Page 26 of Sweater Weather (Sapphire Falls Orchard #1)

TILLY

A fter spending the night with Bells, I wake up in her bed.

She’s naked, tied up in her sheets her hair in disarray all around her.

I smile, touching her cheek softly as I pull the sheet a bit more over her body.

She’s got goosebumps, the morning is much chillier than when we went to bed last night.

Fresh out of the bath, we binged the first three twilight movies before she fell asleep in my arms.

I was so proud of her for standing up to her family like that.

I know it wasn’t easy, especially considering how selling the orchard is how she ended up here in the first place.

I’m so relieved knowing this place grew on her and she’s not the “city girl” I originally thought her to be.

She reminds me so much of Benny in all of the best ways.

I wish they could’ve known each other when Bells was older.

But I guess everything was meant to happen, happened.

I hate skipping out on Bells, but I had a million things to do that I put on the back burner last night so I could take care of her. I write her a quick note, letting her know I’ll be at the barn or at Lina’s and leave it on her nightstand. I didn’t want her to worry about me or feel left behind.

I get dressed in last nights clothes, thankful I didn’t have to worry about seeing anyone on my short walk to the barn.

I slip out the back of Bells’ house and head right to the barn.

I make sure everyone’s fed and accounted for before I let them out to run around for the day.

It’s still beautiful weather so I didn’t have to lock up for the winter yet.

That’s when we move them to the larger, winterized barn on the other side of the orchard.

It was a bit of a pain when it came to feeding them but it was obviously safer for them.

As I finish up, I take the longer way out to my house.

I needed a shower and to grab some breakfast before I head back to Bells’ place.

I’m walking back, thinking about texting Lina my order so I can just grab it when I see someone on Hattie’s porch.

I can’t see them exactly, but assuming it’s Hattie I walk over to say good morning and check in on things.

To my surprise it’s a man standing on the porch. A man, I definitely don’t recognize.

“Can I help you?” I ask the man standing on Hattie’s porch.

“I hope so, I’m looking for Hattie and Ollie.” He says with a smile.

“Do you mind if I ask who exactly you are?” I tilt my head at him. He had shaggy blonde hair, but dark chocolate eyes that looked somewhat familiar.

“Right, sorry. I’ve been driving for the last few hours and I completely lost all my manners. My mother would kill me if she knew.” He laughs. “I’m Christopher Black, I’m Ollie’s father.” He extends his hand and I’m mid shake by the time he finishes his sentence.

“You’re…” My jaw drops.

“I’ve been gone for awhile, so I can understand why you might not know me. Do you work on the orchard or something?” Christopher asks. Now I knew why his dark eyes looked so familiar, they were Ollie’s.

“I’m Tilly, Hattie is my best friend.” I say a little sharply.

“Ah, probably not too thrilled to see me then. Understandably so, but I’m here to make things right. Have you seen them?” Christopher looks around.

“Chris?” Hattie appears behind us holding Ollie’s hand tightly.

“Hattie! I was worried you weren’t home! Ollie my goodness, you got so big!” Christopher smiles as Hattie freezes.

“What are you doing here?” She asks sharply.

“Why don’t I take Ollie inside? Give you guys a chance to chat?” I suggest. I didn’t know how this was going to go and I knew Hattie wouldn’t want Ollie in the middle of it.

“Good idea.” Hattie says at the same moment Christopher frowns at me. Ignoring that, I grab the key from Hattie and usher Ollie past his father and inside the house.

“Who was that guy?” Ollie asks quietly and I sigh, unsure of what to say to him. It wasn’t my place to explain anything.

“I’m not sure, why don’t we play? We can give your mother a moment to talk to him.” I suggest.

“Alright.” Ollie was pretty agreeable so I wasn’t surprised when he heads for the playroom.

I glance out the front window, making sure Hattie was okay.

Not that I thought he’d do anything, she never really talked about Ollie’s father.

So I didn’t know what we were dealing with here.

I’m about to join Ollie in the playroom when I see a brunette emerge from the car nearby.

She was all legs, with cherry red lipstick and a shiny engagement ring on her left hand.

She joins Christopher and Hattie on the porch. But who was she?

Look out for Book 2 in the Sapphire Falls Orchard Series coming late summer 2026!