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?"

eyes narrowed, remembering the thing she'd seen. "Anastasia, was that some kind of keepsake between

warned her about Autumn for a reason, and

leaving town and asked me to hold 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, you're blowing this out

their mark-Autumn was

showed up, totally confused by the tension in the

"What are you

asked him to come. We

Ana, I found out about that

but Anastasia cut him off. "Let's talk

but

Dailey's here already, so let's just

her

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