Page 58 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

Before she could question him, he shot her a big smile, and that niggling sensation was wiped clean away.

Sam took her hand and they rose together. “Let’s go tell your father the good news together.”

“Okay. And, Sam?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you.” She rose up on her tippy toes and kissed his cheek.

This time, he didn’t turn his head. He didn’t try to kiss her back.

But it was okay. Sam was her partner now.

In business and, hopefully, in life.

*

“Sam, are yousure you want to turn down that job Captain Price recommended you for?” Nicole asked, setting a dish of steaming hot enchiladas down in front of him.

“Sounds like a perfect gig for you,” Garrett said, handing him a beer.

Beer and enchiladas, a perfect way to figure out his plan of action. His sister invited him to Cottonwood Ranch for dinner tonight and later, her friends were coming over to put together some sort of party favors for the wedding on Saturday. Sam wasn’t going to stick around for that. He had to hand it to Nicole; she was cool as a cucumber about the wedding, showing no nerves at all.

His mother always saidwhen it’s right, it’s right.

“I’m sure about the Fort Hood job. I need to do this for the Messinas. Going into partnership with them will keep the farm in their family. It’s important to them.”

“But, Sam,” Nicole said, serving Garrett a dish and then sitting down with hers. “You have to be doing this for the right reasons. Your life is a blank slate right now. You can do anything you want to do. You have options. What about your friend Marcus? He wanted to work with you in Dallas.”

“I don’t know anything about the restaurant business, sis. I thanked Marcus, but said no thank you.”

“Okay, so maybe not Dallas or the Fort Hood job, but do you really think farming is in your blood?”

“I do like working the farm, Nic.”

“But you were a part-time worker when you were a kid. It’ll be way different now.”

“I know that, and I’m sure. I’ve already contacted an attorney and he’s drawing up the papers.”

“Are you doing this for Joe, or because you really want to be a farmer?”

Sam hesitated, eyeing Garrett. His sister knew the truth, only because he’d gotten a bit hammered one night and he’d confided in her. He had no idea if Nicole spilled the beans to Garrett or not.

Garrett scraped back his chair and stood. “I don’t know what’s keeping Cody,” he said. “I’ll go check on him. I think he’s outside riding his bike. I’ll be a few minutes,” he told Nicole. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and left the room.

Sam leaned forward, facing his sister. “Does he know?”

Nicole shook her head. “I didn’t tell him, but he’s smart enough to know that something’s up. He’s giving us time to talk. Sam, if you’re going to do this, you need to tell Autumn the truth. She has a right to know.”

“It’s classified information, Nic. I’m not making that up. No one knows.”

“Iknow.”

“That was an accident and I’m sorry I shot off my mouth to you that night.”

“Still, I think you’re going way overboard in trying to repay Joe for saving your life. Joe wouldn’t expect it of you. You’ve already helped the Messinas a lot. But, to pour your life’s savings into a business without really thinking it through, may be a mistake.”

“I know what I’m doing, sis.”

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