Blue Autumn in the Bayou (Gumbo Love) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Reggie?”
    “Autumn, Erica, and Mona .” She signaled toward each of her friends.
    Travis moved forward and extended his hand. He started with Mona. “You’re saucy, I like that.” His smile broadened. “You’re very beautiful.” He shook Erica’s hand. She blushed. When he extended his hand to Autumn, once again he waited for her delicate hand. And when she finally placed it into his outstretched fingers, sparks screamed through his body. Travis held it a little longer than he should have but he couldn’t pull his hand away. He squeezed his lips tight to keep from saying something that was inappropriate for the audience.
    Autumn pulled her hand from Travis ’s and, at the same time, lowered her lids. “No comment for me, Mr. Brooks,” she said.
    Travis stood gauging her posture, before he responded. “Absolutely.” He paused for a moment. “You can’t avoid me forever. We’ve got a lot of work to do if we’re going to make sure these two love doves get hitched. I , for one, want to make sure they get it done so I can finally get him off my hands.”
    H e tried to memorize every detail of her face. His nostrils flared when the scent of her cologne wafted in the air between them. Nothing prepared him for her response. Travis knew there was an instant attraction to her. Perhaps it was the long shapely legs or the perfect curve of her backside that pulled at his groin, but something in her eyes attracted him to her.
    Autumn stared at him , speechless. The rattled rise and fall of her chest and the ever-so-slight thumping of the vein in the left side of her neck belied her attraction to him. Something about his comment had undertones no one else caught, except her.
    “Cousin Travis.” Shelly broke the spell between him and Autumn.
    “Yes, sweetheart. Now in addition to my little sister, you are the most beautiful woman within a hundred yards of here. No offense Reggie.”
    “None taken.” Reggie tilted her head to one side.
    Travis picked up Shelly and swung her around once. The teenager squealed and giggled.
    “Where’s Denis e?” he looked around, referring to Michael’s girlfriend. She, too, was a bridesmaid.
    “She couldn’t make it. Ken will Photoshop her into the picture later,” Reggie replied.
    Her answer made Travis smile. He then reached up and kissed Reggie on the forehead. “The beautiful bride. My brother is a lucky man.”
    Trae pushed his brother back. “Now that you’ve interrupted our session, be gone. Today is all about me, my man.”
    “You’re so right. That it is. Listen, I’ll get out of your way for a few. What’s the plan for this evening , ladies?” his eyes once again roamed from one to the other.
    Before anyone could speak, Reggie chimed in. “We’re having some girl time before Erica and Mona head out tomorrow. That means no boys allowed!”
    “Whoa, okay. Just thought I’d throw together a seafood boil at Momma’s house. I can also put some ribs on the grill. And then you ladies can do all the girl stuff you want afterwards.”
    “What? Food ? Now you know I don’t turn away a chance to eat.” Mona’s saucy grin extended from one ear to the other.
    “Down, girl ,” Erica spoke from behind clenched teeth.
    “Actually, I was going to suggest the same thing ,” Trae jumped in. He winked at Travis. “How long will it take here, Ken?”
    “About an hour or less.” The photographer stood away from the group while they chatted.
    “It’s going to take a couple of hours to get a boil together, so you still have some downtime together. You come, grab something to eat, and then be on your way.” Trae pulled Reggie into his embrace.
    By then, the whole line up had been disrupted, thanks to Travis’s insertion. But Ken didn’t seem to mind much. He was on their dime. He had all evening.
    Reggie looked around at the ladies to see if anyone protested. The only one seemingly uninterested was Autumn. She expected her to not respond either way. Reggie turned