Page 13 of Sweater Weather (Sapphire Falls Orchard #1)

THIRTEEN

Bells

W e only have two weeks before the season here starts.

Our first huge event is on the fifteenth of August, and it starts at ten a.m. but goes all the way into the night.

We have family activities planned all day and then at night we have fireworks and adult activities.

I hired three new workers for the season to help out at the front gate for admission, someone to help Lina in the bakery, and a cashier.

I was nervous about it all coming together in time.

Tilly gave me some pushback, but now that it’s been a few months, she seems to be coming around.

Tomorrow is what I’m most worried about—influencer day.

We’ll have almost one hundred influencers from all over the tri-state area visiting and agreeing to make content for waived admission.

We have the day planned for lots of photo activities, including an old photo booth I’ve talked the town into letting us borrow for the day.

Our focus is to get them through the orchard, showing the beauty, trying all of Lina’s delicious treats, and seeing the animals.

If it works, it means tons of posts about the orchard with their agreement to post a few times throughout the season.

Tilly still thinks it’s a waste of time—something I can’t seem to change her opinion on—but I’m willing to risk it.

I’ve seen businesses thrive after one viral video, so it can’t hurt to create that.

Besides, it’s all we can do. If the orchard doesn’t make any money this month, I have to shut down by September first. I have talked all the vendors into extending our bills.

They knew Benny and see how hard I’m working to get this place back up and running the way she had.

But they still need to be paid, and I know I can’t hold them off much longer.

It’s the true test of how hard I’ve worked the last several months.

“Tilly! Can you help me?” I call to her from across the field.

“What’s up?” She jogs over in those overalls that make me forget how to talk to her.

“I don’t like the way the hay looks on this, but I underestimated how heavy these hay bales are. Can you help?” I hate asking for help, but they aren’t as light as I thought they were.

“You don’t like the way the hay looks?” She smirks, like she’s trying to hold back laughter.

“I want to create a vibe up here, but right now it looks messy and thrown together.”

“Because it’s hay…” she says, deadpan.

“Yes, but we want to create an experience. If it doesn’t look good, they might not mention it in their content.”

“So?” She winces, and I sigh.

“We want them to mention as many of our opportunities as possible. Maybe there are followers who are specifically looking for a fun hayride. We don’t want to miss out on that because of a mess,” I explain.

“That sounds ridiculous.”

“I didn’t ask. Can you help me or not?” I put my hands on my hips and raise an eyebrow at her.

“Yeah.” She mumbles and grabs a barrel of hay before climbing up on the trailer.

“Okay, so I want it right over there. They need to be more evenly distributed, with enough space for people to find a seat, but also for one line in the middle for extra seats.” I explain my vision.

“You’re going to need to sweep if you don’t want people falling,” she says as she starts rearranging the hay.

“I know.” I lean over the side of the trailer and reach for the broom. I’m pulling it up over the side when my footing starts to slip, and I’m about to fall over the edge when I feel an arm pull me back.

“You really are dangerous. I hope we have good insurance,” Tilly jokes as she looks at me. I’m in her arms, one hand holding the broom, the other around her. She carefully helps me stand, and I blush.

“Thanks.” She nods and goes back to the other side of the trailer as I begin to sweep.

We keep having moments like this, where we brush hands or touch and I think it’s something, and she goes back to ignoring me. I guess it’s an improvement from being pissed at me, but I hate playing games. It isn’t like I want anything from her—we’re coworkers—and I’m fine with that.

“Did you see Peanut today?” I ask.

“Yes. Hattie says he’s doing well and eating, so that’s a good sign,” she says.

“Good.” It’s an awkward pause as I finish sweeping and she moves around the hay.

“B! Come quick! We need you!” Lina calls from the doorway of her bakery.

I look at Tilly, but she’s already following. If it isn’t something I can fix, Tilly usually can.

“What’s going on?” I ask as we get inside.

“The AC stopped working, and it blew out the electricity in here. The ovens aren’t working; neither are the registers or anything,” Lina says, panicking.

“Like you need Tilly to fix it again?” I ask hopefully.

“No, this has never happened before,” Lina says.

“If the AC blew the electricity, that’s not something I can fix. That’s something an electrician needs to come check out. If there’s a wire or something broken and I only fix the AC, I could start an electrical fire,” Tilly explains.

‘Oh’ is all I can say, because of course it happens today, the day before opening. “Do we know a local electrician?”

“We’ve never had to call one, but I’m sure we can find one,” Tilly says.

“And what if they can’t fix it today?” I ask.

“Then I can’t cook anything, and we have no snacks for tomorrow,” Lina says quietly.

“Okay. Okay,” I just keep saying, because my brain is in overdrive trying to think of anything I can possibly do to fix it.

“Look, I’ll handle this. You go take care of everything else. I’ll make this my priority and do what I can,” Tilly says.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

“Yes. We shouldn’t both freak out about this, so let’s just see what I can do, and you finish up whatever’s on your checklist.” She smiles, squeezing the sides of my shoulders.

“How do you know I have a checklist?” I crack a smile.

“Because you have one for everything. So go do that, and I’ll text you with updates,” Tilly says.

“Okay.” I pause. “Lina, the oven at my house is big enough to bake a lot, right? Can you cook there?”

“Oh my gosh, it is!” Lina’s eyes light up.

“Okay, gather whoever you need and have them help you bring supplies over. Cook the essentials and things that are most photographical. Things that are also easy to transport for when we fix this. Here are my keys.” I toss her my keychain, and she runs outside to get help.

I take a deep breath before opening my phone to look over my checklist. I’m impressed by how easily Tilly handles that.

She’s going to take care of this issue, and I have to set up the photo booth, the signs by the entrance, and put the wooden baskets for apples at the end of each row of apple trees.

We figure if not for photos, it will be a cute way for people to carry apples back to the store.

Thank God Tilly is taking over, because I’m so anxious about tomorrow I can’t think straight.

Just knowing it’s in her hands is such a relief.

She has become someone I can rely on. No matter what it is, if it’s something she can help with, she’s there.

I can see why my aunt thought so highly of her.

She’s dependable, just like her friends said.

Even if it will take some time, I know I’ll be doing my best to break in and knock down that wall she has for me.

“Um, Bells?” One of the apple helpers taps on my shoulder.

“Yes?” I force a smile and try to focus on them.

“We have a little issue with the decorations for tomorrow.” She winces like she’s afraid of my reaction.

“What kind of issue?” I ask patiently.

“It seems like the printer mixed things up, and instead of Sapphire Falls Orchard, it says Sapphic Falls Orchard.” She holds out her phone to show me the sign unfolded.

“Shit. Do we have the printer’s number?” We used a big company to save some money but now look at us.

“We do, but they can’t get a new sign until next week,” she explains.

“Okay.” I pause, trying to think of any options we might have. A few deep breaths do nothing for the anxiety I’m having.

“What’s going on?” Tilly walks over. The worker whose name I should really know explains the situation, and Tilly studies me. I’m sure she’s thinking I’m such a fuckup for not double-checking all the signage before the event. It’s completely on me.

“There’s a print shop just out of town. Take the truck and head there now. I’ll text you the correct images for the banner, and do not leave until you have it in your hand. Understood?” Tilly instructs the woman, who nods before accepting Tilly’s keys.

“Will they be able to help?” I don’t know what time it is, but it’s cutting things close.

“I believe so, but, hey, if not, we have more than enough signs. And maybe they’ll think the sign is cute or on purpose. We can save it for a sapphic event; that way it doesn’t go to waste,” Tilly suggests with a smile.

“Wow,” I say aloud.

“What?” She looks confused.

“I don’t know how you do that.”

“Do what?” She frowns.

“I’m freaking out and everything seems to be going wrong, but you swoop in and save the day. It’s like you know exactly what to do and what to say,” I admit.

“I’ve just been here a long time. Things happen, and you have to be able to roll with the punches. By the way, we have the electrician coming in the next hour, and, depending on how that goes, we’ll know more about tomorrow. Don’t worry, little lamb,” Tilly says with a wink.

“Thanks.” I blush.

Tilly studies my face for a moment before reaching for my face.

She touches my hair, her fingers twirling one of my curls.

I close my eyes, thinking she’s about to lean in and kiss me.

But instead, she pulls on my curl, and in her hand is a loose piece of hay.

She drops it to the ground, winks at me, and heads back for the bakery.

What the hell was that? I think we’re having a moment, and it feels like it’s all in my head.

I hate how she has this effect on me. I can’t continue on with her like this.

I feel myself slowly going crazy, wondering if it’s all in my head.

I think it is, and then her friends allude to her feelings, and I go questioning myself all over again.

They’ve not-so-subtly been pushing us toward each other for months now.

It wasn’t so obvious at first—always inviting me out.

But now they insist on us talking alone, driving places together, and leaving when we’re in the same room.

I can’t tell if they’re putting themselves up to it or Tilly has said something.

But I guess if she has, then by now she knows I’m interested enough for her to make some kind of move.

I think my flirting back has been obvious, even if I’m not sure how I feel.