Chapter 22

Samantha

Once I hear Cameron andCraig leave for the barn, I head to the bathroom to shower. With my shower complete, I wrap a towel around me, brush out my hair to dry a bit and walk back to Cameron’s room to dress and search for a shirt to borrow. Dressed only in my shorts and bra, I open one of the chest drawers and find an Army T-shirt. The shirt falls to my knees, so I knot it at the side making it more form-fitting, and then head downstairs to start breakfast.

When I reach the kitchen, I pour myself a cup of coffee and pop a couple of slices of bread in the toaster. Cameron said they’d only be about an hour, but my stomach is already rumbling. While I wait for the toast, I search the refrigerator for something to make for breakfast. “I should have guessed there wasn’t much here.” During the week Cameron and Craig have breakfast and lunch at Kenny and Aubrey’s, and lately, most evenings Cameron has dinner at my house.

I pull out a carton of eggs, bacon, onion, cheese, and tomato and set it on the counter. When the toaster pops up, I add the smear of blackberry jam and eat before going in search of a skillet.

With both the bacon and the frittata I decided to make in the oven, I wash up the dishes I used. As I dry the mixing bowl, Craig and Cameron walk through the door in their socked feet and set their boots by the door. I smile because I know, like my momma, their momma and aunt insisted boots be left at the door to not track dirt all over the house.

“Man, something smells good,” Craig says as they walk into the kitchen. “Mornin’, Sam.”

I can hear the teasing smile in his voice and a slight blush forms on my cheeks. I look over at them as I begin to make a fresh pot of coffee. “Morning.”

I’ve known Craig long enough to know his happiness over seeing me here with his brother is genuine. Cameron walks over to me and wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side. I look up at him and grin, welcoming the quick kiss he gives me. “Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey,” I reply softly. “I hope you don’t mind, I borrowed one of your shirts.”

“Not at all, I told you to make yourself at home.”

I pat his solid chest. “Good because that’s exactly what I did. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes, so wash up.”

He grins and I think he’s going to tease me for being bossy. Instead, he releases me and waits for Craig to finish at the sink “Yes, ma’am.”

Craig dries his hands and hands the towel to Cameron when he’s finished. “Anything we can help you with?”

I shake my head as I remove the skillet from the oven, followed by the sheet pan with the bacon on it. “I think I have it under control, but can you pour us all some coffee if you don’t mind.” Craig sets about filling our cups as I plate up the bacon. “You guys should probably make a grocery run I used your last package of bacon. Thankfully you had enough eggs in the refrigerator to make a decent frittata.”

The confused look on Craig’s face is almost comical. Cameron looks clueless as well but doesn’t ask. Craig on the other hand, does. “A what?”

I laugh as I cut into the fluffy concoction in the skillet. “It’s basically an omelet you bake instead of cooking on top of the stove. This one has onion, cheese, and tomato and of course, I made some bacon.”

I hand a plate to Craig, and then one to Cameron, each with large slices before placing two smaller pieces on a plate for myself. Cameron eyes my plate suspiciously. “Are you sure you have enough? You’re welcome to some of mine.”

I shake my head. “Don’t worry about me, I had two slices of toast and some of that incredible blackberry jelly with my first cup of coffee, and I plan to eat my share of bacon.”

We all take our seats and dive into our breakfast. Cameron takes a bite and then reaches for a piece of bacon. “Thanks for making breakfast, Samantha, this is delicious.”

Craig nods in agreement, already loading his fork with another bite. I look up and watch him, he glances up and smiles at me. “I’m glad you like it. What do y’all have planned today?”

Craig is the first to speak. “Well, usually we take care of the barn and then head to the diner for an early lunch.”

“But today,” Cameron says as he takes over the conversation. “Someone was nice enough to make us breakfast, so it looks like we have some free time.”

After we cleanup from breakfast, Craig heads upstairs to gather the laundry and then makes a list of things he needs from the store. Since I basically used the last of their food for breakfast, Cameron volunteered us to make the grocery run.

As Cameron finishes drying the last dish, he tosses the dishtowel on the counter and holds out his hand to me. “Take a walk with me?”

I smile and place my hand in his. “I’d love to.” Cameron takes my hand and walks me out the door. I brush my hand over the front of his shirt I’m wearing. “I guess we should probably stop by the house so I can change clothes before we head to the store.”

His eyes quickly rake over me before he scoffs and pulls me closer to his side. “As sexy as you look wearing my shirt, there’s not a chance in hell that’s happening.”

I smile up at him. “Well, when you put it like that.”

Cameron kisses my temple; his thumb moves back and forth over my hand as we walk the property. I can tell he has something on his mind, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about men, it’s they’ll share when they’re ready and not a moment before.

When we reach a trail, Cameron directs us down it until we reach a clearing. “I remember this place. We used to come out here on Saturday nights and have bonfires.”

Cameron grins, eyes lighting up with a memory. “Yeah, my parents were cool. They figured if they allowed us to have the bonfire with our friends, we weren’t out causing trouble or drinking and driving.” Perplexed, he looks over at me. “Funny though, I don’t remember seeing you here.”

I shrug as I look out over the now overgrown field. “I was too nervous to come out here my freshman year. But my sophomore year and beyond, I was here every Saturday.” I look up at him thoughtfully. “I think that’s when Craig and I started to become such good friends. He would pour out his heart to me after seeing Susie Dixon with someone else, devastated she wouldn’t give him a chance.”

Cameron chuckles remembering his brother’s long-time crush. “Susie Dixon, I wonder whatever happened to her?”

“She’s a teacher in West Virginia.”

“Of course, I forgot you would know.”

He releases my hand and wraps his arm around my shoulders pulling me into his side. “So, tell me Samantha Kincaid, is your dad going to meet me at the door with a shotgun when I take you home?”

I laugh at his question. “You mean because I spent the night with you last night?” He nods and I shake my head. “They know.”

He looks down at me brows raised, shock evident in his voice. “You told them you spent the night with me?”

“Of course, I did. The last thing I needed was them freaking out when I didn’t come home. Besides, I’m a grown woman, I think you’re safe from having to make any shotgun decisions.”

He sighs as he stares out at the landscape. “Good.” His thumb strokes my shoulder, an action I’m finding he finds comforting whenever touching me. “I told Craig about the nightmares this morning.”

I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest. “I’m glad, he was worried about you. And thank you for telling me about them, it meant a lot to me.”

Cameron kisses my temple and then rest his cheek on top of my head. “I should be the one thanking you. Last night was the first full night’s sleep I’ve had since it happened.”

My heart clenches in my chest for this man. To think he’s been carrying this demon with him for so long without talking to anyone practically shatters me. “Oh, Cam, I’m so sorry. I wish I’d known sooner.”

He shrugs. “No one knew. Craig only knew I was having nightmares because he would hear me at night.”

I lift my head from his chest. “Wait! Craig heard your nightmares?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Oh my God, Cameron! Do you think he heard us last night?”

Cameron throws his head back and laughs. “Maybe, but if he did, he didn’t say anything this morning.”

I can feel my face flame with embarrassment as I cover my face with my hands, making Cameron laugh even harder. I smack his arm. “This isn’t funny!”

He gathers me back in his arms. “Relax, babe. Craig isn’t going to say anything. He may tease me, but he won’t say anything to you. Besides, it’s not like we have much choice. There’s no way I can stay over at your place with your parent’s downstairs. Talk about an awkward morning after.”

I cringe at the thought. “Good point.”

He tips my chin up and kisses me. “Come on beautiful, let’s go grocery shopping.”

“Be still my heart,” I tease as he leads me back to the house. “Never let it be said you don’t know how to show a girl a good time.”

“Oh yeah? I’ll show you a good time,” he replies, voice full of mischief. He darts in front of me and throws me over his shoulder making me laugh and squeal at the same time while taking off in a run toward the house.