Page 18 of Forever with the Farmer's Daughter
Cameron
Ipull Uncle Ken’s truckup next to the farmhouse, turn off the engine and hop out of the truck. I take the stairs to the kitchen, knock on the screen door as I open it and call out as I step inside. “Hello? Anyone home?”
“In here.” I hear Aubrey reply from the living room as I walk through the kitchen.
I sit the box of jars on the end of the table and make my way inside. When I reach the living room, she is struggling to get off the couch and on her feet. I rush over and give her a hand. “Here, let me help you.”
Aubrey grips my hand, pulls herself to her feet, and smiles. “Thanks,” she says as she pulls down the hem of her top. “Now, please tell me you did not knock on the door before you came in.”
I chuckle as my hand finds the back of my neck. “I didn’t want to scare you.”
She grins and pats my arm. “You’re sweet, so I’ll let you off the hook this time. Now tell me, have you had lunch?”
“Uh, no. I was gone longer than I expected to be and wanted to get Aunt Jane’s jars back to her.”
Aubrey starts walking to the kitchen. “Well, let me fix you a plate.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to make me anything, I can grab something at the house.”
She waves a dismissive hand as she takes a plate from the cabinet. “There’s plenty of leftovers, so have a seat and I’ll fix you a plate.”
I take the plate from her. “How about I fix myself a plate and you take a seat. I don’t need Aunt Jane or Kenny coming in here and seeing you waiting on me in your condition.”
Aubrey rolls her eyes. “I’m pregnant, not an invalid. I can fix you a plate.”
“I know you can, but I’m more afraid of Aunt Jane than I am you, so sit and keep me company while I eat.”
“Okay,” she concedes. “I’m sure you know where everything is, if not just ask.”
I set the plate on the counter, walk to the refrigerator and remove a bowl of beans and all the makings for a sandwich. I add a helping of baked beans to the plate, and place it in the microwave to warm it up, before making myself a ham sandwich. When I’m finished, I fill a glass with water for myself and one for Aubrey while I wait for the microwave. Once the alarm sounds, I remove my plate and take a seat at the table across from Aubrey.
I take a couple of bites before Aubrey starts the conversation. “We haven’t had a chance to talk one on one since you’ve been home. Are you settling in okay?”
Her concern touches me. I smile as I answer. “I am. How about you? I hear you were a city girl before you met Kenny.”
Aubrey laughs as she rubs her belly. “Yeah, you know, it was easier than I anticipated. I’ve never spent much time in the country before. Of course, Jane has been a Godsend. She’s taught me so much.”
“I’m sure Aunt Jane has loved every minute of it.” I take a few more bites of my lunch. “You’re an attorney, right?”
“I was, am, yes. I plan on taking the Alabama bar and opening a practice here in Blossom Creek once the baby is born.”
“What kind of law do you plan on practicing?”
“Well, I was a corporate lawyer, but I’m hoping to offer family law services.”
I take the last bite and push my plate away. “Sounds like a solid plan.”
Aubrey shrugs. “We’ll see how it works out.” A moment of silence passes before she speaks again. “So, you went to school with Samantha.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I wondered how long it would be before you mentioned her.”
Aubrey grins, not the least bit embarrassed I’ve called her out. “How’d I do?”
“Lasted longer than I expected.” I get to my feet, take my plate to the sink and wash it. I find the dish towel and dry it as I turn to face Aubrey. “I ran into Samantha at the store today.”
She smiles at my confession. “Ahh, so that’s what took you so long.”
“Don’t read too much into it. We just talked.” Once I’ve finished drying my dishes, I put them away. “You haven’t seen any ice cream churns around here, have you?”
