The Texas Hero's Homecoming

By Charlene Sands

His final mission may be the most dangerous of all…to her heart.

Autumn Messina has finally put herself first and achieved her dream of becoming a teacher. She’s only sorry it’s come at the expense of having to sell the once thriving Messina Farm. Autumn loves her father and the farm, but she can’t do it all, and her brother has no plans to move back home. And then her brother’s best friend saunters back into her life even more handsome than she remembers and arrogantly full of plans and answers to questions she no longer wants to ask.

After exiting his special forces unit to return home to Last Stand, Sam Russell feels duty bound to help his best friend’s struggling family farm. He’s not expecting such fierce resistance in the form of a still-angry Autumn, who’s become even more beautiful and tempting in his years away.

Autumn doesn’t want his help, but Sam has never given up so easily. And what starts off as just doing his duty quickly becomes something much more personal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tule Publishing
• Release date: Sep 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781954894693

Charlene Sands

Charlene Sands is a USA Today bestselling author of 35 contemporary and historical romances. She's been honored with The National Readers' Choice Award, Booksellers Best Award and Cataromance Reviewer's Choice Award. She loves babies,chocolate and thrilling love stories.Take a peek at her bold, sexy heroes and real good men! www.charlenesands.com and Facebook

Book preview

Chapter One

Sam Russell was on a mission. And it just might be riskier than the Ranger missions he’d carried out in Afghanistan. His military instincts still with him, he wasn’t too sure of this outcome, but he’d damn well give it his best shot. There’d be a blockade of course, a force to be reckoned with. Didn’t all things worthwhile have to be hard won?

He got out of his truck, the worn red paint job bleached from Last Stand weather over the years, would never be the same. Neither would he, but first things first. Squinting, he stared across the Texas landscape and steadied his breath. Acres of Messina farmland was going to ruin, wasting away from unintended neglect. Man, he’d never have believed it. The once prosperous Messina Farms, where he’d worked weekends as a teen, was only a shell of what it had once been. His heart slammed against his chest. Sergeant Joe Messina, the man who’d saved his life, had no clue how bad things had gotten. Now that Sam was discharged, he owed this debt to his best friend, to check out the Messina family farm, make sure it was running smoothly.

Clearly it was not.

Sam ran a hand down his face, the memory of Joe’s bravery always with him. The unexpected barrage of bullets, Joe shoving him to the ground, nearly taking a bullet himself to save his life. Sam would’ve been hit for sure, if it hadn’t been for Joe’s quick reactions. They’d been on a secret mission, surrounded by a band of misfit terrorists, the fire fight ugly, yet their unit had managed to hold them off without casualties.

It had been a whew-that-was-close, stone-cold kind of feeling that really rocked a man to his core. Made him sit up and take notice. He was no longer that young man eager to prove his worth as an Army Ranger. His service had been important to him, but after ten years in the army, seven of those years a Ranger, for him, it was time to come home. Settle down. Figure out his future. Before he could do that, he owed Joe this. Hell, he owed Joe much more and he’d do whatever necessary to fix the Messina family farm.

A flash of ink-colored hair caught his eye, the deep rich strands catching the late afternoon light. He sighed. His human blockade came into view, all five-foot-five inches of her and he dug in his heels.

Autumn Messina.

Joe’s little sis.

She walked into the barn, out of sight.

He’d left her as a kid of seventeen. And now ten years later, the girl he’d once known was a woman. And according to Joe, a head-strong, pain-in-the-ass female with brains and beauty to spare.

Sam squeezed his eyes shut. Maybe he hadn’t been fair to Autumn, all those years ago, but now he was back, and it wasn’t like he wanted to start anything with her. No, he just wanted to help them out of a jam. He crossed the yard and stepped into the barn, the crunch of straw under his boots.

Who’s there? Autumn swiveled around, her eyes narrowing, pitchfork leveled and ready to pounce.

It’s me, Sam.

She faltered back a step, blinking her eyes. S-Sam?

Yeah, it’s me. Hello, Autumn.

Her Mexican-Irish heritage awarded her olive skin in warm rich tones, a heart-shaped mouth, and striking meadow-green eyes. She was beautiful, even aiming a pitchfork at him.

What are you doing here?

Put the pitchfork down and I’ll tell you. Man, are you always this jumpy?

She scowled; the face she made not pretty at all. Everyone’s gone for the day. I didn’t expect an unannounced visitor. She sighed and leaned against the pitchfork, refusing to give it up. She’d probably like to poke him with it. I heard you were back in town.

Got back yesterday. How’d you know?

Last Stand isn’t exactly a metropolis. Word gets around.

He nodded. He was sorta sucker-punched seeing her again, his emotions all tangled up. Which was strange, because he’d recently been dumped by the woman he’d intended to marry. He’d left the military with plans of settling down. Apparently, Hilary hadn’t been ready, taking up with her ex-boyfriend, rather than starting a life with Sam. He’d been thrown for a loop and hadn’t seen it coming. So, no matter how pretty Autumn was, she would never be on his radar. After his heartbreak with Hilary, he wasn’t looking for any kind of involvement. Especially with Joe’s little sis. No sir. He’d been stung once and it still smarted like the dickens.

Well, I’m here in the flesh. I came to ch—To visit. How’s your father doing?

Papa’s okay. She paused for a second, her eyes meeting his. He’s probably too tired for visitors right now. Maybe you should come back another day. Or better yet, I’ll tell him you came by and we’ll call it even.

She gave him the point of her chin.

He studied her. She wasn’t happy to see him, that was for sure. They’d always been close, because of his friendship with Joe. Joe teased that Autumn hero-worshipped Sam, being five years her senior. And damn, Sam should’ve known better than to get involved with her back then. They’d had one night under the stars, and they’d kissed and kissed. Her passion surprised him, the fire in her an ego boost. But he’d sensed it was more than innocent kissing with her. That maybe her hero-worship had reached another level. He shouldn’t have given in to temptation. Joe’s younger sister was off-limits and as soon as his addled brain had remembered that, he’d put a stop to it. She’d been a starry-eyed teen and his rejection that night hurt her. It couldn’t be helped. And now, it seemed she still held a grudge.

So, what happened here, Autumn? I don’t think Joe knows how bad it is.

That’d be Papa’s doing. He didn’t want Joe to worry. He’s proud of my brother and his service to the country.

She set the pitchfork against the wall and leaned back, crossing her arms over her middle. She looked every bit the farm girl in jeans and a red plaid shirt.

And so, your father decided to keep it to himself?

Something like that. Papa has a lot of pride. He didn’t want Joe coming home, on account of the farm. He didn’t want him to give up on his career. Being a Ranger is what Joe wants, what Papa thinks he was meant to do.

And what about you?

Me? I’ve been running the farm. As you can see, I’m doing a bang-up job, but it doesn’t matter anymore. We can’t sustain it. It’s been a trial, with drought and disease and lack of funds to replant.

Still, I think Joe would want to know about this.

"Joe took off and left me here. You two joined up and off you went."

Joe left a prosperous farm in your father’s capable hands. As far as he knows, things are going okay. He always praised you for working alongside your father.

I didn’t have much of a choice. My dreams didn’t much matter.

You were seventeen. You didn’t have dreams back then.

Her eyes pierced him. Regret and injury reflected there. Maybe I did. Maybe I kept what I wanted to myself.

Her words sliced straight through him. Autumn, I was always going to join up. You knew that.

Somehow, you made me forget that, right here in this barn. She glanced at the hayloft where brilliant evening stars had twinkled through the four-pane window. The place where he almost made a big mistake with her.

She sighed, her shoulders rising and falling as if she carried the weight of the world. It doesn’t matter now. It took me years to earn my online bachelor’s degree. I’m teaching now at Honeysuckle Elementary. This is my first semester. I’m making a living, doing something I love. Something I’ve always dreamed of doing. Papa has agreed to sell the place and then we’ll move into town.

And Joe doesn’t know any of this?

I’ll tell my son, soon enough. The aged raspy voice came from behind. Sam turned to find Manuel Messina, leaning heavily against the barn wall, braced by a cane.

Hello, Manny. Sam strode over to him and put out his hand. Good to see you, sir.

Manuel took his hand then pulled him in for a surprise hug. He didn’t think the older man was strong enough, but he held firm and patted Sam on the back. Ah… good to see you, son. Very good.

Papa, there’s a chill in the air. You should go back inside.

I’m not so feeble that I can’t make those decisions for myself.

Autumn pursed her lips, and it took what looked like all her sanity, to keep them sealed. But it didn’t stop her from giving Sam a big fat pout.

He flashed her a wide grin and turned back to her father.

You’re well? the older man asked.

I’m fine. Got here yesterday. I’m staying in town with my sister, Nicole, right now. I need to be here for her wedding. I guess I’m her best man of honor. She’ll be getting hitched in a few weeks.

Ah, your little sis is marrying. That is very nice. She found a good man?

Yeah, she did. Garrett is a good guy.

Manny gave his daughter a looking over. Seems to me there’s more good men in Last Stand, but Autumn hasn’t found a one of them yet.

Papa! Autumn rolled her eyes and marched past both of them, right out of the barn. Honestly, she muttered.

Set another place for dinner, daughter.

She stopped in mid-stride and swiveled around. What?

You haven’t had supper yet, have you, son? Manny asked.

No. No I haven’t.

Well, Autumn’s a fine cook and we’ve got enough beef tamales to feed all of Last Stand. You’ll join us?

Autumn’s fists landed on her hips. The fire in her eyes something to see, even if it was aimed at him. Papa, he’s probably got other plans.

Nope, don’t have any other plans. Thank you very much for the invitation. He tipped his hat.

Autumn heaved a sigh and spun around.

She wasn’t having a good day. And he was truly sorry about that, but he had a mission to accomplish here. He had to find out more about the farm. He had to see if there was a way to save three generations of hard work and toil, from going under.

Whether pretty, fiery, Autumn Messina wanted him here or not.

* *

Autumn stood over the oven, stalling for time, fussing with tamales that were more than ready to bring to the kitchen table. She had trouble looking into Sam Russell’s amazing blue eyes. They always seemed to dance whenever she was around him, winking at her, suggesting she was something special. That look, those eyes, and the blond hair begging to grow in from his military cut, made her stomach ache. He was still handsome. More so. He was older, had the look of a man who’d seen ugliness in the world. A man who’d come out the other side. When she was a kid, Sam could wrap her around his finger without even knowing it. A kind word, a compliment from him had her following him around like a little puppy. Her crush lasted for years, and that one night they’d shared in the barn, had her thinking it was all worth it. Had her believing he’d felt that overwhelming rush of emotion too. He was worth all the secret anguish she’d endured trying to get him to look at her, not as Joe’s kid sister, not as a child, but as a woman who wanted him.

And then he’d left. Taking her brother with him. Shattering her dreams. She squeezed her eyes closed and counted to three. She’d had this conversation in her head a hundred times. She was tired of it. She’d moved on. Finally. She’d worked the farm all those long years, doing her best to keep her father’s health from declining and running the farm with a small staff, while earning a degree in education.

Those tamales aren’t going to get any more done, Papa said in his kindest voice from his seat at the head of the table.

And then Sam was beside her, picking up a bowl of rice. "Can I help?’ he asked in a quiet whisper.

Looks like you already are. Damn, she shouldn’t have snapped at him.

It was beyond rude. It was just that… Sam had that effect on her. He made her dizzy. He always had. It boggled her mind that he still did.

Smells delicious. Looks even better.

His compliment didn’t nudge her into a better mood. She wasn’t seventeen anymore. You always loved tamales.

"I always loved your tamales. And here I am, eating them again with your family."

She gazed into his eyes, seeing the sparkle, the clear blue that could melt a girl right on the spot.

She bit her lip to keep from thanking him. Well, then we should eat. Before they get cold.

That’s a good idea, Papa said.

With Sam’s help, they brought the meal to the table. She grabbed a pitcher of lemonade out of the fridge and poured each of them a glass. Sam waited for her to sit, before he did. She shook her head. Whether military or Southern manners, it was an archaic gesture that she secretly enjoyed. She wouldn’t admit that aloud. Not in this day and age. Yet, her brother Joe and Papa, were also culprits in the manners department. So, she couldn’t argue the point.

Your turn to say grace, Autumn, Papa said, bowing his head.

Sam had been a part of this ritual in her family too, so it seemed natural when he put his head down.

Dear Lord, thank you for the abundance of food on the table. May you keep Joe and S—, uh, keep all the soldiers safe who are serving our country. Give them strength as you watch over each and every one of them. And please, may you keep watch over our family too. Thank you, dear Lord, for your kindness and grace. Amen.

She passed along the dish of tamales to Sam. Their fingers touched and heat rose up her neck, his intense stare unwavering. Yes, they’d prayed for him too, every night before dinner. Sam’s smug expression changed to one of astonishment and gratitude. The reflection in his eyes not to be missed. She shrugged and pointed to the food. Are you gonna eat?

Oh, uh, yeah. Thanks. He dished up a few tamales covered in cheese and passed along the dish to Papa. But his gaze returned to her again, his eyes a heat factory, melting her bones. Why couldn’t he just go away?

The three of them were quiet for a time, digging into the food. Her papa liked to fill his tummy full before starting conversation. Sam understood that as well.

Once the tamales were gobbled up, she rose grabbing for the empty plates. Sam rose too and she shook him off. No thanks. I can manage, she told him.

He lowered down and pursed his lips.

Good. Maybe he’d get the message and leave.

How is my son doing over there? Papa asked. I mean, his letters seem to say it’s safe and there is nothing to worry about.

Sam nodded. For the most part, that’s true. We were seeing very little action. The missions now are more surveillance based. He paused, as if searching for the right words. I mean, every so often, skirmishes do arise, and we’d have to lock them down. But Joe’s smart, a good leader. I was lucky and proud to serve with him for the past few years.

Yes, my son is all those things, but a father still worries. I cannot wait until he comes back to the States.

There’s a de-escalation in the works. It may not be too long now.

But Joe’s never coming home to us. Being a Ranger is his career, she said. She had to continually point that out so her father wouldn’t get his hopes up. Things were never going to go back to how they were, with her