AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nicotine-sulfate.” He sniffed. “Maybe this insecticide isn’t so new, after all.”
“Nothing’s new under the sun…” I flashed an encouraging smile. “But if it worked for her, it’ll work for us.”
“Hope you’re right.” His eyes bloodshot, he glanced outside at the swaying tree branches. “The problem is we have to spray as soon as possible—”
“So, what’s stopping us?”
“The conditions have to be right—dry and still.” He grimaced. “And the wind’s picking up.”
“If it doesn’t work the first time, spray the vineyards again.”
“The insecticide’s not cheap.” His shoulders slumped. “We can’t afford to time it wrong…”
My chest squeezed tight. “So, you’re saying we have one shot?”
****
While Luke drove to Fort Stockton for the insecticide, I snipped infested leaves from the vines, trying to slow the disease’s spread.
An hour into the trimming, my phone rang. Though Caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number, I answered.
“Maeve.”
The tenderness in Cody’s voice stopped me cold. Despite the sun overhead, I shivered. “What do you want?”
“I want to apologize for the way I behaved the last time I visited you.”
“Apology accepted.” I was curt. “Now, if you’ll excuse—”
“Please don’t hang up.” His tone implored. “I’ve joined Alcoholics Anonymous, and step eight of the Twelve Steps involves making amends to everyone I’ve ever hurt. You’re the first on my list.”
“I’ve already accepted your apology.” My finger hovered over the disconnect button. “Now, if—”
“I wish you and Luke all the best.”
“Thanks, best of luck to you, too.” Ending the call, I debated whether to block his new number. Is he sincere, or is this just another ploy?
****
Luke returned four hours later. His face red as he climbed from his truck, he studied the gathering clouds overhead.
“What’s wrong?”
“A storm’s blowing in. We’ve got the pesticide, but we can’t use it. Yet the longer we wait, the narrower the window to save the vines.” His head hung low. “We could lose everything.”
“No matter what happens to the vineyard, we won’t lose everything.” I wrapped my arms around him. “Not as long as we have each other.”
The wind gusted through the vine rows in a mournful wail.
“Now what?” Looking at the darkening sky, Luke broke away.
A drop of rain splattered the driveway’s caliche dust, then another and another. Within moments, biting pellets of rain assaulted us.
“That rain stings.” Wincing, I rubbed my arm.
“That’s not rain. That’s hail.” Luke opened the passenger door as he helped me inside. “Hop in.” He crossed to the driver’s side, slammed the door, and started the engine.
Little balls of ice collected on the windshield as he drove. Then larger hail pelted the metal roof, thundering inside the truck’s cab.
