He caught up to her just as she veered onto the path that led to Splendid Lake. He grabbed her arm. “Gotcha!”
She wriggled out of his grasp, giggling as they approached the lake. They made their way onto the dock, and she worked to catch her breath.
“You’re still in much better shape than I am,” she managed to say as she dropped down onto the wooden pier and hugged her knees to her chest.
He sat beside her and rested his arms on his bent knees. “Well, I actuallyworkfor a living while you make drinks.”
“Ha ha.” She rolled her eyes and turned toward the lake.
“Or youusedto make drinks,” he said. “Why’d you quit?”
She groaned. “Don’t start.”
The water sparkled in the early evening light while lightning bugs offered their nightly light show. The sound of the waves lapping up against the dock and rocking his small johnboat filled the air.
She pushed a few errant strands of her dark hair away from her face and lifted her gaze toward the sky. “Do you remember the time we went fishing and forgot the rods?”
Emily really was a master at deflecting. He’d give her a pass—for now.
“And the engine ran out of gas, so we had to yell for our dads to help us get back to shore?” He grinned. “Yeah, I remember.”
She rested her chin on her knee. “Were we twelve?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged.
“How about the time,” she began while chuckling, “we snuck out late at night and went swimming and then got caught by Mrs. Monroe? Of course, shehadto call our parents and spoil our fun.”
“Yeah, we got that stern lecture about how dangerous it was to go swimming in the dark. How long were we grounded for that one?”
She scrunched up her nose. “A month?”
“That’s right. A month.” He snorted and bumped his shoulder against hers. “But it didn’t keep us apart.”
“Nothing could back then,” she whispered as a strange expression flashed over her face, and he was sure she was wading through something in her mind. Her eyes cut to the path that led to the house where she’d lived from age five until her folks had passed away.
His chest clutched at the memory of the day her parents died. It was early summer, and the sky was cloudless and bright blue—such a contrast to the tragedy that changed everything. He’d never forget how she called him with the news. He could barely understand what she was trying to say, but he’d made out the words “my parents” and “plane crash,” and the world had stopped. He’d rushed over to her house and held her against hischest while she wailed for what seemed like hours. He had no idea how to comfort her, except to let her know that he was there for her always.
The memorial service had passed in a blur, but she’d needed him at her side the entire time. He’d held her hand, wiped her tears, and kept her upright during the service. For the next couple of months, she couldn’t stomach being alone in her family’s large, beautiful house on the lake. He’d slept in the guest room, much to his girlfriend’s disapproval, but he’d been steadfast. Still, Jake felt useless, never knowing what to say to offer her an ounce of comfort. She just seemed to need his presence.
Then six months after her parents died, Emily suddenly announced she was selling the house and moving a few hours away to Charlotte. He’d been shocked to his core. She couldn’t stand living in her family home without them, and the house was full of too many bittersweet memories, she said. So she was finally going to pursue her dream of making art her career.
After she moved, Em had dove headfirst into her new life as an artist, and Jake had gotten so busy with helping his dad run the orchard that their friendship turned to weekly phone calls and random texts. He cherished their visits during the holidays and always looked forward to them, which was why he’d been surprised when she turned down his offer last year.
He gave her the space she seemed to crave, but not having Emily around had left a hole deep inside him. He wanted to give her time to heal after losing her folks, and he didn’t want to burden her with his own problems. But being apart from her was... tough. She’d been a constant presence in his life for two decades. He longed for her to come home—and stay.
When Emily suddenly cleared her throat, he met her gazeagain. “So what’s going on, Jake? Your texts were cryptic. You said you wanted to talk to me in person. Well, I’m here. Now spill it.”
He appreciated her forthrightness. He could always count on Em to get right to the point and not be afraid to ask the tough questions. It was easy for her to do when the tough stuff wasn’t abouther.
“You know the McClains’ orchard up the street?” He pointed in the direction of the other orchard at Splendid Lake, and she nodded. “They sold out to a corporation called Lancaster Properties. And Lancaster’s made it clear that they’re going to become our biggest competitor and possibly put us out of business.”
She scoffed. “And how on earth would they do that?” She gestured around the lake. “Your family’s orchard has been here for decades. No, a wholecentury. Hughes Family OrchardisSplendid Lake. No one can take that away.”
“Actually, they can. They wanted to buy us out, but my dad told them no way. We’re not selling, no matter how much they offer. This orchard is our family’s legacy, and no one can take it from us. So instead, they’re threatening to lower their prices, and I can’t cut ours.” He grimaced. “Since my dad’s heart attack, I’ve been trying to talk my dad into allowing me to take the helm here. He’s insisting that he can still do it, but I’ve been trying to convince him I’m ready.” He snorted. “I’ve been ready since I was twenty-five, but you know how stubborn he is.”
The corners of Emily’s mouth curved up softly. “I sure do.”
He shook his head. “Anyway, I’ve been dealing with my dad’s hospital bills, plus Ally’s tuition. I have too much riding on this place. I’ve worked here since I was a kid, and it’s all I know. It’s my family’s livelihood. And now I need to prove to him that I can run this place as well as he has. That’s why I need you.”
