‘Last year Mom and Dad bought the land next to theirs to expand the orchard,’ Nick says. ‘It came with an old farmhouse.’
‘Oh, yes, Jason told me about that.’
‘Our cousin Nash works construction and renovated the place,’ Nick says. ‘Dad’s thinking of renting it out.’
‘I’d rather have one of you boys take it,’ Dad says. ‘But if you don’t want it, we’ll figure something out.’
‘I’d love to see it tomorrow if we have time,’ Mia says to me.
‘You’re coming over?’ Mom asks, sounding hopeful, like taking Mia there means we’re dating.
‘She wants to see the orchard,’ I say. ‘I was going to text you to let you know.’
‘What time will you be over?’ Mom asks.
‘Jason’s taking me there after the game,’ Mia answers.
‘Or we could go before,’ I say, knowing the game will give us an excuse to get out of there.
‘Yes, come over in the morning,’ Mom says. ‘I’ll make breakfast! Nick and Lyndsay can join us. And maybe Brody and Kate could be there too.’
‘Mom, Mia’s met enough of the family. I’ll just take her out for breakfast. I’ll take her to Maury’s.’
‘Maury’s doesn’t have my homemade apple pastries,’ Mom says, smiling at Mia.
She smiles back. ‘Those sound delicious.’
‘Well, then, it’s settled. You’ll join us for breakfast.’
‘Wait—what?’ I look between Mom and Mia. ‘What just happened?’
‘You’re having breakfast with us.’ Nick chuckles. ‘Try to keep up.’
He thinks this is hilarious—Mom inviting Mia over, hoping to fix us up. The jerk should be helping me, not laughing at me. He’s been there. So has Sawyer and Brody. Mom’s tried to play matchmaker for all of us, but now I’m the only single one left and she’s putting all her effort on finding me a wife.
I need to tell her Mia’s not sticking around and that the only wayI could date her is if I followed her to Boston. That’d instantly stop Mom’s attempts to set us up. The last thing she’d want is for me to move away. She finally got Nick back to Haydon Falls after all the years he lived in New York. She doesn’t want to see another one of her sons leaving town.
‘He said they’ll be there at eight,’ Mom says, setting her phone down.
‘Who?’ I ask.
‘Brody,’ Mom says, as if I should know she just texted him. She turns her focus back to Mia. ‘He’s our youngest. His girlfriend Kate is opening a store downtown. You should have Jason take you there. She has some beautiful items for sale. She has such good taste!’
‘Mom, isn’t eight a little early for breakfast?’ I ask. ‘Mia probably wants to sleep in. She had a long day today.’
‘I’m an early riser,’ Mia says. ‘Eight works for me.’
Sawyer comes up to the table. ‘I didn’t know the whole family was coming by tonight.’
‘I didn’t either,’ I mutter.
‘Can you and Gina come by for breakfast tomorrow?’ Mom asks Sawyer.
‘Sure,’ he says. ‘Any reason why, or is it just breakfast?’
‘Jason’s bringing Mia to the orchard,’ Dad says. ‘We can’t let her come by without feeding her.’
‘Get used to it,’ Sawyer says to Mia. ‘Every time you show up to Mom’s house, she’ll feed you.’
