Page 38 of Heartbeat Harmony (Hearts in Hawthorne #2)

“You’re making the biggest mistake of your life, Autumn,” he said, his jaw tightly clinched. “I came to give you a chance to come back. To give us another chance.”

She looked at him coolly. “I have no interest in you, Flint. I have a wonderful life here in Hawthorne and the love of a good man. I finally understand what it means to truly be cherished. To have someone love me completely and thoroughly. I’m only sorry I wasted so many years on you.”

The ringing finally stopped, and she felt the blood pounding in her ears as adrenaline surged through her.

Then a voice said, “You folks okay in there?”

Recognizing the voice of their chief engineer, she stepped around Flint and pushed the intercom button.

“It’s Autumn, Ernie.”

“I’m not seeing anything on my end to have caused the elevator to have stopped, Autumn. What can you tell me?”

She glanced at Flint, whose face was bright red. As she gazed at him, she said, “A visitor to the hospital deliberately pushed the emergency button. It’s my ex-husband. Can you have security meet us on the ground floor? Tell me what to push to get the carriage started again, and I’ll do it.”

Ernie quickly told her what to do in order to override the elevator being locked in place.

The entire time, Autumn never took her eyes off Flint.

She did as the engineer told her, with Ernie telling her that it would take about sixty seconds for the system to kick in again.

She calmly looked at Flint the entire time, showing no sign of weakness.

Then the elevator jolted, throwing her for a moment, but it began descending slowly after that.

“If you don’t want me to press charges, you’ll leave quietly,” she told her ex. “And never come back.”

“Charges for what?” he sneered. Then he shook his head. “I was crazy to think we could make a go of things. You’ve changed, Autumn. And not for the better.”

With no hesitation, she said, “I like who I’ve become. I’m never going back to who I was when I was with you.”

The elevator arrived on the ground floor. The doors opened, and Flint rushed through them, pushing past those gathered in front of it. Autumn saw Ernie. The head of their security.

And Eli.

She stepped off the elevator and into his arms, wrapping hers tightly around him and giving him a kiss like they hadn’t seen one another in a month of Sundays.

When she broke it, he asked, “Are you okay? Nancy saw you get on the elevator and then heard the alarm sounding immediately. She summoned me right away.”

“I’m fine,” she assured him. “More than fine. Because I’m with you.”

Eli turned to glance in the direction Flint had stormed off and back to her. “He didn’t hurt you? Scare you?”

“If anything, I put the fear of God into him,” she replied. “I don’t think we’ll be seeing Flint Ferris ever again.”

He looked to the others. “Everything’s okay.”

Once the small group dispersed, he pulled Autumn into a nearby alcove, obviously reluctant to let her go.

“I was worried when you told Ernie who you were with. I was standing right next to him, and I wanted to tear Ferris apart.” He cupped her cheek. “But something tells me from the way he left that you took care of that.”

“I stood up to him. Stood up for myself. And I let him know just how happy I was. You make me very happy, Eli. I love you more each day.”

He beamed at her, and it was as if warm sunshine radiated through her. She would never be able to get enough of this man.

“What are we waiting for, Autumn? You’ve said it yourself. Why put our lives on hold when we know what we want? Let’s not waste any more time. Let’s get married while Summer’s here.” He paused. “Unless you want to plan a big wedding.”

“No!” she said quickly, holding more tightly to him. “Not at all. Just family and a few friends is all I need. And my handsome, loving groom. My parents’ backyard is lovely this time of year. Mom’s green thumb has everything bursting with color. The zinnias. Marigolds. Pentas.”

“I like the sound of that,” he said, his voice low and raw. “We’ll need a license. I’ve already researched how to get married in Texas. There’s a seventy-two-hour waiting period before you can use the license, though.”

She laughed, feeling freer than she ever had. “A judge can waive that for us. I’ll get Dad to call Judge Stowe. They’re golfing buddies. I’ll bet he’d even agree to perform the ceremony.”

Eli’s mouth touched hers in a reverent kiss.

“Then we’ll be at the county courthouse tomorrow morning when they open,” he said.

“I need to leave now to get Summer,” she said. “She’s going to be thrilled about this news.”

“I’m coming with you. I’ll text Nancy and let her know. She can also drop Atticus off in the backyard.”

“You sure?”

The look of love in his eyes caused her to melt. “Never more sure.”

They went to his car, and he said, “Mine’s larger. From what you’ve said, Summer will be bringing a ton of luggage, even though she’s only supposed to be here for less than a week.”

“That’s Summer,” Autumn said happily.

As Eli drove them to DFW, Autumn called her mom, filling in her mom, who was over the moon hearing they were getting married.

“Do you think you could have Dad talk to Judge Stowe? And could we use your backyard for the wedding?”

“Are you thinking Saturday or Sunday?”

“Either, Mom. Whatever works for you. It’s good Darby’s also coming into town. I’ll text her and Sawyer and let them know. West and Kelby, too. Oh, Mom, I’m so excited!”

“Then let’s go with Saturday afternoon. I’ll start handling the small details, but you have to bring Summer here tonight because we have so much to talk about. A cake. Some flowers. What you’ll wear. Oh, Autumn, I’m so happy for you. You have a good man in Eli.”

Autumn glanced to the man she would spend the rest of her life with.

“Yes, I most certainly do.”

Once they arrived at the airport, she consulted her app too see if Summer’s plane were still on time and what baggage claim she would be at. They found a parking place close to where Summer would arrive. Going inside, Autumn couldn’t help but be giddy. She kissed Eli spontaneously.

“I can’t believe we’re getting married this weekend.”

He grinned. “I can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life with you, Autumn.”

They were kissing again when a familiar voice said, “You must be Eli. I’m Summer.”

Quickly, they pulled apart, having been oblivious to everything going on around them.

“Summer!” she cried, falling into her twin’s arms.

They hugged tightly, and she pulled away. “We’re getting married! This weekend!”

Her sister’s radiant smile lit up her face. “Then I guess I’m glad I flew down for the wedding.” Summer turned to Eli and hugged him. “Welcome to the family, Eli. Anytime you’re ready to make me an aunty, I’m all for it.”

“Summer!’ she cried, but secretly, Autumn knew she wanted babies with Eli soon.

“Wedding first. Then babies.” He looked to her and grinned. “Maybe three or four. Your sister and I will need to negotiate that. Let’s grab your luggage, Summer, and then Autumn can tell you how kickass she was when she confronted her ex-husband today.”

“What?” Summer asked, her jaw dropping.

“It’s a long story,” Autumn said. “But it has a very happy ending.”