June’s hesitation made all the old, comforting memories they shared rise to the surface. Isobel wanted to confide in June, to spill her every thought and worry. She wanted to tell June she was sorry, that she was confused, that she was very afraid June hated her now.
Instead, what came out was “Are you free tomorrow?”
June blinked. “What?”
“I was just thinking, maybe I could buy you a coffee?” Thesecond the words were out, a wave of insecurity washed over Isobel. “We can catch up,” she offered weakly.
“Catch up?”
“Only if you aren’t busy,” Isobel blurted. “It’s just that it’s been a long time, and I…” Oh, this was mortifying. Was this how Eva felt in social situations? “I miss you, Junie.”
As June’s eyes strayed to the farmhouse, Isobel held her breath, feeling oddly similar to how she’d felt the first time she’d asked a girl on a date. Only this was June, who’d always been a fixture in her life. Isobel wanted to believe that a bond like that, though wounded, could be healed with time.
When Esther’s giggle filtered through the walls, June’s expression softened into something more bittersweet. “Nine o’clock,” she said. “And you’re buying me breakfast too.”
“Done,” Isobel breathed.
An odd feeling collected in her chest as she watched June get into the car, adjust her sunglasses, and drive away.
Inside, Esther had removed her backpack—a spotted pink-and-white bag with unicorn pins pushed into the vinyl—and was seated beside her father, licking an ice pop. Strawberry juice stained the corners of her mouth. Dane held a matching ice pop, his sleeves uncuffed and pushed to his elbows.
At first, neither father nor daughter saw her. Isobel tucked the ring into her pocket and knocked softly, trying not to feel like an intruder. Dane waved her in with a smile.
“Daddy says you can choose any flavor you want.”
Isobel bent to ruffle the little girl’s hair. “Do you have any green ones?”
“No. Only strawberry left,” Esther chirped. “We have ice cream too, but we can’t eat it yet.”
Dane and Isobel shared a look of amusement. “A strawberry pop sounds perfect.” Isobel opened the freezer and dug one out. “What have the two of you got planned next?” she asked, her eyes on Esther, though she felt Dane’s curious study of her face. A warmth spread where his gaze touched her skin.
Esther wiggled in her chair. “Pear time!”
“Oh?” Isobel asked, bemused.
“The storm knocked some of the harvest off the branches,” Dane explained. “They’ll be too bruised to sell fresh, but we can freeze some and make jam with the rest.”
Isobel could still remember stirring a mixture of pears and sugar on jam-making days with her mother. It was those little memories she’d clung to most as time went by and other details of her childhood faded away. It put an ache in Isobel’s chest now, and she almost drew away, tempted to let Dane and Esther work alone. Though small, their family was as full of love as the one she’d grown up with. Isobel didn’t want to insert herself where she didn’t belong, or to complicate things for Esther.
Dane’s words resurfaced in her mind, a balm for worry.You are already my family.
Gathering her courage, Isobel offered the two of them a hesitant smile. “Mind if I join you?”
Chapter 44
Eva
Esther Walker’s giggle grew louder as Eva and Arthur approached the farmhouse. The little girl was outside, curled up in the grass with a small gray kitten on her chest. Bug was licking what looked like Popsicle juice off Esther’s face. Beside her sat a basket slowly filling with golden pears. Dane and Izzy were busy nearby, walking the rows and collecting pears off the ground and into their own wicker baskets.
Arthur took Eva’s hand in his, and together they crossed over the fence joining the two properties. “I really do like this dress,” he murmured.
She hummed. “It’s the pockets.”
And just as she’d hoped, Arthur laughed.
“Food is inside,” Izzy called out when they drew closer. Eva felt a little flushed, certain she looked as disheveled as she felt, but her sister didn’t comment.
“Where’s Dad?” Eva asked.
