Page 69 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“You’re not a fool. That’s not how it was, Autumn.”

“Oh really? You came checking up on us and once you found out the farm was in trouble, you did everything you could to fix it. Because why?” Her brows furrowed, her face scrunched up, trying to puzzle it out. “Out of some sense of duty? Out of some code of honor? You wanted to pay back my brother for saving your life. So, you waltzed in here under false pretenses, andsacrificedyourself. You spoke of a job to Joe. What was that all about?”

He shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

“Is that a secret mission, too?” She glared at him, her eyes warranting the truth. He couldn’t censor her. He couldn’t hold back any more information.

“No, no. It was… a job Captain Price recommended me for. Working with discharged soldiers.”

“Sounds perfect for you.”

“It isn’t.”

“You sacrificed that job too? For what, Sam?”

“Autumn, I came to help. So sue me for trying to get you out of financial trouble.”

“Don’t you see, Sam? It’s not what you did. It’s the reason why you did it. It matters. And it’s all been one big lie.”

Sam stepped forward. He had to set her straight. Had to make her see it from his perspective. Only the words didn’t come. He couldn’t deny it. He had come here out of a sense of duty and honor. He had wanted to repay Joe for saving him. He wanted to make things right for Joe and his family. It was, in his estimation, the least he could do. Was that such a bad thing?

Tears dripped down Autumn’s face.

“Don’t cry, Autumn.”

She used her sleeve to wipe them away. “I’m n-not. I wouldn’t c-cry over you, Sam. Wait right here.”

“Where are you going?”

“Stay put. I’ll be right back.”

A noisy breath escaped his lungs and he paced back and forth. Where had she gone? How was he going to convince her he wasn’t the bad guy in this? The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. She’d come to mean a lot to him. More than he wanted to admit.

Last night, he’d held her, kissed her. She’d been sweet and giving in his arms, but he’d backed away some, not ready for anything serious. Autumn was Joe’s sister, after all, and Manny’s daughter. He’d tread carefully with her. If things didn’t work out, it would only make matters worse. And as much as Autumn might think otherwise, he really didn’t set out to lie and deceive her. He hadn’t thought it through, was all. Hadn’t known he could have strong feelings for her, or any woman, after Hilary’s betrayal. So, he’d kept a safe distance, or at least tried to. With Autumn, it hadn’t been easy.

She entered the barn holding the partnership papers. “I can’t be your partner, Sam. This is never going to work between us. We need a partner who’s going to be passionate about the farm. You’ll come to hate it in a matter of time. Joe was right. You’re not a farmer. And besides, I don’t think—”

“Doesn’t Manny have anything to say about it?”

“Ican’t have you here. Papa and I will find another way.”

“But—”

She tore the papers in half and then half again. Neatly, she stacked them together and handed them to him. He looked down at them for a second then shook his head. How had this gone all wrong?

“I’m glad you’re alive. I’m glad Joe saved you, but you have no place on this farm. You don’t need to s-sacrifice yourself f-for us.” Her voice cracked and she inhaled a deep breath. “We’ll never be partners, Sam. We’ll never be…anything.”

She whispered that last word as if it sucked up all her energy.

“Autumn, I care about you.” And he was just coming to realize how much she meant to him. “You have to know that.”

She shook her head and tears welled in her eyes again. “Just once, I want to be the first choice. I want to know in my heart it’s real for all the right reasons. I deserve that much and I won’t settle for anything less. I’m through chasing a dream. I’m through with you, Sam. We’re done.”

She turned her back on him, held her head up high, and walked out of the barn.

Pretty much walking out of his life.

And he felt the immediate loss like a sucker punch to his gut.

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