Season of Dreams (8 page)

Eva shrugged. “He's bringing someone he wants me to meet.”

Aunt Jamee set down a tray of bite-size sandwiches on a checkered cloth-covered table that had been set up in the orchard's pole barn. “Who's he bringing? A girl?”

“I don't know. Maybe it's his father. They're up this weekend.” But a worm of concern wiggled around her insides. He wouldn't bring a date, would he?

The Marsh bonfire had become something of an institution. Several growers, even the nearby vineyard owners, came together on Marsh land to celebrate the arrival of spring.

“Don't worry, Jamee,” Beth added. “I think our Mr. Peece is interested in Eva.”

Eva rolled her eyes, but her belly did a little somersault. “He's not into me.”

Her aunt grinned as if she'd stumbled upon a juicy secret. “Why shouldn't he be? Take a look in the mirror, my beauty.”

Eva smiled at her aunt's endearment, but Adam was bringing someone. Surely he would have told her if he was dating someone. Wouldn't he?

Eva looked up in time to see Adam walking toward her with a gorgeous dark-haired woman wearing ridiculously high-heeled boots. And her heart sank.

Her aunt's expression simply said that's-a-shame, while Beth's hard stare might as well have shot daggers at Adam.

“Hey,” Adam said when he stood before her.

The raven-haired beauty also had dark eyes that focused so intensely on her, Eva backed up a step.

“Eva, I want to you to meet my sister, Anne.” Adam smiled.

His sister!

Of course it was his sister. The resemblance suddenly shone clearly. The intensity of her gaze was so similar
to Adam's. And Eva remembered seeing a picture of this woman at the town house. Eva's shoulders dipped with relief. “It's really nice to meet you.”

Anne grasped her extended hand with surprising strength. “It's nice to finally meet you. We wondered who'd be brave enough to take Adam on as a pupil.”

Eva glanced at Beth, whose smile couldn't have been broader. “Why's that?”

Anne grinned, making her look even more like Adam. “He's got a short attention span. He gets bored easily and doesn't stick with stuff.”

Eva looked at Adam to see how he'd take his sister's ribbing.

He gave Anne an indulgent smile, but Eva could tell the last statement rubbed him wrong when the corner of his eye twitched. “Just because I can't sit still in meetings doesn't mean I don't listen and learn. It means I don't belong there.”

Eva could clearly envision Adam fidgeting in a board-room. But when Anne looked ready to disagree, Eva stepped in. “Let me show you around and introduce you both. This is my roommate, Beth, and my aunt Jamee. Oh, and this is my uncle Larry. He's our beekeeper.”

Anne extended her slender hand to everyone. When she reached Uncle Larry, her eyebrows shot up. “Beekeeper?”

Uncle Larry smiled, proud to explain his duties. “Sweet cherries don't self-pollinate. Come blossom time, we bring over the bees.”

Eva glanced at Adam and read the gratitude in his eyes. But she couldn't shake what Anne had said about her brother. Adam didn't follow through. Not a good thing. Not at all.

She turned her attention back to the conversation.

“We place the beehives in the orchard for a week or so. They get fruit, and we get honey along with a rental fee on the bees,” her uncle explained.

“You'll have to bake me something so I can try this cherry blossom honey,” Adam said softly to Eva.

His request had been phrased as if they'd been alone. Eva felt her cheeks heat as the stares of everyone bored into her. It was out in the open now. She baked for Adam. “Absolutely. Sure.”

She glanced at Aunt Jamee, who raised one perfectly arched eyebrow. But Eva hurried Adam and his sister toward the other guests before her aunt had the chance to state the obvious. Something more than muffins simmered between Eve and Adam.

 

As the fire blazed with sparks towering into the cool night air, Eva watched Adam work the party like a pro. He chatted with Jim Sandborn and another grower from a few miles north. The men laughed, and Eva could tell they were beginning to accept Adam. Trust might be a ways off yet, but then, she didn't fully trust Adam either.

Sipping hot chocolate, Eva smiled when Ryan's marshmallow caught on fire. The smell of burning sugar wafted toward her in the soft breeze and she breathed deep. She loved the annual bonfire and hoped this wasn't the last one. As long as Adam stuck it out, there could be more. There had to be more.

Anne tiptoed toward her, careful to keep her heels from sinking into the moist grass. With a laugh, she said, “I wore the wrong shoes.”

Anne was decked out in designer jeans and a long gray coat over a simple knit turtleneck. Just like Adam, she looked as if she'd stepped off the pages of a glossy magazine.

“The ground's still wet from the snowmelt.” Eva stood in the entrance of the pole barn.

The pile of branches had a while to burn down, yet Ryan threw on more logs. The warmth of the fire and the mild spring evening fostered folks' desire to linger. Beth pointed out star constellations to a couple of kids who sat enraptured with her knowledge.

“Now I understand why Adam loves this property. It's beautiful. I'd build a house right over there. With the view of the lakes, it'd be perfect for a summer place.” Anne pointed toward the crest of a hill where the orchard began.

Eva squeezed her empty cup until her thumb poked a hole through the Styrofoam. “Yeah.”

“Your home is lovely, too.”

Eva got the feeling Anne had left off the phrase
for an old house.
Adam's sister struck her as a gotta-have-new kind of girl. “Thanks.”

“It reminds me of our grandparents' place. Adam used to spend hours in the field with Grandpa during our summer visits. They had a small farm not too far from the condo. But Adam must have told you all that.”

“Not really.” That explained a lot when it came to Adam's approach to the orchard. His kid-on-vacation eagerness suddenly made sense.

Anne smiled. “Growing up, all Adam ever wanted to be was a farmer like Grandpa. Drove my dad nuts. Then, in high school, he wanted to be a mechanic. Again, not something suited for a Peecetorini, if you know what I mean.”

Eva didn't. “Peece-tor-eeni?”

“Our real name. The family name. Dad had it legally shortened to match the business after mom died.”

“Oh.” Eva silently rolled the name around on her tongue.
She caught Adam's gaze from the other side of the fire. His family name suited him. Peecetorini was a beautiful name for a beautiful man.

“I've got a great idea,” Anne said. “Why don't you and your brother come for dinner tomorrow night? The girls would love it. They're show-offs for company.”

Eva bit her lip. “Yeah, sure, as long as we won't be an imposition.”

Anne waved her hand. “We eat around seven, so come down just before then. Oh, and bring your friend Beth, too.”

“Okay, we will.” Eva wanted to know more about the stuff Adam had a history of not sticking with. Was it just hobbies or life in general?

 

Adam spotted Anne talking to Eva and he wondered what tales his sister might be telling. She'd badgered him all day about Eva. What was she like? And what was Adam planning to do with her? Ignoring his sister was usually the wisest course. For a woman who vowed to stay single, Anne's mind had a determinedly romantic slant. She'd thrown dozens of her friends his way, but Adam hadn't gone out with a single one. He didn't want to put Anne in the middle of his love life.

If Adam explained the reasons why a romance with his farm manager would never work, Anne might push harder. A nice Christian woman was exactly what Adam needed, according to Anne. And that was probably true, but now wasn't the time.

He made his way toward the two. “Well, it's getting late. Eva, can we help you with anything before we go?”

“Go?” Anne looked at him as if he'd sprouted a second head. “Adam, it's only nine thirty.”

Eva waved her hand in dismissal. “Go ahead. There's very little to clean up.”

“Thanks, Eva, for giving me the opportunity to meet some of the area growers in a relaxed environment. I appreciate it.” The mistrust wasn't gone but definitely eased. “You're welcome.”

“Jim Sandborn invited me to attend the IPM meetings coming up.”

“You'll learn a lot.” Eva's eyes looked wary, and he couldn't begin to guess why.

“What's IPM?” Anne asked.

“Integrated Pest Management,” Adam and Eva said together.

“Eww, bugs! Do you have to kill bugs?” His sister wrinkled her nose.

He glanced at Eva, who smiled. “More than bugs. These meetings are about protecting the orchard from leaf spot, diseases, excessive spraying. That kind of thing.”

“Don't forget repelling wildlife. Namely, birds and deer,” Eva added.

His sister shook her head. “You sure you want to do this, Adam? It's a wonder we get any cherries at all.”

Adam glanced at Eva and her brow furrowed. She didn't think he'd last. What did he expect when his own family thought he'd gone crazy? “Therein lies the challenge.”

“I hope you're up for it,” Anne said.

Adam watched Eva control her expression. He'd prove to her he could be a good grower. He'd prove it to all of them as long as he broke even. “It's in my blood, Anne. Great-gramps mastered green beans, I'll master cherries. With Eva's help.”

Anne looped her arm around Eva for a quick squeeze. “Good luck, Eva. You're going to need it.”

To his surprise, Eva didn't shrug away from his sister.
She draped her arm around Anne's waist and then gave him a shrewd stare. “Not to worry, I have a plan.”

Adam would be a liar if he didn't admit to the drop of alarm that skittered down his spine. Women with plans usually meant trouble.

T
he next morning, Eva sat across from Beth at the kitchen table, her breakfast forgotten. She was too excited to eat. She'd sketched out a rough plan of action to become Adam's partner. It was going to take work, much convincing and a solid business plan. But she knew she could do it.

After bouncing the idea off of Beth, Eva leaned back in her chair. “So, what do you think?”

“How much will something like that cost?”

Eva shrugged. “I don't know, but I own the house free and clear. If I can get an appraisal done, I'll know how much I have to work with.”

“You'll drain the equity from this house to buy into the orchard? What about your bed-and-breakfast? All that time you invested redoing the rooms.” Beth didn't look pleased.

Eva knew her parents wouldn't be happy either. “An ownership interest in the orchard will help the B and B. I need those cherry trees, Beth. People will come to my place versus somewhere else because of the novelty of staying on a working cherry farm.”

Beth didn't look convinced. “You've got this all figured out.”

Eva nodded.

Beth tapped the tip of her butter knife on the edge of her plate. “Managing the orchard isn't enough.”

“No.” Eva sat straighter. “Marsh Orchards could have been so much more than it was. I wanted to make it more, but then Dad sold it. Besides, there's nothing to stop Adam from selling to a developer or mowing down the trees himself to build summer homes for his family.”

Beth gave her a long look. “What makes you think he'll do that?”

Eva took a deep breath. She couldn't explain the dread that filled her when Adam's sister pointed out
her
perfect building site. Before they left last night, Adam told Eva that he'd be bringing his father by later today to see the farm. More unpleasant possibilities were bound to surface.

“Don't you see? Adam can do anything he wants with the land. He owns it, he decides. But if I were his partner, I'd have a say on part of it. Hopefully the part closest to the house.”

Beth's eyes narrowed. “Are you sure this is about the farm?”

Eva snapped her head up. “What do you mean?”

“I see the way you and Adam look at each other. Are you hoping a partnership might keep him here?”

“Not at all.” Eva shook her head, but her voice lacked conviction. Adam was part of the draw, too. He was used to beautiful, cultured women and by all appearances he'd never been seriously involved with any of them. Why would she be any different?

Eva wanted to keep this professional. She didn't want to be discarded after a few dates. After she'd grown to care…

Who was she kidding? She already cared.

Her roommate still didn't look convinced. In fact, Beth laughed. “You're so in denial.”

Maybe she was, but she couldn't let her feelings for Adam mess up what had to be done. “I have a lot of planning to do before I can broach the subject. That'll take some time.”

“It might not hurt to sweeten him up a little, you know.” Beth grinned.

“Beth!” Eva knew the contempt Adam carried for gold diggers. She wasn't after his money, just part of the orchard. But she'd bring value to Adam by helping him turn Marsh Orchards into a retail farm. That was where they'd both find success.

“I'm not saying to romance him into a partnership, but show him what you're capable of. That he'll need you and your business to make his grow.”

“Exactly.” Eva frowned as it dawned on her. That was easier said than done. A business plan on paper was one thing but… “So, how do I do that?”

“Show you care and why. Let your guard down and maybe he'll do the same. Keep baking for him. I noticed that he asked you to make something for him to go with Uncle Larry's honey. Eva, that's the key. Show him how successful your breakfasts can be.”

Eva had been baking for Adam for entirely different reasons, but Beth was onto something. Sweet cherries made a nice retail crop. Something they could share in the results. With Adam's resources and her experience, the possibilities were indeed vast.

All Adam had to do was agree to her offer.

 

Adam walked along the edge of the orchard with his father. Leonard Peece had meticulously scanned the property and its views in relative silence. He'd ask a question here and there but otherwise frowned at everything Adam showed him.

“There's considerable value in this land. A good investment,” his father finally said. “I know.”

“But will your cherry harvest pay for itself?”

Adam shrugged to ease the knot of tension that had settled in the base of his neck. He knew what his father was getting at. He was sick of Adam's
hobbies
that took him away from Peece Canning. “Depends on a lot of things. Weather, pests, demand.”

His father shook his head. “Too much risk. At least the land has potential if you go belly-up.”

Failure wasn't an option. Not this time. Adam had felt a connection with this property the moment he'd laid eyes on it. Like a calling from God, Adam needed to keep it and work it. He had to succeed. Adam looked up in time to see Eva approach. She was part of the reason he couldn't fail. He didn't want to let her down.

She looked uneasy when she glanced at his father. “Hi, I'm Eva. I have coffee and homemade donuts at the house if you're interested.”

“I've seen everything I need to see,” his father said with a broad grin. “Donuts, did you say?”

“Eva, this is my father, Leonard Peece.”

She held out her hand. “Mr. Peece.”

Adam watched his father take an assessing look at Eva before he clasped her hands between his own. “Now I understand my son's fascination with farming.”

Eva glanced his way before addressing his father. “Growing cherries is hard work, Mr. Peece. But satisfying.”

She hadn't missed his father's implication, but she didn't react to it. Adam knew his father's perspective—farming couldn't be the only reason Adam had for walking away from Peece Canning. A woman, however, made more sense.

“Of course it is.” His dad gave Eva a wink. “Especially surrounded by such beauty.”

Eva's cheeks colored, but instead of shying away she met his father's gaze with a smile. “I wouldn't be anywhere else.”

His father took her arm in his, effectively blocking Adam out as they made their way to the house. “Now, tell me about this land.”

“Well, it's been in my family for eighty some odd years. My great-grandfather was the first to farm it.”

“And my son here, he's an outsider. Do you think he's up to continuing the tradition?”

Adam shook his head. His father was testing him through her, trying to gauge his commitment by her answers.

Eva glanced back at him with a glint of mischief in her eyes. “He's a good worker, but I'm not convinced he can connect with this land without a Marsh to help him.”

His father laughed. “Well put.”

And Adam watched his father succumb to yet another female. Eva had charmed Leonard Peece like a pro. What shocked Adam was the warmth that spread through him at Eva's comment. He didn't expect to
like
needing her.

They stepped into Eva's kitchen and the divine smell of melted chocolate and brewed coffee had Adam's mouth watering. “Wow, Eva.”

Her cheeks turned that rosy shade he liked. “They taste even better. Have a seat,” she said.

Adam sat across from his father at the long kitchen table. A coffee service had been set between them bed-and-breakfast style. Floral plates and cups arranged next to a pretty platter of cake donuts glazed with chocolate. Impressive.

“Dig in,” Eva said as she scooted into the chair next to him.

Adam grabbed a chocolate-cherry donut. They were still warm. He bit into bliss. “These are…wow.”

Eva tipped her head in acknowledgment. “Thank you.”

Adam's father had been a little too quiet. But Adam realized his dad was busy enjoying the baked confection that was too good for words. “Pretty good, huh?”

His father patted Eva's hand resting on the table. “You could make a killing with these. My dear, what are you doing working for my son? You should be working for me. I'm glad you're joining us for dinner. Maybe we can chat about that.”

Eva laughed. “Thank you, but I hope to open my home as a bed-and-breakfast. Having a working cherry orchard right next door with incredible views will bring the guests, but these—” Eva raised her donut. “These will keep them coming back.”

Adam watched his father digest that bit of news with a sharp look his way. Adam hadn't told his dad about Eva's plans. Leonard Peece might actually take his son's efforts more seriously now that someone else's dreams depended on Adam's success.

 

That evening, Eva and Beth pulled into the driveway of the Peece family's town house right behind Adam's Jeep. A black Mercedes Benz was parked in the left open bay of a three-car garage.

“Whoa. This is nice,” Beth said. “Adam's got it going on.”

“Wait till you meet his dad.” Eva knew where Adam's allure came from. His father had a magnetic personality mixed with distinguished good looks, compliments of his Italian ancestry. It explained his appeal to women regardless of age. Leonard might be handsome, but he was
genuine, too. Despite his implied doubt with Adam's farming venture, Eva sensed a vein of pride in his son.

Eva knocked on the front door.

The door opened to reveal a girl around the age of four wearing a pink tutu. Her eyes were big green marbles framed by a mop of dark brown curls. “Hello?”

Eva's heart melted. “Hello. My name's Eva and this is Beth. We're friends of Adam. Can we come in?”

Adam appeared behind the little girl, dragging a smaller version on his leg. “Let them in, Cinda.”

Suddenly shy, Cinda ran away and hid behind Adam's free leg.

Seeing two little girls hanging all over Adam made Eva smile. “Babysitting?”

“No, everyone's here. Come on in.” After Adam closed the door, he asked, “Where's Ryan?”

“He decided not to come. He's tied up in a building project.” Eva smiled at the two-year-old clamped onto Adam's leg, using his foot as a seat. She drooled all over his jeans. “Hello there.”

“His house on the lake? Yeah, he mentioned that he was restoring it.” Adam lifted his burdened leg to the squealed laughter of both girls. “This little one is Bella.”

“Adam showed us how to color.” Cinda had come out from hiding.

Beth immediately knelt down. “Do you like to color?”

The girl nodded and came out a little more.

Eva grinned at Adam. “You're such the ladies' man.”

“I can't seem to get rid of them.” He scooped Bella up and threw her in the air to more screeching delight and giggles when he caught her.

“Me next, Adam.” Cinda raised her arms.

Anne met them in the foyer. “Eva, Beth, let me take
your jackets. Dinner's in a few minutes, but please come in and sit down. And forgive Adam's terrible manners.”

“I have my hands full,” Adam said as he repeated the toss and catch with Cinda. Another peal of little-girl laughter.

“No Ryan?” Anne gestured for them to follow.

“Not this time.” Eva stepped forward, but she couldn't tear her gaze away from Adam playing with his two half sisters. It was more than the roughhousing any big brother would do. Adam was a natural with kids.

Anne took charge. “Girls, go wash your hands. We're going to eat.”

The toddlers didn't look as if they'd comply. Then Adam made a growling sound and crouched like a bear ready to chase them. Off they went, screaming down the hall into the bathroom.

“Cute kids,” Beth said.

Anne rolled her eyes. “Noisy and a little spoiled, but we love them. Come on, I'll get you ladies something to drink.”

And so began the evening in the Peece household. Anne introduced them to Leonard's lovely young wife, Heather, who bustled about the kitchen beside her husband. Enough shrimp and chicken to feed an army sizzled on their stovetop grill. And Eva felt oddly at home.

When everyone was finally seated around the table laden with steaming food, the high-chair-restrained toddlers pounded their spoons.

“Girls! That's enough,” their mother admonished, and the banging stopped.

Heather wasn't what Eva had expected. She was pretty with the same green eyes as the girls, but her hair was more red than brown, and her figure was more lush than
lean. Not a painted long fingernail or fake eyelash in sight. Heather looked like any young mother of two.

Eva glanced at Adam, and he gave her a wink that made her heart flip. She couldn't shake the image of him with Bella and Cinda. Too easily, she imagined Adam holding a child of theirs with blue eyes and freckles across the nose. A deep yearning pierced low in her belly.

“My father says you make donuts worth marketing,” Anne said.

“That's right.” Eva bit into her chicken and glanced at Adam. The muscle in his jaw tightened. Maybe his father wasn't kidding about that job.

“I've got a marketing degree, so if you need any advertising help with your B and B, give me a call,” Anne continued.

“Thanks.” Eva wanted to set them all straight. “I'd never leave my home, or Northern Michigan for that matter.”

“That orchard means a lot to you, doesn't it?” Leonard Peece joined the conversation.

Tension swelled around her, emanating from Adam to his father and even Anne looked uncomfortable. It felt as if there was something unknown riding on her answer.

She glanced at Adam, but he wouldn't look at her. With a deep breath, she decided on honesty. “I've loved that land all my life. I'm glad for the opportunity to work it.”

At that moment, Bella threw a stray noodle that bounced off her father's nose. Everyone laughed and the tension was broken. But Eva felt as if she'd missed something important.