Candy Apple Kisses

Chapter 1

Jake Hughes couldn’t stop the smile that overtook his lips as he jogged down the front steps of his parents’ two-story farmhouse.

up the gravel driveway.

His best friend since kindergarten, Emily Carmichael, was at the wheel. And he couldn’t have been more relieved.

She’s finally here! Everything’s going to be all right.

The Jeep came to a stop just as Jake’s work boots hit the gravel, and Emily jumped out.

“Carmichael!” he called as he pulled her in for a quick hug, lifting her off her feet for a few seconds. “It’s about time

you got here.”

When he set her back on the ground, she gave him a friendly shove. “Whatever,” she huffed. “I told you I’d be here by five.”

Jake lifted his phone from the back pocket of his worn jeans and gave it a dramatic glance. “And yet it’s almost six.” He shoved the phone back into his pocket. “You’re never on time. You were even late for our high school graduation.”

“I was only fifteen minutes late to graduation, and you’d expect nothing less from me,” she said with a flourish before reaching into the back

of the Jeep for her huge black suitcase. At five-foot-four, her slight frame barely reached the back seat.

“I’ll get it.” He gently moved her to the side. “I don’t know why you bought those big tires for this thing when you practically

need a step stool to get in and out of it.”

She lifted an eyebrow at him. “Uh, because it’s cool.”

He set the suitcase on the ground with a smirk as his gaze roved over her. Emily was nearly a foot shorter than he was, and

she looked the same as he remembered. Her wavy, dark brown hair was styled in a thick ponytail that almost reached the middle

of her back. Her well-loved blue jeans sported holes in each knee, and her signature pink Converse high-tops were splattered

with a rainbow of dried paint. Her ivory skin was flawless and makeup free, and her eyes, a shade of brown so light they appeared

golden, sparkled as she grinned up at him.

He could feel a snappy comment coming, and he relished it. He’d missed the barbs they’d always enjoyed throwing at each other

since they were kids.

Standing on her tiptoes, Emily tapped the bill of his ball cap. “Why are you still wearing this ratty ol’ Mets cap? I sent

you a brand-new one for Christmas. But here you are, sporting the one you’ve had since high school.”

“It’s broken in.” He adjusted the cap on his head.

“Broken in?” she exclaimed. “You’ve had it since we were sixteen. I think after almost fourteen years, it’s time to retire

it.”

He shook his head. “Nah. Besides, I save yours for special occasions.”

“Sure you do,” she chirped with a laugh. “I knew I was wasting my money when I bought you a new one. But I just couldn’t help myself.” She inhaled a deep breath through her nose and spun around. “I love the smell of the orchard mixed with the lake. It never gets old.”

“Which is why you need to come back to Western North Carolina more often, Carmichael. In fact, my mom and dad were heartbroken

you didn’t join us last year for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Her ever-present smile wobbled. “Yeah. I know.” She pushed her ponytail over her shoulder. “I should’ve come here instead

of spending it with Steve and his family.”

He lifted an eyebrow. This was news to him. He thought she and Steve were happy, that Steve might even pop the question. He

was the first guy Jake could remember Emily gushing about in their texts and calls. “Trouble in paradise?”

“You could say that.”

“You broke up?”

She examined her short, nibbled nails. “Yup.”

He took a step closer to her. “When?”

“Um . . . it’s been a couple months.” She glanced up toward the clear blue sky, as if the answer was hidden there. “Maybe

June? Yeah, it was definitely June.”

So that was why she hadn’t mentioned Steve when they’d texted and she’d dodged his questions about how things were going with

him. “It’s August, Em. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“There she is!” Mom hollered from the porch. “You made it!”

Emily raced up the steps, and Jake followed with her suitcase.

Mom engulfed Emily in a tight hug. “It’s been too long! We missed you at the holidays last year, sweetie. You must’ve been

busy. I hope you’ll come this year. It’s not the same without you.”

Emily gave Jake a guilty look, and he responded with an “I told you so” look.

“I’ll definitely try.” She fiddled with her mother’s engagement and wedding ring, which hung from a silver chain around her

neck. She hadn’t taken them off since her parents had passed away four years ago. “How’s Mr. Hughes doing?”

Mom jammed her hands on her hips. “Emily, you’re almost thirty. When are you going to start calling us Diane and Leon?” Her

expression brightened. “But thanks for asking. He’s doing better.”

“I’m so glad to hear it.” Em shot Jake an accusatory look. “I would’ve come sooner if Jake had told me about the heart attack.”

Jake held up his hands. “It was a crazy time.”

“Too crazy to call me?” Her brown eyes challenged him.

Jake grimaced. She was right. He should’ve called her when it happened a month and a half ago, but Dad’s heart attack had

been such a shock that he’d barely remembered how to tie his shoes. “Sorry.”

“Just don’t do it again.” Emily gave his bicep a playful punch before they followed Mom into the house, where the delicious

scent of chili and cornbread drifted over them.

Emily gasped. “Mrs.— Uh, I mean, Diane, it smells fantastic in here.”

“I made your favorite.” Mom pointed toward the sweeping staircase. “Jake, help Emily get settled and then head down for supper.

It’s almost ready.”

Jake nodded toward the staircase. “You know the way, Carmichael.”

Emily gave him a mock salute and then jogged up the stairs to the spare room. Since Emily had sold her parents’ house, the room basically belonged to her now. She flopped on the bed as he set the suitcase beside the closet door.

She crossed her legs under herself. “How’s your dad—really?”

“Stubborn.” He straddled the desk chair backward and rested his elbows on the back of it.

She waved him off. “Besides that.”

“Huh?” He rubbed the stubble on his chin and considered the past month and a half. “Well, I guess I have lots to tell you.”

“Sounds like we need to go out to the dock and talk after supper.”

“Yeah.” The muscles in his shoulders began to relax. “That’s exactly what I need.” He smiled. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

She laughed. “I could tell from your text that you needed me.”

“How long can you stay?”

She shrugged. “As long as you need me.”

“What about work?”

She hesitated and began fiddling with her mother’s rings again. She was holding something back, and he was going to get it

out of her.

“Supper’s ready!” Mom called.

Emily popped up from the bed and hurried toward the doorway. “Yay!”

He shook his head. Emily was definitely keeping something from him, and he would get it out of her when the time was right.

The two friends sat across from each other while Jake’s parents settled in their usual spots at either end of the oak table.

“So, Emily,” Mom began as she passed the cornbread, “what have you been up to lately? Jake tells me you’ve been working at

a coffee shop in Charlotte.”

After taking a piece of bread, Emily pasted a bright smile on her face. “Yeah, I was, but being a barista just wasn’t for me. I’m sort of between jobs now.” She shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal.

Jake set his jaw. So that’s why Em is being so evasive, he thought. She’s quit another job.

“Oh.” Mom’s blonde eyebrows rose. “You quit?” she asked.

Emily nodded while spooning some chili into her mouth. She swallowed and pointed to her bowl. “This is outstanding, Diane.

Your chili has always been the best.”

“Thank you,” Mom said, but Jake could see the concern in her pleasant expression. “Are you still teaching art classes at the

community college?” she asked.

“Nope.” Emily sipped her glass of sweet tea. “I quit after last semester.”

“Mmm.” Mom paused for a moment. “What about working at that other painting place? The one where you could have a little party

and paint pictures. Oh, what was it called?”

“It was called The Art Spot, and I don’t work there anymore either.” Emily shook her head.

“So you’re . . . not working at all?” Jake chimed in.

“I’m on the hunt for something different. They weren’t the right fit.” Emily turned to Dad at the end of the table. “How are

you feeling, Leon?”

Jake sighed. Emily was deflecting. But he’d get the full story out of her. Somehow.

Dad made a face. “I’m just fine, but Diane is making a fuss as usual.”

“You’re not ‘just fine,’” Mom chided. “You need to get your exercise and continue to eat right.”

Dad rolled his eyes. “Blah blah blah,” he muttered while sprinkling fat-free shredded cheddar cheese over his bowl of chili.

Emily shot Jake a look, and Jake took a sip of sweet tea to suppress his laughter while Emily bit her lip to help swallow a giggle.

“How’s Ally doing at UNC Chapel Hill?” Emily asked, referring to Jake’s younger sister.

Mom beamed. “Great. She had an internship at a law office in Chapel Hill this summer. She’s still working there part-time,

and she’s back in school now.”

“Little Ally still wants to be a lawyer, huh?” Emily said. “I can’t believe she’s almost twenty. I remember rocking her on

the porch and feeding her a bottle.”

“And I remember her sneaking into my room and taking my stuff. Little stinker,” Jake joked.

Mom chuckled. “I can almost still feel the hiccups I had every morning when I was pregnant with her.”

Emily’s diversion succeeded. She’d found a topic Jake’s mother could talk about for ages: her children. They spent the rest

of supper reminiscing about Jake and Ally’s childhood.

After enjoying a piece of Mom’s famous apple pie—which she now prepared sugar-free, much to Dad’s chagrin—Jake and Emily cleaned

up the kitchen before they headed outside.

“Let’s go for a walk,” he said, gently tugging her arm and steering her toward the path that led through the orchard.

Above them, the sun was beginning to set, bringing with it a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors while an ensemble of frogs and