a firefighter make millions?”

“Good investments. My college was paid for by scholarship, so I took the money it would have cost me and invested in stocks and two startups. They’ve done well in the past ten years.”

“I’d say so.” Angling her head toward the sound of the machinery again, she laughs. “So building me a road is nothing for you?”

“It’s nothing, but if it keeps our family safe, it’s worth it.”

When her hold tightens around my neck, she leans back with hearts in her eyes. I recognize it because it’s how I look at her too. “Our family?”

A casual shrug probably doesn’t fool her, but no need to turn this conversation into something it’s not. “Yeah, our family.”

The sound of her hum is music to my ears. It’s the sound that tells me her soul is happy. She kisses me, her hands caressing my cheeks and her core rocking on my lap, teasing me. “Do you have to go?”

Flipping her onto her back, I hover over her and kick off my shoes. “I’m in no hurry.”

“He paved a road for me,” I overhear her telling her sisters as if I gave her a five-carat diamond ring. Who knew concrete was the way to win her heart? Wish I would have known that back in high school when I was trying to get her to talk to me in Mr. Ingalson’s class.

Oh shit.

I just remembered that.

“Weiner?” Turning around, Daniel’s holding a hot dog on a stick toward me. “Hungry?”