Page 83 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Laurel reeled. She was taking a child who’d just lost her parents to a new city, a new home. Laurel and Sunny would be the only familiar things in her life.

She paused in her task, her hands slowly dropping to her sides. “How am I going to tell Emma what’s happening? That I’m moving her away? Am I doing the right thing, Gav?”

“There’s no doubt in my mind. Think of the alternatives. There’s no route that would leave Emma here in her home. And she’s so much better off with you than Darcy.”

Laurel expelled a long breath. “You’re right. I know you are. This is just going to be so hard on her. I don’t know how to prepare her for that.”

“You don’t need to have a heavy conversation with her. We can just tell her you’re going to your place. She likes it there. You can always come back here for the weekends for a while—till the place sells.”

Till the place sells.It was all sinking in. She was leaving Riverbend. Leaving the orchard.

Leaving Gavin.

Her heart stuttered at the thought. Her gaze drifted around the beautiful property the Claytons had so lovingly tended. Somehow over the past week, it had started to feel like her own purpose. Her own home. And the thought of letting it go made her achy inside.

She gave her head a shake. That was absurd. “Who’s going to buy this place? Do you think they’ll keep the orchard?”

He lifted a shoulder. “That’s out of our control.”

“And what about harvest? Who’s going to handle all this while I’m in Asheville? We can’t just let it go to ruin.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out.”

Laurel sighed. “Before I go I’ll show you how to test the apples. And we can come back on weekends. The Fuji make up most of the orchard, and getting them in might be a challenge.”

“I can handle it.”

“I know you have your business to tend to.”

He waved her away. “The harvest will be my priority. We need this place looking as good as possible on paper. We’ll get a good price on it—you’ll need the equity for Emma.”

“I’m not worried about that.” She earned a decent wage—and if she got that promotion, she’d really be set.

“You could always put the money away—for college or whatever.”

“Yeah, I’ll definitely do that.”

A flash of royal blue caught her eye. Darius strode around the side of the house, heading toward the backyard. He lifted a hand in greeting.

Laurel waved back. “Darius is here.”

Gavin grabbed the nursery monitor, and the two of them joined the attorney on the patio.

“Sorry to interrupt your work.”

Gavin shook his hand. “Time for a break anyway.”

“And Emma’s down for her nap, so your timing’s perfect. Can I get you something to drink?”

“I actually just had lunch at the deli. I got your message, Laurel. I thought it might be easier to stop by and have the conversation in person.”

That didn’t sound good. She gestured toward one of the patio chairs. “Of course. Have a seat.”

Once they were settled, Darius began. “First of all, Laurel, I was delighted to hear you’ve decided to petition for guardianship.”

“It’s the right thing to do. I love that girl, and I can’t turn my back on her.”

“I have a lot of respect for you for that, I want you to know that.”

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