Chapter 10 #3
He knocked on the door and waited.
“Come in,” she called.
Jake pushed open the door and found her sitting at the desk working on her laptop, clad in a pair of shorts and a tank top.
Her dark, wavy hair was styled in a thick knot on top of her head with wavy tendrils falling past her neck. His gaze meandered
over her shapely legs, her bare neck, and a spot behind her ear. That strange hankering to touch and kiss her swelled inside
him, along with a craving to get out a phone and snap a photo of her.
Get ahold of yourself, Jake!
She swiveled on the chair to face him. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering what you were up to since you didn’t come back downstairs.” He dropped onto the corner of the bed behind
her chair.
“I’ll show you.” She typed on the keyboard, and a flyer advertising the grand opening of the market and the anniversary celebration
filled the screen. “I was inspired during supper. What do you think?”
The document included a fall theme with the orchard’s logo and detailed their schedule. “It’s perfect.”
“Glad you like it. We can have a billion copies made and then distribute them all over.”
He nodded. “Sounds great.”
“Also, I was thinking about the website.” Emily typed on the keyboard, and the orchard’s homepage filled the small screen.
“I need to update it, and I can add the flyer too.” She snapped her fingers. “And then social media too. We need to start
promoting the grand opening and the anniversary celebration.”
“Go for it.” While Jake studied her, sadness washed over him. In less than a month, they would have their grand opening, and
then Emily would go back to Charlotte.
How would he adjust to life without her again?
Okay. Something was up with him. Why was he suddenly so ridiculously sentimental? Maybe he was coming down with something.
Yup, that had to be it. It was definitely scarlet fever. He should call his doctor first thing tomorrow.
“I will.” She folded her legs under herself and studied him. “All right. You have a super-weird expression on your face.”
She drew an imaginary circle in the air in front of his face. “What’s goin’ on in that head of yours?”
He brushed his knuckles over his sternum. “Have you considered moving back to Splendid Lake? Like, permanently?” he asked.
She sat up straight, and an unreadable expression flickered over her face. “I don’t know if I could since I don’t have a place
here anymore.”
“But you said you haven’t touched the money your folks left you, or the money from the sale of the house.” He pointed in the
direction of the lake. “You could buy any house you wanted.”
“But I don’t have anyone keeping me here anymore.”
He scoffed. “Really? Is that right?” He pointed to his chest. “So I’m chopped liver now?”
“No, no, no. I mean, I don’t have family here.” She counted off on her fingers. “My grandparents are gone, and my folks are gone. I have cousins out west somewhere,
but I don’t know them. I don’t have anyone here.”
He frowned as an ache radiated from his gut. “Seriously? What about me and my folks? You said we were your family and being
here felt like you were home, but now we suddenly don’t count?”
“Of course you count. But you have your own life here.”
“I do?” He couldn’t stop his sardonic smile. “I have a life, and that’s why I texted you and begged you to come home and help
me because I have my own life?” He shook his head. “I obviously need you.” He hesitated. “And I miss you—a lot.”
Her golden eyes glistened. “I miss you too,” she whispered.
Silence stretched between them for several moments while they stared at each other, and the air seemed electrified. Jake held
his breath as all of his feelings for Emily rose to the surface. He longed to reach for her, pull her against him, and beg
her to stay in Splendid Lake.
But then suddenly she spun back toward her computer, and the moment was gone. “So I’ll finish up the flyer, and I’ll also
work on the website and the Instagram page. I’ll add the flyer to both and also detail the schedule.”
Emily discussed the details of her plans for the website, but Jake was lost in his thoughts. What would life be like if Emily
returned to Splendid Lake permanently? They could spend every weekend together. They would share everything with each other.
They could possibly expand their friendship.
Take it to the next level?
His pulse pounded at the idea.
“Jake?” she asked, slamming him back to the present. “Are you okay?”
He sat up straight and cleared his throat. “Yeah. Sorry.” He pointed to the screen. “Everything sounds great. Thanks for doing
it.” He stood. “I’m going to head home. I need to shower and feed Dusty. I haven’t been home since lunch, and she’s probably
starving.”
“Okay.” She nodded, but her features pinched with concern. “See you tomorrow.”
He moved to the door and then tapped the knob. “You should think about staying. Seriously.” He headed down the stairs and
tried to shove away the yearning that was building inside him.
But more than ever, he wanted to know if Emily cared for him the way he cared for her.
He planned to find out soon.