“Pa, where is the butter? How many times do I have to ask?”
As she spoke, Mrs. Dibble ducked under Sanna’s arm that held the door wide open and grabbed it off the top shelf.
“Here, honey.” She handed the blue box of butter to Sanna. “Sometimes it’s hard to see things in front of you when what you want to see is so far away.”
Then she returned to buzzing around the kitchen.
Mrs. Dibble was right. Sanna wasn’t heartbroken, but she wasn’t whole either. She peeled the butter out of its wrapper and slowly chopped it into sad, misshapen slices.
“Can’t you ever cut things even?”
Sanna set down the knife and turned, a part of her worried her fantasies had now progressed to hearing his voice aloud, because she wanted to so badly.
But Isaac and Bass really were standing at the end of the counter. Snowflakes dotted their dark curls and his beard, which was neatly trimmed. His warm eyes soaked her in as she stood and stared. All the other adults gathered around to greet the returned pair, and the kids whisked Bass off to play. Sanna still just stood there, happily drowning in the sight of him as he smiled and laughed, bending down to let Mrs. Dibble bestow a kiss on his whiskered cheek. Einars took his coat, and Anders poured him a glass of mulled cider. As the crowd dispersed, Isaac stepped closer, his eyebrows raised in question because Sanna still hadn’t said a word.
Finally she spoke. “Can you stay for Thanksgiving dinner?” But that wasn’t what she meant. She took a deep breath and tried again. “How long will you be visiting?”
Isaac took another step toward her until he was only a foot away.
“Yes, and I’m not just visiting.” Another few inches closer. “Einars offered me a job. I accepted.” Another few inches.
“You’re here to stay?”
“I’m here to stay.”
The hole in Sanna’s chest didn’t fill up, it healed as if it had never been there to begin with. She closed the last few inches between them and wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing his face to hers. She heard her family snicker, but she didn’t care. Isaac’s arms found her back, his broad hands pulling her closer to him, and then she didn’t hear anything. She only felt his warmth and love, and his beard tickling her cheeks between kisses. He pulled away.
“We had to go all the way home to realize we had just left it. That’s not home anymore, this is. You are. I love you. We love you. Are we too late?”
She touched the curls on his head, his scruffy beard, his broad shoulders. She could barely believe he was real, that he was really here to stay.
“No. No, you’re not too late. I love you, too. You bring everything around you to life. You brought me to life.”
She kissed him one more time as he nodded, recklessly, knowing this time, it didn’t need to last her a lifetime. She now had an endless supply of kisses and plenty of time to give them.
Eventually, Sanna and Isaac joined everyone at the table, not even noticing that the stick she’d laid on the counter, still poking out of its plastic bag, had burst into full bloom sometime in the last ten minutes.
Only Einars noticed the white petals with the soft pink blush and delicate yellow center that popped open when it had no right to. He turned to look at the large, happy family circling the turkey, laughing and smiling, bigger than they’d been in twenty years.
Happiness had returned to Idun’s.
CARAMEL APPLE BREAD PUDDING
I’ve made almost every kind of apple dessert, and this one is among my favorites—made even better with cinnamony apples and a homemade caramel sauce. Homemade caramel sauce isn’t difficult, but there is a technique to avoid a grainy texture. Feel free to use a high-quality store-bought caramel instead.
Sautéed Cinnamon Apples
You can make these up to a day ahead.
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 large Granny Smith (or tart baking apple), peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp white granulated sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup cider, preferably dry or semi-dry (good apple juice can be used instead for a non-alcoholic version)
1. Melt the butter in a small skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the apple and sugar, stirring to coat. Cook until the apple softens and caramelizes, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
3. Add the cinnamon and cider, cooking until the sauce is syrupy, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Bread Pudding
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
6 tbsp plus 1 tsp white granulated sugar
8–10 ounces challah, or similar egg bread or firm, high-quality sandwich bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 5 cups)
5 egg yolks
3 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp table salt
1 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 cup 2% or whole milk
Caramel sauce (recipe following, or use high-quality store-bought)
1. Combine the brown sugar, 1 tsp white sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Arrange bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes, gently tossing once halfway through until the cubes are toasted and dry. Let cool.
3. Whisk yolks, 6 tbsp sugar, vanilla, salt, cream, and milk together in a bowl. Put the dried bread cubes in a 2-quart baking dish and pour custard mixture over the bread. Press bread cubes into the custard and set aside for 30 minutes.
4. Sprinkle the top with the sautéed apple and cinnamon sugar mix. Bake in 325-degree oven for 45–50 minutes, until the custard has set (no liquid should be visible when you press in the center of the pudding). Cool for 45 minutes. Serve warm with warmed caramel sauce drizzled on top.
Caramel Sauce
1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into eight pieces at room temperature
3/4 cups heavy whipping cream, room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla
1. Combine sugar and water in a stainless steel saucepan. Turn heat to medium. Do not stir anymore to avoid crystalizing the sugar, which will cause a grainy caramel sauce.
2. If sugar crystals start to form while the mixture boils, dip a brush into water and brush the sides of the pot so the forming crystals dissolve into the boiling sugar. The brush should not touch the boiling mixture. Boil for 13–15 minutes, or until the sugar turns a caramel color. Be careful not to let it get too dark.
3. Turn the heat to low and whisk in the butter, careful not to splash as the sugar mixture is very hot. Add the cream and continue to whisk until combined. Remove from the heat.
4. Whisk in the vanilla. Cool the caramel before storing in a sealed container. Leftovers are great on ice cream, in frosting, and on desserts.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
While much of my time is spent alone in my room, these books would never make it beyond the figment stage if it weren’t for the following essential people in my life.
Rachel Ekstrom, my truly magnificent agent, you are always a voice of reason and my staunchest advocate. I know that no matter what happens, you’ll always have my back.
Kate Dresser, Cider never would have happened if it weren’t for your gentle encouragement and (almost) always accurate comments. You’ve found the magical balance between criticism and cheerleading, and somehow always know when I’m just about to lose it. I’d be lost without you!
Kristin Dwyer and Theresa Dooley, I just love you. It’s a bonus that you help spread the word about my books.
A huge thank-you to all the glorious folks at Gallery: Louise Burke, Jennifer Bergstrom, Molly Gregory, Gina Borgia, Chelsea Cohen, Liz Psaltis, Melanie Mitzman, Diana Velasquez, Mackenzie Hickey, and Akasha Archer. I’m so proud to be a part of this amazing team.
Gracias to Baror International for their excellent foreign rights work.
This book required a bit
of research, so thank you to Jay Williams for teaching me about orchards, Rick Stenson for talking me through an ambulance visit, and Paul Asper of Restoration Cider for sharing the craft of cider making with me, with bonus expertise on emergency medicine. Any mistakes I made in the book are my own.
Kelly Harms and Nina Bocci, you’ve been so generous with your wisdom—thank you!
My favorite part of being a writer is getting to know other writers. We talk ideas, share early drafts and writerly wisdom, cheerlead the good news, and provide shoulders for the bad news. I hope I never learn what it’s like to write without these women in my life. I love you: all the Tall Poppy Writers—there are too many to list (though I will mention the founder, Ann Garvin, because everyone needs to know her), Sarah Cannon, Gail Werner, and Carla Cullen. A special thank-you to Karma Brown, who helped me nail down an amazing synopsis for Cider and is all around magnificent. And Melissa Marino, my Mel—soul sister, partner in crime, and future Hallmark Christmas movie script-writing partner—thank you for being my friend.
To all my family, especially Mom, Pam, and Sandy—you are all so supportive, if it’s cheerleading from afar or helping at the house during my busy times—I love you all!
My beautiful children: Ainsley and Sam for understanding that what I do is a real job, but also reminding me that I need to take a break and do something fun, too. Sam—I had to capture your special age in a book before you got taller than me. Ainsley—don’t worry, your book is coming.
To my husband, John—you are my first reader, ultimate supporter, and partner in all things. I wouldn’t have the freedom to do what I love if you didn’t work so hard. I hope to give you the same opportunity. And thank you for helping me determine lip placement during a rather important hug.
Lastly, to all the craft cider makers who made my research so delicious and inspired me to write this book.
Want more from Amy E. Reichert? Check out her second novel, LUCK, LOVE & LEMON PIE.
A wife and mother who has lost her way finds solace—and unexpected talent—in competitive poker.
Luck, Love & Lemon Pie
* * *
You’ve Got Mail meets How to Eat a Cupcake in this delightful novel about a talented chef and the food critic who brings down her restaurant—whose chance meeting turns into a delectable romance of mistaken identities.
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake
* * *
ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY!
GALLERY READERS GROUP GUIDE
AMY E. REICHERT
This readers group guide for The Simplicity of Cider includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your readers group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.
INTRODUCTION
For Sanna Lund, change doesn’t come easy.
Sanna is perfectly content with her quiet life, living and working alongside her father, Einars, as a fifth-generation orchardist on her family’s apple orchard in Door County, Wisconsin. Although the business is struggling, she cannot be persuaded to sell the land and start anew somewhere else. Idun’s Orchard is her home and the only life she’s ever known.
For Isaac Banks, change is what he needs.
Isaac is a single dad who has spent years trying to protect his son, Sebastian—or Bass—from his troubled mother. Then when tragedy strikes at home, Isaac and Bass flee, heading off on a road trip with no destination in mind. As luck—or fate—would have it, they end up at Idun’s Orchard.
There, Isaac secures a job, proving himself to be a blessing to the Lunds, and even more so when Einars is injured in an accident. But when an outside threat suddenly infiltrates the farm, surprising revelations are exposed. Just as Sanna and Isaac begin to find solace in each other, their lives become increasingly complicated—and anything but simple.
TOPICS AND QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. How does the alternating narrative between Sanna and Isaac influence your understanding of the events and characters in the novel? How did you feel about the few chapters from Eva’s perspective? How would the story have been different if it was just from Sanna’s point of view? Isaac’s? Eva’s?
2. What kind of a father is Isaac? What is his motivation by withholding the truth from Bass regarding his mother’s death? Is Isaac trying to protect his son, or himself, from the difficult reality? Can you understand his choice?
3. The author represents Sanna’s connection to her ancestors through magical realism. In what ways does Sanna feel a strengthened bond to the orchard “like another root digging into the soil, finding nourishment”? Did you find this literary element to be authentically woven into the story? How did it change your understanding of Sanna’s devotion to the orchard?
4. Is there a proper way to grieve after tragedy? Like Isaac, have you ever taken a trip to escape from your troubles? Was it cathartic? Do you think going on an adventure to somewhere new helps the healing process?
5. Why is Bass the only person who’s able to soften Sanna? How does Bass change her impression of children?
6. Examine Sanna’s relationship with her mother. Why does Sanna refer to her as “the Egg Donor”? Despite her mother’s past attempts at reconciliation, Sanna refuses to allow her back into her life. Is Sanna being unreasonable? How would you react if you were in her position?
7. Sanna is very resistant to change, telling Anders, “The changes I don’t plan for are the ones that I hate.” How do you react to changes that occur in your own life? Do you understand Sanna’s struggle to sell the land? What would you do?
8. The Simplicity of Cider offers plenty of insight into life on an apple orchard. Have you ever been to an orchard or tried cider? What have you learned about the cider-making process?
9. Why does Isaac describe finding Einars’s fentanyl bottle as “seeing a cobra in a baby’s crib—unpredictable and deadly”? Why is the sight of the bottle so painful for him? Do you think the anguish he feels is something he can overcome?
10. Describe Sanna and Thad’s friendship. Why does Sanna keep him around? Are you surprised by Thad’s disloyalty to the Lunds?
11. Betrayal manifests itself in a few strong ways in the novel: Isaac not telling Bass of his mother’s death; Thad sabotaging Idun’s Orchard; Anders not telling Sanna of his rekindled relationship with their mother; and Einars preventing Sanna’s mother from communicating with her throughout her life. Who has been most affected by betrayal? Can some of these instances also be interpreted as acts of love? Can love and betrayal intersect?
12. Discuss the role Eva plays in the novel. How are she and Sanna similar? Were you surprised by their ability to come to an understanding? How does their new business deal benefit both of them?
13. How do Sanna and Isaac evolve individually, and as a couple, over the course of the novel? How do they each deal with their own fears of vulnerability and disappointment? What have you learned from their experiences?
ENHANCE YOUR BOOK CLUB
1. Plan an outing to a local cidery or apple farm. Have fun apple-picking and taste-testing all the different varieties!
2. Share with your book club: Do you cherish memories in specific ways, just as Einars does with his shoebox of family photos? Einars says, “Happiness is always worth remembering, even when it was temporary.” Do you agree? What can you do to always remember the happy times of your life?
3. Bring your favorite apple dessert to your next book club meeting. Then, choose one of Amy E. Reichert’s other books for your next pick: The Coincidence of Coconut Cake or Luck, Love & Lemon Pie.
4. Bass’s green dragon stuffed animal, Snarf, holds particular significance to him because it was a gift from his mom. Have each member of the group discuss a special gift or keepsake that they treasure. What do these objects represent for them? What memories do they hold?
5. Learn more about
the author, Amy E. Reichert, at http://amyereichert.com. Follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/amyereichert) and Twitter (@aereichert) for more updates about her books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KELLY JOHNSEN
AMY E. REICHERT loves to write stories that end well with characters you’d invite to dinner. A wife, mom, amateur chef, Fix-It Mistress, and cider enthusiast, she earned her MA in English literature and serves on her local library’s board of directors.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR: Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Amy-E-Reichert
MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT
SimonandSchuster.com
Facebook.com/GalleryBooks
@GalleryBooks
ALSO BY AMY E. REICHERT
Luck, Love & Lemon Pie
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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