by A. M. Kusi
River made his way up the well-lit hallway, looking for his room. He passed several suites all named after apples: Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, Northern Spy, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Empire, Cortland, and Liberty. He found his at the very end of the hallway with the door that read, ‘Orchard Suite’ and inserted the key. He was greeted by a large, open area with a slate gas fireplace, wood floors. He stepped closer to get a better look at the few well-chosen pictures hanging around the room. Each piece of art was of typical things you might find on an orchard: apples, wagons, tractors, and trees with seasonal workers on ladders. The pictures looked detailed and realistic, even though they were mostly black and white, with just a pop of color.
River had started noticing the common theme in the decorating. After all, it was his job as a consultant to critique businesses and help them improve their appearances, staff, and leadership. But so far, River was having a hard time coming up with a single thing to change about this place. The realization surprised him as he hadn’t really been looking forward to traveling to such a small mountain town. His step father had insisted that he didn’t want anyone else working on the Stowe Mountain Resort contract, so River had relented. He always did what his father wanted when it concerned Parker Consulting Inc. It helped that Stowe had ample hiking opportunities—that was something River had been planning to try.
The drive up the country roads had been vastly different than driving on the multilane streets and highways of Boston. The only negative part of the trip so far had been getting stuck behind a tractor going twenty miles per hour for a good five miles. On the flip side, it had forced him to take in more of his surroundings, like the wildflowers on the side of the road, and leaning white mileage posts that were nearly lost in the tall weeds. He had noted the lack of litter as well as the absence of billboards. The pure blue sky, green trees, and countless fields full of dairy cows grazing had not been the worst view during the long drive.
Now that River was in his room, he dropped his bag on the white comforter of the bed and unpacked the few items he’d brought into the dresser, and placed his toiletry bag in the bathroom. He needed a shower and some rest before venturing out for dinner—without the hostess’s company, as she’d so eloquently pointed out. The memory brought a smile to River’s face.
A couple of hours later, River had showered and rested before going over the plans for the meeting he was attending the next day with the executives at the resort. His first day would consist of a tour of the facilities and then looking through the sales and marketing data with the clients.
His stomach grumbled in hunger, demanding his attention, so he switched his laptop off and put his chucks back on before grabbing his wallet and keys. When he made it down to the lobby, he was surprised to see there was a note on the front desk saying, “Call or text the number below if you need anything before seven p.m.”
River headed out the door towards a pub. He decided to walk, seeing as it was just down the street and the weather was warm.
The area was mountainous with a mix of tall evergreens, maple, and oak trees. Birds fluttered above as the sun hung low in the clear blue sky. The air was crisp and clean with the hint of blossoming lilac flowers filling River’s senses.
He walked on the uneven concrete sidewalk by a large bush that was buzzing from honeybees circling the purple clusters of blossoms. He wondered if the hostess liked flowers, and grew annoyed at the intrusive thought. Why should I care?
River had never reacted this ravenous towards any other woman before in his life. Not even his ex-fiancée, Coraline. He quickly wondered if he should have taken that as a sign at the time. At the memory of his ex, and the lies that he had uncovered there, his mood dampened. The sign for the Mountain Pub came into view, and he jogged the rest of the way to the front doors.
River entered the establishment. It was crowded for a weeknight, with the sounds of many patrons talking and laughing. There was a large flat-screen television mounted above the bar showing a baseball game. Several thick wooden tables were interspersed throughout the room, with booths to his left. He opted for a seat on a stool at the wood slab bar.
“What can I get ya?” The barkeep asked as he placed a cocktail to the customer on his right. River glanced up at the chalkboard menu and picked out a special that sounded appetizing: a local grass-fed burger with fries and one of the several local craft beers on tap.
The pub was busy, so he checked his phone while he waited for his drink. He had two messages from his best friend, Jax, saying to let him know if he could make the next practice for their soccer league, and one from his other friend Ethan wishing him safe travels. The barkeep set the beer in front of him with a heavy clink, as a few other patrons to his side left.
River glanced to the corner of the bar where he recognized the woman from the inn. His heart seized for a moment. She had her hair pulled back into a high ponytail, showing off her neck. When she turned her head he could see a small patch of ink hiding behind her ear. He had a sudden urge to get closer to her and find out what it was.
He realized he didn’t even know her name. He noticed the black-rimmed glasses that sat on her lovely face, as she focused solely on the laptop in front of her. She scrunched her nose when she concentrated, making her look absolutely adorable. Whatever she was working on must have been frustrating, because she did it often. He watched as she lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip without glancing up from her work. Her focus was just another reason he found her attractive.
River felt the need to introduce himself, so he picked up his beer and walked over.
“Mind if I sit here?” he asked, motioning to the empty barstool closest to her.
She jumped at the sound of his voice, nearly spilling her tea next to her laptop. She nodded, quickly recovering.
“Hey, you work at the inn, right?” he asked. Real smooth.
Another nod in response, but this time she sipped her drink.
“I never caught your name.”
“Ella. Ella Shaw.” She reached out her hand to shake his, still seeming a little anxious.
River took her hand without hesitation and he felt the energy between their bodies buzz with the connection. He was intrigued by this new sensation, but Ella whipped her hand back to the bar as if she’d been burned.
Doing his best to diffuse the tension, River glanced to her laptop and asked, “What are you working so hard on? Doesn’t your boss ever give you a break? Working through dinner—that’s slave labor.” He smiled at his own joke.
“Improving website design for the inn and…I am the boss,” Ella said, her pride evident in her voice.
River’s mouth dropped open and his eyes widened in disbelief.
“Hey, darlin’, you want anything to eat yet?” the bartender asked Ella.
As he approached, River noticed for the first time how tall and muscled the bartender was. His white shirt showed off matching tattoo sleeves. He looked to be of South American descent with his tanned skin. River felt a surge of jealousy at the way the bartender called Ella darlin’. The feeling only served to confuse him further.
Ella smiled and gave him a wink as she replied, “The usual tonight, Lucas.”
“Anything for you, babe,” Lucas said with a half smile before he sauntered off.
Ella glanced back at River. Just then a female server brought over his meal and set the burger and fries in front of him. River didn’t feel hungry now. His appetite had been replaced with the burn of jealousy. He wondered why his body would have such a visceral reaction to a complete stranger. River managed to gather himself in order to give a decent “thanks” to the waitress.
After taking a bite of the first fry, River spat out, “He seems kinda old.”
“Who?”
“The bartender,” River said through clenched teeth.
“Oh, really? I mean, he’s only thirty-five. If that’s y
our definition of old…” Ella paused for a moment.
“That’s like a hundred and five in dog years.” River said, trying to lighten the mood.
Ella laughed awkwardly. “Umm…okay.”
“How old are you?” River asked.
“In dog years?” she teased.
River smiled. “No. Human years.”
“Wow, you sure are direct. Is that how all Bostonians are?” Ella asked appearing to relax somewhat.
“How do you know I live in Boston?”
Ella looked up at him and stated simply, “Because I have been stalking you.”
River’s breath caught momentarily, and his eyes widened as she spoke.
Ella laughed and explained, “Got ya! Your information was on file for the credit card used to book.”
River chuckled with his exhale. “Well, actually, I’m originally from California.”
“That explains the lack of the accent,” Ella said, before taking a sip of her drink.
River watched her pink full lips press against the mug, suddenly wishing he could trade places with the inanimate object.
An older woman leaned in and practically yelled, “Don’t you know you are never supposed to ask a lady her real age? What are they teaching young kids these days? Young man, you need to work on your game.”
Ella burst out laughing and it was music to River’s ears, despite his embarrassment. He felt a warmth radiate through his chest. He knew he would do anything to hear Ella laugh again: swim across oceans, climb mountains, or go to the deepest ends of the earth. When Ella genuinely smiled, which he guessed wasn’t often, her eyes lit up and he felt he could see something inside them that he recognized.
“That’s what you kids call it nowadays, right? Game?”
River looked towards the older woman. She had short platinum curls, bright red lipstick, and smoky blue eye shadow. She looked like she might be related to Betty White.
“Yes, Ms. Matty,” Ella answered.
Ms. Matty got down carefully from her barstool next to River, before walking over to Ella. Patting Ella’s shoulder, she said, “Okay, well you two have fun tonight. Ella, you are doing a great job with the inn since Mac passed. If you need any extra help this summer, let me know.” Ms. Matty turned to River, leaned in and whispered, “Be patient with this one.” Then she gave him a wink, squeezed his bicep, and walked out of the pub using her cane.
River looked at Ella with a mixture of confusion and astonishment. “Ms. Matty?”
Ella laughed. “She’s eighty as of this past week, so I’m sure she didn’t like your comment about thirty-five being old.”
Her laugh was one of the sweetest sounds he had ever heard, even if it was at his expense. “Ahh. I…that isn’t what I really meant. I thought…never mind. I’m twenty-eight, not that it matters.”
The old lady was right; he did need to work on his game. River had never had trouble making conversation with a woman before. Ella seemed to be his kryptonite. He picked up his burger and took a large bite. His foot wouldn’t fit in his mouth if it was full of hamburger.
Ella closed her laptop and pushed it to the side of the bar, making room for the meal that Lucas was bringing over for her. After setting the matching burger and fries in front of Ella, he poured a large glass of cranberry juice, adding a touch of vodka, before setting the drink on a napkin next to her on the bar and retrieving the now forgotten cup of tea.
“Thank you, Lucas.” Ella smiled at him.
“Enjoy.” He winked again and then walked away to help another customer.
Ella looked back over to River. He was feeling strangely tense again, his jaw clenched in another wave of jealousy. He was aware of Ella’s eyes on him as he tried to get a hold of himself. He didn’t need to make her feel more uncomfortable than he already had.
“I’m twenty-five.” Ella picked up her first fry and began eating her dinner.
A surge of excitement racked his body with the small victory of her response. His mouth was still full, so it took him a moment to ask, “What did she mean about Mac? Was he your boyfriend?” River thought it was a creative way to ask if she was seeing someone.
Ella stared down at her burger. “No. More like father. He owned The Orchard Inn. I inherited it after he died.” Ella took a bite of her food; River suspected it was to avoid having to share anything else.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” River said, taking another bite, afraid of what insensitive comment may come out of his mouth next.
“It was six months ago. I’d been working with him for years though, learning the business. I did the website, and the remodeling of the inn. You should have seen the before pictures.” Ella took a few large sips of her spiked cranberry juice.
“That’s amazing that you own your own business at such a young age. The inn is beautiful. I’m not just saying that. I work for my father’s business—Parker Consulting—and we collaborate with other establishments to improve everything from website design to leadership skills. I can honestly say, I wasn’t expecting the inn to be half as nice as it is. I saw the website when I searched for directions,” River explained. Realizing he may have just insulted her work, he winced.
“Yes, well, that is what I am trying to work on over here,” Ella said, motioning to the laptop on the bar next to her. “The old pictures were from before the remodel was complete. Now I am trying to update it and work on expanding our reach using the Internet.”
“I could help,” River offered. The words left his mouth before he had time to process them.
Ella looked up into his eyes seeming to hesitate. “I’m sure I couldn’t afford you.”
“Maybe we can work out a trade?” River tried again, not knowing why, but feeling like he needed to do this.
Ella eyed him suspiciously as she finished the last of her burger and downed the rest of her drink. “And what is so valuable of mine that you want?” She sounded like she was testing him.
River was momentarily flustered as he said the first thing that came to his mind. “Your time.”
Ella looked at him, her brown eyes showing confusion and apprehension. “I don’t know what kind of woman you think I am, or what kind of inn I am running, but—”
River raised his palms in the air, his expression horrified, before interrupting her, “Oh my god. No! That isn’t what I meant.” He felt beads of sweat form on his brow as he realized what his offer had sounded like. “I wanted to get some hiking in and see the sights while I am here. I only have meetings for a few days and then I’m on vacation for the rest of the week. I could use a tour guide.” He hoped humanizing himself would make him seem less stranger-psycho to her.
Ella appeared to process his request “I’m really busy with the inn. I think I can figure this thing out. Thanks for the offer though,” Ella politely declined. “I’m sure one of the local activity shops can help, or even the resort.”
River’s shoulders slumped in disappointment, and he decided he would focus on the why later.
Ella gathered her laptop and her bag, but River felt like he was not ready to part ways with her. He called the waitress over for his bill, even though his plate and beer were half full. He quickly drank the last few gulps of his beer, feeling he needed some extra help in the confidence department. He slammed the empty glass onto the bar. Ella had given the waitress instructions to put hers on a tab.
“It was nice to see you again, Mr. Parker,” Ella said, before she began walking towards the door.
“River,” he corrected.
“River,” Ella echoed.
The sound of his name out of her lips made him wonder what it would sound like gasping from her mouth. Focus, he told himself.
He left a fifty-dollar bill on the bar, confident it would cover his meal and leave the waitress happy with a generous tip, then he followed after Ella.
River qu
ickly caught up with her outside the pub doors. “Hey, I am kind of in the mood for some soft-serve ice cream. Any place within walking distance you recommend?” River asked.
Ella turned around suddenly, appearing panicked. She answered in what sounded to him like a tour guide voice, “It’s called a creemie around here. You might want to get your car because the best place is at the general store on Main Street, a few miles down the road.”
“Oh, okay. Do you want to go get some together?”
Ella stopped walking, faced him abruptly, and crossed her arms. “Look, I don’t know what you think is going to happen here, but you are a guest at my inn and you’re only staying for a week. I don’t get into cars with strange men I don’t really know, even if they are guests.
“Oh, I didn’t mean—I’m sorry. I am not usually so…” River tried finding the right words as he realized how his behavior must be coming off to Ella.
“Direct? Aggressive?” Ella offered up.
“No. I’m always direct. I just usually have more…game.” He remembered Ms. Matty’s words.
Ella hesitated for a moment and then visibly relaxed as she chuckled.
River felt mortified and embarrassed at his behavior and the fact that it was having the opposite of his desired effect on this beautiful woman “I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone now,” he said, turning to walk back to the inn, shoulders slumped.
“River, wait!”
Chapter 3
Ella took a few quick steps to catch up with him. She saw the look of defeat in his eyes turn to hope. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach that felt so close to anxiety, she wasn’t quite comfortable. Ella took a deep breath. She was good at reading people’s body language, a survival skill from her past. The way he had clenched his jaw when Lucas came to take her dinner order, put her on edge. He almost seemed jealous, but that would be absurd.
She had noticed the flustered look when he lost his composure after she confronted him about him propositioning her for her time, leading her to believe his intentions were less risqué. That didn’t mean he wasn’t expecting it. But at this moment, she felt sympathy as he walked towards the inn, shoulders slumped. Warning bells to stay away from him were going off in her head. He might be a storm her heart would never survive. She could start avoiding him right after they got back to the inn. Because they were both headed the same direction, and he was her guest. She convinced herself there was no way to politely avoid walking together.
