Page 63 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

The candle flickered and she made her wish, then blew it out.

Everyone applauded and Sam took her hand and squeezed really tight. She glanced into his dreamy blue eyes and all things seemed right in the world. At least for this moment. “Happy birthday.”

*

After the party,Sam drove her home and parked the car. “It was a nice party.”

“It was… the best.” She sighed. “I didn’t suspect a thing. I don’t usually like surprises, but Alicia got me good this time.”

“Oh, so you don’t like surprises? That’s too bad, because I have one more little surprise for you.”

“You do?”

“I do.” Sam reached behind the seat and came up with a square blue jewelry box.

Her heart began to pound like crazy. He placed it in her hand. “For you. Happy birthday, Autumn Messina.”

She stared at the box, imagining all sorts of scenarios.

“Go ahead. Open it.”

She took a breath, looked into his eyes, then gently lifted the lid. She stared at an oval locket made of gold. She ran her finger gently over the artwork on the face. “It’s lovely.”

Sam nodded, obviously pleased with himself.

She pried open the locket and her brother’s image faced her from one side, and her father and mother’s image faced her from the other. They were older photos from when she was a little girl.

She immediately loved it. “This is such a thoughtful gift. Thank you, Sam. I’ll treasure it. Where on earth did you get these photos?”

“I promised to never tell.”

She smiled. “Oh, I see. And you never reveal your sources.”

“No, I never do.”

“Hmm. Sounds like a challenge. To get you to reveal your secrets.”

“You can try, but I don’t break.” Sam smiled at their silliness.

“Seriously, thank you, Sam.”

She leaned in to kiss his cheek, but he was too fast for her. He cupped her face and kissed her soundly on the lips. It was delicious and exciting and over too quickly. She wanted to go on kissing him. To never stop. But he seemed distracted.

“Happy birthday, sweet Autumn.” He gestured to the house. “Now, I’d better walk you to the door. We have an audience. Looks like Manny is waiting up for you.”

She turned and found her father leaning against the front door. “I think he is.”

“You think he’s okay?”

“Yeah, I do. Tonight, was a good night for him. He was feeling up to the party and I think he had fun. He probably wants to talk about it before he turns in.”

“Well then, I’ll let you two talk.” Sam ran a hand through his hair. The sandy-blond locks bounced right back in place, as if they wouldn’t dare defy him. “I’ll be busy the rest of the week with the wedding. My folks will be in town and then there’s the rehearsal dinner and all. I’ll see you Saturday, okay?”

“Okay. I am so very excited for Nicole and Garrett. It’s gonna be great. But, Sam, you don’t have to pick me up for the wedding.”

Sam’s brows lifted. “I asked you to come with me to the wedding. Of course, I’ll pick you up.”

“Nicole’s gonna need her best man of honor before the wedding. I don’t want to take you away from her. I’ll drive. It isn’t that far.”

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