The Texas Hero's Homecoming by Charlene Sands

Author:Charlene Sands [Sands, Charlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9781954894693
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2021-07-19T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Friday evening, Autumn stood by Sam’s side, shoulder to shoulder and looked over the Messina farm grounds that were transformed into a festival site. The sun was just setting, beaming soft rays of light onto the property. She was in awe of all that was accomplished in such a short span of time. “We did it, Sam.” Autumn breathed a sigh of relief. “Or rather you did it. You said you would, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure you could do it. But you did.”

“You worked every bit as hard as I did. You put in the hours, Autumn. After school and on the weekend. This is your accomplishment.”

She smiled at Sam and they locked eyes. “That’s sweet of you to say. I haven’t exactly made this easy for you.”

Sam grinned. “I won’t argue with that.”

She chuckled, putting her head down, hiding her embarrassment from him. She was sorry for the way she’d treated him, a man just returning from serving his country. He’d spent all of his free time here, helping her make this one last Messina Family Fall Festival, the best one ever. They’d go out with a bang.

“What I’m trying to say is that, well… I’ll never forget it, Sam.” She rose up on tiptoes and just as she was aiming for his cheek, he turned a fraction of an inch and their lips met. It was a kiss of gratitude, of thanks. At least it started that way. She had every intention of backing away, but Sam cupped her face, a groan rising up his throat and she couldn’t move, couldn’t deny herself the pleasure of his lips caressing hers.

It was a beautiful kiss. The best one ever and she kept on kissing him, enjoying the joining of their mouths, enjoying the taste of him, her heart racing like crazy.

The kiss came to a natural ending, both parting at the same time. It left her breathless, wanting more.

He bent and their foreheads touched. “If that was a thank-you, I don’t think I’ve ever had a better one.”

“I’m… sorry. I meant to kiss your cheek,” she whispered.

“Maybe I’m glad you have bad aim.”

She smiled at that. “You turned your head.”

“You’re not wrong.”

She backed up a step, unlocking their foreheads and searched his eyes. “What are you saying?”

Sam sighed. “I’m saying… I’m saying—”

“Be honest with me, Sam. I deserve that.”

He nodded. “Yes, yes you do. I’ve hurt you once, Autumn. I don’t want to do it again.”

She lowered her voice to a whisper. “How can you be so sure you would?”

“I certainly don’t want to. It’s just that I have decisions to make. About my future and I’m not sure about anything right now.”

“Sometimes, emotions do the deciding.”

“And sometimes, they lead you astray.”

There was pain in his eyes, his expression too solemn not to recognize as regret. “You’re talking about Hilary. Do you… do you still love her?”

His answer mattered to her, too much. She didn’t want to hear it, not really, but she had to know.

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