Page 69

“Well, you’re thinking like one.”

“This all started because I paid you a compliment.”

She folded her arms across her middle. “I know. You shouldn’t say things like that, unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless you plan on following through.” She gazed at his mouth long enough to make her message ring loud and clear. “By the way, you look devastatingly handsome tonight, Coop.” Then she skipped on ahead and picked a low-lying peach. She turned and tossed it to him. “Heads up, Coach.”

Stunned, Coop barely caught the peach before it hit him in the shoulder.

Okay, so her aim wasn’t the greatest. “Nice save.”

Coop laughed and loosened his tie. It was twilight in the orchard now, the light so dim, she could hardly make out the peach coming at her. Surprised, she lowered her hands for a basket catch—thank you, Grandpa Joe, for the instruction—and the peach dropped into her palms.

Coop’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Good catch, rookie.”

“Thanks, sometimes I amaze myself.”

He laughed again. “You always amaze me.”

Taylor smiled. “Promise?”

He walked over to her. “Promise.”

“Prove it.” She inched closer to him.

“How?” They were almost nose to nose now.

Taylor opened his palm and placed the peach in his hand. “When life hands you a peach, make peach pie.” Then she walked past him and headed back to the reception, hearing him grumbling about how that didn’t make a lick of sense.

She grinned.

She wasn’t giving up on Coop. Not by a long shot.

*

The first thingCoop thought about on Sunday morning was peaches. Full, ripe, beautiful on the inside and out, peaches. They’d plagued his mind last night too after the reception ended. And wouldn’t you know it, his father had woken up and made them peaches and cream oatmeal for breakfast.

Peaches and Taylor.

Taylor and peaches.

He couldn’t get away from the woman. He wasn’t sure he wanted to, but could he forget how she’d broken his heart as a teen? Could he forgive himself for Francine’s death? Could he risk putting Cassie’s heart in jeopardy?

A knock came at his door, right at nine o’clock. He opened the door to Julie and Miguel and invited them into the house. “You two are up early,” he said, surprised to see them.

“We can’t stay but a minute,” Julie said. “We’re on the way to the airport. But I couldn’t leave without thanking you in person for the she-shed again. And it’s just perfect now, thanks to your thoughtful gift, Coop. That photo frame brought tears to my eyes.” Julie walked into his arms and hugged him tight. “Now I’ll always have a part of the gazebo. And those photos? It’s insane how much I love them. I don’t think I’ll never forget your kindness, Coop. It really touched me.”

“I’m glad. I’d hoped you would like it. Miguel helped me find the photos.”

“He confessed.” She put her hands on her hips. “You two are way too good at keeping secrets.”

“Guilty as charged, Mrs. Herrera.”

Julie beamed. “I love it when you call me that.”

Cassie and his father walked up and greeted them with hugs.