Orchard Hill Volume One

by Kara Lynn Russell

  “Have a seat on the couch. I’ll be there with the tea in a minute,” Misty called from the kitchen.

  The couch was draped with sections of the newspaper and health magazines. Jeff and Angel looked around for someplace to put them, but every available surface seemed to be occupied by houseplants and stacks of books. So they piled everything up, and put it on the floor. Then they sat and stared at each other for a minute.

  Angel pulled her feet up underneath her. “So how long have you lived in Orchard Hill?”

  “Almost a year now.”

  “What made you choose this town to start your business?”

  “It’s a relatively prosperous area, and I liked the small town atmosphere. My parents are into some really big real estate ventures in Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago. They buy and sell commercial properties and things like that. I worked for them for a little while after I graduated from college, but I decided I wanted to try making it on my own. I like the idea of dealing with private homes and helping each family find just the right one.”

  “Were your parents disappointed when you left them?”

  “A little I think, but they understood. When they were young they started their business from the ground up. I think they can relate to the need to do the same thing. They’re…expecting big things from me.”

  “Do you see them much?”

  “Most of the time they’re pretty busy in Milwaukee, but they have a vacation cottage in Door County. That’s not too far away, so I usually see them when they’re there.”

  “Door County—that’s a wonderful place to have a cottage.” Misty came in carrying a tray with three steaming cups. She cleared a space on the coffee table with one hand and set the tray down.

  “I’ve never heard of Door County,” Angel admitted as she accepted a mug of tea from Misty.

  “It’s the ‘thumb’ of Wisconsin,” said Jeff, using his hand as a simplified map to show her. “Green Bay is on one side and Lake Michigan is on the other.”

  Misty handed Jeff his tea and sat down in an easy chair next to the couch. “It would be nice if you had time to see it for yourself while you’re here, Angel.” She looked at him pointedly, but Jeff was at a loss to know what Misty wanted.

  “It’s a business trip. I doubt I’ll have time,” said Angel. She turned to Jeff. “Do your parents stay there often?”

  “Yes, in fact they’re hosting a Valentine’s Day party there.” Jeff took a sip of his tea and almost choked. It tasted like…old socks or something.

  “Jeff,” exclaimed Misty. “That’s perfect. Angel can be your date for the dinner. That will give her a chance to see Door County. You could even make a day of it.”

  Angel’s eyes widened. Either she was shocked by Misty’s suggestion or the taste of the tea had gotten to her, too. “Misty, I can’t believe you’d suggest such a thing. I’m sure Jeff can find his own date.”

  “But you’re his friend’s sister. I’m sure Jeff would love to…” She trailed off and looked at Jeff expectantly.

  He shifted uncomfortably. “I would, but…”

  “But what?”

  “I already have a date.”

  Misty’s eyebrows rose. “You do? Who?”

  Angel wished she could slide under the couch and disappear. First Tony had insisted on treating her like a baby, now Misty was blatantly asking Jeff to go out with her. How much embarrassment could she take in one day?

  “I’ve started dating Susan Schmidt lately.”

  “Susan, the real estate agent. I suppose you have lots in common,” said Misty stiffly. It was pretty obvious she was unhappy about this.

  Jeff looked like he wasn’t happy with the turn of conversation, either. “Well, she is very successful at work. But she has many other good…um…qualities.”

  “Really?” asked Misty with obviously feigned innocence. “Tell me what you see in her, Jeff.”

  “Um…She’s very efficient, very organized. She dresses nicely, always impresses her clients.”

  This was painful. She had to rescue him. “Misty, is there any more tea? Mine is getting cold.”

  She jumped up. “Yes, of course. I’ll get you some. Would you like some more, too, Jeff?”

  “No,” Jeff said quickly. “I’m fine.”

  After Misty had left the room, Angel turned to him. “I apologize, Jeff. I don’t know what Misty is thinking.”

  “That’s all right. If I didn’t already have a date…”

  The last thing she needed was to be someone’s pity date—out of a feeling of obligation to her brother. If he were to ask her on a date for real, that might be another story. No sense in thinking about that. He had a girlfriend. “I doubt I’d have time to go anyway. This is a business trip. Besides, I seriously doubt I’ll still be here then. Valentine’s Day is a ways away.”

  “Yes. Yes it is.” He stared down into his mug and looked miserable.

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you made your escape while Misty’s in the kitchen,” she told him softly.

  He brightened. “Really? Not that I want to go, but I have a lot of paperwork to do yet.”

  “I understand,” she said. And she did. She couldn’t blame him for wanting to get away from both the distasteful tea and the distasteful conversation. She just hoped he wasn’t anxious to get away from her as well.

  Jeff put his mug down on the coffee table, using a magazine in place of a coaster. Angel went to the closet and pulled out his coat. Maybe she could end the evening on a lighter note. “Just remember, I’m going to have to drink another mug of that nasty stuff. I’ve bought your freedom at the cost of my taste buds,” she whispered.

  She was pleased when he laughed. “I definitely owe you,” he said. “Take care, Angel.” He slipped out into the night.

  Misty came back into the living room with a fresh mug of tea just in time to see the door close behind him. “Why did Jeff leave?” she asked. “We were having such a nice chat.”

  Yeah, it was so nice, he was ready to gnaw his leg off to get free, Angel thought. Out loud, she said, “He had work to do, yet. I took up a lot of his time today.”

  “I’m sure he didn’t mind,” said Misty. “Oh, well. Sit down and let’s finish our tea and our chat.”

  “Actually,” hedged Angel, “I need to get some food and stuff for Cherub. Could I borrow your car?”

  Misty told her it was a forty minute drive to the nearest farm supply store and farther to a pet shop, so she settled for what she could buy at the grocery store. It turned out there was a pretty decent pet section there. She bought food, a collar, a leash, some toys and a little red sweater. Not because it was cute, of course, but because she thought it might help keep Cherub’s stitches dry when she was outside.

  Then on impulse, Angel steered her cart into the baking aisle. She bought ingredients for her favorite muffin recipe. She’d have to smuggle the white flour and refined sugar into Misty’s house, but it would be worth it.

  ****

  At home, Jeff heated up a frozen dinner in the microwave and turned on his laptop. While he waited for the meal to cook and the laptop to boot, he mentally reviewed his day with Angel. He couldn’t believe Misty had tried to rope him into a date with her. Did she actually think Angel needed her help finding companionship? Not likely, he thought.

  She wasn’t his type, of course. He was better off with someone more focused, less impulsive. Someone like Susan.

  But it was Angel’s face and not Susan’s that kept popping into his mind and caused him to have to redo a whole contract. No doubt about it, that girl was trouble. The sooner she left town, the better.

  ****

  The next morning Angel got up early and made two batches of muffins—one with the wholesome ingredients that would meet Misty’s high standards, and one she was sure Jeff would prefer. Cherub got up to eat the food Angel put out for her, submitted to having the sweater put on her—which looked adorable, but that was beside the point—and then went back to her box and watc
hed while Angel baked.

  Cherub turned out to be a great listener and Angel was doubly glad she’d kept the dog instead of letting her go to the shelter.

  Leaving the muffins to cool, Angel showered and gathered up her portfolio.

  When she came back downstairs to the kitchen Misty was having a muffin and a cup of tea. “Good morning,” Angel said.

  “Good morning. I let Cherub out into the back yard.”

  “Thanks. Can she stay there while I’m gone or should I bring her inside?

  Misty shrugged. “The yard is fenced in and she can go into the garage if it snows or if she gets cold. She should be fine.”

  “What if her stitches get wet?”

  “Trust me; everything is frozen out there, not wet.”

  “Thanks for letting me keep her here, Misty.”

  “Oh, I love animals. It’s no problem. And while we’re saying thanks, thanks for the muffins.”

  “I’m glad you like them.” Angel put some of the muffins in a bag.

  “Who are those for?” asked Misty.

  “I thought I’d take some to Jeff as a thank you.”

  The older woman raised her eyebrows. “He’s so good-looking. I’d sure be happy to find him waiting for me at the airport.”

  “Yes, well, he only did it because Tony asked him to.”

  “He didn’t have to go back to the clinic yesterday and pick you up.”

  “True. That’s why I’m taking him the muffins as a thank-you.”

  Misty winked at her. “Whatever you say.”

  Angel said good-bye to her cousin before the woman could make any more innuendos. She walked the few blocks to the downtown carrying her portfolio with examples of her work, and a brown paper bag with muffins.

  She stopped at Jeff’s office first. It was early, but he was there. No big surprise. She’d pegged him as someone determined to succeed already. Well, that was something they had in common.

  “Good morning,” she called out as she came into his office. There was no one in the front room, but Jeff poked his head out of another door—presumably one that led to his office.

  “Good morning,” he returned. “How’s the dog?”

  “She’s doing fine.”

  “Is she leaving the stitches alone?”

  “Well, so far so good. But I didn’t come just to give you a doggie update.” Angel held up her paper bag. “I made muffins for you, to thank you for all your help yesterday.”

  He accepted the bag from her and opened it. “These smell great. You didn’t have to do this.”

  “I know, but I wanted to let you know I appreciated everything you did, especially offering to be my friend.”

  Jeff pulled out a muffin and put it on his desk. “Care to join me?”

  “I already had one. I know they don’t seem like much, but remember that I had to smuggle in the ingredients Misty wouldn’t approve of.”

  “There are no nuts in these are there?”

  “No.”

  “Good, because I’m allergic to nuts.” He peeled the paper lining off one and took a bite. “These are good.”

  “You don’t count peanut butter as a nut do you?”

  Jeff froze in the middle of taking a second bite. He spit it out, into the muffin paper. “Actually, yes.”

  “Oh dear.”

  “Angel, do you know how to get to the hospital in Orchard Hill?”

  ****

  So, Angel missed her second appointment at The Grace Place while sitting with Jeff in the emergency room. He had a serious nut allergy, the kind that required epinephrine to counteract.

  She felt like an idiot, and as she drove Jeff home in his car she apologized for hundredth time.

  “I asked you if there were nuts in them,” he rasped.

  “Peanuts aren’t really nuts. They’re legumes,” Angel pointed out.

  “Yes, but lots of people with nut allergies are also allergic to peanuts.”

  “I didn’t know that,” she wailed. “I feel terrible. I’ll stay with you today in case you need anything.”

  “No. I’m just going to rest for a couple of hours and go back into work. I don’t need you to stay.”

  “Now who’s making it difficult to help them?”

  “Look, Angel, I just don’t think I’d be able to rest with you there.”

  “Just try me. I’m a good nurse.”

  He didn’t need to be reminded how much practice she’d had at that. “I’m not an invalid.”

  “Of course not. Is this where I turn?” Angel frowned, trying to remember the directions he’d given her.

  “No. The next block up.”

  “Wait a minute. I know this neighborhood. Do you live near Misty?”

  “No. I gave you directions to Misty’s house. I’m going to drop you off and drive myself home.”

  “But Jeff…”

  “No buts. I’m fine. Thank you for taking me to the emergency room. Thank you for waiting for me.”

  Angel pulled up in front of Misty’s house. “But now get out?”

  “Don’t feel bad. Your intentions were good.”

  He got out of the car and came around to the driver’s side. Opening the door he said, “Come on, Angel.”

  She thought about arguing with him, but just slid out. “You’ll call me if you need anything?”

  “Yes. You’ll be the first one I call.”

  She could tell he was lying, but she dug a business card out of her purse, anyway. “This has my cell phone number.”

  “Thanks,” he mumbled as he stuck the card into his pocket. “Bye, Angel.”

  He drove away and left her standing on the sidewalk. Only then did she realize she didn’t have a key to Misty’s house. With a sigh, Angel went to check on Cherub, who was settled happily on an old rug in the garage, and then for the second time, started the walk to the downtown.

  As she walked, she remembered she’d left her portfolio in Jeff’s office. Now, she’d have to stop there before going to Misty’s store.

  What else could go wrong?

  TITLE

  Chapter Four

  Jeff returned to work after lunch. He still felt a bit groggy, but he didn’t want to miss a whole day. If he hadn’t been so busy since he’d opened his office, he would have remembered to bring his second allergy kit to work. Instead, he’d left it sitting on his hall table where he walked right past it every morning on his way out. Now, he’d paid for it with a trip to the emergency room. But that didn’t mean he could afford to take a whole day off of work.

  He walked into the real estate office and his jaw dropped open. Angel was sitting behind the receptionist’s desk, talking on the phone and writing a message on a pink “while you were out” slip. She scribbled in the caller’s message, thanked them and hung up.

  “You’re back. How are you feeling?”

  “Shocked. What are you doing here?”

  “After you dropped me off, I realized that I didn’t have a house key. Then I remembered I left my portfolio in here. So I walked downtown to get both things. When I stopped in here, the phone was ringing. I didn’t want you to miss an important call so I answered. And well, I guess I just stayed after that.” She handed him a stack of messages. “This is a busy place. Where’s your regular receptionist?”

  He accepted the messages. “I don’t have one.”

  “Then why do you have a receptionist’s desk here?”

  “I figured I’d hire one once I got established. Angel, you didn’t have to—”

  “Mrs. Stevens called. I changed your appointment with her to tomorrow. Then, while I was thinking about it, I called the other people on your schedule for today and moved their appointments, too. You can take the whole day off.”

  “You did what!”

  “And your mother called. She’s really nice.”

  “You talked to my mother?”

  “Yes, she wants you to call her back. It’s all in there with the rest of your messages.”

 
“It is.”

  Angel beamed up at him, and suddenly he didn’t have the heart to tell her how unwanted her interference had been. He wasn’t up to the argument or to his own reaction when he hurt her. “Thanks,” he said with as little sarcasm as humanly possible.

  She bounced up from the desk and grabbed the big, flat leather bag she called her portfolio. “It was the least I could do after almost killing you. Don’t worry about the rescheduled appointments. Everyone was very understanding when I told them about your morning.”