Whether he wanted to face it or not, Claire had been there for him, and vice versa. He’d held her hand at her grandmother’s funeral and helped clean out her apartment.
Both of their families believed that Jake and Claire would eventually get married and grow old together.
But if that were true, then why did Jake want to end this conversation with her right now?
“Why don’t you come see me next weekend?” Claire asked.
“Can’t.”
Laughter drifted into the den from the kitchen. He moved to the doorway. His father’s bright smile took him by surprise, and Jake found the corners of his mouth begin to lift.
“This isn’t a good time,” he told Claire.
Mom said something, and when Emily guffawed, the adorable sound seemed to echo throughout his parents’ old farmhouse—and apparently into the receiver.
“Who’s that?” Claire asked.
Jake crossed to the back of the den and stared out the wall of windows facing the orchard. “Em.”
She paused for a moment. “Is she visiting?” Claire’s question was hesitant.
“Yeah.”
“For how long?”
“Not sure.” He studied the grove of trees, trying to imagine it full of visitors filling baskets with ripe apples.
“Why isshethere?” Claire’s words were flinty. Sharp.
“She’s helping me figure some things out with the orchard.” He was done with this conversation. Time to wrap it up. “I gotta go, okay? We’ll talk later.”
“When?”
He sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Wait.” Her voice was urgent. “Is there a chance we can make this work?” Her voice trembled.
He pushed his hand through his thick hair. He longed to tell her no, but something was holding him back. A sense of loyalty forbade him from cutting her off completely. He couldn’t stand the idea of ruining their friendship after nearly fourteen years.
“I still love you,” she continued, “and I believe in us.”
He was certain he cared about Claire, and he wanted her to live a happy life. But did he still love her? No, not in the same way he once had. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to say the words back to her, and that sent more guilt burrowing in his stomach.
“Don’t give up on me,” she said, her voice wobbling.
“I need some time to figure things out. Right now I’m focused on my family and the orchard.”
“Yeah, okay.” She sniffed again, her voice trembling as she said, “Call me when you’re ready.”
“I will.”
Emily smiled while Leon shared another story about his childhood growing up at the orchard. She enjoyed hearing about his adventures, but what she really loved was how Jake’s father beamed as he reminisced. She could feel how much he treasured his family’s legacy, and she could envision him working in the barn next to his grandfather while he detailed his memories.
Jake’s soft voice sounded in the den, and Emily had the sneaking suspicion he was talking to Claire. Emily tried to swallow back her jealousy. Jake had been with Claire since sophomore year, when Claire had moved to Splendid Lake. It made sense that they would work things out and get back together again. Her heart would just have to accept it. Somehow.
“That barn has been here nearly as long as I have,” Leon said.
“Which is why we should honor your family and turn it into a market,” Diane said. “Let’s give Emily’s idea a try.”
