Jake shook his hand, and his heart lifted. “Thanks, man.”
They exchanged phone numbers, and Emily promised to send Travis the details about the event.
After Travis left, Jake and Emily spent the next two hours visiting each shop in Splendid Lake, sharing the news about the market’s grand opening. By the time they finished, they had two vendors signed up and three that were interested.
“It’s coming together. We have a couple of vendors and a band booked. Let’s stop at Apple Haven on our way back,” Emily suggested while Jake drove toward the orchard.
He snuck a glance her way. “Why?”
“I want to see something.”
He lifted his eyebrows, but she pointed toward the road that led toward their competitor.
After parking in the nearly full lot, they climbed from the truck and headed inside. The delicious scent of apples mixed with funnel cakes and buttery popcorn filled the air, and the orchard was buzzing with patrons. Families headed toward the petting zoo area, while others moved toward the small carnival. Other folks carried their bags of apples toward the line of cashiers.
Jake pushed his ball cap down lower, scanned the crowd, and tried not to allow his competitor’s success to break his spirit. How was his little market going to outdo this bustling fall festival?
Emily shook her head. “You’re allowed to be here. You don’t have to try to disguise yourself.”
“But I feel like I’m betraying my ancestors.”
She laughed, and he couldn’t stop his own smile. “I promise I won’t tell your folks.” She threaded her fingers with his and yanked him toward the petting zoo. “Come on.”
They wandered around the grounds, and the more delighted customers Jake encountered, the more despondent he became. There was no way he could ever compete with Apple Haven, and they were making a huge mistake thinking they could. He’d spent his entire savings and almost maxed out his credit card on the barn refurbishment, and now he was going to lose his business and his family’s legacy.
“We can go now,” Emily suddenly announced, steering him toward the exit. She had a spring in her step as she towed him toward his Dodge truck and hopped into the passenger side.
Jake took his seat beside her, pulled out his keys, and started the truck. Before putting it in gear, he glanced over at Emily and found her bouncing on the seat as if she were ready to explode. “I can tell you’re dying to say something, so spill it.”
“I have an idea.” She turned toward him and rested back against the door. “How do you figure out what to charge for apples at your orchard?”
He eyed her suspiciously. “You don’t need me to tell you that. You worked at the orchard for six years, up until we graduated from high school. You know we’ve always charged per pound.”
“So... what if we didn’t?” she asked, and he cocked an eyebrow. “Just listen, okay?”
“All right, I’m listening.”
She held up her hand. “What if you gave out baskets, and you chargedper basketof apples instead of per pound?”
He settled back in the driver’s seat and considered it. If they charged per basket, they would lose money. Or they would make money, depending on how much they charged. But how could he convince his dad to make such a drastic change in their pricing policies? He turned toward her. “I don’t know...”
“It could work.” She bent over the console separating them. “The prices here are insane. They are way cheaper than your orchard.”
He frowned. “I know.”
“So if you tried this, it would make you competitive. I promise, people would come back for more of your apples.” She held up her hands as another idea hit her. “You could have a special promo where they’d save two dollars if they bring back the basket! Try playing the volume game!”
He gave her a sad smile. “You know how my dad is. He’s having a difficult enough time accepting the market idea. If we ask him to lower prices, he might put his foot down.”
“Let me talk to your dad.”
“I respect your confidence, but my dad is all about tradition. And selling apples by the pound is how his father did it, and his father before him.”
She gave him a knowing look. “I got this.”
Jake took in her tenacity. And her hair in a messy bun. And her face glowing with excitement. At that moment, Emily couldn’t have been any more attractive to him.
His mind replayed the memory of their near kiss, and he couldn’t deny the desire rushing through him. He wanted her as more than a friend.
