Page 40 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“He took his time. I made sure he didn’t overdo anything. But yes, he cleaned it up.”

“He never said a thing. My father likes to keep secrets.”

From Joe. From her. She wondered if he was hiding any more secrets.

“But this secret is a good one, right?”

“Very. My mom and dad would sit out on the porch every night after supper to have their coffee. I can almost see them there now. I remember it so well. I was seven when Mama passed and after that Papa took the bench away. I think it was too painful for him to see it on the porch every day.”

“Want to sit for a minute?”

She nodded. She took a seat and Sam sat down next to her. He put his arm along the top of the bench, and she laid her head on his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she felt at peace, her battling emotions at rest for the moment. Sam’s arm dropped to her shoulder and she smiled. She could stay like this forever.

“Sam?”

“Hmm?”

“About Jared Harmon. He’s just a friend right now.”

“He asked for your phone number and he’s been calling you. Men who do that aren’t looking for friendship.”

She knew that. But that didn’t mean she wanted more than friendship with Jared. He certainly was nice, and they had good conversations. He could make her laugh. He was attentive and all, but he hadn’t asked her out yet. Oh, he’d hinted at it. Said he’d like to see her again after she was done working on the festival. He said, specifically, it would be a real date.

And she hadn’t said no.

“Like you said, I have a lot on my plate right now.”

Sam’s phone rang and she was saved from having to talk anymore about Jared. Sam’s arm came away from her shoulder, the warmth and bond broken, and he answered the phone. “No, it’s fine, Sonny. You’re not interrupting anything.”

His blue eyes dimmed a little. Maybe he’d found peace too, sitting with her quietly enjoying time together.

“She just needs to be coddled a little bit,” he said. “I’ll be there in a minute or two. If I can find my way out of the maze.”

She heard laughter coming from the other end of the call and then Sam hung up. Their eyes met. “It’s Gerty. She’s being temperamental again. I think she’s ready for a tune-up.”

Sam stood and she rose from the bench too. She wouldn’t say that ole Gerty would probably be put out to pasture after the festival. Once the farm sold, she wouldn’t be needed any longer. “I’d better go. Do you want to stay a little longer?”

She shook her head. “Oh sure, leave me here to wallow in the maze. No sir. I’m coming with you. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

Sam mumbled something under his breath. It sure sounded like he said maybe he didn’t want to get rid of her at all. But then, her hearing had always been wishful. And he’d probably said quite the opposite; that he couldn’t wait to be rid of her.

After two attempts, they found their way out of the maze, and Papa was waiting there for her. She ran over to him and gently wrapped herself up in his arms. “Oh, Papa. The bench looks wonderful. It was the best surprise. I can’t believe you did that.”

“Can’t let the volunteers do all the work. This ole horse still has a few miles in him.”

“At least a thousand more miles, Papa. At the very least.” She kissed his rough, day-old bearded cheek. “Te amo, Papa.”

“Te amo, my sweet Autumn.”

She put her arm through his and together they walked into the house.

As far as Wednesdays went, this one was pretty special.

*

On Thursday afternoon,Autumn sat at her desk facing Mrs. Bethany Rendell. The woman had an apologetic look on her face. “I’m terribly sorry my husband couldn’t make it today. Mike had another appointment this afternoon.”

“That’s alright, Mrs. Rendell. Sometimes, that happens. But I’m glad you’re here. As you know, I’m new to teaching. This is my first year and I’m enjoying teaching my students. I understand not everyone takes to school the same way. Let me ask you, has Dustin had any learning issues in the past?”

---