It was as if time stood still after she said those words. Her mother and Scarlett didn’t move, though she felt their gazes on her. Her father didn’t pause in his cutting and gave a derisive laugh. “This again? We already discussed it, Autumn. You are staying close to home.”
“You discussed it. I never agreed,” Autumn’s words were breezy, but she felt anything but calm. This was her life, and she was going to live the rest of it on her terms.
“Be reasonable, Autumn,” her mother said. She had her hair in one of those sophisticated French twists. “You don’t want to live in a dirty city. You don’t know what kind of… people live there.” She shuddered at the last couple of words.
“Actually, I want to live in the city. I’ve been nowhere but here. It would be good for me to explore the world. I’ve only been to school and back. God forbid I went anywhere with friends.”
“That was for your own good,” her father bit out. A muscle clenched in his cheek as he looked at Autumn. “And what do you plan to study in Seattle?”
She shrugged a shoulder, “I was thinking of Art History. I’d like to work in a museum or gallery one day.”
Scarlett snorted, “That will get you nowhere fast, dear.” She looked down her nose at Autumn with that partial sneer. “You’ll never make money doing that. You’ll be poor your entire life.”
“Or perhaps Counseling,” Autumn said softly. “I want to do something meaningful.”
“We talked about you going into law or a nursing program. Forget about this Seattle nonsense.”
Autumn’s fork clinked on the fine China as she dropped it into the dish. “Like I said, you talked about it, Dad. I’m going to Seattle. I’ve already applied and received a couple of scholarships.” Her mother’s eyes widened; Scarlett’s gaze narrowed on her, but she looked at the head of the table where their father sat. David Taylor’s complexion became ruddy.
His lips thinned, “You had no right to do that, Autumn.”
“I have every right,” she glared back. “I will not be a prisoner in this place a minute longer. I will not allow you to tell me what to do or where to go anymore.”
“Darling, it’s for your…” Autumn turned her glare on her mother, who stopped short.
“My protection,” she drawled. “Riiight.” She shook her head and laughed, though there was no humor to it. “I’m done with your protection,” she spat the word. “I’m going to live with Fanny and Zeke until school starts.” She looked between the two people who were supposed to be parents to her. Instead, they looked like the cold strangers she knew them to be for the past eighteen years of her life. “They have already accepted me to UW. I thought you would be happy for me.”
“This is a mistake, Autumn.” Her mother didn’t look at her as she spoke, “You are going to regret your decision.”
“No,” Autumn said. She put the cloth napkin on her plate and stood. “My only regret was trying to make the both of you happy when my happiness was never your priority.”
As she walked away from the table, her father called after her, “And where do you think you’re going, young lady?”
“Packing…I’m not staying here a moment longer.”
She didn’t wait for them to say another word. She let the dining room door swish closed behind her. Fanny was in the hallway, her slightly graying strands of hair moved behind her ears. She smiled through watery eyes and put her hands on Autumn’s shoulders. “You’re sure about this, dear?”
“I’m finally going to run away, Fanny.” There were tears in her own eyes, but they were of relief, not sadness. “And I’m never coming back.”
Fanny hugged her and said a silent prayer before she released the girl she helped raise, “Come on, I’ll help you pack.”
10 Years Ago
David Taylor looked at the medical bills stacked on his desk. Grace’s chemotherapy was piling up. He was broke, from his wife’s illness. His own law office was going in a downward spiral, what with the malpractice suit he was currently dealing with.
“You know what you have to do.”
He looked in the doorway to see his daughter, Scarlett, leaning sideways with her arms crossed. Her bloodred lips curved up. The red hair was a reminder of his sister. His daughter carried the Taylor genes, just as Autumn did. Except Autumn looked increasingly like her mother.
He’d seen pictures of the girl he raised. Did Autumn think he wouldn’t track her? No, not a private investigator. God knew he didn’t have money for that. He’d been able to use the skills of his junior partner.
The man was obsessed with Autumn, and David used it to his advantage. He looked at the bills again, then back to Scarlett, “If we do this, no one will know where she is.”
“The longer she stays gone, the better.” She shrugged one silky shoulder. “Besides, why would I tell anyone anything? We are in this together, Daddy. Mom is dying. She can’t even leave her bed because of the pain.”
“Autumn’s trust is helpful to both of us.”
Scarlett’s lips curved up like a jester’s smile. “I’ve seen the numbers. Between what Grandfather and Lilli left…” She watched the expression on her father’s face at the mention of his sister, “There will be more than enough for the both of us.”
