Page 75 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“What’s going on?”

“Sam came to the hospital. He was there the entire time. The poor man was beside himself, pacing the floor. He was worried sick about you.”

“He was?” She blinked several times. “How did he even know about the accident?”

“Well…” Alicia looked at Papa.

“I called him,” her father admitted.

“Papa! Why would you do that?”

“Because,mi hija preciosa, the nice paramedic said when he came on the scene you called out for Sam.”

She shook her head. That couldn’t be true. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“Apparently, you did,” Alicia said. “You were a little disoriented.”

“I must’ve beena lotdisoriented.”

“You wouldn’t say that if you could’ve seen Sam’s face when he first got to the hospital. The man was panicked.”

“He wanted to go in and see you immediately,” Seth said. “But the doctor said you needed rest and wasn’t allowing any more visitors. Sam left minutes before you were released. He didn’t want to upset you.”

“What did he say?”

“He had a few choice words for Gerty, that’s for sure.”

That actually made her smile. “He was right about Gerty. I should’ve listened to him.”

“Maybe you should listen to him about other things,” Alicia said. “I’m sure he’d love to talk to you. I mean it, Autumn. Just think about it.”

It did her heart good to know Sam cared enough to come to the hospital. She was too tired to dwell on his reasons. She’d just hold on to that thought until she could unpack it in her mind. Right now, she was happy to have survived the accident. She was happy being surrounded by people who truly cared about her.

*

Two days afterthe accident, Autumn was going stir crazy staying home. Doctor’s orders. She’d missed teaching her students, but they’d sent over the most adorable get-well drawings and letters. Her favorite ones were drawings of her in a pumpkin patch, or her outside her farmhouse. Ever since the festival, her students associated her with Messina Farms. It did her heart good to know that she still had a home here; that the majority of the farm remained in the family’s possession. And she was thrilled to give the very enthusiastic vets a chance to start a business of their own. The revenue the sale raised would allow them to keep the farm going, pay off bills, and invest in new equipment.

Soon, she’d be seeing the vets on a regular basis: Sonny, Phillip, and the guys. Even Jeffrey and Hersh had bought some land for their older grandkids to farm. Though Papa couldn’t get physically involved, he loved the idea of giving the new farm owners workshops, sharing his expertise in farming from the convenience of his own home. With guidance and his knowledge, each new farmer would have the best chance for success.

Everything was working out great.

Except for her relationship with Sam.

Which was now, nonexistent.

Autumn couldn’t sit still another minute. She needed some air, to move her muscles, to test out her sore ribs. With Papa reading in his favorite chair, she snuck out the back door and immediately the fresh cool October air refreshed her. Made her feel alive. She inhaled several deep breaths which did hurt her chest a little. But she wasn’t deterred. Carefully, she took step after step, seeing how much her bruised ribs would allow until she made it to the barn. She walked inside and bent to pick up the pitchfork that was lying across the floor. “Ouch,” she muttered, coming up with it. “Not a smart move, Autumn.”

“No, not a smart move, sweet Autumn. You should be resting.”

At the sound of Sam’s voice, she made a slow pivot around.

“Sam. What are you doing here?” She held the pitchfork like a crutch, keeping her from going weak-kneed at the sight of him. She had the same reaction every time Sam walked into a room. His bluer-than-blue eyes mesmerized her. His handsome face destroyed her. His broad shoulders and muscled body beckoned her. Made it hard to breathe. He’d been her hero, all while growing up. She’d never really gotten over her fascination with him. And now, he’d just walked into her barn again, just like when he’d first arrived on the farm, weeks ago.

“I came to tell you something.”

“Something you couldn’t say over the phone? Oh wait, you never called me, so you couldn’t possibly tell me over the phone.”

“I spoke with Alicia and your father every day since your accident. But no, this is something I have to say in person. And I wanted to wait until you were strong enough.”

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