Page 32 of The Apple Tree

I couldn’t imagine leaving a child at any age.

“Maybe he didn’t want Josh’s mom to leave. Maybe he’s heartbroken. I wouldn’t play matchmaker quite yet.”

Mom shook her head. “I’m not. But it’s a free world. If they call him and one thing leads to another, then I guess it’s God’s plan.”

No.

God’s plan was for Kyle to be my crush.

My obsession.

My favorite dream.

I didn’t want to share him, even if he wasn’t mine to not share.

And he didn’t have time to date because he was too busy teaching me things.

“Good morning,”Kyle said with an irresistible smile as I approached his house.

He was sitting on the porch swing with a steaming cup of coffee.

My gaze devoured every inch of him in his Devil’s Head T-shirt, jogging shorts, and black Nikes.

“Morning. Where’s Josh?”

“Still asleep. But he’ll wake up soon. Do you drink coffee?”

I shook my head. “It tastes grody, even with sugar.”

“Have you tried it with cream?”

“Why?” I leaned against the wooden post.

“Because it tastes better with cream.”

“Better than what? If something tastes nasty, why try to make it less nasty unless it’s something like broccoli or Brussels sprouts that are good for you?”

He chuckled before sipping his coffee. Then he held it out to me. “Try it.”

I had no interest in trying his coffee, but I was very interested in sharing a drink with him, putting my mouth close to where his had been.

I pushed off the post and took the mug, taking a small sip.

It was still grody.

“Better, huh?”

I shook my head, handing him the mug. “No. Not better. Orange juice is better. The apples on your trees are better. Brussels sprouts are better.”

“You look extra nice today. What’s the occasion?”

I glanced down at my blouse and pleated khaki shorts. “They’re just clothes.”

“Do you clean rooms in those?”

Why did everyone have to comment on my clothes?

“Where are you taking me fishing?”

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