Page 52 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“Papa, you remembered.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I love this song.”

“For as long as I can remember, this was your favorite. Mine, too.”

They moved slowly around the dance floor, mingling with a few friends and neighbors who’d also taken the floor. She was in heaven, dancing with her father, who seemed to be holding up pretty well today. He was moving as if he had no pain and that warmed her heart considerably. Too soon, the song ended.

“That was beautiful,gracias.”

“Thank you, too, Papa.” She kissed his cheek.

“Why don’t you dance with Sam next? I see him watching you.”

Her father gestured to the back wall, and sure enough, Sam was standing all alone, his back against the wall. In a dark blue shirt and black hat, he focused on her, his dreamy blue eyes connecting with hers. “Papa, are you matchmaking?”

“Sam’s a good man, Autumn. You two worked well together this week. A father can only hope.”

“Papa, I know you mean well, but I can’t think straight right now.”

“Maybe you should stop thinking so much, eh? Maybe go with your heart, my sweet daughter.”

If only she could. Every time she and Sam seemed to get close, Sam would back off. Her Papa didn’t know that. He didn’t know she was afraid, too, of being hurt again. But there was something between her and Sam. It wasn’t friendship. It was more.

She sighed. “I wish it was that easy.”

“I can see it distresses you, Autumn. I’m sorry to bring it up on such a night. Go, have fun with your friends.” Her father gestured to a hay bale. “I’m happy to sit and watch the party now that I’ve had my dance with you.”

“I’ll walk you over.”

Autumn made sure her father was comfortable on a quilt-covered stack of hay, serving as a bench, one of several set up around the perimeter of the dance floor. She brought him over a cup of punch and fussed over him. She only left his side when Seth sat down beside him. Knowing how much Seth didn’t like to dance, he was probably trying to avoid Alicia.

She spent the next few minutes mingling with the guests, chatting with her neighbors. Most expressed their sorrow at the farm’s state of affairs. They didn’t want to lose their good neighbor and friend. They would miss her and Manny. It was a hard pill to swallow, but she held her head high and pretended that they’d be okay. That the move was good for the both of them.

Off in the distance, she spotted Sam jawing with Jeffrey and Hersh at the very back of the barn. He’d made no attempt to come over and ask her to dance. She felt like a wallflower, waiting on a man and that wasn’t at all acceptable.

She found herself alone in the middle of the barn, conversations and laughter surrounding her. She turned to walk outside for a breath of air and bumped right smack into Jared.

“Whoa there, pretty lady. Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“Jared, hi. I was just going to get some air.”

“How about we do that after that dance you promised me?”

She didn’t have to think about it for a second. He’d saved her from wallflower status. “I’d love to.”

He put out his hand. She took it and he led her out to the dance floor. “You look very pretty tonight.”

“Thank you.” He looked nice, too. He’d added a light suede jacket to his wardrobe, his hat was gone, and his dark hair appeared freshly combed. The mild scent of his cologne wafted to her nose. “To be honest I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“I said I would. I don’t usually make promises I can’t keep.”

He brought her into his arms, and they moved gracefully around the dance floor. There wasn’t one thing wrong with Jared Harmon, except that he didn’t make her heart race. He didn’t confuse her or make her giddy or come into her dreams at night.

He isn’t Sam, said a little voice in her head.

She was really beginning to hate that voice, so she focused instead on Jared and having a good time.

The music ended and they smiled at each other, unsure how to proceed. “Would you like to get some air now?” he asked.

“Sure, that sounds nice.”

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