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“We’ve hired some new people here. I’m thinking about taking a break from Fletcher International.”

“From what I hear, you’ve got the money to do it.”

“Yeah,” I manage a laugh. “We tried to get you in on the ground floor. Remember?”

“That life’s not for me.”

My stomach is tight. I don’t know why this feels hard to say. “It’s actually why I called… I don’t think it’s the life for me either. Not anymore.”

“I was wondering when you’d call to tell me that. I guess you had your reasons for waiting.”

I’m not sure what he means. “Yeah, well, I’ve been thinking about that summer in Harristown…” I’ve been thinking about Noel. “It was…” The best summer of my life?

“Hot… grueling.” He’s hassling me, and I laugh.

“It wasn’t all bad.”

“I’ve got a lot of work coming up in the next year. It’s time to rotate the trees.”

The welcome in his tone boosts my confidence. “What does that mean?”

“Means I need help. Peach trees produce a maximum twenty years if you’re lucky. We’re on year fifteen of these. I’ve got to start planting new ones and phase the old out. It’s a lot of work.”

“I’m not afraid of hard work.” My stomach is tight with anticipation. “The foreman’s cottage still vacant?”

He chuckles, “I’ll have it ready for you.”

“Give me a few days to settle up here, and I’ll drive down.”

I want to ask about her, but I don’t. I say goodbye and we disconnect. Seeing Noel again is like imagining a dream. I try to think of what I’ll say… My heart beats faster. What is she like now? I want to leave today, but I have to talk to Patton.

I quickly send him an email setting up a time to meet, then I head to my penthouse to start packing.

21

Noel

Seven years.

It’s been seven years since Miss Jessica gave me this old shed, and I’m finally opening the front door.

I got pregnant, dropped out of business school for a year to have a baby, went back to business school, graduated, and got my master’s degree.

Now I’m finally going to have a physical store.

As soon as I clean out the rats.

Akela’s right beside me, ears at attention. Her shoulders bristle like she senses the teeming rodent hoards lurking just beyond the rickety door…

I grit my teeth, squinting my eyes and raise the broom higher. My heart thunders in my chest, and it’s now or never. Placing my boot squarely in the center of the door, I give it a hard shove as I shout. “No rats!”

Like that’ll make a difference.

I jump back, and the door barely moves an inch.

All is quiet.

My shoulders drop with my exhale, but I summon my courage once more. “Okay, girl. This time we’re getting in.”