Page 6 of Sweater Weather (Sapphire Falls Orchard #1)

SIX

Tilly

“ W hy the hell would you invite her back tomorrow?” I glare at Hattie after Bells is gone.

“Because she seems reasonable and maybe if we show her the place and all it has to offer, she won’t make us homeless.” Hattie frowns.

“Or she could see it’s not doing as well as it should be and kick us out even faster.” I groan.

“You don’t know that.”

“You don’t know she’s reasonable, you met her for two minutes.” I sigh.

“So you know her better because you had your tongue inside her?” She raises an eyebrow, and I blush.

“I’m just saying. I’ve seen plenty of business types come through here that look harmless and then try to screw us over in the long run.”

“But not everyone is like that, Tills. You have to give people the benefit of the doubt sometimes.” She sighs.

“Fine. But I’m not being nice to her. I’m keeping my guard up because I’m telling you—I do not have a good feeling about this.”

“That’s okay, you aren’t much of a Suzy sunshine anyway.” She laughs.

“Are you coming over soon?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Yes, let me get the bottle of wine, and I’ll be right over. Did you eat?” She has a tendency to mother me, even if she doesn’t mean to.

“I was making mac and cheese, but it’s probably shit by now,” I grumble.

“I’ll bring over some leftovers. I made meatloaf tonight.”

“Thank you.”

I head back to my place, kicking my boots aside and heading for the kitchen.

I dump the overcooked and cold noodles into the garbage and grab a beer from the fridge.

Tossing the cap in the trash, I take a large chug.

My hand grips the edge of the counter, and I clench my jaw.

Why does she have to be so freaking nice?

I had hoped she’d be as bitchy as I made her out to be in my head.

Then I wouldn’t have to worry about liking her when she was the one person standing in the way of what I want.

Of course she’s gorgeous. It isn’t going to be easy to hold my stance.

“Damn, you look more angry than you did before,” Hattie says as she walks into my kitchen.

She places the wrapped plate on the counter and offers me her arms. I want to say yes, but I know that I shouldn’t, so I shake my head and take another sip of the beer.

Hattie told me, not too long ago, that she has feelings for me, and although I don’t feel the same, I’ve been trying not to make it weird.

The truth is, I just don’t see her that way, and I’m definitely not in any place to want to be a parent to a child.

I had let her down gently, and things mostly went back to normal—except times like this, when I’m not sure if I should let her just hug me or not.

I just don’t want to give her any false hope when there’s nothing here.

“Maybe I’m not up to company tonight,” I mumble between sips.

“That’s fine, but you at least need to eat. And promise you’ll meet us in the morning,” she insists.

“Fine.” I roll my eyes.

Hattie squeezes my arm gently before leaving, and I sigh.

I don’t want to kick her out, but I can’t handle anyone else’s feelings right now.

Finishing the beer, I pull off the plastic wrap on the plate and put it in the microwave.

Two minutes later, I’m sitting on the couch, fresh beer on the table, and a hot plate of food in my hands.

I toss on an old re-run of Friends —just something to take my mind off things.

I know I’m angry, but I haven’t been this angry in a long time.

Not since…nope, not going there. I did my time working through that and going over it again won’t do me any good.

Maybe this is just my way of grieving Benny.

I’m angry and upset about her dying, and now I’m losing my last piece of her.

I don’t care what Bells said, it’s clear she will have to make some changes to this place.

I’m definitely not as optimistic as Hattie.

If it wouldn’t give her the wrong idea, I’d just tell Hattie to pack up her and Ollie’s things so we could find a place together.

But everything is complicated now, and I don’t want to further complicate everything by suggesting we leave together.

She’s my best friend, but I’m attempting to maintain boundaries.

Angrily, I turn off the TV and decide to head to bed.

I’m two beers in, and I should probably get some sleep instead of stewing in my feelings.

Plus, I have to get up early tomorrow to meet everyone for coffee.

I like our little group getting together, but this is not exactly what I had in mind.

I don’t want to drink coffee and eat muffins with my enemy.

In the morning, I grab a shower and get dressed, hoping to get this meet and greet over with.

But as soon as I walk into Lina’s bakery, it’s clear that’s not going to happen.

Bells is here, smiling and chatting with Lina and Hattie as if they’re old friends.

They all laugh about something, and I feel like I’m left out of a secret joke.

Ollie is sitting at the table coloring and eating the end of a chocolate chip muffin, so he doesn’t notice me.

The morning crew for the orchard is here, just like every Monday, when we have a weekly meeting before starting our day.

Usually, Benny says any updates and then tells everyone to get to work after they eat.

I guess it’s my job to step up and take over today.

I feel a bit of pride swelling in my chest.

“Good morning, everyone,” I say loudly. Everyone turns toward me and rushes to find a seat.

Bells stands in the back of the room with Lina and Hattie, who whisper something quietly to her.

“I know this is a bit of a change, and I know we’re all still grieving. Benny wasn’t just our boss; she was like family to us. So if anyone needs any extra time off or needs someone to talk to, please find me after. We’re open to the public today, so if you can work, please do. I’ll be?—”

Bells makes her way to the front of the room, smiling. “Excuse me.”

I try not to glare at her in front of everyone, but she’s literally interrupting me mid-sentence.

“Yes?”

“I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Bells Kennedy.

My aunt Benny left me this orchard, so as the new owner I’ll be around a bit today and then popping up in the future.

I’m really trying to get a feel for the vibe of this place, so don’t mind me.

But if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

” She purses her bright red lips that match the red top she’s wearing.

It’s buttoned all the way except for one at the top, leaving enough cleavage to tease me.

I remember all too well what she looks like undressed.

“Thanks,” I say plainly. “Now, back to?—”

Bells interrupts me again. “And for the record, I will not be getting rid of any jobs or asking anyone to move. I’m simply trying to evaluate the property as a whole and how it works.”

I stare at her until she nods at me, like I’m allowed to speak again. The nerve of this woman. “Lina asks that you keep the kids away from the greenhouse out back. It is locked, but we’d like to keep the general public away from it as well.”

Lina is legally growing weed to make a variety of edibles for her bakery, something Benny was quite excited to start the process of.

We’re taking every precaution when it comes to visitors on the orchard, especially kids.

But it doesn’t hurt to have the reminder.

Bells gives me a weird look, but I go on.

It’s mainly a few old memos, and then I dismiss everyone to finish breakfast. No one comes to talk to me, so I guess they’re all grieving on their own time.

“Your friends are so nice,” Bells says to me when I don’t say anything.

“They are.” I nod. She opens her mouth to speak, but I walk toward the bakery counter before she can. I’m not in the mood to make small talk with her right now. Maybe after a cup of coffee it won’t be so bad.

“Your usual?” Lina asks from behind the counter.

“Yes. With an extra espresso shot, please.” Lina raises an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything while she makes the drink. Breakfast is something that the orchard covers for everyone, so I don’t have to pay, but I do put a five-dollar bill in the decorated tip jar.

“You okay?” Lina asks as she passes me the cup of iced coffee.

“Just a bit on edge,” I say quietly.

“She’s nervous about all the changes,” Hattie adds.

“I’m fine. I just don’t believe everything is going to be fine like she’s saying. Her family is notorious for wanting money. I don’t trust her.”

It didn’t click who she is until she said her last name is Kennedy.

They own a chain of hotels across the states as well as a large part of the buildings in town.

Benny changed her last name to Blake at some point before I moved here.

I know she was connected to the Kennedys, but she didn’t like to broadcast that.

The only times she spoke of them was to condemn their business practices and complain about how all they cared about was money.

Which makes absolutely no sense why she left the orchard to one of them.

Wasn’t that exactly the opposite of what she wanted?

“Just because she’s related to them doesn’t mean they have the same values,” Hattie points out.

“I’ll believe that when I see it.” I scoff. I take a sip of my coffee just as Ollie runs over.

“Mama, can I have some water?” He looks up at Hattie with a face full of chocolate.

“Of course, but let’s wipe that face of yours.” Hattie grabs a wipe from her purse and cleans him off in seconds.

“Who’s this little one?” Bells joins the group before I can escape.

“This is my son, Ollie. Ollie, say hi to Bells,” Hattie smiles.

“Hi.” He has a tendency to be shy at first.

“Very nice to meet you, Ollie, and what do you do on the orchard?” Bells kneels to talk to him.

“I help my mama,” he says, smiling proudly.

“That’s the best kind of help,” Bells winks at him. I can feel myself starting to smile, and I stop it. I’m not going to fall for her tricks and be blindsided at the last second. I won’t let that happen.

“Tilly, would you be able to help me? I was hoping you might know how to get into Benny’s house.” Bells stands and turns to me.

“What? Why?”

“It’s where I’ll be staying for the time being, but I don’t seem to have a key in the stuff the lawyer gave me. I thought you might have a spare key, so I don’t need to find a locksmith,” she explains.

“I thought you lived in the city,” I say curtly. What the hell is she doing staying at Benny’s house?

“I do, but the orchard just became my priority. I’ll be working remotely until I decide to head back,” she says. “So, do you have a key?”

My head starts to spin as I realize Benny is gone and this woman is taking over even faster than I thought she would.