“I wouldn’t say eager,” he admitted. Excited, sure. He was venturing into something new on all fronts and there was a natural anticipation that came along with it. But he’d never been the sort to leap without knowing how deep the pond. Since he met Brantley, seemed he was taking the plunge over and over without knowing how shallow the water might be.
“Well, I hope you trust this place is in good hands,” she said, her positivity and self-confidence coming out in spades.
That was one thing he liked about Autumn. She was confident without being cocky, smart without being overzealous. Reese knew she was a good fit for this job. She would be able to handle customers and employees with ease and grace.
“I was hopin’ we’d get over to the mechanic shop today,” she said when he headed for his desk. “Maybe after the first appointment, which is in an hour. We could swing through the diner first, grab some breakfast, and you can walk me through the current jobs. Two birds, one stone.”
Yep, she was taking over as though she’d been born to do so.
Since there really wasn’t much more for him to do other than get her up to speed on the jobs they had in the works, Reese couldn’t find a reason to decline. And breakfast sounded damn good.
“All right, but I’m drivin’,” he said with a smirk. She could run roughshod over him, but only to a certain degree.
Two hours later, after they’d chatted over fruit and oatmeal, Reese pulled the truck in front of the mechanic shop.
“I’m not sure how close you are with Ethan,” he said before opening his door, “but I highly suggest you announce your presence before you go saunterin’ in unexpected.”
“Why’s that?”
“Let’s just say it’s a family-owned business, and when Beau shows up, he and Ethan tend to think this place is an extension of their … bedroom.”
Autumn laughed. “Ah. Understood.”
Reese smacked the horn a couple of times before getting out. He met Autumn around at her side and the two of them wandered over to the open bay door.
“I hope to God y’all are decent in there,” he shouted before motioning for her to go in first.
“Ain’t no one naked off in here,” Keegan said, making his way from the back of the building.
“You say that like it’s not a usual thing.” Reese motioned toward Autumn. “Autumn Jameson, meet Keegan Walker. Keegan, Autumn.”
“Pleasure,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’ve seen you and your brother around town. Never been formally introduced.”
“Lorrie’s niece,” Keegan noted. “Bruce and Darlene’s oldest.”
“Very good.”
Kaden appeared, wiping his hands on a rag. “Hey. Didn’t realize we’d be havin’ company.”
“Not company,” Reese clarified. “Your new boss.”
“You must be Autumn.” Kaden offered his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She stepped deeper into the building. “Nice setup you’ve got here. Holds more than I thought it would.”
“More than it should’s more like it,” Keegan said. “Got a backhoe that’s tryin’ to claim it as a permanent address. Just had it overhauled two months ago and it’s givin’ us shit again.”
“What’s the problem with it?” she asked, heading over to the backhoe in question, Keegan hot on her heels.
Reese stayed back with Kaden while Keegan began rattling off details.
“So, what do you think?” Kaden asked. “She gonna fit in?”
“She’s gonna be great. Hell of a lot better than I’ve been in the role.”
Kaden’s blue-gray gaze swung back to him. “You never do give yourself enough credit, Tavoularis. You’ve done a damn fine job.”
He wasn’t so sure about that, but he had enjoyed his time here.
“Now you’re off to bigger and better things.”
“So they tell me.”
“You don’t sound thrilled with the idea of detective work.”
“Surprised me’s all.”
“Unexpected things’ll do that to a man.”
Reese’s thoughts drifted to Brantley.
“Well, if it’s any consolation, we’re headin’ into the slow season. She’ll have some extra time to get her hands dirty and you won’t have to put your boots up on the desk.”
Reese grinned. He rarely did that, but he understood what Kaden was getting at. The guy was a natural at building people up.
“We will miss you, though.”
“I’ll still be around.”
“You better be. Gotten used to seein’ your ugly mug on beer nights.”
Reese watched as Autumn grabbed a wrench from a nearby tool box.
“Looks like you might have an extra pair of hands around here if you need ’em,” Reese noted.
Kaden chuckled. “Looks like.”
The rest of the day passed smoothly, ending with Reese taking Autumn back to the office to go over the Excel spreadsheet that tracked their production and cycle times. She was leaning over his shoulder while he walked her through a couple of the calculations when his cell phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with a text from Brantley.
Thought maybe you’d let me buy you dinner tonight.
His hand shot out to cover the phone, instantly darkening the screen, but he knew Autumn had seen the message.
“Got a hot date with Brantley tonight?” she asked casually.
“Date? No. Of course not. He’s just a friend.” Feeling both awkward and anxious, he flipped the phone over, grateful when she stepped away.
“Well, don’t let me keep you,” she said. “I’ve got you for the rest of the week. Plenty of time for you to transition all that knowledge over to me.”
“You headin’ home?” he inquired, desperate to shift the topic.
“Not yet. Figured I’d swing by Moonshiners, grab a glass of wine, relax a little. Drivin’ back now’ll take me an extra half hour with the traffic.”
“Why don’t you let me buy you a drink?” he offered.
Autumn’s gaze slid to his phone briefly. “You sure? Don’t wanna mess up your plans.”
“No plans. Just a friend. He owes me a dinner. That’s all.”
As for why he continued to ramble on unnecessarily, and rather defensively, Reese wasn’t sure. Probably had something to do with the strange tightness in his chest. He couldn’t explain it, damn sure didn’t want to think about it. The urge to be so self-justifying surprised him. This was the first time anyone had made an accusation that tied him to Brantley and he wasn’t sure what to do about it, wasn’t sure how he felt about it.
“In that case, I’ll take you up on the offer. Gives me a little more time to pick your brain.” Autumn pulled out the bottom drawer of her desk, dragged out her purse.
“I’ll meet you there.” He motioned to the computer. “Just need to finish up a couple of things.”
“Sure thing.”
It wasn’t until Autumn stepped out the door that he exhaled his relief, glancing back at his phone. He knew the right thing to do was to send Brantley a text and politely decline, but that choking sensation was still gripping him by the throat.