Page 16 of Keepsake
There was a moment of silence while I took that in. I saw his face close down, as if he were waiting for me to judge him. It had never occurred to me to shun someone for where they were born, but I could see where he might be sensitive about this. “Well, Zach,” I said softly. “You must have some great hitchhiking stories. We’ll have to compare notes some time.”
His pale eyes lifted to mine, and the corner of his mouth quirked up. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. Remind me to tell you about the time I rode through Kentucky with a zebra.”
“Azebra?” He was openly smiling now.
“Yup.”
“Lark!” Griffin was calling me from across the lawn. “Zach!”
“In here!” I called.
“Let’s go,” Zach said. “Those apples aren’t going to pick themselves.” He gave me one more shy smile.
As we headed toward Griffin, I realized I was in the midst of the most pleasant morning I’d had in weeks.
“This will beour first weekend for pick-your-own,” Griffin said as we wandered through the orchard. “We don’t let the customers pick my cider apples, obviously. Daphne and Madelyn are busy making signs that say, ‘No Picking This Section.’ We put ropes up, too, but there’s always some asshole tourist who ducks under. Feel free to chase anyone out of there,” he said, pointing at a bunch of trees at the far end of the property.
“Gotcha,” I said. “No assholes allowed. Your signage is pretty clear, though.” We passed a sign with a big arrow reading:Pick Your Own. “Is it juvenile of me that I want to add the word ‘nose’ to that sign?”
Griffin chuckled. “Kyle would probably add ‘ass’ so I guess you’re not so bad.”
“Noted. Now what are we picking?”
“Paulas, of course.” We turned the corner to find Kyle and Kieran standing on ladders, plucking apples off the tree and tucking them into nylon bags hanging off their chests.
“First, we get you suited up in your own sexy picking bag.” Griffin plucked a blue sack off the grass. “These straps go—”
Kieran jumped in to finish Griffin’s sentence. “—criss-cross applesauce.”
“Every time he says that I vomit a little in my mouth,” Kyle muttered.
“Here,” he said, setting the bag against my chest. “And see how the bottom of the bag is folded up on itself? Don’t accidentally loosen this bit, or you’ll drop the whole harvest out of the bag before you’re ready.”
“Yes, sir.”
He chuckled. “You hear that boys? Lark doesn’t give me any lip.”
“She’ll learn.”
Griffin tightened the straps at my hips. “I find your lack of faith disturbing,” he said over his shoulder. And then to Zach, “WhichStar Warsis that from?”
“Episode four.”
“Well done, Padawan. Now let’s pick some fruit before the tourists trample the place tomorrow.”
We picked and picked. After an hour I became more comfortable on the ladder. And around one, May had arrived with a picnic basket and a blanket.
“The blanket is for you,” she’d said with a smile. “I usually let the guys just rough it on the grass.”
“I don’t mind roughing it,” I said quickly. I liked this job, and it was just what I needed. I didn’t want to be “The Girl” at work.
“I know you don’t,” she said. “That’s not the point. I’m just so happy you’re here that I brought a blanket. And lemonade, and also cookies.”
“Cookies!” Kyle hollered. “If I say I’m happy Lark is here, can I have some?”
“If you’re lucky,” May said, opening the basket. “The sandwiches are ham and brie today. Dig in.”
