Season of Dreams

by Jenna Mindel

  She slipped into a pair of black pumps and ignored the orange cuffs of her pajamas peeking below the belled bottoms of the pantsuit. Her reflection showed a whole lot of black material. “Why not? Black’s supposed to be elegant.”

  Beth clicked her tongue with schoolteacher ease. “Little black dresses, yes. Black pantsuits? Not so much. You look like you’re going to an office party or a funeral.”

  Panic slithered up Eva’s spine. “Adam’s picking me up at seven. What am I supposed to do now?”

  Beth grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Eva cringed at the overly excited gleam in her roommate’s eye. Shopping with Beth usually meant large sums of money were about to be lost. Eva recognized the glazed look, but she did need help. “What do you have in mind?”

  “First, let’s have breakfast.” Her roommate pointed at the offending outfit. “We can return that on our way to Traverse City.”

  “But—”

  “But what?”

  Eva shrugged. She had any number of things to do today, but she’d feel more confident getting ready for tonight’s fundraiser with Beth’s help. She should have known better than to attempt formal fashion without her. Draping her arm around her friend, Eva gave her a quick squeeze. “Thanks, Beth. Once again you’re saving my skin.”

  “It’s what I do. Now, let’s get moving. We’ve got a full day ahead.”

  After several hours and too many stores to count, Eva’s head pounded, but she wouldn’t give up. Each dress selected was quickly discarded in the dressing room. Too tight, too skimpy, too costly. And then Eva tried on a ruby-colored halter dress made with filmy fabric. She looked in the mirror and smiled. Stepping out of the fitting room, she held her breath and waited for her roommate’s opinion.

  Beth’s eyes lit up. “That’s it. That’s the one.”

  Eva let out her breath with a whoosh and twirled. The translucent material floated and then settled into generous folds of shimmering silk organza just above her knee. She didn’t need a fairy godmother for this ball, not when she had her best friend. And then Eva checked the price tag and her spirits plummeted. “I can’t.”

  Beth frowned. “Don’t look at that, Eva.”

  “It’s too much.”

  “Think of it as an investment. You’re investing in your future partnership with Adam.” Beth winked.

  Eva chewed her bottom lip. She’d paid down her credit card balance for her loan application. She’d received the approval but hadn’t closed yet. Would the bank know if she racked up her balance again? Would they care?

  “Buy it, Eva. It’s perfect on you. We have to look at shoes, too. You can’t wear those black pumps. My mother has an antique evening bag that will match. And you’ll need your hair done.”

  Eva tuned out Beth’s verbal To Do list and quickly did the math. It wasn’t good. The dress cost a small fortune. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Eva squared her shoulders. Spend money to make money, right?

  Who was she trying to fool? There was only one reason she’d buy this dress and shoes and visit the salon. She’d face her finances tomorrow—because tonight all she cared about was impressing Adam. And it had nothing to do with business.

  Adam smoothed the front of his tuxedo jacket before knocking on Eva’s door. He’d fussed over his appearance as if he’d never been to a black-tie affair before.

  Beth answered it with a whistle. “My, my, don’t you look pretty.”

  He laughed as he stepped into the kitchen. Beth’s comment sounded like something Eva might say. “Men don’t want to be pretty, but thanks.”

  “Eva will be down in a minute.”

  He nodded and ran his finger around the inside of his collar. He’d made the bow tie too tight. He’d even pulled out the family’s antique Corvette from the town house garage. This afternoon he’d washed and waxed it in hopes of wowing Eva.

  “Want something to drink? Lemonade or a pop?” Beth offered.

  “I’m fine.” But he wasn’t.

  He’d escorted any number of women to events like this without a passing thought. Tonight, he felt like a nervous teen picking up the girl he’d finally asked to prom. Only this was no girl. This was Eva. The woman he’d spent hours with in the orchard talking up a storm or quietly working side by side. A woman he admired and had grown to care deeply about.

  He kicked at the braided rug under the kitchen table with the shiny black toe of his shoe. “So, what are you doing tonight?”

  Beth shrugged. “I have papers to grade.”

  Adam couldn’t believe a girl like Beth didn’t have a date. “Quiet way to pass a Saturday night.”

  “I like quiet.” Beth’s attention shifted toward the hall.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting.” Eva stood in the kitchen. Her hair had been swept up, revealing an expanse of neck above bare shoulders that shimmered in the light.

  Adam forgot to breathe. He blinked a couple times and then swallowed hard.

  “Ready?” Her cheeks were rosy.

  “Yeah.” But Adam continued to stare. The dress she wore floated when she moved, like a blossom petal in the breeze. Soft and feminine. “Eva, you look… You’re—”

  “Nice, huh?” Beth added.

  “Really nice.” Adam made for the door and opened it. It’d been a long time since he’d been struck speechless.

  Eva passed by him with an enticing wave of her floral perfume as she scooped up a wrap draped across a chair. “See you later tonight, Beth.”

  “I won’t wait up,” her roommate said.

  Eva’s cheeks blushed even darker.

  And Adam tugged at his collar. He kept scanning Eva from the big silver hoop earrings she wore down to her strappy high-heeled sandals that were also silver. Her toenails were painted the same rich ruby color as her dress. An electric current of anticipation hummed through him.

  He offered Eva his hand as they walked from the porch to the driveway.

  “Whoa! Nice car,” Eva said.

  “I thought this was more suited for black tie than the Jeep.”

  “We could have taken my truck and caused a stir. I think my muffler’s going.” Eva gave him an impish grin.

  “I can replace it for you.” Adam opened the passenger-side door for her.

  She slipped into the seat and then looked up with an amused glint in her eyes. “Where’d you learn to do that?”

  With the seat belt in hand, he leaned down and buckled her in. His face inches from hers he said, “You can learn a lot from magazines.”

  “Good to know.” Her voice dipped to barely a whisper.

  Adam looked back into her eyes. Then, with a smile, he straightened, walked around to his side and slid in behind the wheel.

  “I took auto mechanics in high school, much to my father’s annoyance. Like I said before, I tinker.” Turning the key, he gave a satisfied nod at the gravel-laced purr of the Corvette’s engine.

  Eva laughed, sounding completely at ease. “You are such a motor head.”

  Even though she teased him, Adam caught the respect shining in her eyes. He sat straighter. “You know it.”

  It didn’t take long before they arrived at the high-end resort where the fundraiser was held. After he’d pulled the car up to the front, Adam went around to the passenger side and opened the door for Eva.

  “Thank you.” Again she gave him her hand.

  Her fingernails had been painted, too. Not a trace of the cute farm girl remained. This exquisite woman made Adam nervous. How was he supposed to keep his wits around her?

  He tossed his keys to the valet and escorted Eva into the building. “Have you been here before?”

  “I worked a wedding here once that Aunt Jamee had catered. What about you?” She turned her face toward his and he noticed that her eyes had been outlined in smoky colors. Her lips were slicked with deep cherry-red gloss.

  “No. Never.” His hand found the small of her back and he steered her toward the ballroom. He scanned the area for
Ryan and gave him a nod when he found him. Better to get the mingling out of the way so he could monopolize his farm manager’s attention the rest of the evening.

  Eva’s brother made his way toward them. “Whoa, Eva, look at you.”

  Adam saw the color rise to her cheeks again. His hand remained comfortably against her back.

  “You’re pretty dashing yourself, Ryan. Where’d you get the tux?”

  Ryan looked around the room. “Rented it.”

  “Is your new boss here? Point her out.” Eva gave her brother a playful smile.

  “I haven’t seen her yet, but it’s still early. Adam, there’s a new grower I’d like you to meet if I can pry you away from my sister.”

  “She comes with us. Lead the way.” He made to follow, but Eva stayed put. He wondered if Ryan’s comment had offended her. Letting his hand drop, he turned to her. “Anything wrong?”

  “No. You go ahead. I’m going to say hello to my aunt. She’s around here somewhere and she’ll be disappointed if I don’t show her my dress. I don’t wear too many.”

  He wouldn’t mind seeing her wear more. He gave her a wink. “I’ll find you.”

  Eva watched Adam walk away. He wore his tuxedo well. Sleek, perfect, expensive. No tuxedo rental for Adam Peece. He probably had a closet full of them. He’d even slicked his hair back. Funny, but she didn’t know a single farmer who put gel in his hair.

  She made her way to the kitchens and slipped between the swinging double doors. Her aunt piled a tray with hors d’oeuvres. “How’s it going?”

  “Oh, Eva, you shouldn’t be back here, you’ll get dirty.” Her aunt stood back and scanned her from head to toe. “You’re stunning.”

  With her hair done up in a swirl at the back of her head, Eva felt like an out-of-place princess. She’d sought out her aunt’s encouragement. She knew she’d wowed Adam when he picked her up, but here at the party there were many gowns more impressive than hers worn by more beautiful women. Not that Adam seemed to notice, but could she really hope to hold her own in his world? She didn’t have her mother nearby to run to for boosting her courage, so Aunt Jamee was the next best thing.

  “Beth helped me find the dress. So, who else is catering?” Eva popped a stuffed mushroom in her mouth.

  Her aunt drew her close and her black chef’s hat flopped forward. “Who else?”

  “Charlotte?” There was only one other caterer in LeNaro, her aunt Jamee’s competition and their second cousin. The one no one liked.

  “She bribed Miss Winnie out of retirement for tonight.”

  Eva expressed the expected shock. “I thought Miss Winnie cooked for a treatment center.”

  Her aunt looked indignant but nodded. “If I’d have known Miss Winnie would do a weekend stint, I’d have called her myself. I cut my catering eyeteeth with her, you know.”

  She knew. But when her aunt gave orders for the baked Brie to be served, Eva turned to leave. “I better let you do your thing.”

  Her aunt squeezed her hand. “Thank you, beauty. Dance your toes off tonight.”

  “I’ll try.” Eva didn’t expect too many dance partners. Unless Adam asked her. That thought sent a shiver up her spine. She’d be surprised if Adam didn’t dance as well as he looked. Eva hoped to find out.

  With a deep breath, Eva left the kitchens with every intention of returning to the party. She wasn’t proving herself capable of mixing in Adam’s circles by hiding out. The worst part about events like this was spewing inane chatter, hoping someone might find it interesting. Squaring her shoulders, she made a beeline for the balcony off the ballroom. Hiding out had its advantages, too.

  The air was warm and smelled of cut grass and newly turned soil ready for planting spring flowers. She breathed deep.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  Eva turned at the sound of Adam’s voice. “Catching some fresh air.”

  “Before you suffocate from the stuffiness?” He stood next to her. “Some of these people are scraping the ceiling with their noses.”

  She laughed.

  He propped his elbows on the marble railing and gazed out at Lake Leelanau. “Gorgeous night.”

  The western sky glowed pink from the sun that had set. She pointed through the trees that made skinny black silhouettes against the twilight sky. “There’s the moon. Not even a half.”

  “Yeah.”

  Eva remained quiet, watching the way the moon cast a sliver of shimmering light across the black water of the lake. She felt the tension in Adam, the way his back remained stiff as he gazed at that slice of moon. Maybe he didn’t like these kinds of events either.

  She cleared her throat. “I received good news on my loan application. I’m approved for more than I expected.”

  He faced her. The cleft in the middle of his stern chin looked deeper in the dark. His blue eyes black. “My answer’s still no, Eva.”

  “You haven’t even heard my offer.” She hated the whine that crept into her voice.

  “I don’t need to.”

  “I’d be good for you—” Her heart skipped. “For your business, I mean. For the orchard.”

  He stepped closer and her heart leaped.

  His lips curved into a soft smile. “You’re already good for me. Can we talk about this later? I’d like to introduce you to a few folks and then grab some food before dinner’s served.”

  She’d rather stay out here and hash out a partnership deal. “Wait, you want to eat before we eat?”

  “Come on.” He held out his hand.

  Without hesitation, she took it.

  He threaded his fingers through hers. “I know these kind of events are a pain, but there’s a real benefit to putting our faces before the processors. I want these people to know Marsh Orchards is alive and well. If you’re with me, it’ll reinforce that.”

  Eva nodded. Put like that, how could she refuse to schmooze? But then, to keep her hand wrapped in his, she’d follow him anywhere. “As long as you stay with me. I’m no good on my own.”

  “You got it.” He led her back to the ballroom where the band played soft music.

  The songs were barely detectable over the din of conversation, but Eva could hear it well enough as Adam navigated them easily through the crowd. He introduced her to a few growers that were part of a co-op. Then they moved on to meet a national fruit processor whose eyebrows shot up toward his fake hairline when Adam explained that Eva was his farm manager, not his wife.

  But Eva’s stomach had flipped when she heard the lilt in Adam’s deep voice. The sound of him pronouncing the word wife rang through her brain over and over. Beth was right. Eva wanted to be Adam’s reason to stay. And she couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like if they ran the orchard together as husband and wife. Life partners instead of business partners.

  Adam sighed with relief when the dinner announcement was finally made. Clarifying his relationship with Eva was getting old quick. Even people Eva knew asked if he was her boyfriend. He’d almost said yes to see how Eva might react. Was she ready for that step?

  Bigger question—was he?

  There was only one way to find out.

  Once seated and served their appetizers, Adam concentrated on the program delivered by Ryan’s research team regarding the challenges facing today’s fruit grower. He glanced at Eva. She swirled her appetizers around her plate with a fork.

  “Not hungry?” he whispered.

  She leaned close and whispered back, “I don’t like stuffed grape leaves.”

  He moved his plate toward hers. “Hand ’em over.”

  She rolled the appetizers from her plate to his with her knife. She stifled a giggle when her knife screeched against the china, drawing annoyed stares from their tablemates.

  “Nice move,” he whispered.

  She gave him a mischief-filled grin that made him wish they were back out on that balcony.

  By the time dinner was over and dessert and coffee had been served, all Adam could think about wa
s getting Eva away from everyone. He wondered if this might have been how the first Adam felt when Eve offered up the apple. Only his Eva offered a business deal he couldn’t make and a future he couldn’t plan until he broke even after harvest.

  He’d love to cement a more permanent working relationship with Eva, but he cared too much for it to be only business. If he made mistakes, he wanted it on his dime, not hers. That farmhouse was all she had left of her family’s legacy. He wouldn’t let her risk losing it.

  If the balcony was better left off-limits, at least he could take her out onto the floor. “Wanna dance?”

  She looked at him with wide eyes and hesitated only a moment before giving him her hand. “Absolutely.”

  The band played a big-band version of Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl.” Perfect. He led Eva toward a far corner of the dance floor that was already filling up.

  “I haven’t done this in a while, so forgive me if I step all over you,” Eva said.

  “No problem. I’m used to you hurting me.” He twirled her away from him and then tugged her back, winding his arm loosely around her waist. She felt so good in his arms.

  She laughed. “Hey, how can you say that?”

  “Hmm, you froze my fingers, knocked me over, poisoned me and got me stung by your uncle’s bees.”

  “You got yourself stung. If you’d have left them alone…”

  “I know, I know. They would have flown away.” He spun her again.

  They stayed on the dance floor through a couple more songs and Adam could not have cared less about mingling. Eva’s steps were uncertain at first, but after another upbeat tune, she snuggled when he pulled her closer.

  That balcony beckoned.

  “Want to get some air?” he asked.

  “Sure.” Did he detect a catch in her voice?

  He took her hand to leave, but the lights dimmed and the band began a slow, slow song. He couldn’t resist the excuse to pull Eva even closer. “We can’t go yet.”

  She looked up at him with those smoky-rimmed eyes. “I guess not.”

  As they swayed to the music, he didn’t look away from her. As he stared into those big, chocolate-brown eyes of hers, their steps faltered until finally they made slow circles in the same spot.