Chapter 28

Samantha

“Okay, we have your something old, borrowed and blue. Now we need your something new. Hmm.” Aubrey taps her chin, one hand resting on her protruding belly.

“My wedding dress will be my something new,” I say as I stand in front of the full-length mirror and take in my reflection. Three weeks after Cameron proposed, Christine sent both me and Beth plane tickets to spend the weekend in Atlanta dress shopping. We went to three different shops, and I tried on dozens of gowns before this one caught my eye. A champagne silk slip dress with white lace overlay and a small train. As soon as I tried it on, I could picture myself in Cameron’s arms dancing at our reception.

“That could work, but I think we should use this.” I turn to face Aubrey, wearing a bright smile, as a small gift bag dangles from her finger.

“What do you have there?”

She stretches out her arm, making the bag swing as it beckons me to her. “Cameron dropped it off this morning and asked me to give it to you before the ceremony.”

I take the gift bag, reach inside and pull out a small velvet box. I glance up at Aubrey, open the lid and gasp as I take in the princess cut diamond solitaire earrings. The cut matches my engagement ring perfectly and my heart swells at the thought Cameron gave me this gift.

Aubrey peeks over the lid of the box, eyes going wide. “For a man whose spent the last eight years in the desert, he has great taste in jewelry.”

“Yes, he does.” I smile as I hand Aubrey the bag, remove the earrings from the box and slide them in my ears. I walk back to the mirror and admire Cameron’s gift, thankful I decided to wear my hair swept back.

Aubrey walks up behind me, “Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.” I turn and she hands me my bouquet of burgundy dahlias and ivory roses. “Now, let’s get you married.”

Aubrey and I head downstairs to meet Kenny who’s waiting for us at the foot of the stairs. He offers Aubrey his hand, helps her down the last few steps and brings her into his side. He smiles at me as I descend the last few steps. “Samantha, you look beautiful. My cousin is the second luckiest man in the family.”

I laugh. “Thanks, Hutch. What do you say we get going and make me the second luckiest woman in the family?”

Between the high school football playoffs and making sure the date didn’t collide with the NFL season so Christine and Warren could attend, Cameron and I had two options for our wedding date. Thanksgiving weekend or wait until January. Since we were both so anxious to start our lives together, we opted for Thanksgiving.

Two weeks after our engagement, while having dinner with my parents, they gifted us five acres of land on the east side of the farm. Daddy said since I would be taking over operations of Kincaid Dairy one day, it only made sense Cameron and I build a home on the property. Stunned with their generosity, Cameron and I couldn’t think of a better place to get married than on the property where we’ll be building our life together.

We have a meeting with the contractor next week to discuss building our dream home. Until the house is ready, we’re renting a place in town from a newly retired couple, who want to spend some time traveling.

Kenny pulls the SUV through the gate and into the reserved space. He puts the vehicle in park and comes around to help first Aubrey out and then me. He squeezes my hand and winks at Aubrey. “I’ll let them know were here and ready to begin.”

Kenny makes his way to where the ceremony is set to take place. The beautiful pergola Kenny and Craig built for us to stand under and say our vows will be permanently installed in our backyard once the house is finished. Standing behind the vehicle, I wait for the music to begin signaling the start of the ceremony. As the first notes begin to play, Aubrey lays her hand on the side of her belly and winces.

“Aubrey? Everything okay?”

She smiles reassuringly. “Oh yes, just some Braxton-Hicks contractions since it’s almost time for this little one to make their debut.”

“Okay, if, you’re sure.”

“I am. Now, let’s get moving before Cameron comes and gets you.”

Aubrey begins the processional, makes her way down the makeshift aisle and then takes her place in front of our family and friends. I take a deep breath and make my way to the aisle, eyes solely focused on Cameron. He looks incredibly handsome in his beige suit and burgundy tie. Since Daddy had already given me away once, I opted to walk down the aisle alone. However, Cameron seems to have different plans and meets me halfway.

His eyes drink me in as he comes to a stop in front of me. “You look beautiful.”

I feel a blush creep onto my cheeks as I smile up at him. “Thank you. You look very handsome too.”

He offers me his arm. “May I?” I smile and thread my arm through as he guides us the rest of the way down the aisle to begin the ceremony.

As the doorsof the American Legion open, the DJ begins to speak. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce to you for the first time in public, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Hutchinson!”

Cameron and I walk through the doors hand in hand to the cheers and applause of our family and friends. We walk to the center of the floor and Cameron spins me around before pulling me into his arms for our first dance. As Lady by Kenny Rogers begins to play, a warm feeling fills me. It’s the first song Cameron and I danced to on our first date, so it will forever hold a special place in my heart.

As Cameron and I sway to the music, he smiles down at me. “Finally, I have you in my arms, Mrs. Hutchinson.”

“I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be, Mr. Hutchinson.”

He grins mischievously, “Well, I could think of at least one place.”

I laugh as he winks, “Soon, husband, soon.”

By the time the song ends, the buffet is setup and ready. Rather than closing the hall for a private event, we decided to leave it open and order enough food for whoever came by, so they would all be able to share in the celebration. Many of our local veterans utilize the Legion for meals, so it was important to both Cameron and I that they still be able to come here, even if we were having our wedding reception.

As we head to the table to cut the wedding cake, Aubrey and Kenny stop us. “Samantha, Cameron, it appears my wife has been having contractions for some time now but neglected to tell me. So, we are heading to the hospital.”

Aubrey winces from another contraction and speaks through gritted teeth. “I wasn’t going to miss my best friend’s wedding.”

“Oh my gosh, Aubrey! Yes, go!” I give her hug as Cameron shakes Kenny’s hand and claps him on the back.

“Good luck, man. Keep us posted.”

“We will,” he says as he puts his arm around Aubrey and leads her to the door. Both Kenny and Aubrey’s parents following close behind.

Once the cake is cut and served, Cameron and I begin to mingle with our guest. When Cameron, Warren, and Beth’s husband Brian, begin to relive their glory days, I kiss my husband and go join my sisters at the table. Before taking a seat, I give each one of them a hug. “Thank you both so much for coming.”

Beth squeezes me tight before releasing me. “We wouldn’t have missed it. It’s wonderful to see you happy.”

“Thank you. Cameron is everything I never knew I needed.”

I hug Christine, and then take a seat beside her. She smiles and shakes her head. “Do you realize, Cameron hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night.”

I glance over at my husband and find his gaze settled on me as he carries on the conversation with Warren and Brian. I smile and turn back to my sisters. “That’s just part of his Army training. He’s always aware of what’s going on around him.”

Christine reaches out and pats my hand. “You keep telling yourself that sweetie. The only tactical move Cameron is ready to make, is to get you out of here.”

“Well then, I better not keep him waiting.” I stand and set my sights on my husband. “See you at brunch tomorrow girls.” I hear my sisters laughing and cheering behind me as I walk to where Cameron stands, ready to get my wedding night started.