Page 47 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“Well, Dustin. I’m glad you made it.”

“Daddy and Mommy are here too.”

She looked up and acknowledged both of them. “Hello and welcome to Messina Farms.”

“Thank you. We’re glad to be here,” Mrs. Rendell said.

Mike stood tall, holding a bag of what looked like art supplies. “I spoke with Sam last night. If I’m not too late, I could work an art booth for the kids.”

“You’re not too late.” Sam appeared out of nowhere it seemed, and shook Mike’s hand. “I’m glad you made it. I’ve got a booth ready for you.”

“Okay then. Let me introduce you to my wife, Bethany.”

“Hello, Bethany,” Sam said.

“Nice to meet you, Sam.”

Dustin pulled on his father’s shirt. “Can we go in now, Daddy?”

Mike laughed, his smile all for his boy. “My son has no patience.”

“He’s just like every other seven-year-old,” Autumn added.

“Dustin, why don’t I take you around first? You might see some of your school friends here,” his mother said. “And then we’ll go see Daddy.”

“Sounds like a plan, son.”

Dustin smiled again and her heart swelled. He was such a sweet little boy.

“Okay.”

Mike kissed his wife’s cheek. “Okay, honey. See you in a little bit.”

Love and devotion shone in her eyes and she blinked away tears. “Yeah, see ya.”

They walked off, Dustin holding his mother’s hand, in a big hurry to get to the fun and games.

“C’mon, Mike. I’ll walk you over to the booth,” Sam said, glancing at his left leg. “This is the first time I’ve seen you with the prosthetic leg. How’s it going?”

It was such a blunt question, Autumn’s breath caught.

Mike didn’t balk. It was almost as if he appreciated the honesty. “It’s an adjustment for sure. I’m… working on it. After what happened at school with Dustin yesterday, I had to get to him quickly. I couldn’t wait around for someone to drive me and I didn’t want to let my boy down, any more than I already had.” He put his head down briefly, appearing contrite.

“I’m sure he doesn’t think that,” Autumn said softly. “Dustin is finding his way, like so many of us.”

Sam gave her an approving nod, his eyes twinkling, and it warmed her heart.

“Thank you for saying that,” Mike said. “Well, the least I can do is support my son’s teacher, and her farm. And let my boy see what it means not to give up.”

“Yes, that’s probably a better lesson than any I can teach,” Autumn said.

“Right now, Mike’s gonna be the teacher,” Sam said. ‘C’mon, let’s get your art booth set up.”

“I’m right behind you.”

And both men walked off together.

*

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