What About Them Apples?
A few mornings later, Esme was surprised to find almost everyone who lived at the farm around the kitchen table when she and Wyatt entered to grab some breakfast. There were smiles all around, so she wasn’t worried.
Downey was still in jail, charged with trespassing. Marcus was attempting to talk the higher-ups into stalking charges, but so far, that wasn’t sticking.
According to the police chief, Downey hadn’t had access to his phone since the arrest, but before he’d snuck onto their property, he’d posted that Esme was in Vermont near the town of Phail.
He hadn’t given specifics, probably because he wanted an exclusive, but she doubted there were others who cared about her presence.
Maybe Zack Spina, but she hadn’t seen him in months, so he’d probably moved to a more lucrative target.
A photo of her couldn’t be worth much these days.
Charlie waved at her, distracting her from thoughts of the paparazzi. “Hi, Esme. Are you going to help harvest the apples, too?”
She grinned. “Absolutely. I don’t know anything about it, but I’d love to help.” It would give her a way to give back to these generous people.
Charlie patted the seat beside him, and she joined them at the table, smiling at Ella Mae, who was waving an apple slice at her dog. “Cookie, Oggie.”
Esme laughed. “That’s a great cookie, Ella.”
The girl giggled and took a bite. “Cookie.”
Charlie rolled his eyes. “Apple, Ella Mae. That’s an apple. Apple.” He drew out the sounds as his sister watched him.
“App. Pla.”
Charlie cheered. “That’s it, Ella. Apple.”
Wyatt slid into the seat beside Esme and set plates in front of them both. As she blinked up in surprise, he grinned at her and turned his attention to the little girl. “Good job, Ella Mae. Apples are delicious.”
“App. Pull.”
Wyatt ruffled her hair. “Good job, kiddo.”
After joining the group’s applause for Ella’s new word, Esme glanced down at the plate Wyatt had brought her. It held what had become her favorites at the inn. Berries, whatever loaf Mara had prepared, and a couple of the irresistible apple fritters. “Thank you.”
Wyatt nodded. “Did Charlie rope you into helping?”
She laughed, even though they both knew she’d already volunteered. “He did. I know nothing about harvesting apples, but I look forward to learning.”
Charlie grinned. “Not all of us were here last year, so Knox will give a demonstration once we’re down at the orchard. Our neighbors and some people from Phail and Midnight Lake are coming, too.”
That had her stiffening, but she forced herself to relax. The people would be strangers to her, but not to the Malssum family. They wouldn’t invite people they didn’t know and trust.
Wyatt leaned in close. “If anyone makes you uncomfortable, we can leave.”
We. He’d said we. She smiled. “Thanks. If they’re all friends, it should be fine.”
Despite her brave words, her stomach tightened. What were the odds that anyone who read Downey’s post cared enough to track her down?
If Downey was behind the original attack, would he send the man he’d hired? Because the pictures posted had been taken by the attacker, she didn’t believe any paparazzi had set her up. They’d have taken their own pictures. They would want the credit and the money.
If it hadn’t been Downey, was the person behind the first attack following his posts, hoping for another chance? Did someone want more pictures of her in pain and covered in blood?
Anyone might know where she was, but she wasn’t alone anymore. Wyatt and the others would be a buffer and a deterrent. She was safe on the farm.
When the group moved to the orchard, she stuck close to Wyatt. Vehicles arrived full of happy people who waved and called out greetings to their friends. She scanned faces but didn’t see anyone acting furtively or paying her any attention.
Wyatt squeezed her hand. “Our little buddy is here.”
She followed his gaze to see Garrett and Kimi moving their way with four dogs—the three pit bulls who were Garrett’s shadows and Gomez.
When Gomez spotted them, his tail wagged and he picked up his pace. The dog had fallen ears-over-tail in love with Wyatt and she couldn’t blame him, as she’d done the same.
Wyatt squatted down, and Gomez moved straight to him, not even doing the sniff check she’d seen him do before. Instead, he moved right into Wyatt’s hands, letting him rub him down as he spoke softly to him.
Esme had to blink away tears at the interaction. Gomez knew he was safe and trusted Wyatt to keep him that way.
Same, Gomez, same.
Esme knelt beside the pair as Garrett and Kimi approached. The other dogs sat at Garrett’s hand signal. “Hey, guys. Looks like Gomez remembers you.”
Kimi laughed. “Careful, Wyatt. He’s falling for you.”
Wyatt grinned. “Good.”
Esme reached out a hand for Gomez to sniff and then rubbed his head. “He’s a real sweetie.”
Garrett squatted down. “He is. Much more confident since we got him. He’ll be ready for a forever home soon.”
Esme glanced at Wyatt, and her heart thrilled at what she saw. Desire for her, sure, but desire for a future that included Gomez, too. Or maybe she had a vivid imagination.
Amber joined them, Boomer at her side. The large German Shepherd narrowed his focus on Gomez, the only one he didn’t know. With a smile, Amber patted his head. “Boomer. This is Gomez. He’s a friend. Friend, Boomer.”
The dog relaxed his alert stance and leaned down to sniff the little dog, who didn’t even tremble in Wyatt’s hands.
The two dogs checked each other out, and then Boomer sat at Amber’s side, content that the little guy wasn’t a threat to anyone.
A loud whistle had everyone turning to Knox. “Trucks are moving into place, give them room.”
Ford, Nash, and Lawson drove trucks down separate rows in the orchard. Each truck towed four trailers with steps running along the side of large empty bins.
When the trucks parked, Knox whistled again. The large crowd quieted instantly. Esme’s eyes scanned the group, but didn’t find any paparazzi she recognized or anyone acting out of place.
Knox grinned at the group. “Hi everyone. Thanks for coming to help. If you were here last year, you know these are called multi-bin trucks. The sides are hydraulic. We’ll stand on the sides and the truck will do the job of lifting us to the apples.
There are thousands more apples than we’ll be able to harvest, so don’t worry about reaching to grab.
Take the ones that are safe for you to pluck and leave the rest.”
When everyone nodded, he demonstrated how to pluck the apples carefully.
“Bruises are the enemy. We want blemish-free apples so place them gently in the bins. We’ll separate them later.
You’re welcome to fill a basket or box with apples to take home later.
You’re also welcome to come anytime and take what you want.
We appreciate your help. If you have any questions, Thea is in charge because she knows everything.
We’ll whistle when the trucks are about to move to ensure the dogs and people are at a safe distance. Have fun, everyone.”
They followed the trucks a few hundred yards into the orchard. When they parked, the drivers exited the vehicles, and everyone climbed aboard.
Amber took charge of the dogs and Ella Mae who loved playing with her oggies. Gomez appeared to relax into the group with his pit bull buddies, and they saw no signs of stress in their little friend.
Wyatt clambered onto a ledge and offered his hand to help Esme up. He tugged her into a hug, and she leaned up for a kiss. “This is exciting.”
He nodded. “I can’t believe how many people are here. Are you good?”
She nodded. “I don’t know everyone, but I don’t sense any creepy vibes. There don’t appear to be any strangers.”
He nodded. “I mentioned to the others to keep an eye out, and I think Boomer will let us know if anyone is out of place.”
That helped her relax. Boomer had already saved her once. “Thanks. Okay, I’ll take a video of the first apples picked, then I’ll post it on the inn’s socials. Actually, I’ll probably post a bunch today. This is fun, and it’ll be good advertising.”
She pulled out her phone, and Wyatt put his arm around her waist. “Just to keep you steady.”
She laughed and leaned into him. “Perfect.”
Then she turned her camera to face the tree.
“Hi everyone. It’s apple-picking time here at the No Phailed Apples Inn.
There’s something a-peel-ing about apple-picking time in Vermont.
The air smells like apple pie, the apples are bright and ready.
There are dozens of people here picking apples today, including the guests of the inn.
I’ve never picked an apple before, but after a lesson from the experts, I’m ready to show you how it’s done. Are you ready? Let’s pick some apples.”
Wyatt hadn’t expected apple picking to be such fun or such hard work. His time in the military meant that he’d learned how to keep his body in shape and ready for almost anything. Since leaving the military, his training wasn’t nearly as intense, but he kept in shape.
Still, after hours of picking apples, his arms and shoulders ached. The repetitive movements were new, and he looked forward to a steaming shower with Esme. If she felt as he did, he’d gladly massage her muscles.
He shut down his body’s reaction to that thought. No getting out of control in the orchard surrounded by dozens of people.
A whistle drew their attention. The sun was setting in the west, and Knox waved to everyone.
“That’s it for the day, folks. Thank you.
We’ll drive the trucks to the apple barn.
Seth and Mara have set up the inn’s dining room and porch with enough food and snacks to feed this army.
Enjoy, and don’t forget to take apples with you when you head home. Thanks again, now let’s eat.”