Page 70 of Make it Real
“What’s not to love?”
TWENTY-THREE
callie
I really hopedthere wouldn’t be a test at the end of this impromptu lesson on peach tree history.
I wandered around in the orchards with Clint, Maisie shimmying away on my hip, Dylan and Beau dancing around beside us. Wade was off somewhere, and I hadn’t seen the rest of the family in a bit, but figured we’d all circle back together soon. Mostly, I was glad I’d worn my sneakers, or this trip into the trees would have been a lot more uncomfortable.
Clint told me about the peaches they grew, heirloom types they could only sell at their roadside store and the local markets because they were too delicate to ship. He had as much pride in the trees we passed as if he were describing his own children, telling me how much they’d grown and all they’d accomplished.
“We’ve got a couple of varieties you can’t find anywhere else. One I grafted intentionally a decade or so ago, the other sprung up by accident. But they’re all delicious. They take good care of us.”
“I love your farm. I think it’s my new favorite place.” Maybe I shouldn’t have blurted that out, but it was a hundred percent true. From the smell of the peaches to the peace in the trees, I loved everything about it.
“I’m certainly glad to hear it.” Clint’s bright eyes sparkled. “I hope I’ll be seeing you out here a lot more.”
“I hope so, too.” Yeah, definitely needed to quit sharing.
“Farming’s not for the faint of heart. There’s ups and downs, but it gets in your blood and sticks with you.” He reached up to run his fingers over a big green leaf in a sweet caress, like he couldn’t hold in his affection for the farm. “It’ll demand a lot of Jed in the coming years, but it will give even more back, if he wants it.”
Maisie kicked her little feet against my stomach, babbling in my ear. “He seems up for the challenge.”
“I think so, too. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a lot to take on.” He turned toward the house and exhaled soft laughter. “Here he comes. I wondered how long he’d be able to stay away from you.”
I followed his gaze to find Jed striding through the trees, his long legs eating up the dirt between us. I couldn’t stop staring, and heat crept up to my cheeks as I shifted Maisie to my opposite hip in a futile attempt at distracting myself.
“I’ve never seen him like this,” Clint said softly. “It looks good on him, even if he doesn’t see it himself.”
“What looks good on him?”
He turned to me like I should have been able to fill in the blanks. “Being lost over a woman.”
My heart spasmed around in my chest for a few glorious seconds before Maisie grabbed a hank of my hair with a shriek, snapping me out of my raptures. I’d just saved my hair from her little fist, to much unhappy burbling from her, when Jed reached us. His eyes moved from her to me.
“Maisie’s giving you her customary welcome, I see.”
“We were getting on fine.” I bounced her on my hip, settling her down again. She babbled at Jed, swatting my back in her excitement. “I think the temptation just became too much.”
“Oh, I’m with her there.” He slipped his hand into mine, grinning away at me.
Could someone pass out from too much flirtation? Because sometimes, it felt like I might, the way my breath caught and my heart rate zoomed. A few more sweet smiles paired with saucy remarks, and I’d swoon right into the dust.
A little body wedged between us, and Dylan pulled Jed’s hand out of mine, replacing it with his small one. He shot a dark look at Jed I’d rarely seen during the school year, but he wasn’t messing around.
“She’smyteacher.”
Jed’s eyebrows lifted. “She’smygirlfriend, little man.”
Clint chuckled, and I had to laugh, too. Out of all the unlikely fights over my affections, I never would have called this one. Or any, to be honest, but this one especially.
“Why don’t I take the kids back to the house and let you two wander for a bit.” Clint took Maisie from my arms and rounded up the boys. “Who wants ice cream and cookies?”
Dylan and Beau shouted their enthusiasm, and Maisie kicked her little feet as Clint guided them away, our magical pied piper giving us some time to ourselves. In another minute, Jed and I were alone in the trees with nothing but the sound of a breeze shaking their leaves. He took my hand again, leading me deeper into the orchard.
“Do you mind staying out here for a while?”
“Not at all, it’s glorious out here and smells divine. I only have second thoughts over missing dessert.”
