Orchard Hill Volume One

by Kara Lynn Russell

  Before he could say anything, a man approached Angel about buying one of her paintings. He seemed unaware of the scene that had just unfolded, and Angel handled the transaction with creditable professionalism. Jeff was probably the only one who noticed her hands shaking as she wrote up the sales receipt.

  Once her customer had walked away Jeff said, “Hey, I’m a free man.”

  Angel arched an eyebrow at him. “And what do you intend to do with that freedom?”

  He didn’t know how to answer that. Looking for a distraction, he studied the booth she had set up. There were a couple of larger paintings, including the local landscape, set up on easels. The table was covered with prints of her work and some of her greeting cards.

  “You’re really good at this painting thing, aren’t you?”

  “I hope so. Otherwise I won’t be able to feed myself for very long.”

  It was time for him to turn around and go home, Jeff figured. He had gotten out of the art show thing and out of his relationship with Susan. He had nothing else to do today except…

  Except attend his parents’ dinner party. Which he now had no date for. Should he call his mom and let her know? If he did, she’d have a blind date lined up for him when he arrived. Should he not call and just show up alone? He’d ruin his mother’s seating arrangement and be in big trouble. Would playing sick be a possibility?

  “What’s wrong, Jeff?”

  Angel was looking at him with those warm hazel eyes. She looked concerned and maybe a bit nervous. A streak of recklessness broke through his usual discipline. For once he would do what he wanted. Not what he thought he should do.

  “Angel, would you go somewhere with me tonight?”

  “What? Where?”

  They were interrupted again. This time by a group of young women who pawed through every single one of Angel’s cards. They each bought several.

  Angel was smiling as she collected their money and handed out change.

  “Angel,” he repeated when they were alone again, “will you go somewhere with me tonight?”

  “Um, sure, I guess so. Where are we going?”

  “My parents are having a dinner party.”

  Her gaze changed from hesitant to understanding. “You were supposed to take Susan. You need a date.”

  “Well, not exactly. I could go by myself.”

  “But that would be awkward. I guess if I hadn’t started a fight with Susan, you wouldn’t have a problem, so sure, I’ll fill in.”

  He felt irritated that she would assume she was just a substitute. Then again, who was it who had made it so clear Susan was what he was looking for in a girlfriend, and Angel wasn’t? “When are you finished here?”

  “They told me I should be done by four.”

  “I’ll be back to pick you up.”

  “Don’t bother. I have Misty’s car.”

  “All right. I’ll pick you up at Misty’s at five. Dinner’s sort of formal so wear something nice.”

  ****

  Angel sold out her entire stock and had collected requests for cards and prints from a couple of other stores. A few people had talked to her about commissioning some paintings.

  Rushing home after the art show—and after doing a little shopping of her own—Angel explained her plans to Misty, took a quick shower, dressed and put up her hair.

  She was just pushing the last hair pin in place when the doorbell rang. While she was putting on her lipstick, Angel heard her cousin walk to the door and open it. She heard Misty’s high voice greeting Jeff and his much lower one replying in kind and Cherub’s excited bark. She took one last look in the mirror, hoping she looked all right and wouldn’t embarrass Jeff. She had fallen back on the little black dress, or in this case, a black silk tank and a long skirt with a modest slit up the side. At the art fair she’d bought an embroidered silk shawl that she’d wrapped around the waist of the skirt, transforming it from plain to elegant. The shawl was a turquoise color, and fortunately Angel had brought with her some silver and turquoise jewelry that matched perfectly.

  She descended the stairs while Jeff waited at the bottom, just as she’d seen in so many movies, and when she saw the gratified look in his eye, she almost felt like a movie star.

  When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Jeff, looking marvelous in a well cut suit and tie, took her hand and said “You look beautiful.”

  Misty was grinning from ear to ear and slightly bounced where she stood. If she hadn’t been holding a squirming Cherub, Angel was sure she’d have gleefully clapped her hands.

  “You both look wonderful,” said Misty.

  He smiled at her and Angel felt her breath catch. “Angel looks beautiful,” he repeated. “I’m nothing special.”

  She noticed his hair had lost its shaggy look. He must have gotten it cut this afternoon. She sort of missed his longer hair. He looked very GQ, but less accessible. It was just another reminder that she was the substitute date, not the real thing.

  “Nothing special,” Misty echoed. “I don’t think Angel would agree with that.”

  Angel forced a smile. “No, you look very handsome tonight.” Better than anyone I’ve ever dated, she added to herself. But then again, she wasn’t really dating Jeff.

  “Thank you. We’d better get going though. It’s a bit of a drive from here.”

  “Let me get my coat.” Angel paused to kiss Cherub’s fuzzy head, and then went to the closet.

  She put on her everyday winter coat. It didn’t look so great over her outfit, but it was all she had. Wisconsin weather didn’t allow for fashion to overcome practicality, and she hadn’t thought she’d need her dressier winter coat.

  As they walked to Jeff’s car Misty called after them, “Have a Happy Valentine’s Day, you two.”

  Angel felt like her smile would crack. How could you have a happy Valentine’s Day when you were the substitute date, and not the real thing? But she decided that she owed Jeff. She’d be the best fake date she could. She’d talk and laugh and try to appear as a wildly successful artist. Oh, dear. Would Jeff’s parents think painting was a real job? It was too late to worry about that now.

  On the way to the party Angel told him about her day and the commissions she’d been offered.

  “So you’ll really be staying a while longer?” he asked.

  “It looks like it. Sorry; you won’t get rid of me anytime soon.”

  That made him happy, Jeff realized. He was actually happy that Angel was staying. Should he be worried about this? He didn’t know, but right now, for tonight, he just wanted to relax and have fun.

  Angel filled the drive time with talk about her work. He didn’t mind. He wasn’t exactly paying close attention to what she was saying, but he liked the sound of her voice and how she was so excited after what had turned out to be a big day for her career-wise.

  As he drove, he spent the time comparing her and Susan. When he’d first met Susan, he had admired her take-charge attitude and her focus on advancing her career. However, there was such a thing as being too aggressive and too focused. When you cared more about work than about people, Jeff realized, you’d crossed that line. Susan was definitely more concerned about her career than anything or anyone else.

  Angel, on the other hand, had a heart that was open and willing to care—about stray dogs, meddling brothers and even workaholic, overachieving real estate agents. Since he’d met her, his vision of how his life should be was changing.

  With all this to think about the drive went quickly for Jeff and soon they were turning onto the road where his parents had their cottage. It was near the town of Bailey’s Harbor, on what was called “the quiet side” of Door County. There was less commercialism here, and the tourists were usually of the more upscale type. Most of the guests must have arrived before them, because the driveway was filled with cars and they had to park on the road and walk to the cottage.

  Angel stumbled on the slippery surface and he put his arm around her waist and pulled her to hi
s side. Just to keep her from slipping again and not because she felt so good snuggled up next to him, of course.

  His mom was waiting at the door for them. “Jeff, so good to see you.” She kissed his cheek. “And this must be Susan.”

  Jeff draped an arm around his mother’s shoulders. “Actually no. There was a change of plans. This is my friend, Angel Marcel. Her brother Tony and I lived together in college, remember?”

  Jeff’s mom looked surprised, but recovered quickly. She held out a hand to Angel. “Yes, I remember. So nice to meet you, Angel. Didn’t I talk to you on the phone the other day?”

  “Yes, that was me.”

  Jeff added, “This is my mom, Patty Bradley.”

  Angel shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too. This must be a wonderful place to live.”

  “Yes, we like it a lot. We don’t get up here as often as we’d like to, though. Oh, here come the Johnsons. Jeff, go introduce Angel to your father.”

  “Sure Mom.”

  Jeff ushered Angel through the foyer and into a spacious living room with windows that looked out over the lake. He spotted his dad in a huddle with several friends, talking and laughing. When he saw Jeff walk in, he excused himself and made his way across the room to them.

  “You made it. It’s been too long since you came to visit.”

  “You know what it’s like, starting a new business.”

  “Unfortunately, I do know. Who’s your lovely guest?” asked his father.

  Jeff watched for the pink tinge to creep into Angel’s cheeks. He’d never met anyone who blushed as easily as she did or who looked as cute when she did.

  “This is Angel Marcel. She’s Tony’s little sister. You remember Tony.”

  “Yes, one of your roommates in college. Glad you could come, Angel.”

  “Angel, this is my father, Bruce Bradley.”

  “Do you live in Orchard Hill?” asked Jeff’s father.

  “No, actually, I’ve just been visiting a relative. I’m from Minnesota,” Angel told him.

  “Oh, so you won’t be around for too long. That’s too bad.”

  “Actually, Dad,” Jeff broke in, “Angel’s an artist. Today she put up a booth at the Orchard Hill Annual Arts and Crafts Show and got a few commissions. So she’ll be around for a while after all.”

  “That’s good news. What medium do you work in?”

  “I usually prefer watercolors.”

  “She did a great view of the town from on top of the hill,” added Jeff.

  “Really. You do landscapes? I’d love to see your work sometime.”

  The caterer announced that supper was ready then, so the guests started to assemble in the dining room that was adjacent to the living room. The same large windows and spectacular view decorated the room.

  Supper was delicious, as Jeff expected it would be. His mother excelled at planning these sorts of things. Red roses and candles graced the table in honor of Valentine’s day. Jeff smiled at Angel who was seated across from him. She looked beautiful, and, much to his surprise and relief, he was sure his parents liked her.

  Angel smiled at Jeff across the table. He looked so confident—she wasn’t so sure of herself. She had figured Jeff’s parents would be up-scale folks, but she hadn’t expected everything to be quite so posh. And apparently, this was just a vacation home for the Bradley’s. She felt out of her element.

  Jeff was too handsome in his dark suit. He was smiling and being nice to her, but she wondered if he regretted bringing her.

  She managed not to spill anything, mainly because nerves kept her from eating much. The food was delicious, but it didn’t mix with the butterflies in her stomach.

  Dessert was a dark, rich chocolate cake with raspberry filling. Each piece had a red heart glazed on it. It reminded Angel that it was Valentine’s Day. What a day for Jeff to break up with his girlfriend. She wished she’d just ignored Susan today. This was all her fault.

  After supper, Patty offered her guests a tour of their “little cottage.” She led them over their home, which was beautifully and tastefully decorated. The large windows with their stunning views were the only artwork the house really needed, Angel thought. There were two offices, a “media” room, family room, and large kitchen besides four guest bedrooms that each had their own bathroom. The master suite had a sitting room, two walk-in closets, and a large bath with a Jacuzzi as well as a spacious bedroom. The whole house reeked of luxury and elegance. Not a place for a ‘starving artist,’ the daughter of working class parents.

  Seeing all this, Angel had a greater measure of respect for Jeff. He could have easily joined his parents in business and been immediately well-off, she suspected. But instead he’d decided to make a fresh start and build his own business from the ground up. Pretty impressive. No wonder he’d wanted Susan by his side. She would be able to help him build his business and would fit perfectly into this world.

  As the evening went on, Angel felt more and more out of place. Jeff seemed to be having a great time, though. She was glad about that. At least she hadn’t totally ruined his evening. She was pretty sure Susan would make up with him. Then he’d be back on the path he wanted.

  And she would finish her paintings and get out of Orchard Hill as quickly as possible. No, scratch that. She’d get snapshots, and paint from home. This trip had been a mistake. It had gained clients for her business, but it had cost her heart. She had fallen in love with Jeff Bradley, but she’d never fit into his world.

  Finally, the evening was over. She thanked the Bradleys for their hospitality. They’d been very kind to her, in spite of the fact she was not the right type of girl for their son. Jeff said good-bye to them, and his mother handed him a container of leftovers. “Thanks Mom,” he said and kissed her cheek.

  They began the walk back to the car. “You were quiet tonight,” Jeff remarked, taking her hand. “Did you have a good time?”

  Angel forced a smile to her lips. “Yes. Your parents are great. It’s just been a long day.”

  In the car, Angel pretended to fall asleep so she wouldn’t have to talk, but the next thing she knew, someone was lifting her and she felt the bite of the night air on her cheeks. “What’s happening?” she mumbled drowsily, realizing that she had really gone to sleep.

  “Shh,” whispered Jeff, his lips against her ear. “You fell asleep. I’ll carry you in.”

  She knew she should protest. It seemed like he was always carrying her around like a sack of potatoes. But she really was sleepy, and talking took too much effort.

  Jeff put her down on the front steps. Angel shook her head to clear away the last mists of sleep and began to search for Misty’s key in her purse. She opened the door and they stepped into the entry way.

  “I can carry you up to your room if you like.”

  Angel laughed. “Don’t you dare. I’m awake now.”

  “In that case, how about a goodnight kiss?”

  She would have said no, she told herself, but he didn’t give her time to answer before he took her in his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was warm and sweet and tasted of chocolate. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he whispered and then kissed her again. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back. All things considered, it was a happier Valentine’s Day than she’d expected.

  TITLE

  Chapter Nine

  Angel didn’t sleep. She was still staring at the ceiling when the sun came up. Jeff had kissed her again. What was he thinking? Did he really like her? She knew how she felt about him. She loved him, but she didn’t fit with him; she couldn’t help him accomplish his dreams, and since love wasn’t selfish, she had to go. But she was thankful she’d had the chance to know him, to love him.

  Angel woke Misty and asked for a ride to the airport. Then she showered and packed her bags.

  ****

  After church, Jeff approached Misty while she was talking with Pansy Parker.

  “Where’s Angel?” he asked after greeting the l
adies. “She wasn’t too tired to make it to church this morning, was she?”

  “No, Jeff. I’m sorry, but she left this morning.”

  “Left? Where did she go?”

  Misty took his hand as if she were trying gently to break bad news to him.

  “She went back home to Minneapolis. What happened last night? Did you two have an argument?”

  Jeff was stunned. “No, everything was perfect.”

  “Oh, well maybe she was just anxious to get back to work,” Misty suggested.

  “But she had people to see here about commissions. Is she coming back?”