Chapter 11

Cameron

The sadness I saw inSamantha’s eyes haunted me on the drive home. Burying a loved one at any age is hard, but to bury the person you expect to spend your life with after only a few short years would be devastating.

I’m still sitting on the porch hearing her story play on repeat in my mind when Craig pulls up. He hops out of his truck and closes the door before making his way up the steps to the house.

“Hey brother.” He grins as he takes a seat in the rocking chair next to me. “How was the ice cream?”

I grin as I think of the smile on Samantha’s face when she first tasted the ice cream we made. “It was the best ice cream I’d had in a long time. The company was even better.” Craig smiles but remains silent. “You could have told me she was a widow; you know.”

Craig shakes his head, “You needed to hear it from her.”

As much as I should admit he’s right, I don’t. Instead, I sit silently looking out over the fields wondering if Samantha is ready to move on from the life she had with her husband.

Craig rises from his chair, “Have you eaten?”

I scoff as I think of how I spent my afternoon. “Only my weight in ice cream. I was going to see if you wanted to run into town. Maybe grab something at the American Legion?”

Craig pulls open the screen door, “Sounds good. Let me wash up and then we can head out.”

We ridein silence to the American Legion. As Craig pulls his truck into a parking spot, my hand finds the door handle.

“Cam? I know you’ve been playin’ what Sam told you over in your head. And I’m sure you have a lot of questions, but if you’re considerin’ pursuin’ her, there’s only one you need to ask yourself. Is she worth it? You answer that one honestly and all those other questions you have, aren’t going to matter.”

I study my brother for a minute before speaking. “How is it you know so much about relationships and yet you aren’t in one?”

Craig laughs. “I’ve picked up a few things the years you were away. Who do you think convinced Kenny to take a chance on Aubrey?”

This time it’s my turn to laugh. “Is that right? I’ll have to ask Kenny his side of the story.”

“Go ahead, you’ll see.”

I shake my head as we hop out of the truck and walk toward the entrance of the American Legion. Craig pulls open the door and I step inside. It’s been more than eight years since I stepped inside this building, and it looks exactly the same as it did the last time I was here. Dark wood paneling covers the walls and flags from every branch of the military hang from the ceiling. A stage sits at one end of the building, a jukebox stands in the corner, with a pool table off to the side. A bar lines one wall and tables are scattered around the open space.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Cameron Hutchinson.”

The familiar voice makes me smile as I locate the source at the end of the bar. “Captain, how are you doing?”

Captain Fred Lawrence grew up an Army brat, then enlisted at eighteen to follow in his father’s footsteps. He and his wife settled in Blossom Creek after completing his last tour of duty in Desert Storm. Now they spend their retirement working with veterans here at the American Legion. He was a source of information before I signed with Uncle Sam. Craig and I head in his direction, both shaking his hand when we reach him. “Doing good,” he replies as we settle onto bar stools next to him. “I was wondering how long it’d be before I ran into you.”

Without ordering, two longnecks appear in front of us.

Craig raises his hand as he finishes taking a pull from his beer. “That’s my fault. I’ve been trying to get him caught up on everything we do on the farm.”

Captain Lawrence nods. “I heard y’all went organic.”

Craig shifts in his seat as he answers. “Yes sir, we did. Working out well for us so far.”

As Craig finishes speaking, Mrs. Lawrence emerges from the kitchen with two plates and sets them in front of us. “Here you are, boys.”

Craig and I speak in unison, “Thank you, ma’am.”

My mouth waters at the sight of the cheeseburger and fries stacked on the plate. “I’ve had a lot of great meals since I’ve been home, but this is my first burger.”

Mrs. Lawrence smiles. “Well, I hope it’s as good as you remember.”

I lift the burger, take a bite and moan as the flavors burst in my mouth. Remembering my manners, I swallow before speaking. “Even better than I remember.”

She smiles, satisfied with my compliment. “Glad to hear it. You boys enjoy your meal.”

The door behind us opens and Captain Lawrence turns on his stool to see who the new arrival is. He gets to his feet and claps me on the shoulder. “Excuse me, boys, there’s a couple of Jarheads I need to speak to.”

Craig waits until he’s out of earshot before speaking. “They’re good people.”

I nod my agreement as I drag a French fry through the ketchup on my plate. “Yes, they are.”

While we eat, we talk about the farm until Craig asks the million-dollar question. “So, you going to ask Samantha out?”

I take a swig of my beer before I answer. “Yeah, I think I am. I mean, no guts no glory, right?”

Craig laughs, “Yeah, something like that.”

Finished with our meal, I look down the bar. As Mrs. Lawrence steps out of the kitchen to take our plates, I notice what appears to be an ice cream machine. “Mrs. Lawrence? Is that an ice cream machine?”

She follows my line of sight. “It is. Hasn’t worked in years though.”

“Mind if I take a look at it?”

She picks up the plates and wipes down the bar. “Not at all.”

I stand and walk behind the bar making my way down to the broken machine. I plug it into the wall and check a few connections. Certain it can be fixed, I unplug it, walk to the kitchen and push open the door. “Mrs. Lawrence?”

She turns to me and smiles. “Well, what’s the verdict?”

“I’m pretty sure I can fix it. If you’re okay with it, of course?”

“That would be great, but you should know we can’t afford to pay for parts or labor.”

“Oh no, ma’am. I’m not expecting any sort of payment. I would, however, like to barter with you.”

“Oh? What do you have in mind?”

* * *

“Morning, boys.”Aunt Jane greets us as Craig and I follow Kenny into the kitchen for breakfast.

“Morning Aunt Jane, Aubrey,” we reply while we wait our turn to wash up at the sink.

Uncle Ken settles into his chair with a fresh cup of coffee. “You boys up for a ride today?”

“Yes, sir. What do you have in mind?”

“We need to move the cattle into the other pasture.”

Craig dries his hands as I begin to wash mine. “Sure thing Uncle Ken. Cam needs to brush up on moving cattle anyway.”

I know he’s jerking my chain, but I take the bait. I glance over at my little brother as I rinse my hands. “And why’s that?”

“I figure you’re going to need to know how to handle cattle before you marry Sam and move on to the dairy farm.”

I dry my hands, replace the towel and settle into my chair as I notice Aubrey trying to hide a grin. “I think you may be getting a little ahead of yourself, seeing I haven’t even asked her out yet.”

Craig waves a dismissive hand. “Details. In fact, Aubrey, isn’t Sam coming over today?”

“She is,” Aubrey says as she sets the biscuits on the table and takes her seat. “We’re having lunch and she’s going to quiz me on Alabama law.”

Craig elbows me in the side and grins. “There you go, your opportunity awaits.”

“Okay you two,” Aunt Jane says wrangling us to attention, like when we were kids. “Let’s continue this conversation after we say grace.”

“Yes ma’am.” Craig and I reply in unison.

Aunt Jane smiles as she holds out her hand signaling all of us to join hands so Uncle Ken can say grace.

As we begin to pass the food, hoping to change the subject, I begin the conversation. “So, we’re moving the cattle, to reseed the pasture?”

“Yeah,” Uncle Ken says as he spoons gravy onto his plate. “If the weather holds off, we’ll get it plowed by the end of the week.”

I nod in agreement, “Shouldn’t be a problem.”