Emily grinned while Ally shared a story about school, and as she glanced around the table in the Hughes family’s dining room, her heart felt full. She loved dinners with the Hughes family, but today was even more special. It was Thanksgiving, and Ally had brought her boyfriend, Ryan, home with her for the long weekend. They’d stuffed themselves nearly as full as the Thanksgiving turkey had been, feeling deliciously sated after their dessert of pumpkin and apple pies.
A hand brushed her thigh, and she turned to Jake beside her. He was handsome, dressed in a pair of khakis and a blue button-down that complemented his gorgeous eyes. He’d shaved, and his wavy blond hair was brushed back. When he took her hand in his, lifted it, and kissed it, her heart sang.
The past two months had seemed to fly by at lightning speed. After the anniversary celebration, the orchard had stayed busy for the remainder of the season. They’d not only sold out of their fullcrop of apples, but the vendors who had participated had asked if they’d consider hosting a Christmas market. Jake and Emily agreed, and they were going to open tomorrow for Black Friday.
Emily had found a house to rent in Splendid Lake, just until she found a home where she’d want to put down roots, and she had opened her gallery in town last month. So far she’d sold six pieces, and she was painting more to add to the collection. She was also setting up a space in her gallery to feature works by local artists. She hoped to have that collection ready for sale before Christmas.
She split her time working in the gallery and at the orchard, and she’d been brainstorming new ideas for both. She was grateful that Jake had finally agreed to allow her to invest her money in the orchard. In the spring they planned to add a playground, as well as expand the market by adding more buildings and areas for local vendors to set up their wares. They were already scheduling hayrides and a corn maze next fall. She was so excited to open the orchard for more months out of the year, with activities for families to enjoy in the spring and summer as well.
“This pie was fantastic,” Leon said. “Both pies.”
Diane smiled at her husband. Leon’s health had improved tremendously during the past couple of months. He’d gone from taking short strolls around the orchard to walking more than an hour along the lakeshore. He also frequently complimented Jake for his work on the orchard, which was a relief to both Jake and Emily.
Ally popped up from the table. “Ryan and I will take care of the dishes.”
“We will?” Ryan teased her, and she playfully smacked his arm.
“They remind me of us,” Jake whispered in Emily’s ear, and a tingle danced down her spine.
“I agree,” she said.
Jake took her hand. “Let’s go for a walk.”
“Now?”
“Yeah, now, Carmichael. Let’s go.”
They pulled on their jackets and ambled out into the orchard. The late-November air was crisp, and they could see their breath.
“I think I smell snow,” Jake said, taking her hand in his.
She grinned. “Let’s hope so.”
He steered her down the path toward their fort.
“Are we going to sit in the fort and freeze?” she asked.
“Not exactly.” He guided her to their special tree, then stopped and took a deep breath. A strange expression flashed over his features.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah. Just hold on.” He pulled a small cordless speaker from his pocket, hit the button to turn it on, and set it on the ground. Then he fished his phone out of his other pocket and began pushing buttons.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’ll never forget the day I met you.” Jake turned toward her family’s home. “You came running down that path, found me, and said, ‘Hi. I’m Emily Carmichael. I just moved here from Raleigh, and you’re going to be my best friend.’”
She laughed. “I remember that.” She pointed to the lake. “I’d seen you and your dad out by the water, and I told my mom I wanted you to be my friend. So I came over and told you as much.”
“That conversation was burned into my memory because you were right. You became my best friend and then you became so much more.” He paused and licked his lips. “You told me abouta song that reminds you of us. I listened to it the other day and found the lyrics online, and you’re right. It’s perfect for us and our story.”
She shook her head. “Which song?”
He hit a button on his phone and the opening chords of Vanessa Williams’s “Save the Best for Last” began to play through the speaker.
Emily cupped her hand to her mouth.
Jake put the phone on top of the speaker and held his hands out to her. “Will you dance with me?”
