Page 54 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“Anytime, Autumn. Bye.”

“Bye, Jared.”

Autumn sighed. She was all mixed up in the head. Jared was everything a girl could want. Should she give it a try with him?

She turned toward the barn and instantly locked eyes with Sam Russell. His hands were on his hips, his face tight, his blue eyes fiery hot.

The displeasure on his expression, told it all.

He’d seen her with Jared.

*

“She has nothingto apologize for,” Nicole said. “She didn’t do anything wrong, Sam.”

Sam stood at the back of the barn, Nicole and Alicia flanking him on both sides.

He’d been ambushed by his sister and Autumn’s best friend.

“I never said she did.”

“Then why are you red as a beet? Admit that you’re jealous and own up to those feelings,” his stick-her-nose-in-his-business sister said.

Hell yeah, he was jealous. He hated to admit it, but seeing Autumn with that guy tonight, bugged the stuffing out of him. He’d been Autumn’s hero for so dang long, he’d sorta fit into the role.

“If you don’t do anything, and fast, that guy is gonna swoop in and take her away,” Nicole said.

“Only, if she wants to be swept away.”

Alicia put her hand on his arm. “Honey, you have to give her a reason not to want that. You haven’t even asked her to dance tonight. How do you think that makes her feel, you two being friends and all?”

“We’re not friends.”

“Ugh, big brother. Sometimes I want to knock you upside the head.”

“Maybe you should,” Alicia said. “Knock some good sense into him.”

Sam had his reasons from backing off from his feelings for Autumn. He didn’t want to hurt her. He’d been lying to her for weeks now and in the beginning, he’d thought he was doing the noble and honorable thing, but now he felt guilty about the lies of omission he’d told. It couldn’t be helped. It wasn’t his place to say anything, but that didn’t help his guilt. The truth was, he wanted to dance with Autumn. But he didn’t want a big audience. He didn’t know if he could hold her in his arms and not kiss her again, this time with half of Last Stand watching.

“You guys are way off base on this,” he said.

“The dance is almost over, Sam.” Nicole stated the obvious. “People are leaving.”

“I know. You don’t have to tell me. So just back off. Trust me, Nic. Okay?”

Nicole gave him a serious look. “Okay, I’m backing off.”

“Good, now both of you find your guys and drag them up on the dance floor for the last dance.”

They both gave him a death stare and walked away. He laughed, the release of pent-up jealousy feeling really good.

*

Autumn walked aroundthe barn picking up a dozen plaid flannel quilts that served as bale coverings. She set them down on the last bale and began folding them one at a time. Everyone was gone now, the dance a big success. She’d walked her papa back to the house half an hour ago, the smile on his face never budging. Tomorrow, the festival would continue and there was still much to do.

“Can I help you with those?”

She jerked back and turned. “Sam, I didn’t know you were still here.”

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