Page 3 of Forever with the Farmer's Daughter
Hutch wraps his arm around his wife and pulls her into his side. “Sorry Blondie, but I’m not letting you go anywhere alone until our little honeydew makes an appearance.”
These two crack me up and I love the way they refer to the baby as fruits and vegetables depending on how many weeks along Aubrey is in her pregnancy.
Aubrey crosses her arms over her chest. “Samantha, tell my husband I’d be fine driving the short distance into town by myself.”
I hold my hands up in surrender. “Don’t drag me into this. Besides, I think Hutch is just looking out for you and the baby so you’re going to have to deal with it.”
“Some best friend you are,” Aubrey replies with a huff.
“Thanks, Sam,” Hutch says as he grins in satisfaction and kisses Aubrey’s cheek. “I’m gonna get going. Call me if you need anything, I love you.”
“I love you too, Country. Be careful driving back.”
“I will. Bye, Sam,” Kenny calls as he opens the door.
“Bye, Hutch.”
I’ve known Kenny “Hutch'' Hutchinson all my life. Both our families have owned and operated farms on opposite ends of Blossom Creek for nearly a hundred years. Aubrey is the newest member of the Hutchinson family, well for another couple of months or so at least. She and Kenny met and fell in love in New Orleans and began a long-distance relationship, which quickly transformed Aubrey into a Blossom Creek resident once she found out there would be a little peanut joining them on the farm.
“You two are ridiculously adorable, you know that, right?”
Aubrey smiles. “You’ll be the same way one day.”
“Maybe, but I’m not holding my breath.”
“You wait, one day someone is going to ride into town and sweep you off your feet,” she says as she threads her arm through mine.
Her optimism gives me a glimmer of hope, and hopeful is something I haven’t felt in quite some time.
Aubrey squeezes my arm, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Now, tell me what you need me to do?”
“Nothing,” I say with a gentle shrug of my shoulder. “Everything is decorated. Your momma and Miss Jane will be here soon with the food, and the guests should start arriving in about twenty minutes.”
“Good,” she says as she lowers herself into a chair. “It gives us time to catch up. Is your mom coming?”
I shake my head. “No. She wanted to be here, but Daddy needed to help my uncle with a few things at their place before he and Momma head home. I told her we’d come by one day next week after she was back home and settled.”
“Good. You know I expect you and your momma to visit as often as possible.”
I laugh. “Like you aren’t going to have enough people fussing over you and the baby.”
“True, but I will need time with my bestie, and this little one is going to need their Auntie Samantha.”
I smile loving the fact I have been deemed an honorary auntie already. “You know I’ll be there any time I can be for both of you.”
“I know you will be,” Aubrey says as she carefully studies me. “How are you?”
If there is one thing I love most about Aubrey, it’s how she puts others first. Even though I was born and raised in Blossom Creek, I felt so isolated when I moved back. Of course, I understood; I mean what exactly does one say to a twenty-six-year-old widow? Most of my friends were starting families, not burying their spouses. The expressions of pity I received everywhere were too much to bear. I threw myself into work on the family farm and put my degree to use by taking over the business side of the dairy.
I first met Aubrey as she and Hutch walked along Main Street. She immediately bristled, thinking I was her competition, and did not hesitate in making the inquiry to find out. Once I relieved her fears, she apologized, and we became fast friends. When she and Hutch returned from their honeymoon and were settled in, we began having weekly lunch dates.
When I shared why I moved back to Blossom Creek with her, she immediately asked how I was. I wasn’t sure how to respond at first. It had been so long since anyone had asked about me, I started crying in the middle of the cafe. Since then, Aubrey asks about me first, and Aubrey Hutchinson will not accept the polite answer, she wants the honest truth. Once she is satisfied with my answer, she asks about my parents and the farm.
I answer her honestly. “I’m good.” Aubrey huffs as she levels me with a look of disbelief. I’m certain if she were standing, her hands would be on her hips and her head would be tilted. Lucky for me she’s too far along in her pregnancy to move quickly, but I still can’t help but laugh. “Don’t give me that look, missy, I’m tellin’ you the truth. Between taking care of the farm’s books, helping Momma, and planning your baby shower, it’s kept me occupied.”
“You’re sure it hasn’t been too much on you?”
I shake my head. “It hasn’t. If anything, it’s been therapeutic.”
