Chapter 14

Samantha

Once Cameron and I confessedour nervousness, we were both able to relax. We talked about everything from high school to family on our drive to the restaurant. Over dinner, Cameron told me about his time in the service and I told him about my move back to Blossom Creek.

As we finished our meal, a wave of disappoint washes over me as I realize I’m not ready for the night to end. Our server passes by, leaving the check on the corner of the table on her way to the kitchen.

“Thank you for dinner. Italian is my favorite.”

Cameron grins and winks as he places a credit card in the folder. “I know.”

I laugh. “Of course, you did.”

With our check paid, Cameron offers me his hand and leads us out of the restaurant. He opens the passenger door and helps me inside. As he rounds the front of the vehicle my heart flutters in my chest. He is even more handsome now than he was in high school. His hair is longer now than it was when he first arrived back in Blossom Creek and working on the farm has added even more color to his already tanned skin. The sleeves of the dress shirt he’s wearing are rolled up and the fabric stretches tight around his biceps. It’s obvious he’s done his homework while planning our date, which earns him bonus points. Cameron opens the driver’s side door and climbs inside. He starts the engine, then begins to back out of the parking spot.

“I have one more surprise if you’re up for it?”

My mood instantly brightens knowing I get to spend more time with him, and I feel like an excited child. “There’s more?”

He grins as he turns out on the highway, but still seems a little nervous. “Oh yeah, there’s more.”

We drive just outside of town and pull into the parking lot of the American Legion. Slightly confused, I look from the building to Cameron. Once again, he grins, and I feel all my apprehension melt away. “Ready for some dessert?”

My smile widens and I practically bounce in my seat. “Absolutely! I’d never turn down dessert.”

Once we exit the vehicle, Cameron opens the door and ushers us inside. A couple of the veterans wave to Cameron as we walk in, and he returns their greeting. Mrs. Lawrence is behind the counter and smiles when she sees us arrive.

“Evening you two. Find a seat and I’ll be with you in a minute.”

With his hand on the small of my back again, Cameron guides me over to a table and pulls out my chair. Once I’m seated, Cameron takes a seat across from me. I glance around the room and realize it looks the same as the last time I was here. “You know, I haven’t been here in years. I didn’t realize they served food.”

“Well, they do burgers and fries. I’m not sure they do much else.”

My curiosity is piqued. “But they have dessert?”

He grins shyly, eyes meeting mine. “They do tonight.”

Before I can reply, Mrs. Lawrence appears at our table, an ice cream sundae in each hand. “Special delivery,” she says as she places one in front of each of us and winks at Cameron before leaving us alone.

My mouth waters as I take in the dessert in front of me. A thick rich brownie sits at the bottom of the bowl with soft serve vanilla ice cream, and hot fudge sauce cascades over the ice cream and onto the brownie. Whipped cream and a cherry top the luscious dessert.

Cameron wastes no time digging into his sundae. “This looks amazing,” I say.

He glances up at me as he loads his spoon with another bite. “Wait until you taste it.”

My eyes close involuntarily as I savor the warm brownie, hot fudge, and ice cream. “Mmm, perfection.”

Cameron smiles in satisfaction. “Perfection? That’s high praise.”

I smile as I glance up at him. “They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. They don’t tell you a way to a woman’s is through chocolate and ice cream.”

Cameron chuckles as he prepares another bite. “Glad I figured out the secret.” After finishing his sundae, Cameron pushes his bowl to the side. “So have you figured out your surprise?”

My spoon hangs in mid-air as I look up at him in confusion. “I thought dessert was my surprise?”

“It was, sorta. When you’re finished, I’ll show you.”

I take the two remaining bites of my sundae, push my bowl to the side and wipe my mouth with a napkin. “Okay, so what is this surprise I haven’t figured out?”

Cameron stands from his seat, walks over to pull out my chair, and offers me his hand. “Come with me.”

I place my hand in his and he leads me behind the counter and down the bar to the ice cream machine. “So, last week, I came in and noticed this ice cream machine. However, Mrs. Lawrence informed me it didn’t work, and they couldn’t afford to fix right now. So, I bartered with her. I offered to fix it free of charge if we could use it to make ice cream for your booth at the fair.”

“Wait, you fixed the ice cream machine so I could have samples at our fair booth?”

I’m not sure if it’s embarrassment or shyness I see wash over him. Whatever it is causes him to look away and I immediately miss having his eyes on me. “I fixed it so everyone could enjoy it, but yes, you were my main motivation.”

Catching him off guard, I step forward and wrap my arms around him. “Thank you. That’s the sweetest thing anyone has done for me in a long time.”

Cameron wraps his arms around me, and I hear him sigh as he holds me in place. Time ticks away as he continues to hold me in his arms as if we are the only people left in the place. “Samantha, would you like to dance?”

I lift my head from where it rests against his chest and look up at him. “I’d love to.”

Cameron leads me from behind the counter out to a small area near the old jukebox. He drops a quarter in the slot and makes a selection. Seconds later Kenny Rogers’s voice gently breaks the silence with one word. Lady. Cameron holds out his hand and I place mine in his. Drawing me into his arms he tucks my hand against his chest, and we begin to sway to the music.

When the music ends, Cameron continues to hold me, still moving as if the music still plays in the dimly lit room. My head still resting against his chest, I smile. “People are going to talk if we keep dancing without music.”

“Nah, besides, we’re the only ones here.”

Startled by his statement I raise my head and look around to confirm we truly are the only ones remaining. “Huh, when did that happen?”

Cameron chuckles. “The fellas at the bar left after we got our sundaes. Captain and Mrs. Lawrence left while I was showing you the ice cream machine.”

“How did I miss that, but you didn’t?”

Cameron shrugs, his arms now loosely holding me. “The Army trained me to be observant. Your back was to them; they placed the key on the bar and left quietly. We can go, if you’d like.”

I smile, shake my head and step closer to him. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like another dance or two.”

He reaches out and tenderly caresses my cheek. “Yeah, I think that can be arranged.”

The extra dances I requested, turned into another hour of being in Cameron’s arms. I wasn’t complaining by any means, it had been a long time since I felt cherished. Cameron had planned a night I would never forget, and maybe, if I allowed it, there would be many more.