Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Who’s that?” Aidan asks. He’s on the ladder, spackling over a crack, while I’m working down below, painting over the patches that have already dried.
In the distance, a shiny, black Ram pickup truck approaches.
“That’s my friend, Johnny Barrios. His family owns the orchard down the road.”
I know it’s Johnny’s black pickup truck approaching because of the beautiful tree logo belonging to his family’s orchard painted on the door. Johnny parks the truck and gets out, waving. Then he walks over to the flatbed, pops the back, and grabs a crate.
Placing the paint brush down, I wipe my hands on a rag. Meanwhile, out of the corner of my eye, I see Shane, who (I kid you not) was throwing hay to Hazel and her herd, catch sight of Johnny and frown. He rubs Hazels ears, pets her muzzle, and exits the paddock, closing the gate behind him.
“Hey there, beautiful. How are you?” Johnny has a big infectious smile and a happy-go-lucky attitude that I can appreciate. He seldom lets anything get him down. And he’s attractive: olive skin, green eyes, a bright white smile. All that and a promising career. What more could a woman want?
“Hi, Johnny. Long time, no see.”
“I was in L.A. for the food festival.”
Johnny’s family owns one of the largest and oldest orchards in the area. A year ago he branched out and started growing heirloom vegetables to cater to the top restaurants in the country.
He places the crate down on a bale of hay. “Brought you some goodies.”
“Nice. I give you shit, and you give me treasure.” Johnny’s farm gets the extra composted manure to use as fertilizer and we get fruits and vegetables. It’s a win for everyone. I sort through the baby bok choy, the different colored tomatoes, the baby kale, and an assortment of fruits. “Mona’s gonna love cooking these.”
“Hey, man. What’s up,” Aidan says by way of introduction.
Johnny tips his chin and eyeballs Aidan suspiciously. “Anybody ever tell you you’re a dead ringer for Aidan Hughes?”
Aidan’s mouth hitches up on one side and he pushes his Elvis sunglasses to the top of his head. “All the time, man, it’s a major pain in the ass.”
Such a monkey.
“Johnny, meet Aidan Hughes. Aidan is here doing some charity work. He’s big on charity, so he’s helping out with the rescue animals.”
Which is entirely true. No lies detected.
A slow grin takes over Johnny’s face. “No shit? Hey, man, that’s cool. Can I get a selfie with you?”
Aidan and I freeze. This could get us into hot water with the redheaded monster.
“Yeah, man, just make sure you don’t post where you saw me. Otherwise Blue will get into all sorts of trouble. You know how the tabloid media can be.”
Johnny’s expression shifts to concern. “Oh, yeah, dude. No worries.”
Aidan takes a selfie with Johnny, and then I watch Johnny crop the picture to include only the two men, no discernible landscape.
“Nice to meetcha,” Johnny says to Aidan. Then he turns his attention on me. “Hey, ah, Blue?” He’s shaken off his happy-go-lucky expression and traded it for an insecure one. I have no idea what prompted this, but I suspect I’m about to find out.
“Yeah?” I say, pretending not to have noticed.
“We have a booth set up at the fair tonight and, uh, I thought I would extend an invitation.”
I don’t answer right away because I’m in heavy thought, trying to extrapolate from the assembly of vague words what exactly he means by this.
Is he asking me out on a date? Does he want me there to support the family business? When did men get so complicated?
“Umm, okay,” I answer, keeping it neutral. “Yes, I’ll be there. Tonight? What time?”
Johnny grins and it’s a huge happy one, underscored with relief. I’m leaning toward this being a date? Maybe? “Around eight? I’ll be there early to set up, but eight works.”
I still don’t know if I just agreed to a date. Going to the fair was something I was already considering, so two birds, I guess. This family I want isn’t going to start itself. I gotta get a move on. Keeping it vague is good, however. Less chance to mess up our amicable relationship, rendering it awkward if it doesn’t work out.
“Eight is good. See you then.”
“See you later,” Johnny says, smiling again.
Johnny leaves and Aidan and I watch him go. Shane is still making himself scarce, lurking in the far side of the barn, a spackling tool in hand.
Aidan scoffs. “Did he just ask you out on a date while I was standing right here?”
I shake my head. Men: so much to unpack.
“I have no freaking idea, but I’m gonna find out tonight.”
Seated at the kitchen table reading a book, Darby tips his chin down to inspect me over the top of his reading glasses. He doesn’t look impressed. “You going out?”