“We’re not sure. Uncle Sawyer has been digging up trees and burning them and Leon has been driving plastic barriers into the ground and taking soil samples. We didn’t know it until almost a third of the orchard started to die.”
My eyes burn, and my heart aches like a fungus has crept into my chest and is wrapping around it, squeezing.
We climb into the vehicle, and Haddy turns it in the direction of our houses. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that’s why you came. I thought you were simply working on your degree”
“I wish that’s all it was,” I say with a sigh. “I’m here on a last-ditch rescue mission. Dad has plenty of money, but it’s going to take more than that to beat this thing. Uncle Sawyer won’t let him spend a dime on what could turn into a lost cause.”
Haddy reaches over and squeezes my hand. “But Dr. Smithfield thinks you can beat it?”
“He said we can.” My eyes drift out the window to a large elm spreading its branches over the sidewalk and a small park. “He said we need to plant woody trees and form abarrier. I don’t know how much of it can work at this point, but I’ll take anything I can get.”
“I’ll see what I can find out as well. We all love that orchard. It’s a part of our shared history. Nobody wants to let it die.”
My lips press into a smile, and my nose is hot as I look over at my friend. “Thanks, Haddy.”
Darcy
What do you think of this?
It’sa photo of a woman dressed in a silky, peach-colored spaghetti strap top with a slightly darker linen wrap skirt.
Dove
That’s stunning! Is this for me?
Darcy
If you like it! Boo said we can all pick the style of top we wear. Mine is more of a crewneck, because you know I need more coverage.
I glance down at my own full bust, thinking I could use a little more coverage myself.
Since I had to come here, Darcy is filling in for me with the planning. To be fair, wedding planning isn’t my strong suit. Darcy has way more experience in fashion.
I’m missing all the fun being here, but when Dr. Smithfield made a place for me in his program, I had to take it. We’re racing against the clock.
Darcy
I’ll let her know you love it!
Dove
I wish I was there, but I’m learning a lot!
Darcy
You’ll be here for the main events. That’s what matters most!
I can’t help feeling a little guilty, though. We’ve all known each other since we were little kids, and Boo is the first of us to get married.
My phone lights up again, and I expect it to be another picture from Darcy. I do not expect to see a text from her annoying uncle Corey.
Corey
LaGrange Orchard, now offering pears… doesn’t have the same ring.
My brow lowers at his message. Corey Hayes has been lurking around our place since I was a kid, insinuating his claim on our land. Then, once I turned eighteen his insinuations grew to include me. He likes to emphasize our connection, how we both come from founding families of Harristown.
The only problem is he’s an arrogant prig, and even if I am friends with his niece, I can’t stand him.
