“It’s not feasible for you to keep this place.” My father says seriously.
“I’m not quite sure why you think that since it’s not like you’ve seen the finances of the place. We’ve been doing incredibly well for ourselves and we’re only on target to exceed our expected goals for the quarter.” I say confidently. I’ve been looking at the numbers and it wasn’t like I was about to let this place suffer.
“Sweetheart, you’ve been here for less than six months. I understand you think you can handle this, but it’s much more complicated than you think.” My mother says in the most condescending done.
“I appreciate your thoughts, but frankly I didn’t ask. I’ve already told you I’m not interested in selling or signing the papers today so if there’s nothing else…”
“You might change your mind and the place won’t be so lucrative then.” My father says angrily.
“Then that will be a problem I’ll have to figure out, and I will figure it out.” I say sternly.
“Fine, then I guess we have no other reason to spend another moment here.” My mother says in a huff.
“No problem, I have a wedding to get back to.” I shake off the feelings of my parents not wanting to stay for me. I knew all along what they were really here for. I’d unpack those later, I didn’t want them getting in the way of me doing my job.
My parents take off and I head back for the wedding, only stopping once to will away the tears that were threatening to come. I didn’t have time right now to stop and redo my makeup. On the way back, I run into Tilly, literally.
“Fuck!” My chest slams into Tilly’s and she catches me by the waist.
“Are you okay?” She asks stopping to look at me.
“I’m fine, I’m sorry. My parents were here and I wasn’t thinking. I have to get to the?—”
“Wait, your parents were here?” Tilly stops, cutting me off.
“Oh, yeah but it’s—” I’m about to say it’s fine when she holds her hands in my face. Which of course causes all the tears I’ve been holding back to fall. “My parents wanted me to sign the paperwork releasing the orchard over to them, but I said no. And I’m pretty sure that’s the last time I’ll see them because in their eyes I disappointed them.”
“I’m so sorry babe.” She tilts her head looking solemnly at me.
“It’s okay, I’m fine. I just want to get through today and?—”
“I can handle today if you need the day.” Tilly says.
“I know you can, but trust me I’d rather be working. We can talk it out later, but for now I want to be working.” I decide.
“Okay, then today we work and I don’t ask if you’re okay, but you can tell me if you aren’t. And as soon as the day is through you come over for a hot bath, apple cider donuts and a twilight marathon at my place.” Tilly says with a smile.
“I love the sound of that.” I smile.
Tilly leans in to kiss me, hands me a tissue to clean up my face and we head into the wedding together. Making me feel like I can accomplish anything, with Tilly by my side.
Epilogue II
TILLY
After spending the night with Bells, I wake up in her bed. She’s naked, tied up in her sheets her hair in disarray all around her. I smile, touching her cheek softly as I pull the sheet a bit more over her body. She’s got goosebumps, the morning is much chillier than when we went to bed last night. Fresh out of the bath, we binged the first three twilight movies before she fell asleep in my arms.
I was so proud of her for standing up to her family like that. I know it wasn’t easy, especially considering how selling the orchard is how she ended up here in the first place. I’m so relieved knowing this place grew on her and she’s not the “city girl” I originally thought her to be. She reminds me so much of Benny in all of the best ways. I wish they could’ve known each other when Bells was older. But I guess everything was meant to happen, happened.
I hate skipping out on Bells, but I had a million things to do that I put on the back burner last night so I could take care of her. I write her a quick note, letting her know I’ll be at the barn or at Lina’s and leave it on her nightstand. I didn’t want her to worry about me or feel left behind.
I get dressed in last nights clothes, thankful I didn’t have to worry about seeing anyone on my short walk to the barn. I slip out the back of Bells’ house and head right to the barn. I make sure everyone’s fed and accounted for before I let them out to run around for the day. It’s still beautiful weather so I didn’t have to lock up for the winter yet. That’s when we move them to the larger, winterized barn on the other side of the orchard. It was a bit of a pain when it came to feeding them but it was obviously safer for them.
As I finish up, I take the longer way out to my house. I needed a shower and to grab some breakfast before I head back to Bells’ place. I’m walking back, thinking about texting Lina my order so I can just grab it when I see someone on Hattie’s porch. I can’t see them exactly, but assuming it’s Hattie I walk over to say good morning and check in on things. To my surprise it’s a man standing on the porch. A man, I definitely don’t recognize.
“Can I help you?” I ask the man standing on Hattie’s porch.
“I hope so, I’m looking for Hattie and Ollie.” He says with a smile.
