Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Amber
I t’s a crisp Sunday afternoon, and the farm looks like something out of a storybook as I pull up the long, winding drive. The leaves are beginning to turn, scattering bright pops of orange and red against the green hills. Derek had invited me to join them for dinner, and this doesn’t feel like just an invitation to meet the family—it feels like I’m coming home.
I step out of the car and take a deep breath, letting the clean, earthy air fill my lungs. Casey’s the first to spot me, darting out of the barn with a grin that could light up the whole farm.
“Miss Shafer!” she calls, waving me over. “Dad said you’d be here soon!”
I wave back, laughing as she bounds toward me with all the unrestrained excitement of a kid who can’t quite contain herself. Behind her, Eric trails along, hands in his pockets, a warm grin on his face.
“Hey, Case!” I greet her, then nod toward Eric. “Good to see you too, Eric.”
“Good to see you, Miss Shafer,” he says with a bit of a knowing smile.
Casey hooks her arm through mine and leads me toward the house like she’s bringing home a prize she won at the fair.
When we reach the porch, Derek’s waiting with a smile that melts me a little. “You made it,” he says, reaching out to take my hand, and my heart skips a beat at the casual intimacy.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I say, squeezing his hand.
Derek chuckles as we all step inside. “All right, come on then. Let’s introduce Amber to everyone properly.”
“I’ve met some of them already,” I interject.
“I said properly. I don’t think anyone was really introduced,” he says with a wink.
Inside, the house smells like roasting chicken and fresh herbs, the kind of comforting, hearty meal you can only get on a farm. Laughter echoes from the kitchen as we head toward the dining area, where a few ranch hands are gathered around, setting out plates and pouring drinks.
As we enter, Derek clears his throat. “Everyone, this is Amber,” he announces, his voice warm and confident. “Amber, meet the crew.”
They each look up, one by one, with friendly smiles and nods, and I’m surprised by how at ease they all seem like they’ve known me forever. Most of them are around Derek’s age or older, a few young enough to be fresh out of school, and all of them wearing an easy, welcoming warmth that makes me instantly feel like I belong.
“This here’s Mack,” Derek says, gesturing to a tall, rugged man with a silver beard and an easy smile. “Been here longer than I have.”
Mack gives a good-natured chuckle, extending a hand. “Amber, any friend of Derek’s is a friend of ours.”
“Nice to meet you, Mack,” I say, shaking his hand. He’s got the grip of a man who’s spent years working on the land, and I find myself wondering how many stories he has tucked away.
Derek moves on, introducing me to each member of the crew. There’s Lacey, a wiry woman with wild, curly hair who’s responsible for keeping the books in line; Vince, who handles the heavy machinery and throws out a playful wink as we shake hands; Willie and Josiah, who do everything with the orchard; and June, a middle-aged woman who, I gather from her flour-dusted apron, is behind the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen.
“Welcome to the family, Amber,” June says with a warm smile, brushing her hands on her apron before giving me a quick, motherly hug. “Josiah is my son, and I’ve worked here at the orchard for years in different capacities. I’ve retired and really only cook for everyone once a month for Sunday dinner.”
“That’s amazing. It smells phenomenal. Thank you,” I say. “It’s so nice to meet all of you.”
We all head to the large wooden table in the dining room, where a spread of food is laid out—roast chicken, mashed potatoes, greens straight from the garden, and a freshly baked loaf of bread that’s already steaming. The atmosphere is cozy, and there’s a shared energy in the room, everyone exchanging jokes and stories as we sit down.
Derek pulls out a chair for me, and I take it with a smile, grateful for the gesture. Casey slips into the seat next to me, already reaching for a piece of bread, while Eric takes his spot beside Derek, rolling his eyes at his sister’s eagerness.
“Slow down, Case,” Eric says with a grin. “Amber hasn’t even had a chance to grab anything yet.”
Casey rolls her eyes right back at him. “She’s my teacher, Eric. She won’t mind.”
The table bursts into laughter, and I give Casey a playful nudge. “I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t expect leniency in the classroom,” I tease, reaching for a plate.
Mack chimes in, a mischievous glint in his eye. “If she doesn’t mind, that’s gotta mean you’re the favorite, huh, Casey?”
Casey nods, unfazed. “Obviously.”
It’s nice to see her so at ease here at home. She’s definitely bloomed in the classroom and is starting to engage with her classmates more, too. It seems she’s not really the shy girl I originally thought.
Derek laughs, shaking his head. “That’s my girl, confident as ever.”
He catches my eye across the table, and there’s something soft in his gaze, something that makes me feel grounded and truly a part of this family. It feels nice to be shown off and welcomed without any issues. I didn’t have that with Tommy, and I didn’t realize it was something I wanted then either.
Throughout the meal, everyone shares stories about the farm, trading barbs and lighthearted teases that make me feel like I’ve known them for years. Derek tells me about the time Josiah accidentally drove a tractor into the fence, sending chickens scattering. I can’t stop laughing as Josiah defends himself with a playful scowl, claiming the chickens were plotting an escape anyway.
After we’ve eaten our fill, June brings out a peach cobbler she made just this morning, and Casey’s eyes light up like it’s Christmas.
“Amber, you have to try this,” she says, already serving up a big spoonful onto my plate. “It’s the best dessert in the world.”
“I believe you,” I say, taking a bite—and it’s every bit as delicious as Casey claimed. “Wow, June, this is incredible.”
June beams, clearly pleased as Derek drapes an arm across the back of my chair, leaning closer as he watches me with that easy, familiar grin. “Careful, or you’ll get used to the food around here,” he teases. “We’ll have to keep you coming back.”
“Well, I certainly wouldn’t mind that,” I say, letting myself relax into the warmth of his touch.
We linger around the table long after the plates are empty, sharing stories and laughter until the evening sky begins to shift into shades of pink and orange. Derek’s hand finds mine under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze, and I smile. There’s something so effortlessly perfect about this moment, surrounded by the laughter and love of his family.
As the sun dips lower, everyone begins to clear the table, and Casey tugs on my hand, pulling me outside to show me the new baby goats they’ve been raising. I follow her out to the barn, listening to her chatter excitedly as Eric follows along, adding his own commentary every now and then.
“See, this one’s Daisy,” Casey says, pointing at a small brown goat with a white spot on her forehead. “She’s my favorite.”
Eric rolls his eyes but pats his sister on the back affectionately. “You say that about all of them, Case.”
She sticks her tongue out at him, undeterred. “Maybe, but she’s special.”
Watching them bicker, I’m struck by how at home I feel here. Derek joins us after a moment, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as we watch the kids play with the goats, his quiet presence grounding me.
“You fit right in here,” he says softly, his voice filled with warmth.
I lean into him, my heart full. “I feel that, too.”
“Next weekend, there’s a school fundraiser, it’s kind of like an adult prom without the super crazy tuxes and dresses,” I tell him. “I know we’re taking things slow, but…it would mean a lot to me if we went together. Would you like to be my date?”
“We’ve already told the kids and had Sunday dinner, I think we’re past the slow part, baby,” he says with a grin. “I would love to be your date.”
I smile back at him, leaning into him as I do. I was nervous to ask him, but he made it so easy to do. It feels nice to have a date to a school function for once.
“I can’t wait,” I tell him.
The rest of the evening passes in a blur of warmth and laughter, and by the time I finally pull out of the driveway, I feel like I’ve left a piece of myself behind.