Blue Autumn in the Bayou (Gumbo Love) by Ann Clay Read Free Book Online

urge to pull from his grasp. She refused to let him think he had the upper hand; that he affected her the way he did. She turned her head from him to see if others were watching their exchange. Please release me , she prayed silently.
    “I ’m glad were are not at odds, and I hope to get as many second chance as you’ll give me. You may not want to get to know me, but I am very interested in you, beautiful lady.”
    “You certainly toss that word around casually ,” she snapped at him.
    He tilted his head. “What word? Beautiful? I can’t help it that you and your friends are beautiful.” He looked over his shoulder at her girlfriends who all were on the other side dancing. They were the only two not shaking their rumps.
    “Sur ely you don’t expect me to fall for that line do you?”
    A sensuous smile eased across his face. Travis stood with her hands still cupped in his. “Come on, let’s dance. Everyone else is on the dance floor.” He didn’t want to get into a debate with her. He would much rather expend the energy holding her , and if he couldn’t do that, dancing with her would suffice.
    Autumn opened her mouth to protest, but he was already pulling her from the chair. She allowed him to drag her towards the others, and she effortlessly fell into step with everyone else. She smiled which lit her entire face.
    Travis’s heart leaped because she was, indeed, breathtakingly gorgeous. If only he could get pass the wall she erected, he just might get to know her. With a determination already in place, he enjoyed what he could for the moment.
    They all danced through several more songs before Reggie pulled at her friends. “Let’s go, ladies. We weren’t supposed to be here this long.” She’d already called Jena to have her meet them later than they’d planned. And she didn’t budge when she heard the complaints from her friends.
    “Ah, do you ladies have to leave?” one of the guys asked.
    “No!” Mona slurred.
    “Yes, we do,” Reggie protested grabbing a wobbly Mona by the arm. “Thanks, Travis. Food was great.” She turned towards her future brother-in-law, and then leaned into Trae and wrapped her one free arm around his neck. The other one still held on to Mona. “I love you, baby. See you tomorrow.”
    She responded appropriately when Trae deepened the kiss. “I love you, sweetheart. Have fun.”
    Both Travis and Autumn watched the exchange. Then they briefly looked at each other. Travis raised an eyebrow as he stared at her. Autumn turned away and didn’t look back or say anything. She ascended the stairs and walked through the rear door of his mother’s house.
    Travis watched her until she disappeared. His attention then went to Reggie, as she continued to drag Mona away. Denise fell into step behind them. “ Thanks ladies for coming.” He shook his head.
    * * * *
    Travis strolled towards the moving vehicle j ust as Reggie was backing out. “Regg!” He purposely walked to the passenger side. He knew Autumn would be seated up front with Reggie, and when she rolled down the window, he handed her the covered pan. He leaned into the car. Travis could barely make out her face, but he knew she was watching him as he was watching her. They had two weeks to figure out what was going on between them. “Here, you guys take this. I’m sure you’ll get hungry a little later.”
    Travis placed a pan and an envelope in Autumn’s lap. His hands grazed the insides of hers in the process, and he instantly felt the electrical charge; but he fought the urge to do anything about it. Instead he said, “See you guys later,” backed away from the car, and didn’t move again until it had turned outside the iron gates of the driveway. Even then, he could still feel the sparks racing through his veins.
    * * * *
    Autumn glanced out of the window, but turned when Reggie announced, “Jena should be at the house by the time we get there.” She watched as Reggie gripped the top of the steering wheel.