Page 18 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“Got it.”

He finished his coffee and off they went. Sam climbed into the truck on the driver’s side and she took her cue and got in on the passenger’s side. She wouldn’t give him a hard time today. Nope, no arguments from her. It was cold and miserable, the air damp, baited with moisture and she hated to admit it, but she was grateful for Sam’s help today.

He put the key in the ignition and nothing. Gerty was being temperamental again. Sam refused her a glance, his expression resolute. He tried again and cursed under his breath. The look on his face said he wasn’t giving up, so she kept her trap shut and waited. After the third try, Gerty roared to life and Sam grinned. “There we go, sweetheart,” he said softly. “You just needed a little more love today.”

It’d been a long time since Autumn heard that particular tone in Sam’s voice. The tender words reminded her of their time up in the barn, lying down in the loft, cushioned by straw, their eyes on the twinkling stars above. Sam had let down his guard that night. He’d held her hand and the contact as their fingers touched had been earthshattering. She could still recall her breathlessness. The way her heart seemed to have stopped. They’d talked for long moments, Sam laying out his innermost fears about leaving home. He’d trusted her with that knowledge, he’d confided in her, about so many things. She’d been his sounding board. And she’d loved every second of the intimacy of those amazing moments. And then, he was stroking her arm, his tender caress prickling her skin, making her pulse pound.

When his lips touched hers, it was bliss. Heaven on earth. She’d been so open and ready for him. She’d wanted him in ways her mind and body didn’t understand. The kiss had been pure magic and she’d whimpered from down deep in her belly.

Sam cupped her face and deepened the kiss. She could still hear the depth and breadth of his emotion when he groaned as if he was in actual pain.

She’d never felt more like a woman. She’d never wanted more.

And the next thing she knew, Sam was standing up, looking down at her. “I’m sorry. It’s late. I have to go.”

“Go?” she’d said, scrambling to her feet. “You can’t go. Not after this.”

“Autumn.” He backed away from her and shook his head. “I’m leaving tomorrow. I have to go. Now.” There was regret in his eyes. And remorse. He was sorry he’d kissed her. Sorry, they’d had those intimate moments. She’d read it all in the way he’d looked at her and she was totally destroyed.

Totally and completely wrecked.

“Autumn?”

“Huh?”

“Do you want to pick up where we left off yesterday? Or do you want to harvest another acre?”

“Oh, uh. Where we left off is good. Alicia and Seth will be helping too.”

“Gotcha. We should make a dent in those pumpkins then.”

“If the weather holds.” She plopped a straw hat on her head, just in case the heavens unloaded.

The truck bumped along the road, Sam behind the wheel and every so often, she’d steal a glance his way and her stomach would jolt. Heck, she wasn’t a kid anymore. Her infatuation with him was well over. Why couldn’t she shake him off like a pesky mosquito? Why couldn’t she let go of the memories that haunted her?

After his sister’s wedding, he’d probably be leaving. He had a whole life to live, a future out there to figure out that didn’t include her or Messina Farms. Besides, in just a few weeks, theFOR SALEsign would go up and Messina Farms would no longer exist.

And it broke her heart. Shattered it in two. Sure, she’d been tough and unyielding with her plans. She had no choice in the matter. The farm was failing, and she’d put up a tough exterior for her father’s sake. Giving him no other option was the kindest thing she could do for him. He deserved as much. He deserved not to be the one doing all the heavy lifting when it came to making a final decision.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Sam stared at her and suddenly she was aware of the tear dripping down her cheek.

“Nothing.” She swiped at the drop with the back of her hand. “It’s the dust getting in my eye.”

“Uh, the air is heavy this morning. There’s no dust kicking up, Autumn.”

“Thank you for pointing that out,” she snapped.

He stopped the truck and stared at her. “Autumn, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” she fibbed. “Just hormones.”

Sam jerked back. Growing up with two males in the house, Autumn had learned a few things about dealing with them, and first and foremost was they didn’t like speaking about female “issues.” Made them uncomfortable. She should be struck down by lightning for all the times she’d used that as an excuse not to talk to her brother or father, not to pour out her emotions. And now, she was doing it to Sam.

He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “Hormones, huh?”

“That’s right.”

“You know I grew up with a sister.”

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