A voice sounded in the background, and Ally frowned. “My study group is here. I have to go.” She sighed. “You’d tell me if I should come home, right?”
“Yes,” Jake told her emphatically. “But Dad is going to be fine, baby sis. I promise you.”
“Okay. Tell Mom and Dad I love them and I’ll call soon.”
“I will,” Jake promised. “Take care of yourself, Al.”
She grinned. “You too. Bye, Em!”
Emily waved, and Jake disconnected the call.
Jake leaned back against the sofa. “So now what?”
“Ready to find some vendors?” she asked.
“Let’s do it.”
Chapter 15
Thirty minutes later Jake and Emily walked down Main Street in Splendid Lake. It seemed as if overnight the restaurants and storefronts had been transformed into an autumn wonderland decorated with pumpkins, bales of hay, scarecrows, orange and purple twinkle lights, decorative wreaths, andsomuch orange. And adding to the ambience were the trees—boasting a dazzling display of leaves in shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown.
“I love this time of year.” Emily looped her arm through his. “This is the best part of living in the mountains. The days are cooler, and the air smells like fall. Even thelakesmells like fall.”
He smiled down at this adorable young woman. “I do too. So about your flyer—which is dynamite, by the way—where do you want to start distributing them?”
“Everywhere.” She stopped moving. “We need to hit every store—the restaurants, the coffee shop, the ice cream shop, the bakery, the candy store, and the knickknack stores. Each one might want to have a booth. Some shops may even want to split a booth.”
Jake was stunned by not only how much talent this woman possessed but also by how much she cared about the success of the market and his family’s legacy. He wrapped his arm around her and hugged her body against him.
She lifted her gorgeous golden eyes to meet his. “What was that for?”
“Just ’cause.” He studied her. “Is that okay?”
“Of course it is.” Her smile widened. “Now let’s get some vendors signed up.”
They turned toward the line of stores just as someone called Jake’s name.
“Hey, Jake!”
He spun, and Travis Johnson rushed over to him. Jake and Emily had gone to school with his older brother, Daniel.
“Travis!” Jake shook his hand. “The last time I saw you was at my graduation. How’s Daniel doing?”
“Great. He got married a few years ago and moved to Virginia.” Travis pointed to the flyers in their hands. “I heard about the hundredth anniversary you’re planning for the orchard. By any chance, are you looking for a band to perform?”
Jake turned to Emily, and she grinned.
“We sure are,” Emily said. “I’ve seen your band on social media. Carolina Dreamin’, right?”
“That’s us. We’re a rock band.”
“You’re really good.”
“Thanks.” Travis’s grin was wide. “We’ve mostly been doing local gigs, but we played in a music festival in Asheville back in June, and it’s opened several doors for us. We’re available if you need some entertainment.”
Jake mulled over the idea of adding performers to the celebration.Although it would be great, it definitely wasn’t in their budget. “How much do you charge?”
“Charge you?” Travis waved him off. “For Hughes Family Orchard, it’s free. Every year my mom makes the best applesauce with your apples, and when I was a kid, she took me to the orchard to help her pick them out. My band and I would be honored to be a part of your celebration.”
