Chapter 26

Samantha

“How’s that?”

Cameron’s question pulls me from the spell he’s had me under since climbing on the ladder to hang the Kincaid Dairy banner on our booth in the exhibit hall. The sight of his muscles expanding and contracting under the Kincaid Dairy t-shirt he’s wearing has me far more distracted than I should be. I give my head a little shake and smile before my eyes check out his denim clad ass one more time. “Perfect.”

He ties the banner in place and climbs down to stand next me. I wrap my arm around his waist and lean my head on his chest. “Thanks for helping me set up.”

He draws me closer and kisses the top of my head. “Anything for you, babe.”

I smile at the endearment he’s recently started using and watch as he folds the ladder and turns it horizontal to carry it back out to the truck. “I’m going to take the ladder to the truck and run to the Legion Hall to get the ice cream. I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Okay, be careful.”

He leans down to kiss me and heads for the exit, only to have someone call his name before he reaches the door. I watch as Donna from Blossom Creek Blossoms calls him over to give her a hand with something. Cameron waves and heads over to the booth to see what she needs.

I smile to myself as I open the box of decorations and pull out the cow print fabric Aubrey and I picked up at the craft store a few weeks ago. I drape the material over the front of the booth, place an arrangement of sunflowers in a milk can in one corner and a stack of Kincaid Dairy brochures in the other.

As I close the box and stash it behind the booth, Aubrey walks up. “Sam, this looks wonderful!”

I step from behind the booth and hug my best friend. “Thanks! I was just about to walk over and see you.” I look around surprised Kenny isn’t with her. “Where’s Hutch?”

She hitches her thumb over her shoulder to the landscape booth set up on the opposite side of the hall. “Ida Mae needed his help carrying something in from her truck.”

“Sounds familiar. Donna caught Cameron as he was headed out to get the ice cream samples.” I glance over at the florist booth and find Cameron at another booth helping someone else.

I laugh as Aubrey looks over her shoulder and finds Kenny at a different booth as well. “Looks like we’re both sharing the Hutchinson men with the town. Maybe we should go get your ice cream ourselves.”

“If I thought we could lift the cooler once it’s packed, we would but it’s heavy enough empty. And Kenny would kill me if I let you help.”

She rolls her eyes and sighs. “Ugh, don’t I know it.”

The minute Aubrey told Kenny they were expecting their first child, he switched into protector mode and her independence took a backseat. I truly believe she has a running list of things she plans to do once the baby arrives. At the top of the list, horseback riding. The horses on their farm have been completely infatuated with her since the day she arrived. Kenny promised her he’d teach her to ride after the baby was born and she fully intends to make him keep his promise.

I tilt my head toward Cameron. “Walk with me; we’ll check out the other booths and gently remind him he needs to go.”

Aubrey laughs, “Good plan.”

We make our way around the perimeter of the exhibit hall taking in each booth and chatting with our neighbors. Since I grew up here, I introduce Aubrey to a few people she hasn’t met. When we reach the corner, I catch Cameron approaching out of the corner of my eye.

“Hey there, big guy.” Aubrey greets us as he joins us.

He chuckles and grins at her before turning his attention to me. “Hey, Aubs. Sorry, babe, they caught me before I could slip out the door.”

I wave a dismissive hand. Truth is, I love the fact he’s willing to help someone in need. It’s how we were raised and what you do for your neighbors and friends. I’d be disappointed if he didn’t put their needs above his own. “It’s fine. We have an hour before the exhibit hall opens so there’s still plenty of time.”

He adjusts his grip on the ladder. “Okay good. But I better get going before someone else wrangles me into helping them.”

He leans in to kiss me and I smile. “Okay, be careful.”

“Will do,” he says as he heads for the door.

I watch until he disappears outside and then turn my attention back to Aubrey, who’s grinning from ear to ear. “What?”

She shakes her head. “You two are so cute together. I’m really happy for you both.”

“Thanks,” I say as I lace my arm through hers. “Now let’s find your husband and see your booth. I can’t wait to see how you decorated it.”

The ice creamsamples were a big hit Friday night. Once word got around, we ran out within a couple of hours. Since we are manning the booth all day on Saturday and Sunday, we anticipated the higher demand and tripled the number of samples we would have on hand to distribute.

As Cameron returns from the truck with the cooler, Craig comes through the door. Signature grin in place, he charms his way down the aisle taking in the booths as he makes his way to us. “Morning Sam, Cam.”

I smile at him, instantly recognizing the glint in his eye, telling me he’s up to something. “Morning, Craig.”

Cameron grins, taking in his younger brother. “Hey, little brother.”

Craig winks at me and focuses on his brother. “How long are you working here today?”

Cameron looks at me and I fight to hide my smile. “Samantha’s parents are relieving us at five. Why?”

Craig ignores his question only to ask one of his own. “Think you can get someone to cover for you around two?”

Cameron crosses his arms over his chest and eyes his brother suspiciously. “Possibly. Why do you ask?”

“Great! I signed us up for the greased pig contest, so we have to check-in at the arena at two.”

“What!”

A giggle escapes me, and I immediately slap my hand over my mouth and then grab my phone to text Momma. Cameron glares while Craig continues to grin. “Yep, I signed us up.” He taps his hands on the booth and pushes away. “Okay, I gotta go tell Kenny the news. See ya at two, brother.” He throws a fist in the air. “Woo! Go, team Hutchinson!”

I’m still giggling at the look on Cameron’s face as he walks away. “You know you shouldn’t be encouraging him.”

“I know, but you know how I feel about Craig. Plus, he’s only doing it to spend time with you and Kenny.” I shrug. “It’s sweet.”

Cameron scoffs. “Sweet. Crazy is more like it.”

I lightly smack his arm. “Oh, stop, you big grump. It’ll be fun.” My phone dings three times in quick succession with text. One from Momma saying she’ll be happy to cover for us during the contest and two from Aubrey, who’s as excited as I am to watch Team Hutchinson. I giggle at her enthusiasm, type a quick reply, and slide my phone into my back pocket.

At a quarter ‘til two,Cameron, Kenny, Aubrey, and I make our way over to the arena to join Craig. I follow Aubrey into the stands, and we find a seat in the third row. While we wait for things to get started, Aubrey leans over, “Kenny tried to get me to stay at the booth, but there was no way I was missing this.”

“Oh, me either. Cameron was less than thrilled to hear Craig signed them up for this.”

At precisely two o’clock the announcer’s voice comes over the pa system. “Good afternoon, folks and welcome to the eighty-third annual Dogwood County Fair! Have we got a treat for you this afternoon. A little earlier today we had the children’s version of this competition and now we’re thrilled to bring you the adult version of the greased pig contest.” The crowd breaks into applause, whooping and hollering ready to cheer on their team. Once the crowd quiets the announcer continues. “Now the rules are a little different for the adults. We let them work in teams of three, and they’ll have to capture two greased pigs and get them into a pen. The team with the fastest time wins. So, folks what do you say we bring out our first team and get started?”

The first team steps into the arena and the announcer introduces each member. When they’re ready, two pigs are released, and the team begins working to corral first one pig and then the other. “Okay folks, let’s hear it for Team Barkley, with a time of three minutes and fifty-two seconds.”

The team waves to the crowd and heads back through the gate to wait as the other teams join the competition. Two more teams enter the arena, both posting impressive scores until finally the announcer introduces the last team. “Well, folks, we’re down to our last team of the day. Say hello to Team Hutchinson.”

Aubrey and I whistle and holler, cheering our team as they enter the arena waving to the crowd. The announcer’s voice comes through the speaker once again. “For those of you who don’t know, Kenny and Craig Hutchinson own and operate Hutchinson Farm, right here in Blossom Creek. And Cameron Hutchinson is our very own hometown hero, returning to Blossom Creek after serving in the Army for the past eight years. Welcome home Cameron and thank you for your service.” Cameron steps forward, removes his cap, and waves to the crowd. As the applause erupts, pride swells in my chest and Aubrey squeezes my hand.

“Okay, you boys ready?” All the guys give a wave, and the announcer continues. “All right, then, for the last time today, release the pigs!”

The gate at the end of the arena opens and two pigs trot out looking a little tired. Craig directs Kenny to one side and Cameron to the other as he takes the front. Everything changes once the guys close in on the pig. As Cameron approaches from the right side, he leaps forward to wrap his arms around it’s middle. The pig squeals and slips through his arms leaving him stumbling into the dirt. Craig tries to take the pig head on, but the pig runs through his legs leaving him flat on his back. Kenny sets his sights on one of the hogs only to reach the same end as his cousins.

Aubrey and I laugh until our sides hurt and tears are running down our faces. Never in my life have I seen the Hutchinson men so out of sorts, and I’ve known them all my life.

Aubrey wipes at the tears. “Oh my god, they’re going to make me pee my pants.”

Her declaration makes us laugh even harder as we watch the spectacle before us.

They regroup and try again, this time successfully wrangling one of the pigs into the pen. The second pig seems easier for them, they flank the pig getting it close to the pen this time before trying to get hands on it. Kenny takes the lead this time, grabbing hold of the pig from behind as Cameron takes the middle. Getting a better grip, they get to their feet and head to the pen where Craig stands waiting to open the gate. Cameron and Kenny step inside, release the pig and scramble back out as Craig closes the gate.

“And there you have it folks, our winners with the fastest time of three minutes and forty-eight seconds!”

Aubrey and I leap to our feet clapping and hollering for Team Hutchinson as the rest of the teams enter the arena. Each team is given a ribbon in honor of their placement in the competition. After one more round of applause, the teams exit the arena. Aubrey and I make our way down to greet the guys. As they step out, all three covered in grease and dirt, I can’t help but smile. “You guys did amazing! Congratulations!”

Craig wraps his arms around Kenny and Cameron’s necks. “You know what this calls for?” I look at Aubrey and we both shake our heads. “A group hug!”

Before either of us can protest, Team Hutchinson wraps us both in a hug, sharing all the dirt, grease, and pig stink with us.

Craig backs away as Cameron lifts me off the ground and kisses me. My hands frame his face and scrunch my nose. “You need a shower.”

He grins and runs a greasy, dirty finger down my nose. “I’m thinking you could use one too. So how about we head to the house and make that happen?"

I lean in and kiss him. “Lead the way.”