Chapter 3

Cameron

I roll the tension frommy neck as I pass the Welcome to Blossom Creek sign. This is my third day of driving, and I’m more than ready to be on solid ground. A drive through the rolling hills of Alabama with the blue sky above is exactly what I needed.

Getting to spend the last two and a half weeks with Momma and Dad in Arizona was nice, but I basically traded one desert for another. This is what I missed, this is home, and I can’t wait to see my brother and get back to work on the farm.

I pump the brakes on the rented SUV as I take the curve in time to see a tanker truck pulling out of Kincaid Dairy. The truck driver waves as he straightens up the rig and I wave in return as I smile. “Good to see some things never change.”

I drive slowly through town taking in the shops lining Main Street. I see several new businesses along with some favorites from my childhood. The Blossom Creek Diner, hardware store, bakery, and florist, have all been mainstays in Blossom Creek for as long as I can remember.

As I pass the city limits sign, I shift in my seat knowing I’m now only a few miles from home. Fields on both sides of the highway are littered with bales of hay, not the small bales I remember loading onto the trailer as a kid, but the large round bales you need a tractor and bale spear to move.

A white mailbox comes into view, and I laugh as I notice it still stands crooked from taking a hit one too many times. I turn down the driveway leading to my childhood home and catch sight of a tractor cutting through the ground of the northeast field. Even from this distance, I can tell it’s Craig driving. I’m not surprised, Momma and Dad said Kenny’s wife is nearing her due date and he’s not far from her if he can help it.

I pull up in front of the house, turn off the engine, and step out of the vehicle. Closing the door, I take in the house I grew up in, noticing not much has changed since the last time I was here. I climb the steps to the porch, take a seat in one of the rocking chairs, and pull the bill of my hat over my eyes while I wait for my brother to notice me.

No more than ten minutes pass when I hear the tractor stutter in the distance; he’s noticed the car in the drive. Another five minutes go by before I hear the tractor engine quiet and footsteps approach, followed by my little brother’s voice. “Excuse me. Can I help you?”

I grin as I stand to my full height, taking my time to push back my cap and step out of the shadow of the porch. “Hey, little brother.”

“Cam?” A wide smile splits his face as he full on runs from where he stands taking the porch steps two at a time before colliding with me with a fierce hug. When he releases me, he claps a hand on my shoulder, “Damn it’s good to see you. How long are you in for? Have you talked to Momma and Dad?”

I chuckle at his rapid-fire questions, “It’s good to see you too. I spent a couple of weeks with Momma and Dad, but I thought it was time I came home.”

I see his face fall as he asks, “So you’re only here for a couple of days?”

I shake my head, “Well, considerin’ I signed my discharge papers, I was hoping you’d let me stay longer than a few days.”

His smile returns. “Are you kiddin’? Of course, you can stay!” He hugs me again, “Man, it’s good to have you home.”

I chuckle as he releases me once again. “It’s good to be home.”

“Aunt Jane is goin’ go nuts when she sees you. Today was Aubrey’s baby shower, so they should be home shortly.”

I pitch my thumb to the SUV parked in the yard. “Let me grab my bags and we can head over there and say hi.” I jog down the steps, pull my bags out of the back of the SUV, and follow Craig inside. A feeling of home envelopes me the moment I walk through the door and take in my surroundings. It looks pretty much the same as the last time I was here, though the couch is new. “Glad to see you upgraded the furniture.”

Craig chuckles. “Yeah, it was Aubrey’s. She sold what she could before we moved her down, said I could have whatever I needed of what was left.”

“That was nice of her. Momma and Dad had nothing but good things to say about her. I can’t wait to meet her.”

This time he laughs and shakes his head. “She’s something, all right. Couldn’t be happier for her and Kenny.” Craig pauses as he tilts his head. “Wait, you’ve seen Momma and Dad? How long have you been back?”

I grin uneasily as my hand finds the back of my neck as I admit, “A couple of weeks.”

“Seriously? And Momma didn’t say anything? You wait ‘til I call her tonight.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Don’t be too hard on her, I asked them not to say anything so I could surprise you.”

“Well, you certainly did.” Craig claps his hands. “I’m going to wash up, why don’t you settle in and then we’ll head over to Kenny’s.”

“Roger that,” I reply as I grab my bags and head upstairs to my old room. Walking through the door of my childhood bedroom, memories flood my mind. I knew Momma would leave everything in place once I left, so I packed away the football trophies, and FFA ribbons before I deployed. It’s nice to see she gave my room a fresh coat of paint and hung new curtains. The bed has been upgraded to a queen size, which is good since I don’t think I could fit in a twin bed now.

I toss my bags on the bed and begin to unpack. I begin by placing my things in the dresser and then move to the closet. I pull my dress uniform from the suitcase, and hang it in the empty closet, placing my dress shoes underneath it on the floor. Luckily for me, Momma was more than willing to take me shopping, otherwise my closet would be void of clothing other than my fatigues. Once I’m finished unpacking, I head downstairs to meet Craig.

Walking through the house, I find my brother in the kitchen staring out the window over the sink. “The place looks great.”

“Thanks. I’ve been making improvements a little at a time.”

“Well, if there’s anything I can help you with, let me know.”

He laughs as he leans against the counter. “Oh don’t worry, there’s plenty you can help with.”

“Good, you know I like to stay busy. By the way, is my old truck still here?”

Craig grins, “Yep, tucked safely away under the lean-to. I’m sure she’s going to need some work though; it hasn’t been started in a while.”

This time it’s my turn to grin. “Good thing I know a good mechanic.”

Craig shakes his head and laughs, walking over to clap me on the back. “Come on, let’s head over to the barn and surprise Kenny and the rest of the family.”

We climb into Craig’s truck to make the short drive over to Aunt Jane and Uncle Ken’s. “Think you can follow me to town tomorrow to return the rental?”

He glances over at me. “Sure, we can head out after breakfast.”

I grin. “Aunt Jane still spoiling you with breakfast?”

“You know it, plus now she has Aubrey to help her.”

“I bet she loves every minute of it.”

He laughs as we pull up beside the barn. “Man, you have no idea.”

We hop out of the truck, as Kenny comes out of the barn. "Hey, did something happen to the tractor?" Focused on Craig, he doesn’t seem to notice me until I close the truck door. His eyes dart in my direction, "Cam?"

"Hey cousin, how ya doing?"

A huge smile breaks out across his face as he pulls me into a hug. "Damn it’s good to see you," he says as he releases me.

"You too, man. I hear life’s treating you well."

He laughs. "Better than I ever expected. How long are you in for?"

"I got an early discharge, so as long as you’ll have me."

Kenny’s jaw drops before his smile returns. "Seriously?"

I grin and nod. "Yep, time to get back to civilian life."

"Well, there’s plenty to be done around here for sure."

Craig chuckles. “That’s what I told him.”

I hear the screen door slam followed by Uncle Ken’s teasing reprimand, “Don’t you boys have work to do?”

I turn and smile at my uncle, who looks so much like my dad, followed by another man I don’t know. “Sorry, Uncle Ken, I guess I distracted them a little.”

He slaps me on the back and pulls me into a hug, “Well, since it’s you, I’ll let it slide. Good to see you boy,” he says as he pulls away, giving my shoulder a squeeze.

“You too, Uncle Ken.”

“Cam,” Kenny says, gaining my attention. “This is my father in-law, Will Evans.”

I stretch my hand out in greeting. “Pleasure to meet you Mr. Evans.”

He grins as he shakes my hand. “Likewise, and Will, please. Craig tells us you’re in the Army. Thank you for your service.”

I glance over at my little brother. “I was. I recently finished my last deployment, so I’m home for good.”

“Well, ain’t that something,” Uncle Ken says with a grin before turning to Kenny’s father in-law. “Well, Will, it looks like with these three running the farm, you and I are going to get a lot more fishing time.”

Will chuckles. “It would seem so.”

Kenny shakes his head. “Don’t let them fool you, Cam, these two are so excited for the baby to arrive they won’t leave the house long enough to go fishing.”

I try to hide my grin, but both men take Kenny’s teasing in stride. “Of course we’re excited, you and Aubrey are giving us our first grandchild,” Will says.

Pride fills Kenny’s features and I see him stand a little straighter, “Yes sir, we are. And now Uncle Cameron will be here too,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder.

This time I don’t hold back my grin. “I can’t wait.”