HisMarriageBargain (21 page)

His mother stood on the other side of the car door, every
silver hair in place and wearing another of her color-coordinated pantsuits
despite the heat crawling over the one hundred mark.

Sammi opened the door and unfolded himself. “Hi, Mom.”

“What on earth was taking you so long?” She turned on her
heel and led them into his house.

“Sorry, had to run some files by the office and show a
property.” He’d barely made it through the showing. There was a very good
chance he’d need to hand that off to one of his associates soon. Maybe Autumn’s
coworker Carly could give him pointers on driving without using his legs. After
only a few hours on his feet, he was already feeling the strain in his muscles.

He unlocked the front door and held it for his mother.

Autumn thought he was at the doctor’s office. The truth was
he hadn’t seen a doctor about his condition since consulting his primary
physician about the possibility that Guillain-Barré syndrome could relapse.

“This is where you’re living now?” His mother wandered from
the office into the formal living room, her mouth wrinkled up in disapproval.

Sammi took a deep breath and reminded himself that what he
and Autumn liked was vastly different from what his mother liked. They’d chosen
modern furniture, clean lines, a little on the minimalistic side. He’d been
aware of the fact that sooner rather than later the house might need to be
outfitted with wheelchair accessibility.

She entered the kitchen. “Humph. I guess it will do.” His
mother set her purse on the kitchen island and took it all in. “You only have
one dishwasher.”

Shit.

“Yes. Mother, I haven’t kept strictly kosher in years.” A
kosher household had two sets of all kitchen items, down to a separate
dishwasher so those that touched dairy products did not mix with the rest of
the kitchen.

“She doesn’t even know what kosher is, does she?”

Sammi gripped the counter and told himself again not to let
her bait him. Persian mothers always got what they wanted, but in this case he
wasn’t giving up Autumn. There was something there, something he couldn’t let
go. Not now. Maybe not forever.

“You mean Autumn?”

“I suppose.”

“I’m married to her, Mom.”

She studied him from across the kitchen. “Did she tattoo
you?”

Oh lovely. Back to that.

“Yes, she did. I asked her to.”

“When?”

“A year ago.”

“What would your father say?” She wrung her hands and turned
to stare out the window above the sink.

“I think Dad would like Autumn. You probably don’t want to
hear this, but Dad and Autumn are a lot alike. They’re good people. Autumn’s
just not Jewish. Or Persian. Don’t hold that against her.”

“Fine.”

Sammi narrowed his gaze. He should believe her, but this was
too easy.

“Let’s have dinner tomorrow. Someplace nice. We can make it
a family affair. Now show me the rest of the house.”

Sammi could only trust her and hope Autumn would go along
with the plan.

* * * * *

Autumn grunted and struggled for a better grip on the
armchair. Kellie shoved and Autumn was slammed up against the doorframe. One of
the armrests prodded her boobs. “Watch it, Kellie. Geez, I am not Quin. You can
pop these things.”

“Oh stop your whining. To your right a little. There you
go.” Kellie stood on the wheelchair lift that was a recent install to the
over-garage apartment. By the end of the week the roof would be extended to
provide cover and Carly would officially begin her independent life.

They shuffle stepped until Autumn could fit the chair
through the door.

“You’re clear all the way to the wall,” Carly said. She’d
been hovering around them as they figured out how to get the chair and both of
them up the stairs since the lift wasn’t big enough.

“Great,” Autumn muttered.

“What was that? You need to start sparring?” Kellie grinned.

“Hell no.” Autumn shook her head vigorously. She’d seen the
bruises Kellie and Quin left on each other. “I’ll stay with the StairMaster.”

“That’s good. Right there,” Carly interjected.

They lowered the overstuffed chair so it sat against the
wall, almost blocking a window.

The apartment was L-shaped, with the kitchenette in the
farthest corner, the living room area in the front and the bedroom tucked in a
nook created by the bathroom. It was cozy, but Carly didn’t come with a lot of
baggage, nor could she make a lot of money just being shop manager at So Inked.
For now, nineteen and partially paralyzed, she was regaining some of the life
she’d lost.

Several bags lined the wall near the bed, and rumpled sheets
confirmed what Autumn had suspected. Carly had already been staying in the
apartment.

“What did your mom and dad say about you moving all your
stuff out?” Autumn flopped on the bed and eyed the line of boxes she’d missed.

“They don’t really say anything. Honestly? I think they’ll
be glad I’m gone.” Carly leaned on one armrest.

It was no secret her parents were less than supportive.
Their parental spirit had waned close to six months into her recovery, and for
the last six she’d stayed anywhere she could, which included Kellie’s and
Pandora’s houses. Autumn would have gladly put her up, but there was no way to
get Carly into her apartment what with having only stairwell access.

“Brian and Quin should be here any minute.” Kellie glanced at
her phone and sat on the edge of the bed, which, before the chair, had been the
only bit of furniture.

“What else do you need?” Autumn asked.

“I have the essentials. Probably hit up some discount stores
for other stuff.” Carly smiled and ruffled her short hair, which was growing
out. Something about the way it stuck out every which way, the Rogue-like white
streak and her freckles were utterly adorable, but Autumn wouldn’t mention
that.

“I think I hear an engine.” Kellie headed for the door,
followed by Carly. Autumn brought up the rear, taking a moment to soak it all
in.

Brian’s sister owned the house and just happened to be a
nurse. She’d helped Brian regain the ability to walk after a near-fatal plane
crash. Though none of them had mentioned it, they were all hoping someday Carly
would walk down the stairs.

“Hey, ladies,” Brian yelled from the driveway. He bent and
deposited his ever-faithful companion Gibson on the ground. The corgi had
become an almost permanent feature in all their lives.

Gibson bounded up the stairs as fast as his little stubby
legs would carry him.

“Did you get it all on there?” Kellie called down.

Autumn peered at the flatbed trailer, packed tight with a
dresser, sofa and dining set as well as a few odds and ends. There were four people
in the driveway, but not the four she’d expected.

“What’s Jacob doing here? And where’s Mary?” Autumn
whispered to Kellie.

Kellie muttered over her shoulder, “Hell if I know. She
hasn’t spoken to me much lately. Sam’s being a real pain in the ass.”

Jacob stared up at them. As in, Jacob who’d just gotten
married over the weekend.

“Shouldn’t he be on his honeymoon?” Autumn muttered. She was
torn between wanting the man to do right by his wife and knowing Jacob belonged
with Carly. They were two puzzle pieces that fit. Except life had other plans
right now.

“She probably didn’t want to go on one because then she’d
have to actually spend time with her husband.” Kellie pursed her lips. The
“she” was Jacob’s wife, whom no one was fond of.

“We’re going to bring the sofa up first, so move stuff out
of the way,” Quin yelled.

“What stuff to move? Let’s get out of here, give them more
room,” Kellie suggested loud enough for Carly to hear.

Carly rolled backward into the apartment, Gibson happily
sitting on her lap, tongue lolling out to the side. Her easy smile from before
was gone, and in its place was something more like a grimace.

Autumn followed Kellie down the stairs and joined Pandora in
supervising the three shirtless men hauling the sofa off the flatbed.

“That’s a nice view,” Kellie remarked, glancing at Pandora,
who was grinning.

“Brian needs a little sun,” Pandora added.

Autumn could think only of Sammi, healthy and strong,
tossing her into the ocean. Hoisting her over his shoulder. She cleared her
throat and peered at Pandora. “So what happened with the…?”

“The pregnancy test?” Pandora glanced at Autumn and Kellie
on either side of her, a shy smile curling her lips. “Negative. But we talked
about it, and after the wedding we’ll probably try.”

“Are you happy with that?” Autumn asked.

Pandora nodded.

“God, you two are going to have beautiful babies.” Autumn
threw her arm around Pandora and kissed her temple.

“Will you bring the cushions up? Maybe the dresser drawers?”
Quin called down. Somehow they’d managed to get the sofa up the stairs without
injuring anyone.

“On our way,” Kellie yelled back.

They gathered the cushions and drawers between them and
trekked up the stairs, dancing with the three men on their way down. Within
twenty minutes they’d transformed the little apartment into a home. The guys
didn’t sprawl on the furniture, but chose to lie on the cool laminate floor
instead. The small window units chugged out cool air, but with seven adults and
one dog it was a losing battle.

“My sister has the standing machine out of storage,” Brian
said into the silence.

“Standing? Machine?” Autumn blinked, glancing between Brian
and Carly.

Carly kept her gaze on Gibson, paying special attention to
scratching him behind the ears.

“Yeah.” Brian sat up, oblivious to Carly’s awkwardness.
“It’s this chair you strap into and then stand up in. Helps keep bones strong.”

“Okay, we need to load up and get back to the shop. We’re
going to miss opening.” Kellie pushed to her feet and toed her boyfriend, who
wrapped his hand around her ankle in a lightning-fast move. The two were rowdy,
bordering on violent at times, but they never hurt each other. Watching them
was a lot like refereeing two seven-year-old boys.

The room seemed to exhale, the strain dissipating until
everyone was moving toward the door, into the bathroom or grabbing another cold
drink of water.

“All right. Hey, Carly, can I ride with you?” Autumn asked
as everyone began filing out and down the narrow stairs.

“Sure.”

“What? You don’t like my driving?” Kellie called over her
shoulder.

“I don’t like your music,” Autumn snapped back.

They grinned at each other, and Autumn felt some of the
tension ease from her chest. She hadn’t been sure when Kellie picked her up at
the shop that morning they were okay. For now it seemed Kellie had forgiven
her.

“Get the car started.” Carly tossed her the keys and scooted
across the new floor to the window units, adjusting the temperature.

Autumn brought up the rear, waving goodbye to the guys as
they packed up the straps and packing supplies onto the trailer.

With a moment of privacy, Autumn dug her phone out of her
pocket to see what her latest message from Sammi contained.

Have you ever done a guy in the butt?

Autumn sputtered and reread the text. What? Was he serious?

Nope. You requesting?

She shuddered and made her way toward the silver Mustang
sitting off the driveway under the shade. She climbed in the passenger side and
started the car, cracking the windows until the A/C cooled it down a little.

The phone chimed and she glanced at the latest message,
feeling a little apprehensive.

Hell no. Just curious how freaky you like it.

Not that freaky. I’m all about doing what feels good, but
strap-ons aren’t my thing.

Good. I like being the one inside you.

The quick exchange felt almost like talking to him. She
couldn’t wait to take him up on his offer tonight. Autumn reread the last text
and sighed, finding pleasure in knowing it was her Sammi thought about.

Movement from the apartment caught her eye and Autumn
watched Carly lock her front door and slowly lower to the ground using the
lift.

Jacob broke away from the other men and met Carly halfway to
the car. Autumn couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she saw the tense
lines on Carly’s face. They stopped near the front of the Mustang and Carly
turned toward Jacob.

“Look, I appreciate you coming over to help move my stuff
in, I really do, but you’ve got to stop this. You can’t drop in on me randomly.
We can’t hang out anymore. I can’t do this,” Carly said, her voice barely loud enough
for Autumn to hear.

Jacob’s face was as serene and unreadable as ever. “We’re
just—”

Carly swiped a hand over her face. “Jacob, you’re married,
and not to me. You need to leave me alone.”

“All right, if that’s how you feel.” He paused, seeming to
wait for her to say something else, maybe take her words back, but when Carly
kept her mouth shut he turned and walked to the truck.

Autumn sat silently while Carly went through switching from
her chair into the car and broke her wheelchair down to fit into the backseat
where it sat in easy reach. Last time they’d ridden together Autumn had offered
to help and Carly had politely refused, explaining that she needed to be able
to rely on herself. Finally she had all her pieces inside and closed the door.

“You heard that, didn’t you?” Carly gripped the wheel,
staring forward.

“Yeah.”

Carly sighed and slouched into the seat. “Life’s not fair.”

“No, it’s not.”

Carly didn’t say anything else. She shifted into Drive and
they left the morning’s exertions and strife behind.

Autumn’s heart went out to the other woman. Carly wanted
what she couldn’t have. Autumn had what she couldn’t keep.