Page 18 of Heartbeat Harmony (Hearts in Hawthorne #2)

Her heart went out to this man. She realized she had taken so much for granted in her life. Her middle-class upbringing had been, in her own eyes, average. She now saw that it had been full of so many wonderful things Eli had never experienced, as well abundant love within her family.

Worry suddenly crossed his face. “You’re the first here. I thought everyone would be here by now.”

“Did you have a good response to your evite?”

Nodding, he said, “Nancy said everyone said they would be here.” He paused. “Maybe they changed their minds.”

“Don’t fret,” she told him. “A lot of people like to be what is termed fashionably late.”

He seemed to relax hearing that. “Shorty and Marge have been setting up in the kitchen.”

“You need to have a place for women to put their purses,” she said. “Since your bedroom is off the great room, it would be convenient for purses to be left on the bed for easy access.”

“Sure. But come look at everything.”

He led her into the dining room, where she admired the large mahogany table.

It seated ten and had a matching buffet.

Autumn opted not to purchase a china cabinet for him since those seemed to be no longer important, and Eli had no china to display anyway.

He took her to the great room, and she studied it with a critical eye.

A large sectional and rocker were the focal point and placed in the center of the room, but there were also a few other conversational stations within the room where others could gather, as well as a reading nook by the window.

Glancing above the fireplace, she commented, “I see you also have a new big screen TV in place.”

“I talked to Bill Bennett about that. He seems to be the resident sports authority and had several suggestions for what I should buy and what viewing package to purchase. My assistant’s brother is a handyman, and he hung the screen.

He also got the router set up, so my internet is on.

I think the next room I want to work on furnishing will be my office. ”

“Everything looks really good in here, Eli. I hope you’re happy with how the room turned out.”

He shrugged. “I simply followed the floor plan you created. You have an excellent eye, Autumn. For color. Fabrics. Placement. Even the area rug in here and the dining room really pulls everything together. I couldn’t have done that on my own.

” He paused. “My house is starting to feel like a home now. All because of you.”

She felt heat rise in her cheeks and said, “Let’s see how the bedroom looks,” heading that way, Eli following.

The clean, masculine lines of the room, along with the palate of slate blue and grays, reflected Eli’s personality.

She hadn’t gone overboard with too many decorative pillows on the bed, knowing he would find that too fussy.

She had chosen a wall unit in cherry wood, which had storage beneath the bed, and an accompanying dresser and armoire.

The bedroom suite fit well in the room. Autumn set her purse on top of the comforter.

“Have you been letting Atticus sleep with you? Where is he?”

“Begging in the kitchen. His nose perked up the minute Shorty brought in the first tray.”

As they left the bedroom, she asked, “How is Atticus adjusting to his new life?”

Eli chuckled. “He acts as if he owns the house. Thank you for the recommendation of Dr. Bridges. I liked him the moment I met him.”

“Is he housebroken?”

“He is. No accidents, so far.”

“He may become excited with a lot of people in the house this evening,” she warned.

“Keep your eye on that. Cockers have a tendency to tinkle when they get overexcited. There also might be a guest or two who don’t really feel comfortable around dogs, so you may need to lock him upstairs with a few of his toys. ”

She tried hard to keep from laughing at the stricken look appearing on Eli’s face. “But you can wait and see. He might get along with everyone just fine.”

They moved into the kitchen, and Shorty and Marge greeted her.

“It’s great to have you back in town, Autumn,” Marge said. “Now Meg has two of her birds who have returned to the nest. We’ll just have to see if Summer sees the light and makes her way back to Hawthorne.”

“I should’ve moved back a long time ago, for your barbeque and the pizza at Pizza Palace alone,” she teased.

“Dr. Carson said you were the one who suggested we cater tonight,” Shorty said. “Thank you for that, Autumn. I hear you’ll be working at the new hospital.”

“Yes, I’m going to be in charge of all the nurses on staff.”

“We told Dr. Carson what a hardworking family the Sutherlands are and that he’s got a real gem in you,” Marge added.

The doorbell rang, and Eli said, “I’ll get it,” looking relieved that more guests had finally arrived.

“Thank you for agreeing to cater this evening,” she told the couple. “Some of these new doctors will have never tasted barbeque. Eating something from BBQ Bliss will be a great introduction to Hawthorne for them.”

In the next twenty minutes, every department head showed up, most bringing their spouses. Barbara Bennett, who was head of women’s services, pulled Autumn aside.

“I’m so glad to see you here tonight. I don’t want to talk business, but I do have a few things I want to run by you regarding the scheduling of nurses in my department.”

“Happy to listen and see if we can work things out,” she replied.

They were still discussing Barbara’s nursing staff needs when Bill, her husband and the new head of oncology, interrupted.

“Enough shop talk, you two,” he said. “People are going through the buffet line now. Come grab yourselves a plate.”

She accompanied the couple to the kitchen, where Shorty and Marge were dishing up plates for everyone.

Autumn asked for brisket, a link of spicy sausage, and two jalapeno poppers, one chicken and one shrimp.

She also took sides of coleslaw and baked beans and saw the kitchen table already filled with guests.

She glanced into the dining room and saw it, too, had a full house.

“Guess we should make our way outside,” she said, leading the Bennetts through the French doors.

Autumn had told Eli that he needed to pick out some patio furniture, saying that he should trust himself to do so.

She told him both Walmart and the local Home Depot had a good selection this time of year and saw that he had done an excellent job.

On the patio was a long table which seated eight.

Colorful cushions adorned the chairs. By the pool, she spied four lounge chairs with tables between them, guests sitting on them, as well.

Taking a seat, the Bennetts joined her, and they greeted Dr. Paul Gentry, who was head of radiology.

His wife Tilda would be in charge of imaging at Triple H.

Dr. Steven Landry also greeted them. He was in his mid-forties, the oldest of Eli’s department head hires, and the head of heart and vascular health. Steven introduced Autumn to his wife.

Eli joined them, Atticus shadowing him.

“I’m glad everyone found a place to sit,” he told the group. “My only request is don’t feed my dog. No matter how sad his eyes are.”

Barbara said, “We’re getting used to seeing Atticus around Triple H. Will he accompany you to work once the hospital opens?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” Eli told them. “He was dumped on the side of a road, and I knew I had to bring him home. This is my first week with him, and I didn’t want him left alone in an empty house.

He’s not a service dog, obviously, so once the hospital opens, I can’t have him wandering the halls with me.

He’s a good boy, though, so he may simply come to work with me each day and stay in my office. ”

Looking sheepish, Eli added, “He already has a doggy bed in my office, along with a few chew toys.”

Bill laughed. “Barbara and I have two German shepherds, and they pretty much rule our roost. It was hard finding a house to rent which had enough backyard for them. We did meet with that architect you recommended, Autumn. If fact, we just bought a lot down the street from Eli and will break ground this next week.”

Autumn said, “I’m glad the architect worked out for you. I knew about him because he drew up the plans for my brother’s new house, and it’s being built as we speak. West and Kelby bought five acres, so they’ll have plenty of elbow room.”

Bill asked, “West? As in West Sutherland?”

“That’s my brother,” she said proudly. “West is the head football coach for the Hawthorne Hawks.”

Barbara laughed. “You won’t find a bigger football fan than Bill. The Cowboys have always been his favorite team, even if he is from Pittsburgh originally.”

“If you promise you won’t drool all over him, I’ll introduce you to West,” Autumn promised. “He and Kelby are planning to come to the hospital’s reception next week.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior. Scout’s honor,” Bill said, holding up the Boy Scout salute.

“West actually was a Boy Scout,” she said. “An Eagle Scout, as a matter-of-fact. I’m sure you’ll enjoy talking not only football but scouting with him.”

As she expected, the food was delicious. Autumn had suggested to Nancy, who had placed the order with BBQ Bliss, to offer two desserts. One was peach cobbler and the other banana pudding. Both were hits.

After dinner, those outside went back inside to mingle. She found she enjoyed herself quite a bit, getting to know her colleagues in such a casual, comfortable setting. Everyone seemed to be having a good time and stayed on after Shorty and Marge packed up and left.

Around nine-thirty, Steven said, “If someone doesn’t make a move to leave, we’ll all need to break out sleeping bags and spend the night at Eli’s. I’m usually in bed by nine, and I know most of you are the same.”

Her gaze met that of Eli’s, and they both smiled, knowing how he had slept in a sleeping bag until just a few days ago.

Goodnights were said, and guests went out the door. Autumn stayed behind, volunteering to help clean up.

“You don’t have to do that,” Eli protested. “Shorty and Marge took care of most everything. It’s just going around and collecting drink glasses and napkins and washing those.”

With a knowing look, she said, “Something tells me you’re the kind of guy who won’t be able to sleep until everything is clean and put away.”

He laughed. “Guilty as charged.”

Working as a team, it only took them a few minutes to gather up the used glasses and wash them.

“Shorty said he would stop by tomorrow and pick up the glassware,” Eli shared. “I don’t have iced tea glasses, much less wine goblets and beer steins. I suppose I’ve got more shopping in my future.”

He looked at her hopefully. “Maybe you could help me with that, Autumn. You know I never could’ve pulled off tonight if not for you.

For the first time in my life, I was relaxed around colleagues.

Instead of talking work, I began making personal connections with the people I’ve hired.

I listened more than I talked because I don’t always have a lot to say, but I really enjoyed myself tonight. That’s thanks to you.”

Autumn took a step toward him, placing her palm against his chest, which was hard to the touch.

She felt his heart speed up beneath her fingertips and gazed up at him.

Eli looked back at her, seemingly baffled.

With a boldness she never knew she possessed, Autumn slipped her hand around his nape and pulled him closer, until their lips met.