“It’s okay. I’m there in spirit.”
“I love you. Everything’s going to work out, okay? You trust me?”
I’m not sure he’s aware of what we’ve discovered, of how bad things have gotten. I don’t know if he knows what Sawyer is doing and the talks they’re having. Still, what happened tonight is so much bigger.
“Yes.” I tilt my head to the side. “I’ll always trust you. I love you.”
The room explodes with people yelling and grabbing his arm. His smiling face is on my screen, and he’s saying something when it cuts off.
I can only imagine they’ll be up all night celebrating. Walking slowly through the courtyard, I exit through the wrought-iron gate. I text Darcy, telling her to split the check, and I’ll send her my half on the money app.
I’m so happy for the guys and for everyone celebrating, but a quiet has settled in my chest. Perhaps this chapter has closed, but if there’s even a chance of saving it, I’m willing to listen. What choice do I have?
“We’ll startwith the beef carpaccio and a glass of the Beaujolais Nouveau for each of us.” Corey holds the large, black folder in his hands.
“Of course, sir.” The waiter does a little bow. “I’ll get that in and be back for the rest of your order.”
After a restless night’s sleep, I almost canceled this meeting with Corey. Perhaps Uncle Sawyer is right, and it’s time to let it all go. It simply hurts too much to imagine all my beautiful trees cut down and ground into pulp.
Is it possible Corey might prevent it from happening? Would he do that for me? Perhaps it doesn’t have to be a barter, and I can convince him to save the trees for all of us, everyone in Harristown. LaGrange Orchard is part of everyone’s legacy.
When I told Mom what I was doing, she made some comment about him being just like Digger, but there’s only one reason I’m here, to speak for the trees. I’m the Lorax, after all.
“I must say, you are very elegant, Dove.” He leans back inhis chair, exhaling a sigh as his eyes glide up and down my body creepily. “You were made for the finer things.”
I don’t know what kind of act he’s putting on. We both grew up in one of the smallest towns in a small state far, far away from New Orleans or Dallas.
“The things I have are fine to me,” I answer calmly.
It’s a nice restaurant, so I wore a dress. It’s a simple gray sheath that ends below my knees. My hair is tied back in a French twist, and I only applied mascara and pink lipstick.
It’s about as basic as you can get.
“Of course they are, which is why you’re so perfect.” He sighs, tilting his head.
“Cut the crap, Corey.” I shift in my chair. “We both know why I’m here, so you might as well get on with it.”
The waiter glides up at that very moment with two glasses of pale red wine and a bowl of what looks like raw meat. My upper lip tenses, and the fellow looks expectantly from Corey to me.
“Ah, give us a little longer, please,” Corey says.
“Absolutely.” The man bows and scurries away.
I lift my wine glass and take a sip. Corey spoons the meat onto a piece of bread and takes a big bite, making a show of how delicious he thinks it is.
“You should try this.” He points to the platter.
“I’d rather talk turkey,” I say, giving him a quick smile.
He touches his mouth with the napkin as he shakes his head. “I do adore your sense of humor.”
I do my very best not to roll my eyes as I wait, not wanting to give him any reason to prolong this dinner.
“Since you insist.” He puts the napkin in his lap again and places both hands on the table. “As you know, my older brother has made your uncle an offer he can’t refuse to buy the orchard.”
My chest roils, and I shift in my seat. “He plans to purchase the orchard, grind it down, and replace all the peach trees with soybeans.
“Something like that.” Corey callously flicks his wrist. “I couldn’t care less about farming. I have no idea what he’ll do.However…” He emphasizes that word. “I might be able to convince him to keep a few of the peach trees, since they’re such a historic part of the town. Perhaps the shed could be a small museum with a memorial garden.”
