Chapter 16

Samantha

A gentle breeze blows thewindchimes into motion, filling the air with soft music as I sit on the front porch waiting for Cameron to arrive. My cell phone rings, and I see Christine’s name displayed on the screen. I smile as I answer the call.

“Hey you. I figured you be on a plane by now.”

“No, the team has a bye week, so Warren and I are having a much-needed date night.”

“Good for you. I hope he’s taking you somewhere swanky.” The imagine of Christine in a little black dress, perfectly coifed hair, and makeup to rival a supermodel comes to mind.

“You’re going to laugh when I tell you. We are going to a food truck rally.”

Her answer surprises me, but only slightly. “Actually, considering what a foodie you are, it sounds perfect.”

Christine giggles. “Right? I don’t know why we haven’t done it before. Enough about that. How are things going with Cameron?”

My finger traces the wood grain on the arm of the rocking chair I’m sitting in. “All right, I guess. He’s on his way over to pick me up. Aubrey passed her boards to practice law in Alabama and decided we needed to have a cook-out to celebrate.”

The dishes rattling in the background are replaced by silence. “Wait, what do you mean, all right you guess? Talk to me, Sam.”

I let out a heavy sigh and lean my head back against the rocker. “Since our first date we’ve been spending a lot of time together. The past few weeks he’s had dinner with us more days than not. After dinner the two of us will either take a walk or sit on the porch holding hands and talking. But for some reason, he’s yet to kiss me.”

“Really?”

I can hear the disbelief in Christine’s voice. “Yes! I can’t figure out what’s holding him back. I mean, I thought he was interested, maybe I’m reading him all wrong.”

“You told him about Alan, right?”

“Yes, but I…”

“Stay with me for a minute and listen. Maybe Cameron is just taking it slow, giving you time to make sure you’re ready for a new relationship.”

“You think?”

“I do. I also think there’s a question you need to ask yourself. Are you ready to move things along with Cam? If the answer is yes, then let him know. There’s no rule saying you can’t make the first move. Cam’s one of the good ones, Samantha. Take a chance; you deserve to be happy and loved.”

The sound of crunching gravel catches my attention as an unfamiliar truck comes into view. The truck comes to a stop and Cameron emerges from the cab giving me a wave. A smile overtakes my face. “Christine, Cameron just pulled up, I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Remember what I said, Sam. Say hello to everyone for me and have fun tonight.”

My focus never leaves Cameron as he makes his way up the porch steps. “I will. Love you, bye.”

I set my phone on the table as my eyes do a slow crawl up his massive frame. Cowboy boots, faded denim jeans, and a University of Alabama T-shirt that outlines every muscle and makes my mouth water. He grins at my blatant perusal and his hazel eyes light with amusement. “Hi.”

I stand as he steps up in front of me. “Hi, yourself. New shirt?”

He runs one large hand over his stomach, making the outline of each abdominal muscle appear. “Yeah, Aunt Jane figured I needed a new Bama shirt before football season started.”

“It looks good on you.”

“Thanks.” He reaches out for my hand and then leans in close to my ear. “You look beautiful tonight.” His lips linger on my cheek and my breathing accelerates at the intoxicating scent of his cologne.

I sigh and internally shake off my disappointment as I whisper, “Thank you.”

It takes me a moment to regain my composure after having him so close. I lean to the left and cast my eyes to the truck he arrived in. “Is that your old truck?”

Cameron chuckles as he cast a glance over his shoulder, before turning his attention back to me. “It is. It took me a little while to get her cleaned up and running like I wanted.”

Memories of seeing Cameron driving through town all those years ago roll through my mind and when I turn my attention back to him, he grins. “Are you ready to go?”

“Um, yes. I just need to get the banana pudding and we can go.”

Cameron opens the screen door and follows me inside. “Are your parents out tonight?”

I open the refrigerator, take out the prepared dessert and kick the door closed. “Yeah, Aubrey invited them tonight too, but they had a meeting to finalize all the fair plans.”

“Do you need me to check the barn?”

I love how he’s willing to help around the farm. “No, Daddy took care of it before they left.”

Cameron walks across the kitchen, takes the dessert from my hands, and sets it on the counter. “Okay. So do you want to tell me why you looked so disappointed earlier?”

“I didn’t…”

He stops my protest with a raise of his brow. “Soldier, remember?”

I sigh in resignation, dang the Army for honing his observation skills. “Fine. I guess I’m a little confused. We’ve been seeing each other for a while now and we haven’t…I mean, you haven’t…” I take a deep breath and blurt out my question. “Why haven’t you kissed me?”

His gaze locked on mine; Cameron takes a step closer. “You want to know why I haven’t kissed you?”

I shrug. “Well, yeah. I mean if you don’t want to it’s fine, but I’d like to know why.”

Cameron takes a step back as if I’ve slapped him. “Is that what you think? That I don’t want to kiss you?”

I look down at my fidgeting hands. “Honestly, Cameron, I don’t know what to think.”

This time it’s Cameron’s turn to sigh. “Oh, Samantha, don’t you know? Since the day I arrived back in Blossom Creek, all I’ve thought about is kissing you. It’s not that I don’t want to kiss you, it’s just once I do, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop.”

My eyes search his and it’s the first time I see something other than pity. Instead, I see something I haven’t seen in a long time. Desire. “Is that such a bad thing?”

Cameron smiles. “No, but I won’t push you into something you aren’t ready for to fulfill my own selfish desires.” His hand cups my cheek. “So, sweet Samantha, when you’re ready I’ll be more than happy to oblige.”

His touch warms me and fills me with a boldness I’ve never had before. “What if I’m ready now?”

Cameron chuckles as he pulls me into his arms. “Aubrey is expecting us, so you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

I rest my chin on his chest as I look up at him. “Are you sure? I know Aubrey, and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if we were late.”

The grin he gives me makes me weak in the knees and I’m suddenly even more thankful he has me in his arms. “You make a good point, but yeah, I’m sure. Now, let’s get going before Aubrey sends out a search party.”

* * *

“It’sabout time you two showed up.” Aubrey chastises as we approach, hands on her hips and playful glint in her eye.

Cameron squeezes me to his side as he chuckles and kisses my temple. “I’m going to hang with the guys.”

“Chicken,” I mutter as we separate, making him laugh again.

Aubrey opens her arms and I step into her embrace. “You don’t look nearly as disheveled as I was hoping for.”

“Aubrey!” I exclaim and lightly smack her shoulder as I step out of her arms.

She waves a dismissive hand before heading up the stairs to the door leading to the kitchen. “Don’t Aubrey me or try to tell me you haven’t been thinking about it. Besides, I’ve seen the way you two look at each other, remember?”

We step into the kitchen, and Aubrey pulls open the refrigerator and hands me a bowl of potato salad before turning to take the banana pudding from me and placing it on the now empty shelf. She hands me a couple of potholders. “Can you check on the baked bean? This little one makes it hard to bend over to see into the oven.”

“Sure.” I pull the pan out of the oven and place it on top of the stove. “Aubrey these look delicious. You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.”

“Please, with what Jane and I cook daily, this wasn’t any trouble at all.”

I laugh because I can only imagine what it’s like to feed four grown men. Adding Cameron to our table recently has cut down on the number of leftovers we have now. The screen door slams, and I sense Cameron before I see him. His hand finds my hip as he stops beside me. Butterflies take flight in my stomach as his touch sends a wave of excitement through me. “Hey, you.”

“Hey,” he says eyes solely focused on mine. Caught up in the spell he cast over me, I barely hear Aubrey clear her throat.

The smile on her face tells me she doesn’t miss the flush on my cheeks as she looks between me and Cameron. “Did you need something, Cam?”

Cameron straightens but keeps his hand firmly in place on my hip. “Uh, yeah. Kenny sent me in to get the burgers.”

“They’re in the refrigerator, all ready to go.”

“Okay.” Cameron tosses me a wink before he releases me to open the refrigerator. He removes the tray of burgers and walks back outside.

As the screen door closes, I glance up to find Aubrey fanning herself. “Sweet baby Moses. The sexual tension between you two is off the charts. If it wouldn’t be so obvious, I would drag Kenny upstairs right now and have my way with him.”

My face flames as I hide behind my hands. “Aubrey!”

Aubrey shrugs as she moves to stand in front of me. “Sorry pregnancy hormones. Seriously though, how in the world are you here and not taking advantage of an empty house?”

I sigh, my shoulders falling. “Because I seemed to have found the most considerate man on the planet. One who refuses to even kiss me until he knows for sure I’m ready.”

Aubrey’s jaw drops and her voice lowers an octave. “Seriously?”

“Yep. I was beginning to think there was something wrong with me, so I asked him when he picked me up.”

“What did he say?”

“He said he’s wanted to kiss me for a long time, but he wants to make sure I’m ready because once he starts, he won’t want to stop.”

Aubrey’s eyes widen. “What did you say?”

“I said what if I’m ready now? He said I’d have to wait a little longer. Turns out, the man has an amazing amount of self-control.”

Aubrey scoffs. “Evidently, because the man who walked out of my kitchen looked ready to skip the barbeque and feast on you.”

“Yeah, well one day I may be thankful for his self-control, but today I’m wishing he had a little less.” Aubrey opens her mouth to say something but stops. I cock my head as I look at her. “What?”

She waves her hand. “No. It’s none of my business.”

I laugh and tease her. “That’s never stopped you before.”

Aubrey makes a face and sticks out her tongue at me. “I was going to ask how long it’s been since…?”

Embarrassment floods me as my eyes cast down at my fidgeting hands. “There hasn’t been anyone since Alan. So yeah, the thought of being with someone else is a little scary. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want Cameron.”

Aubrey’s mischievous smile turns her cheeks a deep shade of pink. “Well, I don’t know if it runs in the family, but if it does, it will be worth the wait.”

I feel my face flame in embarrassment, and I toss a potholder at her. “Oh my gosh, Aubrey! Stop!”

My best friend burst into laughter as three sets of heavy footsteps enter the house, Craig leading the charge. “Uh-oh boys, I think we may have interrupted some girl talk.”

“No, you didn’t interrupt anything,” I assure as Cameron comes into view, tossing me a wink from behind Kenny. I quickly avert my eyes as I feel my face begin to heat again.

Craig washes his hands as Kenny places the tray of burgers on the counter and kisses his wife. Cameron’s hand finds my hip as he steps up behind me. “Was he right?”

His deep voice in my ear puts my body on alert and shiver runs through me. “About?”

His hand flexes on my hip. “Were you talking about me?”

I turn my head slightly to the right, bringing us nearly nose to nose. “Maybe. Does that bother you?”

He grins, while his eyes caress my lips. “On the contrary, I like the idea of you talking about me. Means you were thinking about me.”

“Hey, you two, dinner’s ready.” Kenny’s voice breaks the trance Cameron has me under. A cocky grin appears on Cameron’s face as he straightens to his full height and places his hand on the small of my back to set me in motion. The simple gesture is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Oh, who am I kidding? I enjoy every time Cameron touches me. It’s something I didn’t realize I missed until we started seeing each other.

I take a step forward, take a plate, and hand one to Cameron. We fall in line, fill our plates, and then make our way to the table to eat.