by Reggi Allder
A strange emotion of warmth had spread through Wyatt the first time he went riding with the kid. He’d held on to the frail boy who was scared, but excited. Being needed was new experience. Suddenly, he believed he had something to offer—confidence. At the time the knowledge shook him, and it sent a wave of confusion in him. An incredible desire to help the kid had stunned him. Up until that point in his life, he’d thought of children as rug rats, just as his father had called him.
Bobby might not be an individual capable of changing the world, but being a decent human being was powerful and not easy in today’s environment. The harder the kid fought to grow and mature, the more Wyatt was determined to assist him.
“You going to stand there all night and not saying anything?” His dad coughed. “Do you have to beat me up with the past forever?”
Though ornery, his father was proud man. It must have taken all his guts to apologize to Amy and admit he wanted to reconnect with the “kid” he’d abandoned.
“No, Dad, I’m not going to punish you.”
His father’s shoulders visibly relaxed and he leaned back in the chair.
“We’re going to start fresh.” He took a slow breath. “Don’t disappoint me and my new family or…” His throat tightened. “Bobby asked me to mention Grandfather’s day again. Next Thursday, if you can’t make he’ll be okay. I…”
Amy entered the room and stopped as if she recognized she was interrupting.
“Is it all right? Can I come in?”
“Yeah,” Wyatt said.
“I’ll be there. Tell Bobby,” Mr. Cameron responded.
“Great.” Amy smiled. “How about some pie and coffee?”
“I got to go soon, but a piece of pie first sounds real nice.”
Would his old man show up? For Amy and Bobby’s sake Wyatt hoped for once the man’s word was good. Still, he wouldn’t put much stock in it.
Chapter 17
Two days later, in the middle of the night, wind and rain lashed the bedroom wall as the branches of the black oak tree near Amy’s window banged against the glass. She had worried about drought. Now the rain was coming down in torrents.
The new apple trees aren’t staked yet. I better check on them.
She threw off the covers, jumped out of bed, and grabbed a windbreaker, shoving it on over her cotton nightgown. Then she pulled on her rubber boots and grabbed a penlight.
Bobby was asleep when she entered his room. “Honey, I’m going to the orchard. I’ll wake you when it’s time to go to school.”
“Okay.” His didn’t open his eyes. She hoped he understood.
She closed the back door and ran toward the orchard.
***
At two in the morning, Wyatt drove into the driveway. He went to the cottage and undressed planning to go to bed after an extended workday and a long drive home. He was about to pull down the blackout shade in the bedroom of the cottage when he saw Amy run past the window.
What the hell? Swearing under his breath, he threw on his jeans, laced his work boots, grabbed a flashlight and ran out the door.
He caught her just as she entered the orchard.
“Wyatt, you scared me. I thought someone was wandering the fields.” She shivered.
“I got in late and didn’t want to disturb you and Bobby. I went straight to the cottage. A minute ago, I saw you run by my window.”
“Where’s your shirt and coat? You must be freezing,” she said between the gusts of wind.
“I hurried to catch you.” He hadn’t considered the cold until now. Goosebumps covered his chest and water dripped down his body into the waistband of his jeans. “Doesn’t look like you’re ready for the weather either. Is that your nightgown?” he shouted. “What are you doing out here at this time of night?”
Clouds blocked the moon, darkening the night. He pointed the flashlight beam in her direction. She held her hand up against the light. “The trees in the new orchards haven’t been staked. I was afraid they’d be injured in the storm.”
As if to punctuate her statement, a gust struck them, almost knocking her to the ground He grabbed her arm holding her until the wind subsided a little. Her wet nightgown clung to her legs and her drenched hair sent water dripping into her face. At least she’d thought to throw on a windbreaker. Though it only went to her waist, he thanked goodness for that.
“Honey, we should go back into the house and get warm. We can take care of this tomorrow.”
She pulled from his grasped and jogged further into the orchard. With a grunt, he followed. He should know by now if she had an idea nothing could change her mind.
He didn’t bother talking to her as the storm continued to howl, making conversation almost impossible against the tempest.
Amy ran ahead of him, apparently driven by her concern for her precious apples saplings. He increased his pace and reached her in time to see a beam from of her penlight cross the open field.
“No!” she screamed.
The trees lay on the ground, battered. Dirt turned to mud and the mulch carefully placed around the base of each tree trunk flew with the wind’s fury. He watched her chase and catch bunches of mulch, then bring them back only to see gusts blow everything away again.
She picked up an overturned tree and forced the stump into a muddy hole. “Wyatt, do you see the sticks? Manny’s crew left them, somewhere around here. This is all my fault. I promised to take care of tying the trees. I should’ve done it sooner,” she shrieked. The rain slashed her face as she spoke and she wiped the water away.
He jogged the orchard until he found a pile of poles he considered to be the stakes she wanted. With his arms full, he ran back to where she continued to push the small trees back into place.
Kneeling in the mud in front of a broken tree, she looked as if she was in prayer. “I think this one is beyond repair.” She sniffed and forced her hair out of her face, leaving a streak of mud on her cheek.
He brushed the mud off her face. “Honey, put it in the ground anyway. Maybe nature will come to its aid,” he whispered in her ear.
Soon they had a routine. She placed a tree where it should be. With a rock he’d discovered, he pounded a stake near it and secured the trunk with the ties he found near the sticks. Though they had weeded the land, he didn’t realize how big the property was until they pushed forward in the storm.
She breathed hard and trembled when they reached the end of the first plot of land. He wanted to demand she return to the house. He stared at her. She glared at him with a determined expression. There was no way she’d cooperate and go to the warmth of her home until she completed her mission.
Damn, she had the heart of a farmer. He had wondered if she had the stamina to complete the tasks needed to run a successful farm. Tonight, the question was answered. He smiled.
“Hurry up, Wyatt. I’m getting ahead of you,” She shouted and moved to another spot.
Lightning flashed and he counted the seconds before the thunder rumbled. The worst of the storm was still a good distance away. They better hurry or it’d be overhead.
In silence and straining against nature’s wrath, they worked into the night. Later the wind died down somewhat, but the rain fell in a continuous downpour.
Finally, he used the last stake. Standing tall he stretched his tired back and walked toward Amy. As his arms encircled her, she rested her head on his bare chest. “You’ve done what you can, Amy. Let’s go back.” He reached for her rain streaked face. “We’ve done enough.”
“I couldn’t have finished without you.” She twisted in his arms facing him and pressing against his wet body. Her hands ran through his hair and down his backside nudging him closer. Then pulled away just far enough to kiss his bare chest, she licked the water from his skin.
His need flared. The rain increased. He didn’t care. His desire to claim her built a fire not destroyed by the cold drenching storm. Longing grew and nothing could douse it. He kissed her and she clung to him caressing him until h
e barely had the breath to say, “We better go indoors.”
Dawn broke as they headed for home.
***
After working all night in the orchard, Amy imagined satisfying her desire for Wyatt and then sleeping curled up in a bed next to him, staying there until noon. Instead, she jogged upstairs to check on Bobby, then bathed as fast as possible. Dressed in jeans and a pink sweatshirt, she went back to the kitchen to start breakfast. Wyatt had to leave again.
Last night he’d come home to get a good night’s sleep before returning to the circuit. Unfortunately, because of the storm, that hadn’t been possible. How long since he had a full night of sleep?
After showering in the cottage, he wolfed down ham and eggs and gulped a second cup of coffee.
She worried about him driving to his next event and taming broncos with so little rest.
“I’ll be fine, honey,” he assured her as he spread strawberry jam on his last piece of toast.
“Yeah, you will.” She hoped she sounded positive. “But…”
“Amy, I’ll be fine.”
Later, with a forced grin, she waved as he started the engine of the Ford and backed out the driveway. Please keep him safe.
The order for her not to worry about the man she loved, impossible. She’d never been good at following someone else’s directions, even Wyatt’s. With a deep breath, she turned away from the exiting truck.
As usual, she walked Bobby to the school bus. Back in the den, she sat at her desk and observed the rain through the picture window.
The lifestyle column deadline loomed. She fired up the computer. With a yawn, she started to compose and spent the morning writing about spring gardens. She neglected to mention the night spent working on the farm during the pounding rain. Relieved to be finished with the piece, she sent the completed file to the Sacramento newspaper and then rushed to dress in a better outfit before leaving for town.
Amy parked Granny’s old Volvo in front of Sophie’s Ice Cream Shop on Main Street. There was enough time to run into the store for quick visit with her friend before heading to school to help Bobby’s class on the field trip to the new petting zoo outside of town.
The bell chinked on the glass door as it opened. The aroma of brewed coffee tinged with mint surprised her.
Vanna wanted Sophie to serve hot drinks, but the last thing Amy understood was the woman had resisted. Ice cream was her product, always would be, but in the winter sales dropped and money was tight.
“Wow, Sophie, it smells good in here.” Amy stood at the counter and greeted her dear friend. “Coffee and peppermint ice cream, yum.”
“Vanna talked me into serving the stuff. She bought in some fancy teas as well. I have to say they’re pretty popular.” Sophie shrugged “I’m noticing people who don’t usually come here are wandering in and placing an order.”
“Great.”
“Amy, I saved your favorite table in the window. Take a seat and I’ll bring you a cup of decaf. That’s what you like. Isn’t?”
“Yep. Thanks.”
Amy pulled out the chair with its heart shaped back and red padded seat and sat down marveling how the shop’s décor never changed. It was the same as when she was a six-year old and she entered to have her first taste of the icy dessert. Nice to have something in her life that was constant and dependable. She smiled as the din of the people enjoying themselves filled the room.
Sophie returned with a small tray holding a steaming cup of coffee and a small plate. The mug said “Sophie’s Ice Cream” in bright red letters. She set everything down on the table next to Amy.
“I’m serving sandwiches now too. This half is turkey and cranberry and this is tomato avocado and Jack cheese. On the house for you. Tell me what you think.”
“Wow.”
“Since Vanna came back to town, she’s come up with so many ideas on how to increase business.” The woman beamed. “Things get slow in the winter with no tourists. Who wants ice cream when the weather is cold? She even made a made a website for me. Can you believe it—guess I needed a little prodding to join this century.” She chucked.
“This tomato, avocado and cheese sandwich is scrumptious. What kind of bread is this?”
“Marbled rye. Klaus, the baker down the street, makes it for me.”
“Yummy.” She swallowed and surveyed the room. “Looks like business has really picked up.”
“Yeah. Things are better than they’ve been in a long time.” The woman sat in the seat across the table from her. “I’m thinking of changing my hair,” she said, with a sudden change of subject. “Maybe adding a little color,” she whispered and swallowed hard, “a touch up on some of the grey—not all of it.” She glanced around possibly hoping no one else heard her.
“Vanna is a wiz with hair color.” Amy sipped the decaf. “She could help you.”
“I’d be too embarrassed to ask her.”
“Uh, well—Irma at the Sierra Creek Salon is good or so I’m told.”
“You don’t think I’m silly to do it after all these years?”
“Of course not.”
Sophie fidgeted with her apron then adjusted her hair. “The other day Johnny and I went to dinner at the Italian place, with candles on the table and everything. The place is old, but considered the best in Sierra Creek. I’d never eaten there.”
“Was it good?” Amy tried not to remember her disastrous date at the restaurant.
“The food was delicious and Johnny was a real gentleman. Yeah, it was a good.” She hesitated. “I’m supposed to go with him to the movie theater in the next town and dinner too.”
“Dinner and a movie. Sounds nice. Sophie, are you going?”
“I’m kind of old for this dating stuff, but uh, yeah—I guess.” She pushed the tray back from the edge of the table. “For the first time in years, I care what I look like. Stupid—I’m worried about Vanna. She loved her papa so much. I’m not sure how she’ll react, me going out with Johnny. Dating and changing my hair, she may think I’ve lost it.”
Amy bit into her sandwich trying to hide her surprise. What would Vanna think of her mother on the town, so to speak?
“Funny, I feel like a teenager. I’ll be fifty-one on my next birthday and here I am struggling to wait to see Johnny on our next date,” Sophie continued. “I must be crazy.”
“No way. He’s a nice guy.”
“You know, Amy, I can talk to Johnny. I haven’t shared anything with a man since—since I lost my husband so many years ago.” She paused. “You and Vanna were kids back then.”
The woman searched the room, turning from the window to the customers. Apparently satisfied no one was listening she added, “So it wouldn’t be a mistake to change my hair and add a bit of color? Maybe buy a new outfit?”
“I’d say go for it. You deserve it.”
Sophie exhaled and squeezed her hand. “Thanks, Amy.”
The doorbell jingled and the woman ran to help the people who entered.
Vanna came into the store at the same time. She waved to her mom before joining Amy.
“Hey, you’re eating one of Mom’s new sandwiches. What do you think?”
“Very tasty. I’d definitely come here for lunch.” She took another bite. “I think your mom is excited about the changes.”
“I’m glad. I kind of pushed her to do it. If the food and coffee don’t work, it will be on me.” Vanna leaned back in her chair, glanced out the window and let out a sigh.
Sophie brought a bacon and tomato sandwich for Vanna and a cola.
“Thanks, Mom.” Vanna held up her glass and took a sip. “Good, she brought a diet drink. Mom’s always telling me I’m too skinny. I’ve never told her how hard I work to stay this way.” She laughed. “Hey, listen my car is filled with tulle and silk flowers and all kinds of stuff to decorate for the reception. I think you’ll like them,” she continued without giving Amy a chance to respond. “I know we aren’t going to do the room at the farm until a few days before the w
edding, but I wanted to be sure we could get everything we needed. And if you don’t like anything we can exchange it.”
“Great.” Amy put in quickly, understanding her friend always moved fast.
“Oh, and I ‘m going to the city to visit an old friend from L.A. so can’t do anything this week. But next week looks good for painting and measuring, etc. If it works for you and Wyatt.”
“Fine for me. But I want to surprise him with it all decorated, so we’ll paint and design the place on our own. You okay with painting?”
Her friend thought for a minute while she munched on her food. “Sure. You’re good on stepladders, Right?” That part will be yours.” She grinned.
“Well, Vanna, if I’m not I will be by the time we’re finished.”
They both giggled.
“Hey, V, thanks for shopping. I’d have a hard time going to Sacramento on a buying spree and then keep up with Bobby’s after school programs now that he is in T ball. The poor guy even does some homework now. Don’t know why kids that young have to do work after school, but…” She shrugged. “Anyhow, thanks.”
“No problem. As you know I love to buy things and you gave me such a good budget. I’m thinking of doing a little wedding planning as a side job. I mean there’s no one in Sierra Creek or for miles around who does it.”
“You’d be great. I bet a lot of women could use the help.”
“I hope.”
“Vanna, you won’t mind seeing everyone getting married and you…”
“Like I told you, marriage isn’t for me,” she interrupted. “I’ll just be Aunt Vanna for your kids.”
“Kids. I’m not having any more.”
“Oh, I thought Wyatt wanted—never mind. Well, eat up, Amy. I have a lot to show you.”
