Chapter 18

Samantha

The smell of bacon andfreshly brewed coffee greets me as I make my way downstairs Saturday morning.

Momma is pulling a pan of biscuits out of the oven when I walk into the kitchen. “Good morning, sweetheart. How was the cookout?”

“Morning, Momma. So much fun. We had a great time.” I pour three cups of coffee. “What do you need me to do?”

“I think I have everything ready, but if you don’t mind setting the table?”

“Not at all.” I move toward the drawer that holds the silverware and take out three settings. As I reach for the cabinet door where the plates are stored, the screen door opens behind me, and Daddy comes walking in.

“Amy, do you have room for one more?”

Daddy’s question makes me curious as another set of footsteps sounds behind him. I glance over my shoulder to see Cameron walking into the kitchen. He sweeps the baseball cap off his head and smiles at Momma. “Morning ma’am.”

“Cameron, so nice to see you. Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

His eyes cut to me, and he winks before he answers. “No ma’am.”

“Well then, you’re just in time. Samantha, set an extra place please.”

“Yes ma’am.” I reach up to the cabinet to get the plates and feel Cameron behind me.

“Here, let me.”

I look up at him and smile, relishing in how close his body is to mine. “Thank you.”

He reaches up and easily removes four plates from the cabinet. As he hands them to me, he dips his head and kisses me softly. “Morning.”

“Morning.” I pick up the silverware, place it on top of the plates and walk to the table, Cameron following behind me. “What brings you by so early?”

“I had a promise to keep. I told you last night I’d be back for more.”

My heart does a little flip and I feel my cheeks heat as I set the table. “Good to see you’re a man of your word.”

“I will try to always keep my word where your concerned, Samantha.”

Momma walks into the room interrupting the moment. “Cameron, would you like coffee?”

Reluctantly, he pulls his gaze away from me. “Yes ma’am, thank you.”

Cameron turns and walks back into the kitchen while I finish setting the table. A moment later he returns with a bowl in each hand and sets them on the table.

“Your momma has made enough food to feed my whole unit.”

“She loves feeding people and having you at our table has put her on cloud nine.”

Cameron rubs his hands together. “Then my plan is working.”

I laugh. “What plan is that?”

He draws me into his arms, hands resting at my waist. “Charm your momma to get to you.”

“I knew I should have kept a closer eye on you.”

Cameron laughs and kisses my forehead as Momma and Daddy join us and share a smile.

“Have a seat you two, it’s time to eat.”

While Momma and Daddy take their seats at each end of the table, Cameron pulls out a chair for me and then takes a seat beside me. The four of us join hands and then bow our heads as Daddy says grace. When the prayer ends, Cameron squeezes my hand before releasing it to take a bowl from Momma.

Daddy places a couple of strips of bacon on his plate. “What do you two have planned today?”

Cameron clears his throat. “I was going to see if could steal Samantha away for a few hours.” He looks at me and continues the conversation. “Mrs. Lawrence called this morning and offered to show us how to use the ice cream machine this morning.” He looks to first Momma and then Daddy. “That is of course, if you don’t need her to help at the fairgrounds.”

Momma smiles as she butters a biscuit. “I think we can spare her today. Especially since she’ll be preparing for our booth. Don’t you think, Harvey?”

Daddy winks at me as he continues eating his breakfast. “Especially if she brings home some samples.”

I laugh and Cameron grins, no doubt proud of himself for having my parents eating out of the palm of his hand. “I’ll make sure to bring some home for your approval.”

Daddy grins and winks at me. “That’s my girl.”

I lean over and mock whisper to Cameron. “In case you haven’t figured it out, the fastest way to get on Daddy’s good side is with dessert.”

Daddy chuckles at my statement before he looks at Cameron. “And the best way to stay there is to treat my daughter well.”

Before I can chastise my dad, Cameron places his hand on my leg and gives it a gentle squeeze letting me know he has this. He wastes no time giving Daddy reassurance. “Sir, that’s something you’ll never have to worry about.” Daddy holds Cameron’s gaze a beat longer than necessary before he nods, causing the tension I feel to ease. Cameron’s eyes find mine and he winks before returning to his breakfast.

Once we finish breakfast, the four of us work to get everything cleaned up. There are a lot of last-minute things we need to do before the fair opens next Friday. Mostly it involves cleaning in one way or another. As my parents climb into their truck, Cameron promises we will join them at the fairgrounds as soon as we are finished at the American Legion.

With my hand in his, we walk to Cameron’s truck. When he opens the driver’s side door I slide in, stopping in the middle of the bench seat. Before he slides behind the wheel, Cameron pulls his phone from his pocket and makes a call.

I smile when I hear Craig answer the phone. Craig has been like a big brother to me since I returned to Blossom Creek. With Cameron on active duty for the last eight years, the brothers are now closer than they’ve ever been. I sit in the truck and listen to Cameron’s side of the conversation.

“Hey, man. What are you up to today?”

Craig answers, but too low for me to hear.

“You think you can wrangle up some help and head over to the fairgrounds? Samantha’s parents are headed that way to get things cleaned up. I don’t know how much help they have, but I’m sure a few more hands would be appreciated.” Cameron listens a moment then chuckles. “Okay, thanks man. We’ll be there as soon as we finish at the Legion.”

Cameron ends the call, tosses his phone on the dash, and climbs in beside me. As he starts the truck, I lean over and kiss his cheek.

He grins as he puts the truck in reverse to start down the drive to the highway. “What was that for?”

“For being so sweet and getting my parents extra help.”

His grin widens as he pulls out on the highway and heads toward the American Legion. “All part of my plan.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “You’re going to keep it up and my parents are going to like you more than they do me.”

He reaches over and laces my fingers with his, resting our joined hands on my leg. “If they like me half as much as they love you, I’ll take it.”

Upon arrivingat the American Legion, Mrs. Lawrence greets us and immediately begins to instruct us how to use the ice cream machine. Once we have the first batch churning, she shows us where the extra containers are stored and the shelf, she designated for us to store the finished product in the freezer.

With all the ingredients in front of us, I begin handing the correct proportions to Cameron to pour into the machine. “How many batches do we need to make?”

“I’m not sure. We should be able to determine that though once the first batch is ready.”

“True. How many days will you be doing samples?”

“Five. The fair begins on Friday and ends the following Saturday. We’ll do samples the first weekend and then again on the last weekend. If all goes well, we can make a fresh batch for the closing weekend.”

Cameron adds the last ingredient, replaces the lid, and then looks at me and grins. “You want to do the honors?”

Excitement fills me and I nod emphatically. He steps out of my way, allowing me to flip the switch and start the machine. As the motor begins to hum, I squeal in delight and wrap my arms around Cameron’s’ waist. “Thank you, I couldn’t have done this without you.”

He hugs me tighter to him. “I’m glad I could give you this.”

I turn my head, my chin resting on his chest as I look up at him. “Me too.”

Cameron leans down and drops a kiss on my lips. “You know, we’ve got about twenty minutes before this batch is ready. Want to go make out in my truck?”

“As tempting as it sounds, I don’t want a time limit. I want to be able to kiss you for as long as I want.”

He kisses me again. “I like the way that sounds.”

I pat him on the chest and back out of his arm. “But first, we have ice cream to make.”

When the first batch is ready, Cameron helps me fill the containers. Once the machine is empty, we carry them to the kitchen, place them in the freezer and start the process again.

Sometime before noon, the veterans begin to arrive. Cameron leaves me on my own so he can spend time with each one. I watch as he interacts with them, completely in his element as they tell him of their time in the service. As if he has an internal alarm, Cameron is at my side at the completion of each batch helping me put it in containers and then starting the next one.

As I flip the switch for a new batch, I see Mr. Roher step up to the counter. “Samantha, what would it take to talk you out of some of ice cream?”

I smile as I step over to the counter and lean in close. “You have to answer one question.”

He looks at me suspiciously. “Okay.”

“Cone or bowl?”

Mr. Roher laughs and shakes his head. “I’ll take a bowl with some hot fudge if you have it.”

“We do. It will be ready in about ten minutes. Can you wait that long?”

He stands from the stool he was occupying. “Young lady, I’ve got nothing but time.”

His reply makes me smile yet triggers a sadness inside me as well, knowing he recently lost his wife. “Okay, I’ll bring it to you as soon as it’s ready.”

He pats the bar and then walks over to join in the conversation Cameron is having with Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Kerwin. Cameron welcomes Mr. Roher to the group with a handshake and then laughs before looking my way. Catching me watching their interaction, Cameron winks at me causing my smile to widen. As he turns back to the group continuing with their conversation, I turn on the hot fudge warner and set a bowl out to make Mr. Roher’s sundae.

When the ice cream is ready, I pull the lever and begin to fill the bowl. As I push the lever back in place stopping the flow of the ice cream, a pair of large hands land on my hips. “Hey beautiful, need some help?”

I lean back into his warmth. “Not yet, but as soon as everyone else sees this sundae, I have a feeling I’ll be making more.”

Cameron chuckles. “I think you’re right.” He kisses my cheek and then steps around me walking backward toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right back to help you make the others.” He disappears into the kitchen, and I ladle the hot fudge onto the ice cream. Adding a plastic spoon to the bowl I walk the sundae over to the table where Mr. Roher is seated with Mr. Kerwin.

I set the bowl on the table in front of him. “As promised, one hot fudge sundae.”

Mr. Roher looks up at me and grins. “Well, would you look at that.”

“We didn’t have any whipped cream, but I’ll make sure to get some for next time.”

He takes the spoon and loads it with both ice cream and hot fudge and takes a bite. Closing his eyes, he savors the creamy dessert. “Mmm. Young lady, you did a fine job. I haven’t had a hot fudge sundae this good in a long time.”

“Well then, it makes me feel extra special I was able to serve you one today.”

Mr. Kerwin eyes the sundae before looking up at me. “That does look mighty good. You wouldn’t happen to have enough for another one, would you?”

I smile excitedly; the sundaes are a hit. “I have enough for anyone who wants one.” I make my way back over to the ice cream machine and begin making a sundae for Mr. Kerwin. When I’m finished, I take the sundae over to Mr. Kerwin. “Here you go, Mr. Kerwin. Enjoy.”

As I step back behind the counter, Cameron walks out of the kitchen and looks around. “I thought they’d be lined up for ice cream by now.”

“I haven’t made an announcement, but I did make another one for Mr. Kerwin.”

Cameron grins. “Well, I’ll take care of that.” He steps around the counter and claps his hands. “May I have your attention? My beautiful girlfriend has spent the morning making ice cream and would like to share the latest batch with you. So, in a few minutes, I’ll be coming around to each table to take your order.”

When he makes his way back over to me the smile on my face is undeniable. “Did you just call me your girlfriend?”

He wraps his arm around my waist and draws me closer. “I believe what I said was my beautiful girlfriend. Are you okay with that?”

I relax into him, my heart doing a little flip as my eyes find his. “Yeah, I’m more than okay with it.”

Cameron’s eyes light up as he drops a kiss on my lips. “Good. Now what do you say we take care of these Vets and then head over to the fairgrounds to help your parents?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

True to his word, Cameron made his rounds to each table for ice cream orders. When the last sundae was made, he steps around the counter to make his last delivery. As I clean the machine, Mrs. Lawrence emerges from the kitchen with two large to-go bags and two fountain drinks. Placing them on the counter she watches as Cameron speaks to the veteran he delivered the sundae to, his hand firmly on the older man’s shoulder.

Mrs. Lawrence tilts her head in Cameron’s direction. “He’s a good man, Samantha.”

I can feel the smile form as I too watch Cameron interact with his fellow military men. “Yes ma’am, he is.”

Her attention shifts to me. “You know, after all you’ve been through, I wasn’t sure we’d see you smile again. It’s good to know we were wrong.”

I look down, embarrassment coloring my cheeks as my smile fades a little. “Between the happiness I feel and the guilt, it’s a bit overwhelming. I’m not sure I deserve to be as happy as he makes me.”

Mr. Lawrence rests her hand on mine. “Sweetheart, just because your first happily ever after was shortened, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve another.”

Her words give me comfort and I squeeze her hand. “Thank you, Mrs. Lawrence.”

“Well, that’s the last of them,” Cameron says as he approaches. He looks from me to Mrs. Lawrence and then back to me. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s good. You ready to go?”

“Yes ma’am.” He picks up the to-go bags and nods to Mrs. Lawrence. “Thank you for these.”

She waves him off. “No need to thank me, you paid for them.”

Cameron laughs. “True, but still, thank you.”

I step out from behind the counter and pick up the drinks. “Yes, thank you for everything. We may be back later in the week to make more ice cream.”

Mrs. Lawrence smiles. “You two are welcome any time, ice cream or not. Say hi to your folks for me.”

“I will,” I call before walking out of the American Legion and into the humid Alabama heat.