Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I throw on a hoodie and some leggings, then slip on my sandals. After I shove my phone in my pocket, I grab my sketch pad and pencils. I'm annoyed and hungry, but mostly I wish I didn't have to depend on Mr. Big Grumpy Jerk to take me everywhere.
When I finally slide into the truck and buckle up, he roughly shifts into drive and speeds off. I’m going to need a mountain of caffeine to get through today.
The headlights lead the way, and low rolling fog billows along the road. I close my eyes and lean my head back, wishing for five more minutes of sleep.
“We're here,” he mutters, killing the engine. I blink open my eyes and he’s already hopping out. The jerk doesn’t even wait for me, and I have to rush after him as he enters the inn.
The smells of bacon, fresh-baked bread, and roasting coffee fills the place. We move toward the kitchen, where silver trays of perfectly folded turnovers rest on the counter.
“Good morning,” Willa singsongs, gently placing her hand on my back. “How'd you sleep?”
“Great,” I admit, although it took a while for me to settle down and fall asleep. I don't mention that I tossed and turned for a couple of hours before drifting off or that the bed was too soft. I'm appreciative of the accommodations, and I'll never state otherwise.
“Help yourself to some breakfast but make sure to pick up one of our famous apple turnovers. The fruit came from the farm.” She winks and is so chipper that it's almost contagious.
Finn has already started eating by the time I get in line. After I fill my plate and grab some fresh squeezed orange juice, I take the seat across from him. But I might as well be sitting alone.
I look at the eggs and bacon but decide to start with the pastries. The sweet cinnamon apples and homemade bread have my taste buds screaming. I can’t help the small moan that escapes my throat.
Finn meets my eyes with a popped brow. “Those came from the bakery my mother and Aunt Paisley run.”
“Wow, he speaks,” I taunt, trying to shake myself out of the funk he put me in.
“Sometimes I do.”
“Not in my experience.” I take another bite.
He shoves a forkful of eggs into his mouth, then responds, “You talk enough for us both.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. Where I live, it’s customary to make conversation and get to know people,” I tell him as I eat the crispy bacon. It’s exactly the way I like it. The smoky flavor of the meat combined with the perfectly cooked eggs have me contemplating getting seconds. “If every meal is like this, I don't think I'm ever leaving.”
“Don't say that,” he states, then when I glare at him, he quickly adds, “You’d never survive the winter months.”
I’m not sure what he means by that, but I know it wasn’t a compliment. I'm tempted to throw the rest of my turnover at him. But I'd never waste something so delicious. Instead, I laugh because that's all I can do. He still doesn't crack a smile.
After we finish eating, I thank Willa again and let her know the food was amazing. Finn leads me out and toward the bakery. When we round the building and move toward the entrance, I notice the full parking lot.
“What time does it open?” I’m shocked it's already so busy.
“Six on the dot. People line up around five so they can get the first round of pasties fresh out of the oven,” he explains, opening the door. The bell above rings, and Finn weaves through the crowd.
I look at all the jams, jellies, and jarred fruits. I take a few pictures of the inside and then catch up to Finn. “So you said people wait outside every day?”
“Except for Sundays when the bakery is closed.”
“Wow,” I barely get out when an older woman with bright red hair pulls me into a hug.
“And you must be Oakley,” she sweetly says. “I'm Poppy, Finn's mom and Willa’s daughter.”
“She doesn't need a family tree,” Finn interjects with disapproval.
“Zip it.” She glares at him. “Anyway, it's so nice to meet you. Let me introduce you to my twin sister. Paisley!”
So much is going on around me that it's hard to pay attention to it all. Moments later, another woman who looks similar to Poppy comes out carrying a tray of individually wrapped cookies. They each have a cute logo sticker on them—apples in a barrel with their name: Bennett Orchard Farm.
“It's so nice to meet you. Mama has told us about you and your work. Has my nephew been treating you well?” Paisley glances at Finn.
“Well, actually—”
“I'm fulfilling my duties, just as Grandma requested.”
I glance at him just as Paisley reaches over and pinches his side.