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Gabe was next. “You’ll have food,” Gabe said as soon as Wes explained. “And I’ll come when the morning bake is covered. I’ll call the Community Kitchen too. They’ll want to help.”

“Don’t leave yourself short.”

“I won’t. But you’re not feeding a harvest crew on vending-machine snacks and coffee.”

Wes smiled. “Thanks.”

His phone started buzzing before he had put it away. People offering a few hours. A trailer. Two extra pairs of hands.

Alan watched the messages arrive. “They’re actually coming.”

“I told you.”

Alan shook his head. “I thought there’d be more convincing involved.”

“Joel probably hasn’t given them time to argue.”

That earned a laugh.

Wes’s phone buzzed again, this time from Russet Hill. He read the message and pushed away from the tree. “I have to go.”

Alan nodded immediately. “Go. We’re fine here.”

Yesterday, Wes might have stayed another half hour just to make sure. Today he believed him.

He found Kate on his way back to the tractor. “You’re going,” she said.

“I have to.”

“Then go.”

Wes slid his hands around her waist. “I might not get back before you’re finished.”

“I’ll survive.”

“I was hoping you’d sound more disappointed.”

Kate smiled and put her arms around his neck. “I am disappointed. But I also like the fact that you have a life you care about.”

That stayed with him. Kate had a life she cared about too, and it was a long way from here. How much had she meant those words to include herself? Wes kept his hands at her waist a moment longer. Then he kissed her once, slowly enough to make leaving harder.

Then she rested her forehead against his. “Go look after your orchard.”

He touched her cheek before stepping away.

As he walked back toward the tractor, his bear stirred. Yesterday Alan came to us.

Yes.

Tomorrow Bear Creek comes to him.

Wes looked back once. Alan and Janice were working side by side again. Kate had returned to the row. Eileen and Penny were farther down, and the orchard was full of voices and movement. Not perfect. Not finished. But no longer something the Harlands were trying to carry alone. Wes climbed onto the tractor and turned toward Russet Hill.

Tomorrow, there would be a lot more people crossing that boundary.

CHAPTER 19

Kate