“Thanks.” Her dark eyes cut over to Autumn. “I’m lookin’ forward to bein’ here.”
There was something in Charlie’s tone that was familiar. It was appreciation, he realized.
“Well, I should get outta your hair,” Charlie said, smiling over at Autumn. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Lookin’ forward to it,” Autumn replied, sounding oddly smitten.
“Nice to meet you both,” Charlie said on the way out the door.
“Likewise,” Keegan called out. “Next time you’re in town, maybe we can get a look under that hood.”
“Keegan,” Autumn said, obviously gearing up to chastise him for coming on to the woman.
“Absolutely.” Charlie peered over at Autumn. “And if I’m lucky, I’ll get to take this one for a spin.”
Without another word, Charlie was out the door.
“You know she’s gay,” Autumn told Keegan when the door closed behind the other woman.
“And?” Keegan looked at Kaden then back to Autumn, his confusion evident. “There somethin’ wrong with a gay woman ownin’ an awesome car?”
Autumn’s eyebrows popped. “Car?”
“Nineteen sixty-nine Camaro?”
Autumn spun around and tugged the blinds down to peer outside. A very impressed “Holy shit” followed.
Keegan laughed. “She thought I was hittin’ on her.”
“Well, inherdefense,” Autumn replied, “it’s not a farfetched idea.”
“Guilty.”
“What brings you boys by?” she asked, returning to her chair and motioning to the empty ones across from her.
Kaden sighed as he took a seat. “We’re here to officially give our notice.”
Autumn glanced between them as though waiting for the punch line.
Kaden went on to explain about the ranch, their need to be there full-time so they could get the place functioning how they needed it to in order to support them.
“Figured it was best to let you know sooner rather than later,” he stated.
He could tell she wasn’t exactly thrilled with the news. “How long do I have you for?”
“Tomorrow’s our last day,” Keegan said, deadpan.
Kaden had to smile when Autumn’s eyes rounded like saucers.
“For as long as you need us,” Kaden told her. “We’ve already let Ethan know. He mentioned Beau wants to come back part-time. Figured we’d do the same.” He nodded at Keegan. “We’ll alternate hours so you’ll have one full-time person. At least until you’re at the point you don’t need us anymore.”
He could practically see her brain working, likely turning over images of people who might be a good replacement in her mind.
“Well…” Autumn sat up, pushed her shirt sleeves back and put her elbows on her desk. “I have to ask this.”
Kaden waited.
“Is it somethin’ I did?” Her gaze bounced back and forth between them. “Because I’ll change. I will. I swear to you.”
