“Okay.” I pause. “Lina, the oven at my house is big enough to bake a lot, right? Can you cook there?”
“Oh my gosh, it is!” Lina’s eyes light up.
“Okay, gather whoever you need and have them help you bring supplies over. Cook the essentials and things that are most photographical. Things that are also easy to transport for whenwe fix this. Here are my keys.” I toss her my keychain, and she runs outside to get help.
I take a deep breath before opening my phone to look over my checklist. I’m impressed by how easily Tilly handles that. She’s going to take care of this issue, and I have to set up the photo booth, the signs by the entrance, and put the wooden baskets for apples at the end of each row of apple trees. We figure if not for photos, it will be a cute way for people to carry apples back to the store. Thank God Tilly is taking over, because I’m so anxious about tomorrow I can’t think straight. Just knowing it’s in her hands is such a relief.
She has become someone I can rely on. No matter what it is, if it’s something she can help with, she’s there. I can see why my aunt thought so highly of her. She’s dependable, just like her friends said. Even if it will take some time, I know I’ll be doing my best to break in and knock down that wall she has for me.
“Um, Bells?” One of the apple helpers taps on my shoulder.
“Yes?” I force a smile and try to focus on them.
“We have a little issue with the decorations for tomorrow.” She winces like she’s afraid of my reaction.
“What kind of issue?” I ask patiently.
“It seems like the printer mixed things up, and instead of Sapphire Falls Orchard, it says Sapphic Falls Orchard.” She holds out her phone to show me the sign unfolded.
“Shit. Do we have the printer’s number?” We used a big company to save some money but now look at us.
“We do, but they can’t get a new sign until next week,” she explains.
“Okay.” I pause, trying to think of any options we might have. A few deep breaths do nothing for the anxiety I’m having.
“What’s going on?” Tilly walks over. The worker whose name I should really know explains the situation, and Tilly studiesme. I’m sure she’s thinking I’m such a fuckup for not double-checking all the signage before the event. It’s completely on me.
“There’s a print shop just out of town. Take the truck and head there now. I’ll text you the correct images for the banner, and do not leave until you have it in your hand. Understood?” Tilly instructs the woman, who nods before accepting Tilly’s keys.
“Will they be able to help?” I don’t know what time it is, but it’s cutting things close.
“I believe so, but, hey, if not, we have more than enough signs. And maybe they’ll think the sign is cute or on purpose. We can save it for a sapphic event; that way it doesn’t go to waste,” Tilly suggests with a smile.
“Wow,” I say aloud.
“What?” She looks confused.
“I don’t know how you do that.”
“Do what?” She frowns.
“I’m freaking out and everything seems to be going wrong, but you swoop in and save the day. It’s like you know exactly what to do and what to say,” I admit.
“I’ve just been here a long time. Things happen, and you have to be able to roll with the punches. By the way, we have the electrician coming in the next hour, and, depending on how that goes, we’ll know more about tomorrow. Don’t worry, little lamb,” Tilly says with a wink.
“Thanks.” I blush.
Tilly studies my face for a moment before reaching for my face. She touches my hair, her fingers twirling one of my curls. I close my eyes, thinking she’s about to lean in and kiss me. But instead, she pulls on my curl, and in her hand is a loose piece of hay. She drops it to the ground, winks at me, and heads back for the bakery. What the hell was that? I think we’re having a moment, and it feels like it’s all in my head. I hate how she hasthis effect on me. I can’t continue on with her like this. I feel myself slowly going crazy, wondering if it’s all in my head.
I think it is, and then her friends allude to her feelings, and I go questioning myself all over again. They’ve not-so-subtly been pushing us toward each other for months now. It wasn’t so obvious at first—always inviting me out. But now they insist on us talking alone, driving places together, and leaving when we’re in the same room. I can’t tell if they’re putting themselves up to it or Tilly has said something. But I guess if she has, then by now she knows I’m interested enough for her to make some kind of move. I think my flirting back has been obvious, even if I’m not sure how I feel.
FOURTEEN
Tilly
The school buses pull in exactly at noon. Bells has arranged for all the guests to be picked up at the train station and brought here on the local school buses. It’s a cheap arrangement for us, and then no one needs to worry about transportation. As the people pile in, I’m amazed at the diversity—not just in looks, but in gender and age. She has managed to hit almost every group of people and get them here. The second they get off the bus, they pull out their phones and record everything. I have a feeling I’m in the background of a lot of TikToks right now.
Bells makes a little speech as we hand out maps of the orchard—newly improved maps with the new logo, links to our social media pages, and the new website. As much as I hate to admit it, the improvements to our social pages and website are amazing. It looks more cohesive and is very user-friendly. There are fewer phone calls to the main office because there’s even a frequently asked questions page on the site. All the people disperse, and I head to the barn to keep an eye on the horses. No one is allowed to ride them this weekend, so I want to make sure no one tries.
