Chapter 5

5

Autumn

Georgia and I head out after our coffee. Eden stays behind to get some emails and work done for the first Bassett wedding coming up in two weeks' time. The couple are coming out to the property on the weekend to have a final meeting to go over everything.

She drives us down the hill at the back which leads to a wide road leading to the barn and several other out-buildings. I'll get some shots from the front of the distillery and inside the tasting room before I leave.

While she's driving, I decide to quickly post my usual morning message in the group chat.

AutumnLeaf

Good mornin y'all. Spring has sprung. I'm out at the distillery today taking more photos for the barn website now it's completed. Exciting times! Will post a sneak peak when they're done ??

I click my phone closed for now; I'll update it later once I'm done shooting around the farm. I'm very interested in what the family thinks once I've posted some of the photos. It's my chance to really prove myself. Even though I am very confident in my ability, this is a new venture for me and for them, so I really want to impress everyone.

The creek shots are what I'm really excited for. I can't wait to get some sunset ones because the colors overlooking the water will be absolutely magical.

I took some amazing photos the night Beau and I had our ‘dinner date' at Mary-Lou's.

The sky had the most magnificent purple and lilac hue painted across it. Sometimes it doesn't even look real. Beau was so patient while we went for a walk as the sun was setting and I took some snapshots with my smaller pocket camera from different angles. It makes me smile as I think of it, especially with what led to our dinner on the lake.

The charity auction back in November…

Everyone is stunned that Eden just jumped up and yelled out five hundred big ones for her man. All of us girls can't contain our laughter or excitement. Especially when she runs up onto the stage, throws her arms around him at the same time she throws her paddle in the air, and kisses him in front of the entire town.

It's quite a sight to behold and has certainly set a precedent for the other auctions.

She comes back to her seat eventually, after almost being outbid by Amber Jenkins — there really was a battle of the wills going on there for a moment.

I hang onto my paddle, my fingers curling around the handle, waiting for Beau's turn, my friend Carrie nudging me in the ribs.

"Are you going all the way?" she whisper-shouts in my ear over the crowd.

"You bet."

"Why are you bidding for Beau again?" Eden asks on the other side of me when she's settled back in to enjoy the rest of the show.

"Because he doesn't want to get eaten alive by Amber, Dolly, or any of her crew."

Eden laughs. She's just all happy because she got her man, even if it did cost her five hundred dollars.

"You sure?" Carrie jibes.

"Why else would I be doing such a thing?"

"Umm, because he's a Bassett and let's just say the Bassett boys are renowned for having big amounts of charm, as well as big dicks, right E?"

My eyes grow wide while Georgia makes an ‘Eww' noise and covers her ears, pretending to sing.

Eden makes no bones about agreeing. "I'm like a moth to a flame when it comes to a certain Bassett brother. I can only speak for Brook and I can confirm he's hung like a horse."

I can't help but giggle. But my smile quickly drops when I notice Dolly Simpson is still eyeing the rest of the bachelors like they're fresh meat for the picking.Maybe I need to keep my eye on the prize, that being Beau, like Eden did for Brook.

"Please, can you stop talking about my brothers' appendages?!" Georgia folds her arms across her chest, her frown crumpling in annoyance. "Eyes on the ball." She nods towards the stage.

That only sends a fit of little giggles around from us girls.

My eyes flick back to the stage. A lot of the women here are hot to trot for Skye's brother, Travis, the new sheriff in town. I know everyone wants to snaffle him. Even Carrie said she would have had a go if she wasn't married. Someone has got to beat Dolly to it.

It's hard to know which way it might go. Dolly was spotted getting flirty with Easton just last week before the auction down at Moose's. He's one of Celeste's brothers from Horse Shoe Ranch on the other side of town. He and his brother, Gaitley, are ex-bull wranglers and run their family's ranch now. Easton is up on stage after Beau, followed by Travis and their mutual friend Owen, and a string of other unsuspecting single men of Stoney Creek.

"I aim to please." Eden claps her hands together. I know from the gleam in her eyes that she can't wait to get her mitts on Brook.

"Don't look now, Beau's up." Carrie nudges me again.

A hush dies down over the crowd as Verne comes over the mic again.

"Next up we have another Bassett brother, this time won't you all give a warm welcome to the lovely Beau Bassett." She pauses for effect while a round of claps ring out across the hall.

Beau looks like a deer caught in headlights but gives the crowd a little wave and a tentative smile. This isn't his scene at all.

"Oh lord, he's gonna tank," I hear Georgia mumble. She's sitting on the other side of Eden with Celeste. Hart and Skye joined us but they're sitting in the row behind us. Little do they know, I've got Beau's back. Well, Eden and Celeste know, but that's it.

I lean over the back of the chairs. "Psssst," I whisper-shout to Georgia while Verne adjusts her mic. "Don't be alarmed if I'm bidding for Beau tonight. He doesn't want to get eaten alive out there."

She raises her eyebrows. "You two set this up?"

"Well, I haven't won yet."

"Give it your best shot!" Celeste giggles next to her.

"Beau is such a sneak." Georgia laughs. "But I can't say I blame him."

Verne is back on the mic again. "… Beau spends many hours on his computer at the distillery where he keeps the accounts department and HR in check and dabbles in some marketing. In his spare time Beau likes to play video games and creates new gaming apps with his friends."

It's funny hearing Verne say ‘gaming apps' when it's clear she has no clue what it is.

I facepalm myself. Way to go Beauster.

He glances over at me and gives me a quick wink and tentative smile, as if he's asking me telepathically if our deal is still on. Let's hope I don't have a fight on my hands like Eden did with Amber. That's all I need. I give him a small nod of confirmation.

"Should we start the bidding at…"

"Fifty dollars!" comes a call from Dolly's side of the room. I think it's Teresa Mildwaters; one of the less boisterous of the group, but it's still enough to scare Beau out of his wits.

I can tell from his wide eyes and slightly pale looking complexion that he would rather be anywhere than here right now. From the light shining off his forehead it appears he's starting to sweat.

I shoot my paddle straight up, unlike Eden, who amusingly made Brook sweat it out for a minute or two. "One hundred," I call out.

The front row posse to our left all turn their heads to look at me and I give them a nonchalant shrug.

Hart gives me a little pat on the shoulder from behind. "Nice going, Autumn."

"It's dog eat dog." I chuckle as I turn my head to look behind me. Acting more confident than I feel, I add, "someone needs to save Beauster."

Hart and Skye give me a knowing smile.

"One twenty-five!" Verne calls, accepting another bid from across the way, stunning all of us. I snap my head around. Oh shit, it's Dolly herself, trying to outbid her friend. They're in fits of giggles, no doubt brought on by the rounds of drinks I saw them all having beforehand.

"One-fifty!" Teresa chimes back in.

Shit, these girls are hard-core.

Beau shifts a little and doesn't take his eyes off me… Geez he really is cute up there in his tight jeans and ankle boots….

Carrie nudges me to get back in the game and I quickly shoot my paddle up. "Two hundred!" I sing out. My girls all laugh and giggle excitedly. But I keep my eye on the prize… and the prize is Beau's smile when he looks at me. He's so freaking adorable doing this for his sister and for charity.

I promised I'd see this through, and I meant it. Whatever it takes.

The bids fly back and forth. Someone else at the back starts bidding and we're quickly up to two hundred and seventy-five dollars. Teresa has the holding bid and Verne is looking over at me, then her eyes lift toward the back. "Going once for two-hundred and seventy-five… Going twice…"

"Three hundred!" I chime an octave too high. My God, let's hope that's good enough to snag him! Beau did offer to pay… but still.

I don't remember the bids going quite so crazy last year, but where men are concerned in this town, it's slim pickings.

I see Beau's shoulders drop a little and he looks momentarily relieved. But Verne hasn't banged the gavel down. Just bang it already!

"Going once to bidder twenty-seven for three-hundred dollars, do I hear any more bids?" She pauses, looking around the room. Get on with it! "Going twice…"

Beau's watching me, his lips pursed, his stare unwavering and I get a little lost in his cuteness for a second, at the same time Verne finally bangs the gavel.

"SOLD to the lovely Autumn Davenport from Autumn Leaf Photography. Congratulations!" Thunderous applause ensues, echoing around the room.

I'm aware of my heartbeat pounding away in my chest as my eyes are still locked on Beau's. He wipes his forehead with the back of his hand and looks like he might faint. I give him a conspiratorial wink when he meets my eye.

I feel a nudge on either side of me, two elbows pressing into my body. "Way to go, Autumn!" Carrie gives me a little hug, followed by Eden. Everyone is acting very pleased for me, almost as if I need to remind them that this was planned.

Georgia's beaming her head off and gives me an outstretched clap of her hands.

"We're friends," I mouth.

She taps her nose and I frown. What is Georgia up to?

Beau has been a shoulder to cry on lately and I haven't taken that for granted. He's been so sweet about everything with my breakup and had a hand in helping me get the job at the distillery.

I look up to the stage again as Beau is being escorted off the stage. I'm definitely not going to go up there and claim my prize like Eden did, but I watch as he turns and spares me an appreciative glance. His eyes are bright and his smile shows he's happy. He mouths, "Thank you" and I say, "You're welcome." Then he disappears from view…

Georgia-Blue waves a hand in front of my face. "Earth to Autumn…"

"Oh, geez, sorry." I flush beet red. Holy heck, I have to stop doing that.

"What were you just thinking about? Better be something good. Have you been having Witcher dreams again?"

No, but I did have a daydream about your brother and it was delicious.

My teeth press into my lip as I bite down on it. Shit. I almost forgot about that and it's wildly inappropriate to think about it while his sister is present. So is Beau showing up in my daydreams, but I can't exactly help it.

I clear my throat. "Something like that."

She doesn't press me on it because Callan and Hudson are over by the barn as she parks. We both slide off the ATV and walk up to them. They're doing some last minute planting on the exterior. The foliage is a mixture of leafy plants and pretty peonies and hydrangeas. It looks vibrant and colorful with pinks, yellows and purples.

"Oh boy," I hear Georgia mutter when she sees Hudson walking over. Despite what she maintains, she and Hudson have chemistry. You can almost feel it radiating off them whenever they're together. I don't know why either one of them denies it.

"Hey, Blue Belle." Hudson nods then glances at me. "Autumn." For a tough looking cowboy with tats up his arms, he sure does know how to turn on the charm with his cute nicknames for Georgia with his deep voice.

"Hi, Hudson." I smile. "Long time no see."

He thumbs behind him. "Been busy on the farm."

Georgia gives him a little wave. "Nice to see you working instead of shirking for a change, GP." She just has to poke the bear.

"Thanks, like I needed a pep talk this early in the morning from a precious princess ."

She rolls her eyes at him as Callan turns around, shovel in hand and his knees all dirty from the soil. They've also been mulching the garden at the front of the barn. His beautiful American Staffordshire, Sunny, rolls up from her lying position and trots over to us. She's the sweetest, most gentle dog I've ever come across. We both bend down to pat her as she laps it up.

"Hey girls." Callan wipes the sweat from his brow.

"Hi, Callan!" We chime together.

Hudson scrunches his forehead, looking directly at Georgia with a hand on his hip. "How come I don't get a reception like that?"

"Because Callan isn't annoying like you."

He gives her a withering look. "You say that, but you don't mean it. You love me really."

Georgia makes a gagging sound that makes Hudson's shoulders shake with laughter. I think they just enjoy annoying the shit out of each other, to be honest.

"Did it sound like I loved you in Discord the other day? Take a hint."

"Subliminally, maybe."

"I gotta hand it to you." Callan strolls up and pats Hudson the back. "You sure are a glutton for punishment."

Georgia puts both hands on her hips and lets out a huff.

"I don't mean you," Callan quickly amends. "I meant we've been shoveling mulch since the crack of dawn to finish off the garden ready for the photos."

"And this is the thanks we get," Hudson mutters.

"Well, I think it looks beautiful. I'm going to get some more shots while the lighting is good today, and some twilight footage before the weeks out," I say like the crazy camera lady.

"It sure has come up a treat." Georgia glances around in admiration. "The spring shots will be beautiful."

"It's come a long way from where we started." Callan stands back to admire his handy work. He spent the better half of last year doing all the renovations and bringing the old barn back to life from scratch. "What do you think, Blue Belle? Are the hydrangeas good enough for you?" Hudson quirks and eyebrow, tilting his head.

"The hydrangeas are perfect," she says.

His eyebrows rise slightly at her agreeance.

"Thank God," Callan says. "We've planted them in every color we could find. The magnoliaover there should really set the backdrop once it's established." He points to the pretty tree that's already taller than him.

"It won't take long," Hudson says. He's still looking at Georgia. "So, in case I misheard, you actually like the plants?"

"Don't look so surprised." She smirks. "Clearly you know how to farm more than just cotton."

His lips twitch slightly. "Just, it's been a while since we've heard any praise out of you. In fact, I've never heard anything nice come out of your mouth about me."

She narrows her eyes. "Thank you, Hudson Nash, but I can give credit where it's due, and praise for that matter." She accentuates the word in that way she has.

His eyebrows raise even higher.

I roll my lips at the two of them.

I notice the faintest pink rise on Georgia's cheeks as she flushes a little, following his flirty train of thought. Well, it isn't hard to guess what he's thinking with that lopsided smile of his, talking about praise and all. "Anyway." He palms the back of his neck with a sigh, the muscles in his forearm flexing from the movement. "We'd better get back to work. Can't stand around here chatting to you lovely ladies all day."

"Let us know how the photos come out. I know Celeste is dying to see, especially when she saw all the hydrangeas we bought from the nursery," Callan says.

"I'll be sure to keep you posted. Though honestly, you've done a great job with everything, both of you."

Hudson tips his head, touching the tip of his cowboy hat."Are you still wanting to come and photograph the cotton fields?" Hudson asks before he turns away.

I'm thrilled he remembered from Discord the other day. "For sure, that's if you don't mind? It's wonderful at this time of year."

"Be my guest," he says.

It's for my own portfolio, nothing to do with the Bassetts' project, but I would love to take the opportunity because the landscape around this beautiful town still fascinates me. To capture pretty, eye-catching things on my camera for leisure is something else in itself.

"I can come with?" Georgia suggests. "You might see Hudson's cat roaming around the place being just as broody as his owner."

"Leave Moses out of this!" Hudson grumbles.

I laugh at the two of them. Sometimes they really are like an old married couple.

Then I have an idea. "Hey Callan, do you mind if I snap a few of Sunny laying here in the sun?"

"Be my guest," he chuckles.

"I think it would be really cute on the social media pages for the distillery."

"Ooh candid shots, great thinking," Georgia croons. "Should I come find you later and give you a ride back up to the distillery?"

"I'm going to walk down to the creek after this, so it's up to you. If you get busy, I can walk."

"You can't mess with an artist at work," Georgia explains to Callan and Hudson as they get back to their planting.

"I'll sweep the patio in a second where we spilled some mulch," Callan says. "We want it looking perfect for the photos."

"Sounds good." I glance up to the light blue sky, filled with white puffy clouds and sigh. I love springtime so much.

Winter was fairly long and freezing around here with the snowfall starting in late December.

I love summer and the fall too, but spring is definitely my favorite time of year. I love the way the trees change color and the spring flowers start to pop, and just the warmth starting to creep in. And this spring is going to be even more special with so many events lined up. It might pay for me to just hold out until after the busy season and reapply for the loan once I've had a steady stream of income coming through. Maybe things will be different then. I can only hope. One thing is for certain, I can't wait three years!

I pull my camera out of my sling-bag style carry case strapped across my body and attach the lens. Time to get snapping.