Page 37 of Heartbeat Harmony (Hearts in Hawthorne #2)

Chapter

Twenty-Two

A utumn was looking forward to seeing Summer.

Her twin had been swamped with work, including two uncooperative authors with looming deadlines, which had kept Summer in Manhattan.

Finally, though, her sister promised she would be able to get away for a long Labor Day weekend.

Summer was taking off tomorrow and Friday before the holiday and would fly in tonight, staying until the following Monday afternoon.

Autumn couldn’t wait for her twin to meet Eli in person.

He had FaceTimed with Summer several times, and she thought the two of them got along well, but she still wanted to put them together in person.

She parked and entered the hospital. She and Eli took separate cars to work because they didn’t want to inconvenience the other in case one of them had to stay late because of an emergency.

Autumn had to admit her hours as Director of Nursing seemed cushy compared to when she was a floor or charge nurse.

She still earned her salary, though, juggling half a dozen different balls at a time.

She had a good handle on her job, though, and felt she was thriving professionally.

Peter Richards had visited with her and Eli last week in private, wanting to determine the status of their relationship.

They shared they were committed to one another, and Eli said they would marry at some point.

She had flushed with pleasure, surprised because they had not spoken about marriage.

Still, they lived together. They loved one another.

Marriage would be an eventual step. For now, she could wait on a ring and ceremony.

Because of what they had shared with the Hogan Health corporate VP, Peter had said that he would be handling Autumn’s subsequent evaluations.

It wouldn’t be fair or have the right optics if Eli remained her sole supervisor and evaluator.

Because of their relationship, she would still report to Eli so he would always be in the loop, with Peter being brought in on various occasions.

Peter would visit Triple H a few times over the next several months in order to watch Autumn in action.

He would also meet with some of her staff to discuss her supervision of various employees.

Peter planned to review her budget, look over her hires and the evaluations she was doing for her nursing staff, and meet with various department heads to receive their input as to how Autumn was working with other administrators within the hospital.

She had no concerns regarding Peter’s supervision of her work.

He had liked her from the beginning and was easy to talk with.

They had brainstormed a few situations together and with others at Triple H, and she was confident that Peter had a good grasp of what she did and how well she performed.

As she reached her office, her cell rang.

“Hey, Mom,” Autumn said cheerfully.

“Just wanted to check in and see if there’s anything I can do with Summer coming in.”

“The furniture for the guest bedroom arrived last weekend. I’d already purchased the bed linens and duvet. Eli thinks there are way too many throw pillows, but my philosophy is that you can never have enough of those.”

“Taken straight from my decorating book,” Mom quipped. “And you’re still coming for supper tomorrow night?”

“Yes, we wouldn’t miss it. Summer knows you’re making all her favorites. She’s not home often, so she’s really looking forward to sinking her teeth into some chicken enchiladas and sipping Dad’s margaritas.”

“You’re still doing the queso?”

“I am. And Eli made the dessert already. He’s becoming quite the cook and even has tackled baking with a passion.”

Mom sighed. “I wish your father knew how to cook. He made an omelet for me the first time he had me over. I was duly impressed.” She laughed. “And that’s the last thing he’s ever made for me, other than reservations.”

“In all fairness, Dad does the grilling,” Autumn said.

“He does a mean hamburger and can really get those burn marks on a hot dog. You’re right about that. You always remember the small details, Autumn.”

‘You deserve your fair share of credit, though, Mom. You’re a terrific cook. Everything I’m teaching Eli how to make comes from the Meg Sutherland School of Cooking.”

“I like to keep things simple. I’m no Julia Child, but I fed our family of five.”

“And you did it well. Listen, I’ve got to go. I’ll text when we’ve collected Summer at the airport and are on our way home.”

“No, have her call us,” Mom urged. “I’d rather talk to her. I’m so excited to see her again soon. It’s been far too long since she came to Texas.”

“Will do.”

Autumn checked her email, answering pressing requests, and then responded to others.

She worked through lunch, knowing she was going to leave the hospital an hour early today to drive down to DFW in order to pick up Summer.

Eli said he would try and join her, but it would be up to any curves thrown into his schedule whether he could do so or not.

At one point, Summer texted, saying she was on the plane and the doors were closing.

Autumn sent back three smiley face emojis.

She finished up her last task of the day and walked down to Eli’s office. Nancy greeted her.

“He’s still in a meeting,” the assistant said apologetically.

“I don’t think he’ll be able to go with you.

It’s one of the board members. She always has a thousand questions at every board meeting and then makes an appointment with Eli to come in afterward and have him explain everything to her again, one-on-one.

Personally, I think she’s a bit lonely and likes the attention he gives her. ”

“Not a problem,” Autumn said. “Just tell him we’ll meet him at home.”

“Is he cooking for you?” asked Nancy. “He brought in brownies for me the other day.”

“He wanted to, but Summer is dying for barbeque. She says good barbeque simply does not exist anywhere in New York. I’ve already placed an order with Shorty. Eli will swing by and pick it up on his way home.”

“Are you coming in tomorrow, with Summer being here?”

“I am. I’ve got a lot to do. Mom is taking off, though, and they’re going to spend the day together. And my cousin Darby is flying in tomorrow. She’ll go to West’s football game with us Friday night.”

“Go, Hawks,” Nancy said, smiling.

“See you tomorrow.”

Autumn returned to her office and removed her purse from her bottom desk drawer.

She locked her office and headed to the elevator.

It opened seconds later, and she waved to Nancy and stepped on, checking her phone to get an update on Summer’s ETA.

Only as the doors closed did she realize someone else was inside it. She glanced up to speak.

And saw her ex-husband.

Before she could utter a word, he pushed the emergency stop and turned. A loud bell started clanging, signaling the elevator was in distress.

Flint yelled over it, saying, “Listen, Autumn. I made a horrible mistake.”

The old Autumn would have been apologetic. Uncomfortable. Maybe even terrified. The strong Autumn she had become ever since his betrayal reacted quite differently. Anger bubbled up, but she kept it under the surface. She wanted her ex to know she was mad and could still keep things professional.

“I don’t have to listen to your bullshit anymore, Flint. Whatever you planned to say to me, I’m not interested in hearing your lies or apologies. Hit the button and get this elevator moving again. Now,” she said firmly, proud of how her voice didn’t waver once.

Tears welled in his eyes. She saw now that he’d always been a good actor with her, turning on whatever emotions he needed to convince her or persuade her or even gaslight her into doing whatever he wanted. Those days were far in her past.

“I need to apologize to you, Autumn. You were the best part of my life, and I blew it. Took you for granted. Didn’t show you how much I loved you.”

She snorted.

He looked shocked.

“I was the best part of your life, and you treated me abominably, Flint. You lied to me. Cheated on me multiple times. I put you through med school. Scrimped and saved. Did without, all for our future. I turned a blind eye and kept thinking if only I worked longer hours or tried harder, you’d come to appreciate me.

Our entire marriage was a lie. You never loved me.

You used me to make certain you had no debt once you finished your medical training.

I’m sure your plan was to dump me once you did so, which makes me question why you’re even here. ”

“I went to counseling, Autumn, Trying to understand why I treated you the way I did. Please. We have a history together. We were married a long time.”

“We might have been married on paper, but we weren’t marriage partners in any sense of the word.

” Autumn’s fisted hands went to her waist. “I’ve grown up a lot since I shoved you out the door.

I now know who I am and what I want. I’m a better person because of what I learned after all you put me through.

And I would never, ever take you back under any circumstances. ”

She looked at him dismissively. “You’re a world-class jerk, Flint. You might be smart and good-looking, but you have no morals. You only think of yourself. You’re a narcissistic, cruel, pathetic excuse for a man. I pity any woman who would spend a minute of her time in your company.”

The tears for show quickly disappeared. Flint’s face set in stone. She knew how angry he was because of a tic in his cheek which kept jumping and his eyes which now glittered with hate.

He came toward her, and it took everything Autumn had not to allow him to back her into the elevator’s corner. Instead, she stood her ground. He came so close their bodies touched. She could feel the hot air of his breath as he spoke to her.