“I’m the bookkeeper for our landscaping business. How about you?”
“I’ve been doing this and that.”
“With your art?” Andi actually seemed hopeful.
Emily shrugged. “Sort of.” She was grateful Jake arrived with their ice cream just then. She didn’t want to discuss failures—not even with an old friend. “Here’s our ice cream.” She slid over to make room for Jake on her side of the booth.
Jake sank down beside her and handed Andi her cone. “Pistachio for you.” Then he held out Emily’s. “Chocolate chip cookie dough for Em.”
“Thanks,” Emily said before taking a bite.
They spent the next hour enjoying their treats and catching up with Andi. After their ice cream was gone, they walked out to the sidewalk.
Andi hugged Emily. “Don’t be a stranger. If you need any help at the orchard, give me a call. My number’s the same.”
“I will,” Emily promised.
“Tell Seth hi for me,” Jake told her before climbing into the truck.
Emily rested her elbow on the console as she looked out the back window toward the truck bed. “I guess the plan is to start with the barn roof.”
Jake nodded. “That’s right, but I need to hit one more place on our way back to the farm.” He stopped the truck at a stop sign and snuck a glance at Emily. She hummed along with a song on the radio while she wound her finger through her thick dark hair and peered out the windshield. She looked adorable wearing his hat. No,adorablewasn’t the right word. She was striking. His eyes lingered on her high cheekbones, her radiant golden-brown eyes, her cute button nose and pink lips. Her ivory skin was makeup free, but honestly, she didn’t need any makeup. She was naturally pretty. He’d always considered her attractive, but lately she seemed... different. Or maybe he was the one who had changed.
Emily met his eyes, and her dark brows lifted. “Why are you staring at me?”
He narrowed his eyes and pretended to assess her. “I’m plotting how to get my hat back.”
She touched the bill, and those sumptuous lips presented a coy smile. “It’s mine now.”
“Is that right?” He wagged a finger at her. “We’ll see about that.”
He drove through town and steered into the parking lot for the Splendid Lake Food Bank.
“You still donate apples here?” she asked, looking impressed.
He parked near the building and retrieved two large bags of apples from behind the driver’s seat. “Of course I do.”
They jogged up the front steps and into the building, where he headed toward the office.
“Jake!” Ms. Alexander hurried out from behind her desk. She divided her smile between him and Emily. “Hi, Emily. What have you two brought us?”
He set the bags on a nearby chair. “These ripened early.”
“Oh my.” Ms. Alexander examined the bag. “They’re perfect.” The middle-aged woman studied him. “How are you feeling about the new orchard? What’s it called now?” She snapped her fingers. “Apple Haven. I heard from Joyce Robbins that they’re going to have a petting zoo and face painting for kids. It’ll be like a festival every day for the entire season.”
Jake’s posture stiffened. “I heard something about that.”
“Could be some stiff competition for your orchard. You have always been so traditional—just apples and atmosphere, which is great, but customers expect more of an experience now. What are you going to do about it?” Ms. Alexander asked.
A warm hand rested on Jake’s forearm as Emily stepped closer to his side. “We’ve got it under control. We’re planning some exciting upgrades to the experience at Hughes Family Orchard.”
“Oh! What kind of upgrades?” Ms. Alexander’s hazel eyes sparkled.
“It’s a surprise.” Emily’s pretty face lit up like a kid watching fireworks on the Fourth of July. “You’ll have to come see.” She gave Jake a warm smile, and the tense muscles in his shoulders and neck began to ease.
“Well, I’ll pass along the news that exciting things are coming to Hughes Family Orchard. Be sure to let the community know so that folks come check it out,” Ms. Alexander said.
“Oh, we will,” Jake responded, resting his hand on Emily’s shoulder. “We’ll also bring some more apples soon.”
