Chapter 20
Jake stared down at the sales sheet and hung his head in his hands. It was a disaster. No, it was a nightmare, just as he’d assumed earlier in the day. They’d sold a whopping total of eight baskets of apples.Eight.That wasn’t enough for him to pay his employees. Heck, that was hardly enough to put a tank of gas in his truck.
He was ruined. The orchard was ruined. And thanks to him, after a hundred years, his family’s name was ruined.
He groaned into his hands.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway outside the orchard office, and he ignored them. Hopefully whoever it was would just keep walking.
But they didn’t. Instead, the soft footfalls entered the office, but Jake didn’t move. Motion sounded beside him as the person sat down on a chair. Then arms encircled him.
Emily. His sweet Emily. Of course she’d be the first person to come encourage him.
“Hey.” Her voice was soothing in his ear. “It’s not that bad. We’ll get through this. I’m sure of it.”
She settled him against her, and he sighed and sat up straight. “The entire day was a bust. We only sold eight baskets of apples. We might as well put the orchard up for sale. The new owners of Apple Haven wanted it, so I might as well start negotiating a price.”
“No, no, no.” Her expression was fierce. “Come on, Jake. You can’t give up that easily.”
He lifted his palms in a gesture of surrender. “I’m not giving up. I’m facing facts. Apple Haven beat us. My dad can get a good chunk of change for the land and we can pay for Ally’s education and have enough for my folks to retire well. I’ll find a job somewhere.” He snorted. “Maybe I can work for the new owners.”
She studied him, and her expression darkened. “That’s what you really want?”
“No, of course not, but I’m facing the truth. I appreciate your enthusiasm and your faith in me, but the orchard is bleeding money.”
Emily tapped her fingertip on the desk. “I have an idea. What if we—”
“Supper’s ready.”
Jake and Emily spun toward the doorway, where Claire watched them with an unreadable expression on her face.
Great. As if this day couldn’t get any better.
“What are you doing here?” Jake seethed.
Claire grinned at him. “Helping your mom, of course.”
Emily pushed back her chair and stood, and Jake hated the pained expression that flickered over her face. “I’m going to go wash up,” she muttered before pushing past Claire and hurrying out of the trailer that served as the orchard office.
Jake’s chest pinched with anger. “Claire, you need to stop whatever it is you think you’re doing. I believe I’ve made it clear that we’re through. So why are you still hanging around here?”
Her face seemed to mock him. “You and Emily have gotten awfully close.” She pointed toward the window. “I saw that adorable kiss you shared earlier.”
His eyes narrowed.
“So you replaced me with her, huh? You said you needed space, but I guess you really needed more than that.”
He shoved his phone into his pocket and stood. His hands shook with the fury surging through his veins. “What I need is none of your business.”
“Please. This is just a little phase. I know she can’t make you half as happy as I did.”
“Listen, my life is none of your concern. And you need to accept that.”
She winced as if he’d struck her, and he could almost see the gears turning in her mind.
He continued, “I don’t know what you’re trying to prove by sucking up to my folks, but I can see right through it.”
She had the nerve to gasp and press her hand to her chest. “How can you say that? I love your family.”
