Page 19 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“And she’s very nice. Now can we get going? We have a lot of work to do.”

Sam’s mouth tightened. She wasn’t fooling him, but he didn’t question her further. And that’s all she wanted for the moment. He started the engine and they ambled along in silence, Autumn staring out the side window, keeping her thoughts and her face hidden from him.

*

After lunch, Garrettand Nicole stopped by and the two men worked on reconstructing the pumpkin house. It was the size of a large playhouse and the pride of Messina Farms, a signature addition to the festival. It centered the clearing surrounded by the pumpkins she and Sam had laid out yesterday and today. The actual pumpkins wouldn’t go onto shelves until the festival began. But seeing the structure up, meant progress. The children loved running in and out of it, sticking their heads between the pumpkins laid out on the shelves for photo ops.

“Gosh, it’s hard to believe, this festival will all come together in just one more week,” Nicole said to her. While Autumn’s father was sitting in a chair on the porch watching the men from a distance, she and Nicole were sorting through items in the barn.

“I found this bucket. Suitable for apple bobbing? What do you think?” Nicole asked.

“That’s the one we use. It’s perfect.”

“What else?”

“Well, let’s see.” Autumn put her hands on her hips, thinking. We have just enough hay bales to make a stackable fort for the kids to climb on. We’ll also have to get the wagon up and running for rides. We’ll need tables to set up the pie eating contest. The pies will have to be made later in the week.”

“Count me in. I’d love to bake pies.”

“Really? Are you sure you’re not too busy?”

“No, I have two weeks until the wedding. Most everything is done. But I do have a bachelorette party happening tomorrow night. I would love it if you’d join us.”

“Me?” Autumn blinked. She didn’t know Nicole very well, but she liked her very much and the thought of doing something fun with a bunch of women sure was appealing.

“Yes, you. You know Julie. She teaches at Honeysuckle too and Taylor is a gem. You’d like her too. I can introduce you to the other girls. There’s six of us. Seven is a much better number.”

She frowned. “I wish I could.”

“Margaritas are involved,” Nicole added.

“You’re sure making this hard for me to say no. But I can’t. I have too much to do and I don’t usually leave my father for too long.”

“Go, Autumn.” Sam stepped into the barn. “Go. Have fun. I’ll pick up any slack here. And I’ll stay with your dad. He’s a poker player, isn’t he?”

Autumn couldn’t believe her ears. Her stomach churned. Sam was ordering her around again. In a good way, but still. “Sam, I can’t let you do that. You’ve been working long hours here.”

He leaned back against the barn wall and crossed his arms. “Do you see me complaining?”

“I don’t,” Nicole said softly.

Garrett walked up and stood beside Sam. “Neither do I. And I’ll lend a hand tomorrow too. Count me in for poker.”

“But, but it’s Sunday and you’ve got your wedding and… and…”

Sam pushed off from the wall and approached her. “It’s settled then. You’re going.”

She gazed into his clear blue eyes and whispered, “Why are you doing this?”

“You deserve a night out,” he said softly. It was his hayloft tone, the one she had trouble resisting. “It’ll make m—, uh, my sister happy. And I’m her best man of honor, so it’s my duty.”

It was three against one. They surrounded her with hopeful expressions. She didn’t have the heart to say no. They were all being so kind. And in fact, she really did want to go.

“Okay. Thanks, Nicole.”

Nicole clapped her hands together. “Great! Oh, this is going to be fun.”

Sam cleared his throat drawing everyone’s attention. He had a playful glint in his eyes. “Oh, right. And thank you too, Sam.”

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