Page 66 of Pick Yourself Up
When he leaned down to kiss her, she kissed him back with everything she had. Life was too short and unpredictable to do anything else.
Chapter 18
Head's Up
As a group, they decided to return to apple picking the next day. Amber figured it was for multiple reasons, but one of them was probably so they were all together. Safety in numbers. After hearing that Allard was out of jail, she was happy to have everyone in sight and safe.
They now had a decent idea of how many trees the six of them could pick in a day. The first day had included a steep learning curve, but now they moved at a good clip, hoping to clear the entire section Thea had selected. The trees that were in prime condition and boasted the best apples.
Amber had eaten apples from different areas of the farm, and she hadn’t found a bad one yet. Crisp deliciousness. She might be tired of picking, but she’d never tire of the taste.
And she’d pick forever if it helped Knox fulfill his vision. Plus, she was using this for research for her B&B.
Her nameless B&B. So far, nothing she’d tried sounded right. The area was quirky, and she wouldn’t mind an apple pun in the name. Or an allusion to her family. To Jay and Fox. To nearby Phail. Vermont in general.
She’d have to set aside some time to research the names of other B&Bs in the area and on apple farms. She didn’t want to deliberately or inadvertently copy a name someone else had used.
Something unique that would make her smile. Not something that would make her shudder every time she said it.
Welcome to the Apple Inn. Appley Ever After Inn. Apple Blossom Inn. Apple Blessings. Inn Good Time. All Inn. In-cider Inn, which would only work if they produced cider. That would be fun. Would Lawson or Burke like to make cider?
“Hang on, everyone. Shifting location.” Knox’s voice interrupted her thoughts, and they all hung onto the sides as Knox moved them down to fresh trees.
Boomer trotted alongside the truck, and Gray studied the new area, even though it was only yards from the previous spot—her personal protection detail in action.
She couldn’t stop herself from doing the same. All day, they’d been hyper-alert, watching the dogs for their reactions and checking the trees for intruders. Ensuring no one waited for them to drop their guard.
Once again, she considered her options. Their options. Whatever they decided, she and Gray would do it together. Not only was she not brave enough to go on her own, but she was also too smart.
They couldn’t know Allard’s plans. Couldn’t know if he was pissed enough at either her or Gray to cross several states to find them. She refused to think of what the man would do if he did find them, if he got through their defenses.
If she let her imagination run away with her, she’d never be able to contribute or do anything other than cower in her room.
Gray reached over and took her hand. “Making decisions?”
His serious eyes studied her, and she smiled. “Not without you.”
Relief showed in his expression, and he kissed her. “Good. Together, Amber. Always together.”
Despite the fear and worry that surrounded them, happiness soared through her. “Always.”
He grinned and ran his hand through her hair and kissed her again before they turned their attention back to the apples.
After they’d separated the day’s crop in the harvesting barn, the group headed to the farmhouse, tired and starving.
Tonight was Thea’s turn to cook, and the house smelled delicious.
Thea pulled a lasagna out of the oven to sit, slid a loaf of garlic bread into the oven, and grabbed a salad from the fridge. She grinned. “After a long day of picking apples, I’m very glad Fiona Phail has so many fully prepped meals for us to buy.”
Amber agreed. The woman was a skilled cook, and most of them used her meals on days when it was too busy to make something on their own. Not Gray, though. Even with limited time, his meals were always incredible.
“So, tomorrow’s forecast is rain. I think we can skip picking and do something else.” Cheers and laughter met Knox’s pronouncement.
Jolie grinned. “I’m glad apples only need picking once a year. I couldn’t do it as a full-time job.”
Amber raised an eyebrow at her generous sister. “If it would help everyone out, you would, but I’m glad we don’t have to. My muscles may never forgive me.”
Although the way Gray had massaged creams into her skin every night made it worth it. She glanced to find him smiling at her, and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing.
