Page 140 of Keep My Heart
‘That’s a good idea,’ Dad says. ‘I should’ve thought of that a long time ago.’ He comes over and pats me on the back. ‘You’re pretty good at this, Kanfield.’
‘My dad was a good teacher.’
He smiles and continues over to Mom, who’s setting up thetables where she’ll put out the apple fritters, apple pies, caramel apples, and all the other apple treats we sell.
We’re all in the barn, getting it ready for our opening on Saturday. Opening day is always crazy, and it doesn’t slow down much after that. Dad was right. The orchard is a lot of work, but I love it. Moving here and taking over for my dad was the right decision. I haven’t had a single moment of regret.
‘Hey,’ Lyndsay says, coming up behind me. ‘Want to take a break?’
‘I could use a break.’ I turn to her and give her a kiss. She’s wearing a red Kanfield tank top and denim shorts, her hair in two loose braids around her shoulders. She looks like a sexy farm girl ready for a roll in the hay.
‘You make it really difficult to get any work done,’ I say once we’re outside and alone.
‘Why is that?’
‘Because you’re so damn hot.’ I kiss her. ‘You need to come over tonight.’
‘I was planning on it.’
‘I mean the whole night, not just a few hours.’
‘Okay. I just need to let my mom know.’
Last month I moved into an apartment. It’s just a six-month lease until I find something I like better. I love my parents, but I couldn’t keep living with them. I needed my own place where I could be alone with Lyndsay.
She laughs. ‘I feel like a kid whenever I say that.’
‘Say what?’
‘That I have to let my mom know. It’s like I’m a teenager again.’
‘Maybe it’s time to move out.’
‘And go where? I haven’t saved up enough money to get my own place.’
‘I know a guy who’d let you stay with him. He might even beg you to if that’s what it took.’
She smiles. ‘Are you asking me to move in with you?’
‘What would you say if I did?’
‘Yes!’ she squeals.
‘Well, that was easy.’ I laugh. ‘How about tonight? Is that too soon?’
‘I think I could make that work if some big strong guy helped me move my stuff.’
‘You mean Brody? Sure, I can get him to do that.’
‘Nick! You can’t make him do that.’
‘Sure I can. He’s my little brother. He has to listen to me. And I have to stay here and get ready for the opening.’
‘I should wait. We have too much to do. I’ll move in next week.’
‘I don’t want to wait that long. You don’t have that much stuff. Brody can fit it all in his truck.’
‘Okay, but I’m buying him pizza.’ Her face lights up and she claps her hands. ‘I’m so excited we’re moving in together!’
