Page 41 of Forever with the Farmer's Daughter
Iwalk Samantha to mytruck and open the passenger door for her to climb inside. She leans inside and places the drinks in the cup holders on the console on the floor, then climbs in and slides to the middle of the bench seat. I set the takeout bags on the seat next to her, close the door, and make my way to the driver’s side.
As I climb behind the wheel Samantha peeks into the bags and then turns to me, eyes wide. “How hungry are you?”
I laugh as I back out of the parking lot and head to the fairgrounds. “I’m sure I could eat one or two, but most of those are for the volunteers that came out to help your parents at the fairgrounds.”
“That was really sweet of you.” Her hand lands on my thigh and she gives it a squeeze.
I shrug, not comfortable with the credit she’s giving me. “I figured, in this heat, everyone was probably ready to take a break and refuel. Craig said they had plenty of drinks.”
“You called Craig? Did he say how it was going?”
I keep my eyes on the road as I answer. “Yeah, he said they had a couple of more hours of work and then they’d be finished.”
“Well, by the looks of the number of burgers in these bags, he contacted our entire graduating class.”
I can’t help but laugh because my brother has a knack for being a friend to everyone. “I wouldn’t put it past him.” We drive a few minutes in silence before my hand covers hers where it still rests on my thigh. “It looked like you and Mrs. Lawrence were having a pretty serious conversation back there. Are you sure everything is alright?”
She turns her hand under mine lacing our fingers together and caressing my hand with her thumb. “Yeah, she was giving me some much-needed advice. She’s very sweet. You seem very much in your element there.”
I glance over at her. “I am. I’ve always loved hearing the old-timers tell stories. Plus, some of those guys are lonely and want someone to talk to.”
“It’s still sweet of you to spend time with them. We should do it more often.”
Her statement surprises me, and I glance over at her again. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all. Besides, it was fun serving all of them ice cream today. And I’m sure Mrs. Lawrence could use an extra hand now and then.”
I lift our joined hands and kiss the back of hers. “You’re pretty incredible, you know that?”
She smiles. “Right back at you there, Sarge.”
When we reach the fairgrounds, Craig greets us. “About time you got here. I thought I was going to have to resort to chewing on tree bark.”
“You can blame me,” Samantha says as she climbs out of the cab. “We got caught up serving ice cream sundaes to the veterans.”
“Sundaes? And you didn’t even bring me one? I see how it is.”
Samantha swats Craig in the stomach, making me laugh, and Craig grunt. “Don’t pout, it’s not becoming. You’ll have to go with us one night this week and I’ll make you one.”
“Deal. Now, where are the burgers? We’ve got a hungry crew waiting for us.”
With all theexhibit halls cleaned and the booths set up, we gather outside near the livestock arena. Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid stand near the rail holding hands. As the last person joins us, Mr. Kincaid clears his throat and steps forward. “I want to thank you all for coming out to help today. I know there were many other things you could be doing, and this heat has been brutal, so again thank you. I want to especially thank Craig for rounding up everyone today and Cameron for bringing us lunch. Now, get out of here, enjoy the rest of your weekend and we’ll see you all at the fair next Friday.”
Each of the volunteers shake Mr. Kincaid’s hand and say goodbye to Mrs. Kincaid as they leave. Pride wells up inside me that I belong to this community, one I’ve been part of since birth. It’s the reason I knew when I left the Army, I’d return to Blossom Creek.
When only the Kincaids, Craig, Samantha, and myself remain, Craig claps me on the shoulder and addresses the group. “I’m going to throw some steaks on the grill. Would you all like to join me?”
I give Samantha a squeeze, “You in?”
She smiles as she looks up at me. “Steak sounds good to me.”
Mr. Kincaid wraps his arm around his wife. “We appreciate the invitation, but we’re going to hit the diner and then head home. You all enjoy though.”
Samantha steps forward and gives both her parents a hug. “You two drive safely and enjoy your dinner.”
“You too,” Mrs. Kincaid says as she releases Samantha. “Cameron, Craig, thank you again for all the help today.”
Samantha makes her way back to my side I place a kiss on her head. “It was our pleasure.”
