Blue Autumn in the Bayou (Gumbo Love) (43 page)

The reunion went far better than he’d imagined. Clem would have been extremely proud and boastful. The Brooks boys along with some of Clem’s grandson
s managed to take a few trophies away from the competition. His family was all in one place; that alone made his heart sing. And the bonus for him or so he thought was the fact that his wife came home. News that she was expecting their first child created the whip cream he liked on his favorite dessert, pecan pie.

“Are you going to smile all night?” Michael slapped him on the back.

Travis grabbed him in a bear hug. “Pretty much, little brother. I’m beside myself right now.”

“Well there’s much to be happy about.”

“Damn straight. You and Denise get married in a couple of months and before long, we’ll all be old married men. What do you think about that?”

“I’m loving the idea, Travis. I want to start
a family as soon as we get married.”

“Speaking of which, where’s that beautiful wife of mine?”

* * * *

Travis held Autumn close to his heart as the
y lay in bed. “Autumn?”

“Hmm hum.”

“We have the right ingredients don’t you think?”

Autumn turned in his arms and looked up into his face. “You always knew we did. Somehow
, you knew even when I was behaving like a frightened psychotic. Yes, babe. I think we have all the right ingredients.”

“We have a lot to talk about in the next few months, darling. But I promise I’ll do whatever it takes, whatever you want. I want you to be happy. More than anything I want us to be a family.”

“We are a family already. I trust you and I’m willing to meet you halfway to make sure our family remains whole.”

Travis pressed his lips against her forehead. “Well, we’ve got a few months to figure it all out.”

Autumn sighed heavily and turned back in Travis’s embrace. “I’m happy, Travis. I’m no longer afraid.”

“You have no reason to. I’m here. I’ll always protect you, no matter what.”

“Goodnight, my heart.”

“Goodnight, darling.”