Page 25 of One Sweet Day is Never Enough

Gia lookedup as the last stack of boxed goods were loaded onto the bed of a pickup truck for easier transport back to the warehouse. The cleanup had gone quickly. Lending a hand was underrated. She’d had fun.

“Looks like you’re just about done here?” Seth returned and with a quick look around, loaded the dolly onto the truck.

Trevor nodded agreeably and hopped into the driver’s seat. “Yeah, all set.”

“All right, cool. Great job today, everyone! Thank you so much for all your hard work. I’ll see you Monday. Enjoy the day off.” Gia was impressed with the great relationship he seemed to have with his employees. They all seemed to like him, and he treated them like equals. It was refreshing to see such a healthy work environment.

“Thanks, boss.” Shawn waved and they pulled away in the truck.

Gia gave Melissa a quick hug. “It was great to meet you. I’ll see you around.” Melissa smiled and left and Gia turned to Seth. “Everything under control elsewhere?”

“Yeah, things are winding down. Should be all done soon. You ready to head out?”

“Yeah.”

“All right, let’s go.” Seth tucked his phone into his back pocket and she fell in beside him. He let out a big sigh and ran a hand across the back of his neck. “Wow, what a day.”

Gia nodded. “This was quite an accomplishment. Are you happy with the way everything went?”

“Thanks. Yeah, very, but I’m even happier it’s over.” He winked.

Gia laughed and stuck her hands in her back pockets. “So where are we going to celebrate?”

“Actually, since it’s such a nice night, what do you say we sit out behind the tasting room? At least until the mosquitoes eat us alive.”

“That sounds great.” Gia laughed and they headed toward the barn. The plan actually sounded fantastic, but she didn’t want to seem too eager. “So how’s your dad?”

“He’s okay. He’s sleeping now. My mom’s asleep in the armchair, too. I peeked in at the house. Long day. It was a false alarm, I’d say.”

“Your mom seems great, by the way.”

“Thanks. She’s one tough woman. This place would be in big trouble without her.”

They reached the barn and found the doors still unlocked. A few employees were still tidying up. Seth said hello to them and went behind the bar where he grabbed a half empty bottle of red. “How’s this?” He held it up.

“Perfect.” A glass of wine really did sound like the perfect end to a pleasant evening.

He set it down then found a package of cheese squares in a small refrigerator and a box of water crackers from a lower cabinet.

“That looks good. I’m hungry.” Gia was actually starving. She never did get that slice of cherry pie that Kira and Courtney had raved about.

“Me, too.” Seth took two long-stemmed glasses down from a shelf behind the bar.

“One more thing.” He reached below the counter and pulled out a candle in a wide ceramic holder, holding it up victoriously. “Citronella.” He found some matches and stuck them in his pocket.

Gia grinned. “Worth its weight in gold around here.”

“No kidding.” Seth gave her a knowing look. “All right, let’s head out back.”

Gia took the candle from him and reached for the cheese and crackers. “I’ll carry.”

Seth grabbed the bottle of wine and the glasses, and she followed him outside to a seating area with a lovely view of the healthy side of the orchard.

He lit the citronella candle and they settled in at one of the decorative wrought iron tables. Seth poured two servings as the sun began to drop behind the orchard.

He handed a glass to Gia then took the other for himself. “Cheers to the close of another successful cherry festival.”

“Cheers to that,” she said with a wholehearted grin, clinking her glass with his. She took a sip. “Seriously, great job. This must’ve taken a lot of work.”

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