Page 46 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“Alright. I’ll go. You get a good night’s sleep, now. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll be here,” she said. “And, Sam, thanks again. I’ll never forget what you did for Papa. For both of us.”

“Welcome,” he said, giving her a salute. “Good night.”

She pivoted on her heels and walked toward the barn. “’Night, Sam,” she said without bothering to turn around.

*

Saturday dawned witha cloudy sky; the morning chillier than most. Fall in Last Stand was definitely making a statement, but Autumn was sure the sun would make an appearance soon and the weather would warm up a bit. The festival was just beginning, and it was humbling to see just how many families had come out. Parents and children were lining up at the booths, the veteran volunteers manning many of them. Garrett Brown was pumpkin carving, Cassie, Coop’s daughter was helping Nicole at the face painting booth, Coop and Taylor were running the corn maze.

Wearing jeans, a red and burnt-orange plaid shirt, and tan work boots, Autumn looked the part of a farm girl. Which was exactly what she’d been for most of her life. She helped Alicia restock the pumpkin house shelves. Each child was offered one small pumpkin to take home. The kids had a blast choosing which one they wanted. They ran in and out of the house, their laughter filling her up. At school, she loved to hear them at recess, playing with each other, giggling and laughing. It was the purest joy and it made her want a family of her own even more.

“This is one of the better turnouts we’ve had,” Alicia said, putting another small pumpkin in its slot.

“Looks like it’s going to be a good day overall.”

A young girl ran up to her. “Hi, Miss Messina.”

She was a student at Honeysuckle Elementary, but not in her class. “Well, hello there. Did you get your free pumpkin yet?”

She nodded. “Yes, thank you. My mom has it.” She gestured with her hands the size. “It’s about this big and kinda long. I liked it ’cause it was different.”

“Sometimes, those are the most interesting ones.”

Her mom called to her and she waved a quick good-bye. “Gotta go. We’re doing the maze now.”

“Good luck,” she said, smiling.

“One of yours?” Alicia asked.

“No, I don’t know her, but I love that the kids recognize me.”

“Autumn, you were made to be a teacher. You’re so good with children.”

“Yeah. Might be the only way I’ll ever have one.”

“Hush now, Autumn. You’re young yet. You’ll have children one day.”

She sighed. “Maybe. Are you okay here? I want to do the rounds, make sure things are going well.”

“I’m fine here. You go on.”

She left the pumpkin house and walked over to the entrance of the festival. Seth was behind a table filled with columns of tomatoes, onions, zucchini, squash, cabbage, and a variety of different lettuce. It’d been several years since they’d been able to sell the crops in bulk, but setting up this little market was a good way to supply the neighbors with fresh produce.

Papa sat in a chair at the entrance handing out tall wispy sunflowers to the children. He had a big smile on his face, his eyes twinkling as he welcomed the families to the farm. “Papa, you’re not overdoing it, are you?”

“I feel fine. Better than fine. This last festival is a gift to the town. But to me as well.”

“I know, Papa.”

Happy tears welled in her eyes and she used her sleeve to wipe them away.

The sun popped out from behind the clouds, and she took it as a sign of hope.

“Hi, Miss Messina.”

Autumn turned to find a smiling Dustin Rendell in front of her. His entire face beamed with joy, as if he brought the sunshine with him.

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