Page 9 of Sweater Weather (Sapphire Falls Orchard #1)

NINE

Bells

“ H ow are you coming along?” Lina asks, pouring me a second cup of coffee. I was sitting at one of the back tables working on the budget for this month.

“Good, thanks.” I smile.

“If you need anything, just holler.” She smiles and touches my back softly. Her long blonde hair cascades down her back in a tight braid. I’m in awe of how long it is and how I never seem to get any of it in my food.

Looking over the budget for this place, I realize it’s going to be tough to keep the place running for the next three months—let alone the rest of the season.

I don’t know what my aunt’s plan was or how it got this bad.

Was she paying the bills even when she was sick?

Did Tilly know how bad things have gotten?

She seems to be in charge of most aspects, but maybe my aunt was like the rest of my family and hid her finances.

We need to bring in some revenue and fast or there will be no way I can sell this place, let alone keep any of the staff on.

I had hoped Tilly would be able to put aside her distaste for me, and we could work together, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen.

She shot down all my ideas without even thinking about them.

And then when I called her on it, she insulted me.

Of course it eats at me, knowing my aunt had no family around her when she died.

But I also think that might be the way she wanted it.

She was never close with my mom or any of their siblings, so it isn’t surprising that she didn’t reach out.

And truthfully, I broke my arm when I was a kid, and my mom was the worst to be around me.

She was there for me the first day and then complained any time I talked about being upset with my cast. I was seven and broke my arm on the last day of school; my entire summer was spent in a cast. I actually remember my aunt being someone who understood and figured out one-armed things we could do together that summer.

I’m drinking a hot coffee because when I came in here it was nice and cool.

But suddenly I’m hit with a heat wave. I think maybe Lina is cooking something and opened the oven, or someone left the front door open.

But as I look around, I notice I’m not the only one looking hot.

Several customers get up and leave while the others are using their shirts as fans.

“Hey Lina, what’s going on? Why is it so hot in here?” I ask quietly, going up to the counter.

“The AC is out again. Truthfully, we need a new one, but I know it’s low on the priority list. Tilly’s coming over to fix it—she usually does something that keeps it fine for a few weeks,” Lina explains.

I nod. “Okay, maybe let’s get everyone else some iced water in the meantime?” I suggest. I don’t want anyone passing out on my watch.

“Of course.” Lina smiles and heads to the back.

I head back to my table just as Tilly walks in.

She’s wearing jean overalls, one strap hanging down, and just a black sports bra underneath.

Her arm muscles are insanely toned and glisten with sweat.

Her blonde hair looks freshly cut, the sides shaved clean and the top messy.

If I weren’t still so mad at her, I’d want to take her on the counter.

But I am, so I avert my eyes and try to focus on the work I’m doing.

Of course, that’s pointless because Tilly opens her red toolbox, and I’m like a dog in heat watching her every move. She bends over to look at the air conditioner, and I get a nice view of her toned ass. It must be all the work she does because holy fuck, that ass is not just from squats.

She starts messing around under the air conditioner while Lina stands nearby talking to her. I can’t hear their conversation, but I see their lips moving. I refocus on my computer when the screen dims and realize I need to at least look like I’m not staring at my employee.

“Bells! Come here!” Lina waves me over, and I’m terrified I got caught staring.

“What’s up?” I try to say casually as I approach them.

I’m standing over Tilly, which makes me think about how good it felt to be sitting on her face that night—which is positively the last thing I should be thinking about. At least it’s still hot in here, so I can blame my flushed cheeks on that.

“Tilly and I were just talking about an idea we had.” Lina smiles.

“Oh yeah?” I’m happily surprised.

“It’s not a big deal.” Tilly shakes her head and continues working.

“It was something we thought of but never got around to talking to Benny about. We’d love to throw a masquerade ball on the orchard. Maybe make a themed night of it and throw a party in the gazebo outside?” Lina says happily.

“In the summer?” I’m a little confused—usually that’s more of a fall thing.

“No, like maybe in September? Or a Halloween one?” Lina adds.

“I like it. I’ll definitely put it on the list.”

There’s nothing wrong with the idea, but it’s not the time or place to let them know we may not even be open by then.

“It was mostly Lina’s idea,” Tilly says. “So don’t bash it on my account.”

“I’m not bashing it.” I shake my head. “It would just take a lot of planning, and my focus right now is bringing in sales for the summer. But it’s definitely not a no,” I reassure Lina, glaring at Tilly, who’s back to ignoring me.

Lina gives me a soft smile, and I head back to my laptop. I decide once I see the place is back to normal and Tilly is done, I’ll head home for the day. I have work for my real job to do, and I don’t need to get into it with Tilly about nothing.

I write down the masquerade ball idea in my notes and start packing my stuff up. Tilly finishes, and the air kicks back on, leaving Lina smiling in relief.

I’m placing my mug of cold coffee into the dish bucket when, at the same moment, Tilly stands up and flexes.

Her back muscles look magnificent as she reaches for her toolbox, and I miss the bucket, causing the cup to fall and shatter.

The loud crash turns every head, and suddenly I’m covered in coffee and ceramic pieces.

“Shit, I’m so sorry,” I tell no one in particular as I reach for the biggest shard. I don’t realize how sharp it is until it slices through the side of my hand. Blood starts pouring out, and I hold it away from me.

I’m terribly squeamish when it comes to blood—and I’ve been known to pass out before.

Lina and Tilly rush over, Lina grabbing a broom while Tilly takes my hand. She grabs some napkins and presses them tightly to the cut.

“Fuck, can’t you ever be careful?” she mutters under her breath.

“It was an accident.” I scoff.

“You’re literally the most clumsy person I know. You could take a page out of Bella Swan’s book.” She chuckles.

“Are you calling me Bella Swan? It was bad enough growing up with a similar name.” I groan. Twilight was immensely popular when I was younger, and my name being Arabella didn’t stop anyone from calling me Bella.

“I might have to call you that from now on—maybe Lamb for short.” She winks. I hate that I understand the reference exactly. Edward calls Bella a lamb when he says the infamous line, ‘so the lion fell in love with the lamb’ .

“Okay, I got the first aid kit, but no one’s ever needed this, so I don’t actually know what’s in it.” Lina rushes back.

“Hold her hand away from her so she doesn’t see the blood, and I’ll look through it,” Tilly instructs.

Lina takes over, her grip much looser than Tilly’s. Tilly digs through the first aid kit, pulling out alcohol wipes, bandages, and gauze.

Was the cut that deep? Probably just in an annoying spot. I definitely don’t want to look and check.

She cleans her hands with the sanitizer on the counter, then opens everything.

“Do me a favor and close your eyes, little lamb. I don’t want you passing out too,” Tilly teases.

“Fine.” I roll my eyes but close them.

Tilly touches my hand, and I feel the air on the cut when she removes the napkins. She wipes it—it stings like hell, but I don’t say anything. Then she pats it dry and finally places the bandage on me.

“You can look now,” Tilly says.

“Thanks.” I wish I didn’t have such a blood phobia—it really doesn’t help when I’m as clumsy as Tilly says.

“I’ll get you some water. You still look pale as a ghost,” Lina says.

“Or maybe a vampire,” Tilly teases quietly. I swear a smile even crosses her lips when she looks at me. For a moment, it’s like the night we met—she doesn’t hate me. She might even like me a bit.

But as soon as Lina is back with the water, Tilly’s expression shifts. Like a light switch, the moment is gone, and Tilly is back to glaring at me.

“Here, I’m done with the AC. I need to get back to work.” Tilly pushes the first aid kit into Lina’s hands and storms off with her toolbox.

“I’m sorry about her. She’s not great with change, and she’s having a hard time grieving,” Lina says softly.

“I didn’t realize she and my aunt were so close.”

“I’ve only lived here a few years, but from what I saw, they were very close. Benny was the mother none of us had. So just give her a little leeway right now. She’s not showing her best side, but she does have one,” Lina says.

I just nod, taking it all in.

A line starts to form, so Lina gets back to work, and I grab my stuff. I hold everything in my right hand, keeping my left hand free and bandaged.

I head back to my place, spotting Tilly heading toward the apple orchard.

I’ve been down there a few times to check on things, but it’s not like I really know what the apples should look like.

I know they’ll be ready in time for apple-picking season, but that’s about it.

Everyone else reassures me Tilly handles their care, and every year they’re delicious.

My phone rings as I get through the front door, but it’s my mother’s special ringtone, so I let it go to voicemail.

I learned early on that having a special ringtone for her helped avoid unnecessary conversations.

Half the time she just needs someone to hear her think.

But I have enough going on, and I’m not in the mood to answer questions about how selling the place is going.

I can’t tell anyone the truth about this place—even if it slowly kills me. Maybe that’s how Aunt Blake died. She lived with this secret and didn’t even have a plan.

At least I have one outlined—even if Tilly doesn’t like it. It’s not like she’s over here offering anything else.