“Is that even safe?” she whispered and I wasn’t sure if she knew she’d spoken it out loud.

“Haven’t you ever heard not to judge a book by its cover?” I asked as Lance hopped down from his truck and began unhitching the trailer.

“But. . .it’s all dingy.”

“Have a little faith.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled as I introduced her to Lance. The married father of six wrapped Autumn in his arms, surprising us both. The moment he had her tucked against him, I wanted to tug her free and pummel his face.

Fortunately, Lance couldn’t stay long and left just as quickly as he came. His wife was home with their newest addition, born just seven weeks ago, and her mother. I knew from my experience with ex-girlfriends that the mother scenario could go either way.

I opened the door to the camper with the keys Lance had handed me before driving off.

The interior was just as he’d showed in the video chat the day before. I was thankful he was letting me borrow the trailer while I was here.

I was already inside the camper and turned to glance down at Autumn as she stared up at me in confusion.

I waved her in as I stepped farther into the confined space. There was a dinette, a small kitchen and bathroom with a shower, and a queen-sized bed in the front. Lance had upgraded everything last summer. It looked more state of the art than run-down as the outside made it appear.

“Wow.”

Glancing at her from over my shoulder, I cocked my eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.

“You just. . .keep surprising me.”

“How so?”

“I don’t know. I mean, you’re like a mega sports star, here in Ashfield, living out of a trailer while you renovate a century-old farmhouse. You’re just not what I expected.”

Testing the waters, I took a step closer to her. I half expected Autumn to push me away as I invaded her space, soaked in her warmth, but she only casually ran her finger along the dinette tabletop. I practically covered her body like an umbrella. My frame cast a shadow over her form, but she didn’t move or falter.

“What did you expect me to be?”

She turned back to face me and it was the closest we’d been since that incident at the store a week ago. An incident that I’d been playing on repeat in my head.

“Cocky. Self-absorbed. A player. Take your pick.”

Her assessment didn’t surprise me. It’s what most thought of sports players and most of the time they weren’t far off. I’d been like that when my career started, but I’d learned that it was just as tiring as being myself. Being the man that Ms. Cathy, my first foster mom, wanted me to be.

“Well, I’m not those things.”

Pursing her lips, a sound rumbled out of her as she internally questioned my response.

“We’ll see,” she finally replied. Changing the subject, she sat her trusty binder on the table and said, “Dad mentioned you were interested in learning some of the historical things I’d found.”

The hair on the back of my neck felt like needles prickling my palm as I ran my hand across the skin. I wasn’t sure why, but I was nervous about asking for help. I’d always been that way. My therapist said that it stemmed from childhood trauma.

“Um. . .yeah. Maybe we could go somewhere and you could show me what you’ve found.”

“Why can’t we do it here?”

“I just figured it was dinnertime, and with Brett and Lily gone for the weekend, I kind of need to fend for myself. And cooking is not my expertise unless you want some mac and cheese from a box. And since you grew up here, I bet you know all the best places to eat.”

Her eyes narrowed and I wondered what was going through her mind. I wanted to know everything about her. Autumn intrigued the hell out of me.

“Like a date?”

Shrugging my shoulders, I added on, “It’s just dinner.”

I could tell by the way she straightened her shoulders Autumn was trying to come up with a way to decline the offer. It would be a first for me, that’s for sure. But suddenly a rumble sounded from her direction and I watched as the blush creeped up to her cheeks.

“Betrayed by your stomach,” I said with a chuckle as I moved out of her personal space and retreated back to the door.

“Fine. Yes, I’m hungry. I know a great spot.”

She waited for me as I closed up the camper and together we strolled over to my truck parked in front of the house. Something inside me wanted to reach out for her hand, but I suspected it would be crossing a line.

When I first met, or collided, with Autumn, she’d seemed interested in me. Her eyes had glazed over and she’d fisted my shirt, but once I mentioned the flowers were for dinner, her entire demeanor had changed.

“You know,” I said to her as I opened the door to the passenger side. She was a tiny thing and without thinking I placed my hands on her waist and lifted her into the truck. My fucking palms sizzled from where I’d touched her. I wondered what it would feel like to touch her bare skin.

“Know what?” she asked as she settled in the seat, adjusting her seatbelt. I’d lost all train of thought by the mere touch of her body. It took me a moment to remember what I was going to say.

Clearing my throat, I replied, “The flowers were for Lily, if you hadn’t figured that out.”

It was fascinating watching her brows furrow as she connected the dots. It was clear she thought I was going out on a date or meeting up with a woman. And while I adored Brett’s wife, our relationship was purely platonic.

“Does that change things?” I added as I leaned closer into the vehicle, my hands bearing my weight on the frame of the truck.

“I. . .I don’t know.” Autumn’s tongue peeked out as she licked at her lips and turned her face forward, away from me. Her profile was just as striking as seeing her head on. “I still hate that you bought my house.”

“There is that. But maybe you can see that I’m not such a bad guy.”

Closing the door, I strutted around the front of the truck and hopped into the driver’s side.

Autumn remained quiet on the drive, only pointing out something when I asked. It didn’t bother me, though; I didn’t care for a lot of noise and chatter when I drove.

I found a place to park on the street right in front of the place she called The Purple Goat. This town had the funniest names for restaurants. The Purple Goat, The Witch’s Brew, and The Naan Stoppers were just a few.

Just as I was about to get out of the truck, Autumn placed her hand on my arm. I could feel the warmth of her palm beneath my light jacket and it made my stomach clench. Fuck, she was turning me on with just the simplest of touches. I wondered if she had any idea the way she was affecting me.

“Look, Colton, the second we walk in there, or anywhere, together, the rumors are going to start. Imagine the gossip rags, but on a smaller scale with people that live just next door.”

“But they don’t know me?” I countered. Surely, I wasn’t going to be the backbone of some small town gossip. That was all just a rumor in itself. Right? Brett and Lily had never mentioned anything more than a little smidgen of chatter here or there.

“They don’t, but they will. And they know me. My coming home was perceived as somewhat. . .scandalous. I don’t want to add fuel to the fire.”

Placing my hand over hers, I patted it gently. “I’m a big boy. I can handle it.” Not really. I hated false claims, but I could see how it was affecting Autumn. Her eyes were wide and her mouth pinched in the corners. She looked worried and a little miffed that I wasn’t being more cautious.