Daniel spoke up. “Seems like everyone knows everyone around here.”
Ike nodded. “Seems that way.”
“Might think that,” Ed added.
Mabel jumped in. “We were just telling Daniel what it was like five years ago when Gabriel bought the orchard.”
“I imagine,” Penny said, “you were a bit … uncertain where things would go?”
“Oh, yes. We had no idea what to expect. A young man from New York, with no farming experience….”
Ike chimed in. “We weren’t optimistic.”
“No reason to be,” Ed added.
“And now?” Penny asked.
Mabel beamed. “The orchard just had its best year ever.”
“That’s awesome,” Penny said. “Congratulations.”
“Good weather was part of it —weather’s always part of it. But a lot of the credit is due to Gabriel, who’s always pushing us to try new ideas.”
“Like the Wassail event?”
“Like the Wassail,” Mabel said with a laugh. “Winter’s supposed to be quiet time at the orchard, but look at how many people are here tonight.”
“I’m told you’re preparing a new cider recipe?”
“The boys are,” Mabel said, gesturing to a large pot of cider bubbling gently on the stove. “Ike, where we at?”
Ike picked up a clear glass mug and, using a ladle, poured cider into it. After adding a cinnamon stick, he handed the mug to Penny.
The mug was toasty-warm to the touch and smelled of apples and spices. Penny brought it to her nose and breathed in, enjoying the lovely aroma. “What’s in this?”
“Heated cider, with eggs mixed in,” Mabel said. “Along with nutmeg, ginger, roasted apples, sugar, and —what am I forgetting?”
“Cloves,” Ed said.
Penny swirled the cinnamon stick in the mug and took a sip. The warmth and the spices were fantastic. “Mmm, this is wonderful.”
“You hear that, boys?”
Ed and Ike ladled cider into their mugs as well and took a sip.
“Reckon so,” Ed said.
“It’ll do,” Ike added.
“Excellent,” Mabel said, then turned back to Penny. “Now, about you, young lady. It’s been a while since we’ve chatted. What’s your story these days?”
Penny blinked. “My story?”
“Married? Kids? Dating? Single?”
Oh, gosh—Mabel was beingsodirect.
“Single.”
