Page 17 of Luna

“I believe it will work, Hunter,” Flynn finally said. He closed one eye, held out his left arm like a level, and sighted in on the ground where Hunter intended to plant apple orchards.

Hunter had spent his childhood raising apples and thoroughbreds, and held a considerable amount of knowledge about both enterprises. While he loved horses and always would, he wanted to bring high quality apples to the Pacific Northwest. With the railroad running from Pendleton to Portland, not to mention trains that traveled to Boise and Spokane, he was sure he’d have no trouble selling all the apples he could harvest.

However, Hunter didn’t want to plant just any old type of apple. He was tired of the varieties they grew at Bramble Hall. He wanted something new and fresh and flavorful. A friend had told him about a golden apple that had popped up in West Virginia, and Hunter wanted to grow them on his place. The apples didn’t bruise easily and had an impressive keeping ability, making them perfect for transporting. Combined with a juicy, crisp, sweet bite, the apples were just what Hunter had been searching for. He intended to plant the golden apples along with three varieties Flynn had suggested.

Flynn had given Hunter the names of some growers in the Midwest who had shipped boxes of apples to him when he was at college. Even months after being harvested, the apples tasted fresh and delicious, and he knew then they were what he wanted to grow.

Although he was working to develop his own hybrids, Flynn didn’t yet have enough trees ready for Hunter to use for commercial purposes. Hunter had offered to provide a few acres of ground for Flynn to plant experimental trees if the man would continue to consult for him and design the landscaping for the yard, once he actually bought a place. It was an agreement they would both find to be beneficial.

“You’ll need to plant something fast-growing that can serve as a windbreak for the apple trees.” Flynn stared out at the field. “Poplar trees should work quite nicely. I can place an order for you from a nursery in California, and the trees could be here in a few weeks.”

“That sounds great, Flynn,” Hunter said, smiling as Flynn hopped off the stump, and the two of them walked over to the ground where the orchards would take shape. “What about the soil?”

“It’s rich and good, not too rocky. It’s a little sandy, but that’s not a bad thing when it comes to fruit trees. It will help hold the moisture in the dry years.” Flynn motioned with his hand, making imaginary rows. “I’d plant the trees in rows facing this direction with your windbreak over there. The access to the creek is ideal. The river is far enough away you shouldn’t ever have to worry about a flood destroying the orchard. Are you planning to purchase both parcels of ground?”

“Yes. The adjoining property has two small houses that could be habitable with a little work. The barn is in good shape, and there is a large equipment shed.” Hunter pointed to the buildings just visible in the distance.

“And you intend to also run a herd of cattle? What about horses?”

“I’ll start with a small herd. I plan to keep them on the other side of this place, where the pastures are already fenced.” Hunter pointed behind them. “I don’t intend to raise horses to sell, just for my own pleasure and what is needed for working the place.”

“Do you want my opinion? Unvarnished?” Flynn asked, turning to face Hunter.

“Please.”

“Buy the two places. If the property there,”—Flynn tipped his head toward the land to the south on the far side of the creek—“becomes available, snatch it up as well. It’s all prime ground, and I think whatever you plant here will grow beyond what you can imagine. The pasture grass is rich and loaded with nutrients. I think you’ll eventually want a bigger herd than you anticipate and will need to expand it. If your apples do as well as I expect, you’ll want more ground for trees as well. I think it’s smart to have various income sources, hence the apple trees and the cattle. I am happy to offer advice on nutrients to add to the ground when you plant the apple trees and would be more than pleased to accept your offer for a few acres on which to plant experimental trees. In exchange, you must let me landscape that ghastly yard around the house when you’re ready.”

Hunter expelled a long breath and reached out to shake Flynn’s hand with a smile. “It’s a deal!”

Flynn chuckled. “Just to keep things legal and binding, I’ll have Mitch draw up papers we can sign.”

Hunter liked Flynn’s brother-in-law. Mitchell Lawry was an excellent attorney and a good man who could be trusted. Hunter’s family had hired him in the past for assorted matters and had nothing but satisfactory results each time they worked with him.

“That would be great. Just let me know when to meet you at his office to sign the papers.” Hunter looked out across the property he intended to soon make his. “I sure appreciate your input, Flynn. I know I’m young and have a lot to learn, but if my father has taught me anything, it’s to surround myself with good, knowledgeable people. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with you.”

“I’m pleased by the arrangement, Hunter. It will be exciting to observe how these new varieties of apples do here. It’s a risk, but one I feel will bring reward in a few years when those apples are ready to harvest.”

“I can hardly wait to get started. Do you have any suggestions on men to hire to do the planting? I probably should hire a manager for the orchard, and one for the cattle once I actually purchase the beginnings of my herd.”

“I have a few men I could recommend for the orchard. Rowdy would be a good resource for someone to oversee the cattle, or talk to Garrett Nash. He knows a lot of people in the area, especially those involved in ranching.” Flynn walked over to what had once been a fence around the yard of the house, but the boards had decayed and fallen apart. “What will you do with this house? Do you plan to live here?”

“I do plan to live on the place in this location. Whether the house can be remodeled to my liking will be up to Walker Williams. I intend to have him take a look at it once the papers are signed and the property is mine. If he thinks we need to start from scratch, I’ll tear this place down and repurpose the wood for outbuildings.”

“That sounds wise,” Flynn said, settling a hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “I need to get back to town. Evie and I are visiting the Stewart children later this afternoon.”

Hunter recalled last year when Flynn’s wife, Evie, had nearly died taking care of the Stewart children. She’d been working as their nanny then, and everyone in the household had contracted diphtheria. Flynn had braved catching it to assist Nik in caring for Evie and the others. Dally had nearly gone into hysterics when Nik had announced he would quarantine himself at the Stewart residence. Thankfully, neither Nik nor Flynn had gotten sick. During the weeks they were quarantined there, Dally and Hunter had taken food and supplies, leaving them near the gate, a safe distance from the house.

Hunter had been worried for Nik but nearly as worried for his sister as she wept and prayed and fussed and fretted until Nik finally felt it was safe to return to the B Bar D. Even Cornelia had cried when Nik had returned. Although he’d remained well, he’d been exhausted from the round-the-clock care he had provided for weeks on end. He’d lost weight, along with most of his tan, returning home pale and thin, not looking at all like the robust man he’d been before he’d walked into the Stewart’s home and diagnosed the sickness.

It was a blessing that no one else in town had come down with the illness. Hunter knew Flynn had been beside himself with worry over Evie. Not long after she’d recuperated, the couple had wed, the same day Flynn’s sister had married Mitch. It had been a wonderful celebration and a reaffirming moment of God’s goodness as well as prevailing love.

Hunter recalled the looks of devotion and adoration Flynn frequently bestowed on his bride whenever they were together. Dally thought it was sweet, but Hunter thought it went beyond that. It was beautiful to see love lived out each day, just like he saw with Nik and Dally.

Apparently, Nik had received advice from Walker Williams’ grandmother to kiss Dally every morning long enough that she would forget he might not come home that night due to his hectic schedule and busy medical practice.

Every morning before he left, Nik took Dally in his arms and kissed her soundly, regardless of who was in the room. Then he’d grin and rush out the door, ready for a day of work.

If Hunter ever got around to marrying, he intended to follow the same practice. A sizzling kiss full of passion and promises seemed like a wonderful way to begin the day.

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