Page 20 of Forever with the Farmer's Daughter
Instead of working on the tractor as I intended, I decide to poke around the barn to see if I can find the ice cream churn. After a few hours of looking and straightening things up, I'm about to call it a day when something draped in canvas catches my eye.
I walk over to the corner of the barn and carefully remove the canvas revealing a wooden cradle with an ice cream churn sitting inside. I run my hands over the cradle, which looks to be in great shape, other than needing an obvious cleaning. I make a mental note to ask Uncle Ken about it after dinner, as I'm sure Aubrey would love to use it for the baby.
I remove the ice cream churn, and cover the cradle back up, leaving it just as I found it. Picking up the churn, I place it by the barn and go check in with Kenny and Craig.
Samantha
It’s been over a weeksince I ran into Cameron at the grocery store. After talking with Momma and searching every inch of the farm for the ice cream churn, I’ve come up empty. After church, I give in and call Christine, who admits she had taken the churn with her after she got married. She laughs as I tell her about running into Cameron and how he remembers her and the cheer squad making ice cream for the team.
“Oh Sam,” Christine says through the phone. “I’m so glad you called. I hadn’t thought about that in ages. Cam’s right, I landed Warren solely on my ability to make homemade ice cream.”
I laugh at her admission. “Yeah, I’m sure your flexibility and ability to do the splits had nothing to do with it.”
Christine laughs. “I’d deny it, but then I’d be lying, and Momma didn’t raise me to lie.” Our conversation continues, Christine catches me up on the latest accomplishments of my nine-month-old niece and I fill her in on all things Blossom Creek. “So,” Christine draws out. “Cam Hutchinson is back in town.”
I smile like I have all week at the thought of Cameron. “Yeah.”
“Well?” Christine prods. “How’s he look? What’s he doing back in town? Tell me everything.”
A smile creeps back onto my face as I compare the Cameron I now know to the one I knew in high school. “He was recently discharged from the Army, so he came home to help Craig and Kenny run the farm. As for how he looks, he’s about twice the size he was in high school.”
Christine’s voice drops in amazement. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. I almost feel sorry for his T-shirts, they are stretched so tight on his body.”
Christine practically swoons on the other end of the line. “Oh, sweet mercy.”
“He’s as easy on the eyes as he always was. So, I’m definitely not complaining about seeing him around town.”
“I should say not. You realize I’m going to need a picture, right?”
I scoff. “Yeah, like that’s going to happen.”
“Why wouldn’t it? When are you seeing him again?”
“I don’t exactly have plans to see him; we’ve just been running into each other.”
Christine sighs. “I should have spent more time with you teaching you how to flirt and accidentally on purpose run into guys. Obviously, I’ve failed you as a sister.”
“Hey! I do okay for myself.”
“When was the last time you were on a date?” I begin to answer, and she cuts me off. “And going out with Craig does not count. We both know he’s basically your wingman.”
Exasperated, I sigh. “Fine. It’s been a while, okay?”
Her voice softens. “Sam, I know how much you loved Alan. We all did. But I know he wouldn’t want you wasting away on the farm. You deserve to find love and happiness again.”
I draw patterns on the quilt covering my legs with my finger, my voice barely above a whisper. “I know. Losing Alan almost broke me. How can I be sure I’m ready to start something new?”
“Oh honey,” Christine coos soothingly into the phone. “No one is ever sure. We just take a leap of faith and hope our hearts don’t get shattered in the process. I’m willing to bet, if Cam’s the same guy I remember, he’s not going to let anything happen to yours.”
“Well, as much as I appreciate this pep talk, I’m afraid it’s all a little premature. Cameron hasn’t even asked me out yet.”
“Don’t you have weekly lunches with Kenny’s wife?”
I answer cautiously. “I do.”
Christine’s voice takes on an insistent tone. “Then make sure you cross paths the next time you are at their farm.”
