Orchard Hill Volume Two

by Kara Lynn Russell

  Finally, she surrendered. “All right. But I want to come back afterwards and finish.”

  “Whatever you say,” said Andrew as he took her arm and led her toward the door.

  “My purse…”

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s my treat.”

  Andrew drove them to the Apple-a-Day Café. It was a favorite spot for all of them. Faith noted that the setting sun turned the sky a vivid pink as they walked from Andrew’s car to the restaurant. Inside, the kids chattered happily. Robin told Faith about her finals and moving out of the dorm. Kevin was full of plans for the summer. Soon the waitress came and took their order and as she left the kids fell silent. They were looking at Andrew expectantly.

  Oh no, thought Faith. What’s going on?

  Andrew reached across the table and took Faith’s hands. She tried to pull back, but he held on to them. “Faith, we need to talk,” he said.

  “Do you think this is the place?”

  “It’s the right time and the right place. The kids and I have something to say to you.”

  She glanced at them. What was going on?

  “I told you earlier today that I loved you. I know it was a bit of a shock…”

  “A bit?” She tried to pull away from him again, be he still held her hands firmly in his own. She noted that the kids didn’t look surprised. How did they know about this? She had a sneaking suspicion that she had been set up.

  “All right, a big shock. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it, Faith. I just…I just never let myself think of you in that way. When you first came to work for me, I was married. And then, later, I couldn’t even think of anyone that way for a very, very long time.”

  “I wanted Dad to go out on a date because I thought he’d ask you,” Robin broke in. “I didn’t think I’d have to spell it out for him. I couldn’t believe it when Kevin told me he’d asked out someone else.”

  “Yeah, Robin and I have been IMing all year, trying to think of ways to get you together,” Kevin confirmed.

  “And now Dad’s finally realized what we knew all along,” Robin finished up triumphantly.

  Faith studied their faces. They all looked so pleased with themselves. They thought they had everything figured out. “I see. Am I supposed to fall at your feet and be grateful now, Andrew? You can’t just decide you’re in love because you don’t want to find a new assistant or because you want to make the kids happy.”

  “That isn’t it at all,” he protested.

  “Really? I’m sorry to disappoint you kids, but I can’t…This just won’t work.” She pushed her chair back and rose. “I apologize, but I don’t feel like eating any more.”

  Andrew watched, dumbfounded, as Faith walked out the door.

  “Dad, go after her,” urged Robin.

  He handed her a few bills from his wallet and was gone.

  Faith was halfway down the block when he caught up with her. “Stop, Faith.” He grabbed her arm and twirled her to face him. The pain in her eyes caused his heart to constrict.

  “Let’s just let this go. Forget about it.”

  “You’re pushing me away again. Why won’t you believe that I love you?”

  “I’ve loved you for years, Andrew, and I got nothing back from you. It’s just a little hard to accept that your feelings have changed so completely so quickly.”

  “My feelings haven’t changed. I’ve just been denying them. I thought it was…improper, I guess.”

  “I think you’ve just realized how convenient this situation is for you. You say you love me, I don’t quit, the kids are happy, and you never have to face a first date again. But it’s not convenient for me. My heart is in pieces, and you’re walking all over them.”

  Andrew groaned. How could he blame her for not believing in him? He’d failed her for so long. Now her heart wasn’t the only one that would be broken.

  But then, in a flash of inspiration, he remembered Misty’s words—How about you just kiss her?

  “I want to go now.” Faith’s voice broke into his thoughts, and he realized he was still holding her arm.

  “One more thing.” He leaned in and kissed her. At first she stood rigid, but slowly she relaxed and allowed him to pull her closer. He breathed in her light, flowery scent and savored the feeling of her pressed against him. Her mouth was soft and warm on his. Kissing her was heavenly. Why had it taken him so long to think of it?

  Slowly, he eased back. “Wow.”

  “Yeah, wow,” echoed Faith in a breathy whisper.

  “I could never kiss anyone that I didn’t love like that. Now do you believe I love you?”

  She drew in a shaky voice. “I think so. Maybe.”

  “I want to be with you, Faith. If you still want to find a new job, I don’t care. There isn’t much I can do about the kids being happy. Do you want me to try and convince them to protest our getting together?”

  That made her laugh. “No, don’t bother.”

  “Will you come back to the restaurant now?” he asked.

  “I...I don’t know. What happens now? Where do I stand?”

  His efficient, capable secretary looked so vulnerable that Andrew’s heart wrenched. He caressed her cheek and kissed her again quickly.

  “How about you stand as my fiancée and then my wife.”

  Faith gasped. “Did you just propose to me? In the middle of the sidewalk? What are you thinking? This is so sudden!”

  “I may have been slow in understanding my own heart,” he told her, looking into her eyes to show his sincerity. “But now that I do, I know what I want.”

  “That’s true.” She nodded. “Once you make a decision, you do follow it wholeheartedly. I know that about you.”

  “You know everything about me. So what do you say?”

  “About marriage? Oh, Andrew I don’t know. It’s just moving too fast.”

  “I’ve been moving too slow. I need to make up for lost time.”

  “Talk about shifting into the fast lane!” But she laughed and Andrew’s heart soared. He’d convince her in time.

  Hand in hand they walked back to the café. Faith felt as if she finally understood the phrase “walking on air.” She’d put away her hopes and dreams, but they’d come true anyway. She sent a quick prayer of thanks heavenward.

  Today, Andrew had told her he loved her, he’d kissed her, and he’d asked her to marry him. It was beyond comprehension. Of course she’d said no. She had to. One of them had to be sensible. For a little while anyway.

  He paused at the café door and kissed her again.

  “Andrew, everyone’s watching you kiss your secretary,” she chided him.

  He smiled down at her. “Who cares?”

  TITLE

  Epilogue: Misty Green

  “Dad, are you going out again tonight?” asked Misty.

  On the other end of the phone her father answered, “Yes, I’m sorry honey, but a friend and I are going to a movie tonight. We’ll get supper afterward.”

  “Well, all right Dad, but make sure you don’t order anything fried. It’s so bad for you.”

  “Don’t worry about me, Misty,” he said testily. “I’ve been taking care of myself since before you were born.”

  “I’m sorry Dad. I just worry about you.”

  “I know, Pumpkin, and I appreciate it, too. I’ll see you later.”

  “All right. Bye.”

  Misty was glad her father had found a friend. She did wonder who he was spending all this time with though. Maybe Elmer Thorsen. He loved fishing. He and Dad would probably spend hours trading fish stories, each one less believable than the last.

  Actually, she was sort of glad not to have her father underfoot tonight. It would give her a chance to plot her next match. There was no way she was going to let Pansy Parker win this contest. The woman would lord it over her until the end of time if she did.

  With satisfaction, she remembered the conversation she and Pansy had at church last Sunday. They were in the church offic
e, watching through the window as Andrew and Faith, along with Kevin and Robin, exited the building. She could feel a smirk take over her face, but she didn’t care. “That’s another match for me, Pansy. Now we’re even.”

  “Not for long,” Pansy muttered. “I’ve got something in the works, too.”

  “I don’t know what you were thinking, putting Faith and Joseph together. He’s really not ready for a relationship. He’s still mourning his wife.”

  Pansy glared at her. “I think they would have made a wonderful couple. And he could use some help with all those kids.”

  “He’s got Hope. She helps out a lot.”

  “Hope needs a man of her own. We wouldn’t want her turning into an old maid, would we?”

  Misty smiled, remembering Pansy’s implied insult about her unmarried status. She would never have thrown out a nasty barb like that if she weren’t worried.

  As she was returning the phone to its stand, the bell on the front door of her shop jingled. It was a tall man who looked to be in his early fifties. His brown hair was thinning, but his coffee colored eyes were warm and the lines on his face looked as if they came from laughter.

  Misty put on her best smile. “Hello. How can I help you today?”

  He smiled back, showing white, even teeth. But not so perfect that Misty had to wonder if they were his own.

  “I just want to pick up a few things. I’ve been staying with my Mom and she still cooks like it’s the 1950’s.”

  Misty wrinkled her nose. “I know what you mean. My Dad has been visiting me and he still thinks there should be white bread and butter on the table at every meal.”

  “Maybe we should get them together.”

  They both laughed.

  “My name is Perry Parker,” the man said.

  “I’m Misty Green,” she replied.

  “Is this your store?”

  “Yes, it is,” Misty told him proudly. “Now what can I get for you today?”

  “Let’s start with produce. Do you have organic?”

  “Of course. You know, not many men your age eat this healthy, either,” she said as she led him over to the produce bins.

  “My wife got me started,” the man confessed. “I protested at the time, but then I got used to it. Now I miss it.”

  A wife. Drat. “Is your wife staying with your mother, too?”

  “No. We’re divorced. To tell you the truth, I came back to Orchard Hill to get a new start.”

  Hmmm, divorced. Misty didn’t usually date divorced men. But maybe she’d make an exception in this case. She had a good feeling about this man.

  “I thought maybe I’d make myself a stir fry tonight,” Perry said as he examined the snow peas. “Mom is going out so I’m on my own. She doesn’t own a wok, though, so I’m not sure how it will turn out.”

  “I have a wok,” Misty said. “My dad isn’t going to be around tonight either. Why don’t you come over to my house, and we can make it together.”

  Perry smiled at her. “You wouldn’t mind?”

  He really did have a nice smile, Misty thought. “No, I’d enjoy the company.”

  It wasn’t until after his shopping was finished and he’d left that Misty figured out just who Perry Parker’s mother was.

  Enduring

  Hope

  TITLE

  Prologue

  Summer had begun to make its appearance in Orchard Hill. Pansy Parker sighed with contentment as the porch swing rocked gently and the scent of lilacs washed over her. The lilacs were almost done blooming. She couldn’t believe it was June already.

  The year was almost half over and she and her rival Misty Green were tied at two matches each in their contest to prove who was the best matchmaker. Misty had manipulated events to bring together Angel Marcel and Jeff Bradley, and just lately, Faith Fielding and Andrew Thomas. “While I,” Pansy said to herself, “facilitated the romance of Grace Randall and Riley O’Neil as well as that of Lily Robinson and Ian O’Neil.”

  The man sitting next to her on the swing reached over and took her hand. Pansy smiled at him. Who would have thought the two of them would have found romance at their ages, which were…Well, let’s just say beyond the normal retirement age, Pansy told herself.

  Arthur was retired in fact, and lived in Florida. Pansy still worked as a secretary for the Orchard Hill Community Church. She loved her job and couldn’t see any reason to retire.

  Unless Misty won their little matchmaking contest. Pansy could never stand it if that woman managed to weasel out a victory there. Misty was the choir director and chair of the worship committee so she was always at the church, it seemed. If Misty won, Pansy thought she’d have to retire just to get away from the woman’s bragging. She couldn’t believe that annoying woman was Arthur’s daughter. They were nothing alike. Maybe Misty was adopted, thought Pansy.

  But she had to get busy and put together another match. She leaned her head on Arthur’s shoulder. He had definitely been a distraction to her, but she didn’t mind. No one had made her feel this special since her husband had passed away so many years ago.

  As she and Arthur sat together, and the sun began to set, she pondered the Orchard Hill singles. Who needed her talents? She heard a door slam and saw her neighbor, Oliver Laurence, coming down his porch steps. When he saw them, he raised a hand in greeting before getting into his car and driving away.

  Arthur and Pansy returned the wave, and Arthur remarked to her, “I’m glad you have such good neighbors, Pansy. I’d worry about you living alone otherwise.”

  “I don’t live alone,” she reminded him. “I have my son here.”

  “That’s right,” agreed Arthur, “but that’s only temporary, and he’s never home anyway. We’ve been dating for weeks now, and I’ve never met him.”

  Dating. Pansy wanted to laugh at that. It sounded like they were teenagers. But sometimes, with Arthur, she felt like a teenager again. “He’s been working a lot lately. I know he’s anxious to get established here.” And get out of my house, she added silently. She loved Perry as only a mother could, but she couldn’t believe she’d raised such a slob! Lately she’d begun to sympathize with his ex-wife, even if the woman had run off with another man and divorced Perry.

  But she was getting distracted again. She had to find two people who needed each other. Wait a minute. Oliver. He was single and new in town. Who could she match him up with?

  “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” said Arthur, breaking her concentration.

  “Oh, what’s that?”

  “Are you avoiding me at church?”

  Uh-oh. “Well, not exactly.”

  “That sounds like a ‘yes’ to me.”

  Pansy pulled back from him a little so she could see his face. “I haven’t wanted to tell you this, but…but your daughter and I don’t exactly get along.”

  “That’s silly. Misty has her faults, of course, but she’s a lovely woman. I’m very proud of her.”

  “She does a very good job of directing the church choir,” Pansy offered. That was true, even if Misty sometimes picked that awful contemporary worship music rather than the traditional hymns Pansy loved.

  “I’m sure you two could get along. Maybe we should all have dinner together some time.”

  “That would be…um…nice, dear.” Pansy leaned back and laid her head on Arthur’s shoulder again. “Let’s not talk anymore. Let’s just enjoy this beautiful evening. The stars will be out soon.”

  He squeezed her hand gently and fell silent again. Pansy began thinking about a potential girlfriend for Oliver. She had to get going if she wanted to stay ahead of Misty Green.

  ****

  “Your back door is all fixed,” said Perry, coming from the back room to the front of Misty Green’s health food store, The Green Scene. “It won’t stick any more, and the squeak is gone.”

  “Thank you, Perry. What can I do to pay you back?”

  He set his tool box on the counter. “I know a goo
d place to start.”

  Misty couldn’t hold back her own grin. “And where would that be?”

  Leaning down, Perry kissed her. “How about right there.”

  She giggled. No woman her age should giggle, but she couldn’t help it. Perry made her so happy. “I was thinking I could take you out to dinner or something.”