Excerpt from AUTUMN AT THE CAT CAFE by Kathleen Fuller:
“Oh, we’re taking Gold Yeller.”
That’s right. With everything going on, he forgot about Earl’s truck.
“I plan on getting a bunch of pumpkins, or else we’d take my car.”
“You don’t want to ride in the Turismo?”
She paused. “I hadn’t thought about it. Anyway, Gold Yeller is parked out back. Which reminds me, you should probably park back there too.”
“Not a chance.” There was a window in the apartment that faced the front of the square, but not the back parking lot. “Too risky.”
Via’s expression was incredulous. “You’re worried about it getting stolen?”
“Or damaged. It’s a three-hundred-thousand-dollar car, Via. Yeah, I’m worried about theft.”
“That’s a lot of money. Hedge funds must be booming.”
“I do all right.” He did better than all right, but he didn’t like to brag—his foolish mention of summa cum laude notwithstanding.
“Pecan Corner is safe,” she said. “We’ve only had two break-ins in the last ten years. The worst crime people commit around here is being a little drunk and disorderly around the holidays. Sheriff Griffin is bored half the time.”
“I don’t want to take the chance.”
A pause. “I guess Gold Yeller is yours too,” Via said quietly.
“That’s what Bennett says.” Technically it wasn’t his. Not yet. But it would be, with her help. Once it was his he would sell it along with the rest of Earl’s property. Even if he wanted to keep it, how would he get it back to California? And what would he do with an old truck?
She ducked her head and stared at the calendar. “Let’s get this schedule figured out.”
Right. They’d gotten sidetracked enough. “Pumpkin patch this Saturday.”
“Yes,” she said, underlining it. “Apple picking the following Wednesday afternoon. The fresh-pressed cider at Applewood Orchard is delicious.” Then she wrote Camping Under the Stars on next Saturday’s block.
“What time?”
“For what?”
“What time are we meeting to go camping?”
“We’re not going.” Her expression was unyielding.
“I thought you said I had to do all the activities, except decorate your bathroom.” He still wasn’t keen on doing the Second Chapter one. It would probably need a complete overhaul.
“Camping together could be”—she glanced down at her desk—“awkward.”
He frowned. “Why? Would we sleep in the same tent?”
“Of course not.” She was looking at the calendar again.
“Then I don’t see a problem.” He crossed his ankle over his knee. “And if you think I’m letting you camp alone, think again.”
Her head whipped toward him, her cheeks a rosy blush. “I can take care of myself.”
“I’m sure you can. But now that I know you camp alone, I can’t in good conscience allow it.”
She spun in her chair and faced him. “Allow it? Did you really just say that to me?”
Her golden eyes gleamed with playfulness, stirring something inside him. He angled toward her, leaning in and giving her a slow, slow smile that had her eyes changing from gold to deep amber. Oh yeah, he was stirred all right. “Yes, Smitten Kitten,” he said, his voice low, “I did.”
An excerpt from AUTUMN AT THE CAT CAFE by Kathleen Fuller
Text copyright © 2026 by Kathleen Fuller
All rights reserved
From USA TODAY bestselling author Kathleen Fuller comes a cozy, kisses-only romance about fresh starts, fall leaves, and finding love right next door, perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls and Sarah Adams.
Via Dalton has sworn off men to focus on the two things she loves most: her quirky cat café, Pawsitive Vibes, and the charming town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. But her peaceful world is shaken when Earl Brewster, the owner of the beloved Second Chapter Books next door, passes away. Via is determined to buy the shop and preserve Earl's legacy, but her plans hit a snag in the form of a tall, handsome, and completely unexpected heir.
Leo Brewster's life is thriving in LA, and the last thing he needs is an inheritance in the middle-of-nowhere, Ohio. But the alternative--letting his estranged mother inherit--has him packing his bags to receive the inheritance, quickly sell it off to the highest bidder, and hightail it back to LA. What he didn't count on was the list of stipulations in the will that has him staying in the small town for a month. Oh, and the determined, sunny café owner next door who refuses to let him destroy the town's heart without a fight.
Desperate to convince Leo the bookstore is vital to her community, Via challenges Leo to complete her Autumn Bucket List. As they navigate corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and fall festivals, Leo begins to see the magic in Pecan Corner--and in Via. Despite her vow to stay single and his plan to leave, the attraction between them simmers like hot cider.
Can a season of small-town charm convince a city boy to stay, or will Via lose both the bookstore and her heart?
Grab a warm drink and curl up with this delightful grumpy/sunshine, opposites-attract story of unexpected love and small-town charm.
Romance Contemporary [ Thomas Nelson, On Sale: August 4, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781400355105 / ]
Kathleen Fuller was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and currently lives in Geneva, Ohio. Fuller has been married to James for 21 wonderful years (really, they have been wonderful!) She started writing in 2000, and published her first short story a year later. Fuller has a Masters degree in Special Education, emphasis on teaching the blind and visually impaired, and a Bachelors in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. A few of her favorite things: her relationship with Christ, chocolate (of course!), autumn, a satisfying book, good friends, a sense of humor, people who don't take themselves seriously, haunting melodies, NFL football, and did we mention chocolate?
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