Free Love in the Falls by Rachel Hanna Page A

away from my regular life,” Camden said with a laugh.
     
        “Oh, honey, I don’t think you realize how much work farm life is…” Rebecca said laughing.
     
        “It can’t be that bad…” Camden said as she pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.
     
        “Um… okay… I guess you will have to be the judge of that. Just remember that the stress of running that place was probably a big contributing factor to Sam having a stroke at such a young age,” she said.
     
        “True. Well, maybe he just needs a female touch around there,” said Camden with a smile.
        
        “He definitely needs a good woman in his life. He hasn’t had such good luck with them in the past,” Rebecca said shaking her head.
     
        “Really? Jenny said he was pretty popular.”
     
        “Oh, the ladies love him. He’s a handsome devil… always has been. But, he seems to attract needy women who have problems.”
     
        “We all have problems, though.”
     
        “True, but these women take the cake. He’s a romantic, sweet guy. I don’t like to see women walk all over him. After our parents died, Sam took a lot on him. Even though I am older, he has always looked after me, the farm and everyone else. I want him to have a nice life, ya know? Without all of the worries being on his shoulders alone. He has been alone for so long. And now this. I can’t believe I have to go home…” Rebecca had a look of despair in her eyes. Camden could tell she was fighting within herself.
     
        “Rebecca, I know I am not family, but I promise I will take good care of him. I trained for years to care for patients, and I need to use my skills.”
     
        “I really appreciate your help, so please don’t take this the wrong way… But, I can tell Sam really likes you. He is starting to depend on you being here. I know you have a situation back home… All I am saying is please don’t hurt Sam. His sweet heart can’t take it…”
     
        Camden could tell this whole conversation was uncomfortable for Rebecca. She wanted Sam and Camden to have a future, but she didn’t want him to get hurt either. And now she had to leave, which made things even worse.
     
        “When are you leaving for New Orleans?” Camden asked, changing the subject.
     
        “I have to leave in two days… on Thursday.”
     
        “Great. I am going to go home and get my things so that I can be back before you leave,” Camden said.
     
        “Are you sure you can do this? I mean, with your fiance…”
     
        “Rebecca, I gave you my word. I will be back in two days, and I will be ready to help Sam get back to his normal life.”
     
         With that, Camden and Rebecca went back to see Sam. Camden’s stomach was already in a knot at the thought of facing Preston again. When he found out that she was packing to leave for awhile, she knew he was going to blow a gasket. And, when he learned of her intention to stop the wedding, he was going to hit the roof.
     
     

Chapter 15
     
    On Tuesday afternoon, Camden finally had a moment alone with Sam to tell him the plans that she had made with Rebecca. He was sleeping when she walked into the room, so she sat down next to the bed for a moment. As the afternoon sunlight filtered through the mini blinds, she looked closely at his rugged face.
     
    His forehead was high and strong with creases from squinting in the sun. His square jawline was lined with touches of stubble, and his normally tanned face was starting to get lighter as the days went on. She knew that such an outdoors-man must be itching to get back to the farm.
     
    Sam’s therapist was starting to talk to him about using a cane. He wasn’t happy about it, but if it meant that he could get around better then he would do it. Camden had no doubt that he would one day toss the cane across the field at the farm and start walking well again. He had that kind of determination which made