Chapter 12

Samantha

“Okay, last question. Name the four types of non-probate property.”

Aubrey takes a breath and closes her eyes as she contemplates her answer, while I fight the urge to hum the Jeopardy music.

“Jointly owned property, trusts, annuities and retirement benefits, and life insurance.”

“Yes!” I place the card on the stack of discarded questions. “You are going to rock this exam.”

Aubrey releases her breath, “I hope so. I may not be in any hurry to go back to work, but I will feel better knowing I have my license to practice law in Alabama.”

I grab my glass of iced tea and sit back on the couch. “I know what you mean. After I moved back, I made sure to get my business license as soon as possible and started building up a client list.”

“Did you find it hard to get clients?”

I look down at the glass in my hand, remembering the look of pity on everyone’s face when I went around town passing out business cards. “Since I grew up here, everyone already knew me, so they were willing to give me a chance. Of course, I think they also felt sorry for the twenty-six-year-old widow who needed a fresh start.”

Aubrey reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I’m sure people signed on with you more because they trusted you than were feeling sorry for you. Let’s hope I have the same result when I pass the bar.”

“I’m sure you will. People around here already love you.”

Aubrey shrugs, “Maybe, but I’m not from here so that may factor in. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.”

I take one last drink of my iced tea and sit the glass on the coffee table. “Well, I better get going so I can help Momma with dinner.”

Aubrey maneuvers herself off the couch and opens her arms to me. I step into her embrace, and she speaks next to my ear. “Thank you for being not only my best friend but my first friend in Blossom Creek.”

I smile as I step back out of her embrace. “It’s a tough job, but I’m more than happy to be your bestie.”

Aubrey walks me to the door and as I descend the steps and walk to my SUV she waves. I open the door and start to climb into my vehicle when a voice stops me.

“Leaving so soon?”

I look up to see Cameron approaching on horseback. He dismounts and holds the reins loosely in his hand.

I close the door and walk over to talk to him. “Yeah, I was about to head home and help Momma with dinner.” I reach out and run my hand down the horse’s nose. “Hey Samson. Did you have a good run?” Samson whinnies and I smile as I glance at the man beside him. “What about you? Did you enjoy the ride?”

Cameron grins and toes the ground with his boot. “I did. Didn’t realize how much I missed being on horseback until I came home.”

“Yeah, country roots run deep, for sure.”

“Yes they do,” Cameron says as he looks over my head, eyes avoiding mine as he gazes across the road. I can tell he has more he wants to say. When his eyes find me again, he grins. “I haven’t done this in a while, but would you like to have dinner with me Friday night?”

I smile and Samson nudges me as if to remind me I need to give him an answer. “I’d love to.”

His shy, awkward demeanor surprises me, especially when you consider his height and size. Cameron’s smile widens and he nods, “Great, good. Pick you up at six?”

“Yeah, sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

He walks me to my car and opens the door for me. I climb inside and fasten my seat belt.

“Drive safe,” Cameron says before closing my door.

I smile, start the engine, and wave as I start for the highway to head home.

The driveacross town did nothing to remove the smile from my face, and it’s still firmly in place when I arrive home and walk into the kitchen.

Momma glances up from the pie crust she’s rolling out. “Hi, sweetheart. Did you have a nice lunch?”

"We did, and now I know more about Alabama law than I ever dreamed I would."

Momma laughs as she pours the apple pie filling into the pie crust. "I bet you do."

I momentarily debate whether to tell Momma about Cameron asking me out. Before I can confess, a smile creeps onto my face drawing Momma’s attention.

“Is there a reason behind that smile?”

I can feel my cheeks flush as I glance up to find Momma’s inquisitive gaze. “Cameron asked me out, on a date.”

Momma doesn’t even bother to try and hide her smile. “Well, it’s about time.”

“Momma!”

“Don’t Momma, me. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s been smitten since he first laid eyes on you.”

I shake my head and mutter my reply. “I think you might be exaggerating a bit.”

“Of course, you would. You never were one to see your own beauty and worth.” I don’t reply, so Momma wraps her arm around me before she continues. “I know you think you’ve had your one chance at happiness, but sweetheart, you deserve to be loved.”

I sniffle and wipe a tear away before it can fall. “Thanks, Momma.”

After dinner,I help Momma clean up the kitchen, then excuse myself to my room. Momma’s words from earlier are still ringing in my head. I open my closet, stand on my tiptoes, and reach for the photo album stored on the shelf. I sit cross-legged on my bed and open the album. The first photo is of Alan and me the night we met. We were so young and admittedly there was an instant attraction between us. With each page I turn, memories of our time together flood my mind. Our first date, first college formal, first football game. An ache fills my chest as I turn the page and find our wedding photos. Hearts filled with love and eyes full of promise, we exchanged our vows in front of God, our family, and friends. We had no idea the unexpected turn our lives would take a few short years later. My finger traces over the photo of the two of us sharing our first dance as husband and wife. Tears stream down my face as I force the words over the lump in my throat. “I hope you know you’ll always have a special place in my heart. Please don’t hate me for moving on.” A sob escapes me as I clutch the album to my chest and allow my emotions to take over. Lying on the bed, the photo album still in my arms, I cry myself to sleep.