“I’ll help,” I offered.
“You will?”
Nodding again, I clasped my hands together and hoped that Joan wouldn’t kill me for being disloyal.
“Why would you do that, Mark?”
I could have answered her a lot of ways. I could have said that I wanted her to succeed in Kirby Falls. I hoped she’d be accepted and find her footing at the orchard and with her family. And a little bit of the nerdy teenager still deep inside wanted a chance to show the most popular girl in school that thingshadchanged since graduation. I didn’t want to be invisible anymore.
But my reply wasn’t any less truthful when I answered, “Change isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s necessary. I want Judd’s Orchard to be successful. It’s home to me too.”
five
CANDACE
On Monday, I decided to take a break from the heat of my office, and the chilly attitude of my sister, and drink my lunch at the Lonely Mountain Winery.
I’d texted Bonnie a bit following our shaved ice encounter, and then just went for it today and invited her out for a drink. She’d recommended the vineyard less than three miles from the farm, citing a top-notch charcuterie board and notable chardonnay.
As an experienced cheese lover, I’d texted back an enthusiastic affirmative and told her I’d meet her there at noon.
“Hey,” I said as I caught Bonnie up in a hug without even realizing it. I quickly pulled back and blurted out awkwardly, “I’m sorry. I’m a hugger. I didn’t even think.”
She laughed and yanked me back in, making me laugh. “You’re fine. And I’ve never been one to turn down a free hug.”
Grateful for her understanding, I cleared my throat and followed her to the outdoor seating area on the winery’s wide patio.
“I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this place,” I murmured, settling into a chair beneath a wrought iron café table.
My attention was focused on the gorgeous long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the beautiful scene before us. Sure, I’d grown up here and I had plenty of memories of the landscape, but this setting never got old. Years in the city made me appreciate the clear blue of a perfect summer day and the hilly mountain range that meant I was home.
The longer I looked, the more I recalled, my senses lighting up with remembered summers gone by. The taste of a banana popsicle, cool and sweet on my tongue. The feel of the fine mist from the sprinkler when I used to chase Brady around the front yard. The sound of my mom’s laughter when she and my dad danced in the backyard while my brother and sister and I caught lightning bugs.
“It’s pretty new,” Bonnie said, drawing me out of my tender memories.
She had on a calf-length pink floral dress with spaghetti straps, and her short blond hair was styled with loose waves that framed her pretty face. She wore round sunglasses and a ready smile.
I felt grateful, once again, that we’d bumped into each other at Bev’s and that she had been free today for lunch, before school started later in the week.
Bonnie picked up her menu and said thoughtfully, “I think Reggie and Aurora opened up about a year ago. They’re bigLord of the Ringsfans.”
“Ah.” I nodded. That explained the name.
I reached for my copy of the food and wine list and scanned several items.
Prancing Pony Rosé: bright and refreshing, juicy pink fruit, subtle complexity, perfect for all manner of bar patrons, from elves to hobbits.
Miruvor Reisling: well-balanced, honeyed pear and white flowers, clean and refreshing finish, invigorating for the weary traveler.
Strider Cabernet: full-bodied and layered, vanilla and dark stone fruit, long-lingering finish, like busting open the doors of Helm’s Deep.
Shirecuterie Board: crusty breads, herbed butter, wild blueberry jam, Fangorn Forest ham, seasoned potato skewers, and a variety of seasonal fruits and accompaniments. Enjoy from elevenses through supper.
I smiled. Apparently, everything on the menu featured a reference to the popularfantasy series. Neat. I loved a theme. Maybe the orchard could do a themed event.
I slipped my notebook out of my purse and jotted down a few quick notes to myself.
“Sorry,” I apologized. “I just thought of something and had to get it down before I forgot.”
