Page 73 of Keep My Heart
She nods, a determined look on her face, like she’s not leaving until her work here is done. I love her for helping us like this. She didn’t have to do it, but the fact that she is makes those feelings I’m having for her even stronger.
‘Where should I start?’ I hear Lyndsay ask my mom as I leave.
Going out to the orchard, I see the damage left behind from the storm. I didn’t notice it last night because Dad cleaned up the rows closest to the barn where the party was being held. But farther into the fields, there’s storm debris everywhere I look. In addition to all the cleanup that has to be done, some branches on the younger trees were damaged and need to be cut. Doing this myself, it’s going to take all day. I won’t have time to take Lyndsay out for her graduation dinner. I told her I would and she was so excited about it. I really don’t want to have to cancel on her, although I know she’d understand if I did.
I call up Matt.
‘Hey, what’s up?’ he answers.
‘What have you got going on today?’
‘Besides the beer tasting? I have some people who might want to look at the house that’s for sale over on Maple Street, but they’re not sure yet. I’m waiting for them to call me back. Why?’
‘How would you feel about helping me in the orchard for a couple hours? I’d pay you for it.’
‘You’re not paying me. What do you need help with?’
‘Cutting some branches. Cleaning up the storm debris. It’s kind of a mess out here and I don’t think I can do it all myself. Dad’s not feeling well and hasn’t been able to get to it.’
‘What’s wrong with your dad?’
‘I’m not sure, but Mom wants him to rest, so I’m filling in. But I know Sunday is your busiest day so—’
‘Today is slow. I got nothing going on other than those people wanting to see that house. I’ll call and tell them we can do it tomorrow.’
‘Are you sure? I don’t want you losing business over this.’
‘Don’t worry about it. They can wait a day. That house isn’t going anywhere. Did you tell Sawyer we won’t be at the tasting?’
‘I told him I wouldn’t, but I’ll call him back and let him know you won’t be there either.’
‘You want me to come over right now?’
‘If you could, yeah.’
‘Be there soon.’
I knew I could count on him to help. I could call most anyone in town to help out. But my dad wouldn’t want that. He wouldn’t want people knowing he needs help, but they’d be here if he asked. That’s small-town living. People help each other out.
As I go in the barn to get the equipment I need, I call up Sawyer.
‘Hey, are you at home?’ he answers.
‘Yeah, I was just out in the fields. It’s a mess out there. That storm did some damage.’
‘You want some help?’
‘I already called Matt. He’s coming over, so he won’t be at your tasting.’
‘That’s fine. Is Matt going to be enough? Because I can still close the place and help you out.’
‘I’d tell you yes, but if Dad found out, he’d be pissed. You just opened. He’d want you there, running your business, not here.’
‘So don’t tell him.’
‘Let me see what I can get done with Matt. If I need help later, I’ll give you a call.’
‘How’s Dad doing?’
