Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
She starts to laugh. “Geez, Madelyn. I’ve never seen you like this. You really like him.”
If only she knew. I met him days ago, and I feel more for him than I’ve ever felt for anyone. “It’s fine. I’m fine,” I tell her, and I’m not sure which one of us I’m trying to convince.
The back door opens, and I look over my shoulder. Asher is coming out, and he stops when he sees me on the phone. He motions, asking me if he should go back inside, and I roll my eyes and wave for him to come on out. “Hey, Delilah, Asher says hi.”
“Oh code for we have to quit talking about this since the object of your obsession is now standing right next to you.”
I giggle into the phone, playing along. I point at the spot on the stairs next to me for Asher to sit down. “Right, well, we need to do lunch soon and catch up.”
“Don’t give up on him, Madelyn. He’s been hurt before, and he’s skittish.”
I look over at Asher, wondering if he can hear Delilah, but he’s just looking out at the orchard. “Right, well, I’ll talk to you soon,” I say into the phone.
She laughs. “Fine. I get it. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Bye.” I hang up and then hold the phone up to Asher. “Delilah,” I say, explaining who I was talking to and then realize how ridiculous I sound.
I’m about to ask Asher if he wants to go for a golf cart ride when my phone rings again. There’s an unknown number on the caller ID, and I give Asher an apologetic look before answering it. “Hello?”
“Hello. Is this Madelyn Weston?”
Ugh, maybe I should have skipped this. Is it a sale call? I’m just waiting for them to tell me about my expired car warranty or something like that. “Yes, this is she.”
“Miss Weston, this is Avery Evers with Evers Orchards.”
“Evers Orchards!” I exclaim. “Uh, hello.”
Asher turns and looks at me. His eyebrows are raised, and he is looking at me curiously. I applied for many jobs, and Evers Orchards was one of the most coveted positions, but it’s known that people don’t leave there, and it’s nearly impossible to get on. It was a dream job for me, and I never imagined hearing back from them.
“Yes, this is Madelyn Weston.”
“Great. I wanted to speak with you about your application.”
“My application.” And as soon as the words leave my mouth, I put my hand to my head. Why am I repeating everything she says?
But Mrs. Evers keeps talking. “Yes, well, your application is very impressive. Master’s degree in agriculture. All the years of volunteer work, and I’ve already spoken to your references. You come highly recommended.”
I don’t even know what to say. “Uh, thank you.”
“We would like for you to come in for an interview and to see the place.”
“Oh. An Interview?” I say and then look at Asher again. His face is completely guarded. “Uh, I’m actually working—”
I stop mid-sentence when Asher shakes his head, mouthing something to me.
I speak into the phone. “Mrs. Evers, can you give me one minute?”
I no sooner get the phone muted and Asher starts. “Evers Orchard is huge. And I’m not just talking about their 2500 acre orchard. It’s a huge opportunity, and you can’t pass it up.”
I shrug, partly excited that they even called me. I honestly didn’t ever think this would be an option for me. It’s a dream job. But the other part of me is a little shocked. Even though I’m excited to be offered, I was fully prepared to turn it down. “But what about—”
Before I can ask him about us, he’s shaking his head. “Us? Madelyn, we both knew this was only temporary. You should do it.”
I feel as if I’ve been kicked in the gut. “But—”
He reaches for my hand that’s not holding the phone and squeezes it. “You need to do this. It will be good for you.”
He nods his head insistently. Well, I guess that answers my question about if he was going to end it or not. I unmute the phone. As I’m looking into Asher’s eyes, I tell Mrs. Evers, “Yeah, I can come for an interview tomorrow if that works for you.”
I search Asher’s face, looking for any indication that he doesn’t want me to do this, but there’s no emotion on his face whatsoever.
I listen to Mrs. Evers give me instructions for the following day, and after I hang up, I try not to let on how devastated I am. “Tomorrow,” I tell him.
He nods. “Good.” He puts his hands on his thighs and stands up. “I’m going to go out and check the irrigation system. I might be awhile.”
“Sure,” I tell him easily when I don’t feel easy at all. I want to scream at him and demand he talk to me. I want to ask him if he cares for me at all, but I don’t get a chance to do any of that. He walks off the porch and toward the orchard without looking back.