Practically Married

by Karin Beery

  “I love the sun. I just don’t like watching it come up.”

  Kathleen’s hearty laugh lightened Ashley’s spirit. She sat at the island, working on her coffee while Russ’ mom worked on breakfast. “Do you have any plans for today?” Kathleen asked.

  “Not yet. I was supposed to be with Tom today.” Blinking back tears, she looked down at her coffee as she tried to control her grief.

  “Oh, honey.”

  Summoning her I’m-okay face, Ashley put on a smile and gave Kathleen her attention. Russ’ mom stood in the middle of the kitchen, watching her with sad eyes. Ashley straightened her spine, no longer tired. “I guess I’ll have breakfast, then go exploring. I’m sure there’s lots to see in town.”

  “There is, but you don’t know which shops are the best. I’ll take you.”

  “I don’t want to interrupt your day.”

  “You won’t.” Kathleen turned back to the stove and flipped the food. “I’m an old retired woman with four kids who take care of me. I can spend my days however I want. Once I’m done with breakfast, we’ll see the sights. I’d like to spend some time getting acquainted with Tom’s friend.”

  Friend. Fiancée. Whatever.

  “Did you two meet in college?”

  Every muscle in Ashley’s body tensed. She’d tried to prepare herself for that question, but panic still threatened. She took a deep breath and willed her body to relax. The truth was always the best answer. “We met online.”

  “How did you manage that?”

  “I was researching northern Michigan and found a blog post Tom wrote about the farm.”

  “He wrote blog posts?”

  “He posted once a month for a website about fruit farms. He was the only farmer from northern Michigan, and I loved his pictures and descriptions.”

  Kathleen carried a plate piled high with eggs and bacon to Ashley. “Well, I’ll be. I had no idea.”

  “I don’t think many people did.” Ashley’s stomach roared in appreciation of the food. “Thank you so much. This looks wonderful.”

  “It’s nothing. Now tell me how this blog introduced you two.”

  “Tom included his email address on each post, so I sent him a note telling him how much I enjoyed his photos. He responded, and we stayed in touch.”

  “Why were you researching northern Michigan farms?”

  “I wasn’t specifically researching farms. My mom and dad used to vacation here before I was born. They brought me up a couple of times, but I was so young that I don’t remember it well. My mom talked about retiring here someday. I guess I was trying to reconnect with her by finding out more about the places she loved.”

  “Your parents found a different place to retire?”

  “No.” Ashley swallowed. “My parents passed away.”

  “Oh, honey.”

  “It’s okay.” She raised a hand and put on a smile. “It was a long time ago. There’s been enough tragedy recently. Why don’t we talk about something else?”

  “Okay then. It’ll only take an hour or two to visit downtown, then we can see the rest of the sights. The fall colors are pretty much gone, but there are still plenty of beautiful places to see. The lake? The farm?”

  Ashley bit into a piece of bacon, and crispy, salty goodness filled her mouth. She stuffed in another slice. “The grocery store. I could buy another five pounds of this stuff. It’s amazing.”

  Kathleen chuckled. “I’m glad you like it, but we can’t get it at the store. This is Russ’ special recipe. He cured it himself.”

  Ashley hesitated to eat the last lonely strip on her plate. “Who makes their own bacon?”

  “My son is a wonder.”

  Up at five and cooking food that he made himself? A wonder indeed. “Then maybe I’ll buy him another pig. How much does that cost?”

  “A few hundred, maybe a thousand. Depends on the size.”

  “Or maybe not.”

  “You don’t need to replace anything. You’re our guest. Let us take care of you while you’re here.”

  “I appreciate that, but eventually I’d like to help.”

  “If you insist, I’m sure we can come up with something. For now, finish up, get dressed, and we’ll hit the road.”

  *******

  Russ slammed the filing-cabinet drawer shut. It echoed through the square, cinderblock building. The farm office reminded him more of his old elementary school than an office with three Formica-topped metal desks, a gray concrete floor, and fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. He looked around the open space. Piles of paperwork still covered Tom’s desk in the farthest corner. Three filing cabinets lined the wall beside it. Two armchairs and a couch sat in the adjacent corner, where Russ had fallen asleep more than once during a busy harvest season. The kitchen near the front door—including a tan electric stove, off-white refrigerator, and rarely-cleaned microwave—could have come from his college apartment. None of it, though, offered any clue as to where Russ might find a will. “Chad, do you have any idea where Tom kept his legal documents?”

  Wheels squeaked as Chad pushed his chair around the cluttered office. “You’re looking at them. He kept everything in those cabinets.”

  “Are you sure? Did he ever ask you to take anything home?”

  “Not with my kids. Whenever he had time, he was scanning things into the computer to get rid of the hard copies, so he might’ve tossed some when he was done. What are you looking for?”

  “Nothing.” Even if Russ could find a different copy of Tom’s will, chances were slim it would supersede that letter. “Thanks a lot, Tom.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I’m going out.” Russ swiped his keys off the desk and stomped past Chad on his tiny, wobbly chair. “You look stupid.”

  “I feel stupid. We need help in here. I can’t handle this mess without Tom, and I don’t want to try.”

  “Do whatever it takes to keep me out of here. I’ll see you later.” Russ had enough problems without worrying about organizing the office. If he got stuck doing paperwork, too, he’d leave the state and start over.

  Yeah, right. The farm was in his blood. He couldn’t function without it any better than he could function without lungs. If he had to work inside to save it, he would, but right now he needed to get onto the land and clear his head. In three strides, he was through the small building and out in the fresh, cool air.

  He welcomed the blinding sun, closing his eyes and turning to face it. If only it could burn away all of his problems. The only thing he liked about the office was its location. Built on the opposite side of the farm from the house, fruit trees and dirt surrounded the square, one-story building. More tractors than cars drove along the road out front. When he needed space to think, he could walk in any direction and not see another building for miles.

  HONK! HONK!

  Now what? Russ opened his eyes in time to see Mom’s rusty red truck crawl into the parking lot. She waved from the driver’s seat, her giant smile warming him more than the sun. As she swung the truck around, Russ spotted a brown ponytail. Ashley said something, then she and his mom laughed. He couldn’t explain why, but he wanted to see that happen more often.

  The truck rolled to a stop beside him. He opened Mom’s door and gave her a hug. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m giving Ashley a tour.”

  “How’s it going?”

  Mom nodded toward Ashley. Tom’s fiancée wandered around the parking lot, pointing her camera at the building, the sign, him. Something turned in his chest. He liked knowing that she would have a picture of him.

  “Are you enjoying your tour?” he asked.

  Ashley lowered her camera and flashed a smile. “Everything’s so beautiful. Tom sent pictures, but they aren’t the same.”

  “We visited Boyne Heights, and now Ashley wants to see the orchards. I told her there’s not much to see this time of the year, but she insisted. I thought you could take her around.”

  “I’m heading out t
o check on some of the trees now. I can take you guys with me.”

  “Not me.” Mom climbed back in the truck. “I forgot about my coffee date with Rita. I’m meeting her in Traverse City, so I need to get on the road.” The engine fired before Russ realized what was happening. “You can take Ashley home, can’t you?”

  “What?” Ashley rushed up beside him as Mom winked, then waved her way out of the driveway. “Where’s she going?” Ashley looked up at him. “She’s coming back, right?”

  “She has lunch plans.”

  “But she didn’t say anything about it to me. I would’ve driven myself if I’d known.”

  Russ snorted. “She didn’t want you driving yourself. That’s why she didn’t say anything. Now I have to drive you home.”

  “Would she really try to set us up? Tom just died.”

  “But she doesn’t know you were engaged. All she sees is an attractive, single female in close proximity to her only, single son. It does funny things to her grandma DNA.”

  “I’m sorry. If you drive me back to the house, I’ll get my car and get out of your way.”

  “No need.” Russ crunched his way across the parking lot and yanked open the passenger door of his truck. “I’m heading into the orchard. As long as you’re here, I’ll show you around.”

  She pressed her lips together, cocking her head to the side, same as the first time he invited her on a drive, except this time she didn’t quickly join him.

  “Is there a problem?”

  She crossed her arms. “You don’t think I had anything to do with this, do you?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Because I didn’t.”

  “I believe you.”

  “I’m not pretending Tom and I were in love, because we weren’t, but still, I would never—”

  “Ashley.”

  “—consider anything like this—”

  “Ashley?”

  “I promise.”

  Russ tuned out her ramblings as he moved toward her. When he finally stopped in front of her, she clammed up. “This isn’t the first time my mom has tried to set me up. I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.”

  “Oh.” Those large eyes blinked. “As long as we’re clear.”

  “We’re fine. Now, let me show you the orchards. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of things you can take pictures of.”

  The corner of her mouth twitched. “I’d love to see them.”

  “Then come on while it’s still daylight.”

  *******

  The gargantuan pickup flew over the dirt path, spraying rocks behind them. Ashley zipped up her coat before lowering her window, eager to feel the breeze against her skin. Ahead of them, white, billowy clouds dotted the brilliant blue sky, dancing together above the brown, wintering trees. “I didn’t realize an orchard would be so hilly.”

  “It helps with the frost. We plant our more valuable fruit up high where there’s less frost, to protect them in the spring.” The truck descended along another row.

  “Are these cherry trees?”

  “No. We started switching to apple trees a few years ago. We’re getting a better return on our investment with these.”

  “That sounds so businesslike.”

  “It is. We have to make enough money to support the families that work here.”

  “That makes sense. I guess I expected it to be more about the sun and soil and … outdoorsy things.”

  “If it makes you feel better, there’s more sun on top of the hills.”

  Ashley chuckled. “I feel much better now, thank you. Is all of this land yours?”

  “Most of what you can see now is, but about a hundred yards that way and you’ll step onto our neighbor’s property.”

  “And you and Tom farm all of this?”

  “Chad works with us, and we have a great seasonal staff.”

  Empty branches scraped along the cab and bed as the truck wobbled through the orchard. Everything looked dead, but with the bright sun shining from the blue-and-white canopy overhead, hope emerged. The slumbering fruit trees inspired Ashley. Did they have the same effect on Russ? “You and Chad will be able to keep things going, right?”

  He sighed. “Yeah, we’ll make it. As soon as we figure out how to do Tom’s job.”

  Ashley took a good look at him. Stress lined his face, darkening his handsome features. It stirred her heart. She suddenly understood why, after her parents’ funeral, people she barely knew offered to bring her dinner and mow the lawn. All she wanted was to take care of Russ, to do what she could to make his life easier. “Can I cook you dinner tonight?”

  Something flashed across Russ’ face. “Where?”

  “At your house, or my house. At the house. It’s not much, but I’d like to do this for you.” As Russ drove in silence, a rush of doubt slammed into her. “Please?”

  The truck slowed, but he kept his eyes forward. Ashley held her breath, wanting him to say yes. When he finally looked at her, the corner of his mouth turned up.

  “Sure. Let’s have dinner together.”

  CHAPTER 9

  “I thought your mom would be home by now.”

  Russ followed Ashley into the kitchen. As expected, it was empty, not that it surprised him. Mom had been checking in with him eighteen times a day since Tom’s death, but he hadn’t heard from her since she’d dropped off Ashley. A piece of paper lay on the kitchen counter.

  Hi Honey –

  I’ll be late tonight. There’s meat in the sink. Go ahead and eat without me.

  Mom

  For crying out loud. She was supposed to be staying with him to help him grieve Tom’s death, not setting him up with strange women. Not that he minded having dinner with Ashley. Not that he should be thinking that way.

  “Is that from her?” Ashley’s arm brushed across his as she looked over his shoulder. “Oh, so it’s just the two of us?” She looked up at him, a shaky smile creasing her cheeks. “Is that okay with you?”

  “You bet.”

  Her head cocked to the side, tossing her hair against his shoulder.

  What was he doing? Russ crumpled the paper and tossed it in the trash. “We might as well make extra in case she’s hungry when she gets back.”

  “Not we. I said I’d make dinner, remember?”

  “I remember, but I’m not going to let you work while I lounge around.” He leaned over the sink. “It looks like she thawed some chicken quarters. I should have plenty of food to go with them.”

  Ashley crossed her arms. Leaning against the counter, he mimicked her. As they stared at each other, she narrowed her eyes. He was about to argue the wisdom of them working together, considering it was his kitchen and he knew where to find everything, when she shrugged, then moved to the fridge.

  Opening the door, she bent over, leaning in. “There’s a ton of food in here. I can throw something together in no time.”

  A blast of heat shot through Russ’ veins. “I’ll get the chicken started. Why don’t I throw them on the grill?” Outside. In the bitter winter air. Alone.

  “If you want to start the grill, I can cook it.”

  “What kind of man would I be to leave my guest alone to cook dinner for me?” Russ reached for a platter and collided with Ashley at the island. Two plastic containers hit the floor an instant before her hands latched onto his upper arms, her fingers digging into his biceps. He anchored himself against the counter to break their fall, and her soft warmth pressed against his chest. Her breath tickled his neck. When she tried to step back, his arm stopped her, having somehow found itself around her waist. Her eyes widened.

  “I, uh …” Ashley’s cheeks turned red, but she didn’t move. “I think I’m okay now.”

  He nodded, but his arm tightened. Her gaze dropped to his lips. His brain nearly misfired.

  “You can probably let go now,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, sure.” As he slid his arm from her waist, he didn’t miss the fact that she took her time letting go. When sh
e stepped back, a thin chain shifted against her neck. The thin curve of his grandmother’s ring hung from it.

  What was he doing? She had Tom’s engagement ring around her neck. Steeling himself against her charms, Russ reached around Ashley, pulled the platter out of the cupboard, and gave his complete attention to the sink full of raw poultry.

  “Why don’t I put together a salad?” she asked.

  “Sure.”

  “What do you like on yours?”

  Russ tried to visualize what was in the fridge. Instead, he pictured Ashley, reaching into the refrigerator. His pulse spiked, and he dropped the pack of chicken in the sink. “Let me see what’s in there.” Pushing past her, he dove in and scooped up everything from the bottom drawer. “Anything from here will work. I’ll start the grill.” He dropped the food on the island, then stepped toward the door, but a vice wrapped around his wrist.

  “I said I’d make you dinner, and you’re doing all of the work. Would you please stop and let me cook?”

  “I’m not going to make you wait on me. You just lost your fiancé.”

  “Yes, and you just lost your cousin, someone you knew much longer than I did. Death sucks, but it doesn’t make us helpless.”

  “Exactly. I’m not helpless, so I’ll grill the chicken. You make a salad.”

  Ashley stood her ground, her lips pressed together in what he was beginning to recognize as her frustrated, yet tempting, pout. But then her face relaxed. “You’re right. I’m a bit of a hypocrite. I’ll do the salad.”

  Before she could change her mind, Russ stepped outside and started the grill. Back inside, a serving bowl sat on the counter.

  Ashley closed one cupboard, then opened another. “Do you have a cutting board?”

  He grabbed a board from under the sink and set it next to the bowl.

  “Thank you. It might take me a while to get used to your kitchen.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m surprised you didn’t bring your own stuff. When my sisters got married, they had every kitchen gadget imaginable.”

  Ashley chuckled. “I lived in my parents’ house my entire life. Most of the furniture and appliances were thirty years old, so I sold what I could and donated the rest. I have a few keepsakes stored in my aunt’s garage, but I wanted to start fresh, so I got rid of most of it.”