The Bound Between Us

Chapter 861

Anastasia had no way to defend herself. No matter what she said, Katelyn wasn't going to believe her, and honestly, Anastasia was too exhausted to argue.

But then Autumn showed up, and Rowan's warning about her flashed through Anastasia's mind. Her gut had been right all along-Autumn was trouble.

Getting caught like this was bad enough; Anastasia couldn't let Autumn make things worse in front of Katelyn. She knew all too well how Katelyn was easily swayed, especially if someone got in her ear.

"Mom, let's talk about this at home," Anastasia said, trying to pull Katelyn away. She had to get her away from Autumn, no matter what.

But Katelyn dug in her heels, face red with anger. "No, you're not moving an inch until you tell me who that man was. What's his name?"

This was the last thing Katelyn wanted to deal with. She couldn't even bring herself to talk to Herman about it yet. Her son's lost memory, her daughter-in-law sneaking around with some man-her head felt ready to burst.

Autumn jumped in, just as expected. "Anastasia, you really should explain this to your mother-in-law. I was next door with her tasting wine for Pattie's birthday, worrying about everything, and you weren't helping at all. Then you show up holding hands with some man? Looked like he gave you something, too. Am I wrong?"

was that some kind of keepsake

was too important. Rowan had warned her about Autumn for a reason, and he'd never

onto something for him. You're both making way too much of it." Then she turned to Autumn, voice hard. "Mrs. Walker, we were just saying goodbye. What is this, the 1800s? Are women not allowed to shake hands with men anymore? Are you going to accuse me of something every time I so much as touch someone? Seriously,

words hit their mark-Autumn was left speechless

up, totally confused

"What are you

him to come. We were

I found

wanting to hear more, but Anastasia cut him off. "Let's talk about that

frustrated, but she

to Katelyn again. "Mom, let's do the wine tasting another day. Dailey's here already, so let's just

give her a choice-she linked arms with Katelyn and gently

only apologize, "Sorry, Autumn, let's catch up