Six

Ross loved watching the animation in Alissa’s face. She’d truly been excited about seeing the packing plant, and he hoped she would enjoy the orchard as much. Although the meeting was here, he almost wished they could make a stop at Paso Robles so he could show her his real headquarters, but for now he believed this was wiser.

He linked his arm in hers as they stepped outside.

“Which way?” she asked.

“We’ll take the car.” He guided her toward his sedan and opened the passenger door. He saw a questioning look on her face, but he didn’t say anything until he slid into the driver’s seat. “My house is up that road.” He pointed ahead to the blacktop road wending past the trees.

He pulled away, and as he did, Alissa rolled down the window again and rested her arm on the frame. “Are these avocados?” She pointed to the trees along the road.

“No, they’re fruit trees—a few for us and a few for the birds.”

“The birds?”

“Crabapples and cherries. They love them.”

“That’s thoughtful,” she said. “Do they bother the avocados?”

“Not really. They prefer this fruit.”

He noticed her eyeing the peach and orange trees mingled with shade trees as they drove around the bend. His ranch house appeared ahead of them, a solid structure with large rooms, yet so much smaller than his other home. When he’d pulled into the drive, he hurried around to open the door and let her step out. He pulled out his keys and unlocked the side door, and they stepped inside the back hall.

“Go ahead in,” he said, slipping off his boots, a habit he’d learned from his mother. “This is the kitchen, as you can see. I have a day lady when I’m here, but otherwise she enjoys the time off. She’s not dependent on the money but loves to occupy her time. It works well for me.”

Alissa gazed around the room as if taking it all in then wandered through the doorway into the great room, a section of the ranch he’d added with a two-story ceiling with skylights. “This is beautiful, Ross. So airy.”

“I enjoy the outdoors, and I felt crushed inside this large room with the low ceiling. It was worth the money, and I added the loft up there.” He pointed to his favorite room. “It’s my home office. But I have a futon, and some nights, I lie there and look at the stars.”

She pivoted, scanning each area of the room, from the fireplace to the seating arranged around the wide windows looking into the orchard then to the loft staircase. “May I go up?”

“You sure can.” He followed behind her, her small frame bouncing up each stair, the sunlight glinting in her buttered-toast blond hair.

At the top she let out a cry. “It’s wonderful! Is that the orchard?”

He followed and stood behind her at the windows, looking out at the edge of the Hass trees. “Yes, the Hass avocados. That’s our largest orchard.”

“I know, because they can be picked year round.”

He wrapped his arms around her from behind and drew her into his chest. “I’m proud of you. Val must have explained that.”

“She did, along with a few other things. I’m a host of knowledge.”

Ross pointed toward the rows of trees, aware of her closeness. He stepped away and suggested they head back down. Not waiting for a response, he led the way.

At the bottom of the stairs, he turned to face her one step up, and Alissa touched his arm. “Thanks so much. It’s so nice to see where you live and to understand your work.”

Her lips were so close, he could almost feel the softness. Needing to control his emotions, he eased back, resting his hands on her shoulders. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Are you hungry? I am.”

“I could eat something.” She took the final step to the floor.

“Let’s have a sandwich and then take a ride out there.” He wanted to get outside soon and clear his head of the emotions racing through him.

He headed to the kitchen and paused inside the doorway. “Help me be creative.” He motioned for her to open the refrigerator, and he stood next to her, studying what was inside.

Alissa chuckled. “Do you have peanut butter?”

“It’s that bad, huh?”

“I see some bread in here and lo and behold, an avocado.”

He walked away and opened his kitchen pantry. “Do you like tuna salad?”

“With avocado? Yes.”

“Then we have lunch.” Though he didn’t use this house often, he kept canned goods stocked in the pantry. The bread looked fresh enough. He assumed Rosa, his day lady, had come in to clean and left it there. He pulled out a can of albacore, found a can opener in the drawer, and took off the lid.

Alissa had made herself at home. She’d taken out the mayo and had already begun to cut the avocado. “All we need is chips, and this would be gourmet,” she said, grinning as she diced the fruit.

His smile broadened as he returned to the cabinet and pulled out an unopened can of chips. “I hope these will work.”

“Great. Who could ask for more?”

He loved her lightheartedness. “Can you handle paper plates? I live with them.”

“Saves us from dishwashing,” she said, wiping the countertop.

Ross watched her separate the tuna flakes, dice up a small onion and add avocado, mix in the mayo, and pile it on the slices of bread she’d placed on the plate. “Sorry. No lettuce.”

She waved away his apology. “This will be delicious.”

He opened the can of chips and dropped a pile onto each plate. “How about a soda?”

She nodded, and he let her choose then beckoned her to follow. He walked down a short hall and opened the side door to the patio. The umbrella table, lacking the umbrella, looked clean enough, and they settled into the chairs.

Alissa had thought to bring the napkins and handed him one, and with her hand so near, he captured it in his. “I’d like to ask a blessing.”

“Please,” she said, leaving her fingers in his grasp.

He bowed his head and thanked the Lord for the day, the food, and every blessing, and when he raised his head, Alissa’s remained bowed.

When she looked up, she grinned. “I had an addendum.”

He felt his eyebrows rise.

“A private addendum,” she said with a coy look.

He asked God that her prayer concerned something wonderful about their relationship, because that’s where his heart was headed.

When they’d finished their sandwiches and nibbled the chips between swigs of soda, Ross rose and tossed away the paper plates and napkins, dropped the cans into the recyclables, then reached for Alissa’s hand. “You want to take a look?” He pointed toward the orchards.

“I can’t wait.”

He strode around the side to the garage and opened the door then motioned Alissa inside. He hit the remote and unlocked the doors of his SUV. “This is the only way to travel on a ranch.”

She climbed in, and after he backed out to the road, they continued along the asphalt until a cutoff led him into the orchard. With the windows rolled down, the scent of ripe fruit filled the air. Alissa’s smile made the sunny day even warmer. Her short hair ruffled in the wind, and she tossed back her head and laughed like a young girl, with a carefree look that melted his heart.

He drove to the top terrace overlooking the lower trees with his home and the packinghouse in the distance. He slowed then stopped and climbed out and walked to the passenger side. “What do you think?” he asked, opening the door.

She slipped out and stood beside him, the trees blocking some of their view. “It’s wonderful, Ross. Really. I feel alive and so happy.”

“I’m glad.” He longed to take her in his arms, but he recalled the earlier emotions he’d felt and stopped himself. Seeing her in his home had made him long for his life to be complete again. Forcing his mind in less romantic directions, he changed the subject. “Too bad I didn’t know you sooner. The avocado festival was in Carpinteria the weekend before we came to your place. It’s a huge fund-raiser for local nonprofit groups. They have a poster contest and another one for the biggest avocado and another for the best guacamole recipe.” He snapped his fingers. “Remind me to give you that guacamole recipe before we leave. It won a couple of years ago.”

“I’ll remember,” she said. “I love the stuff.”

He refocused on the orchard. “These are the Zutano variety. They won’t blossom and grow again until later in the season, but below we’re still picking.”

“I noticed. Those ladders are high, plus the long poles.”

“Some ladders can extend up to thirty feet, and the poles can be up to fourteen feet long. Each fruit is picked by hand with a special clipper to assure quality. Bruising ruins the fruit. The nylon bags you saw around their necks hold up to forty pounds. When the bag is full, it’s placed in a bin. Those are the large containers you saw coming into the packinghouse.”

“Who would think one little avocado took so much work?”

He slipped his arm around her. “Lots of things take work. Think about your inn. It’s not easy. You depend on quality service from your cleaning ladies, accuracy and geniality from the person at the reception desk.” He felt her wince when he mentioned that job. “The food you prepare, the special amenities that make your inn different from others. Your grounds, the gardens, and gazebo. You have to provide service, charm, and a smile, even when you feel rotten.”

She nodded as if she hadn’t thought about that. “You make the job sound hard.”

“It is, but you enjoy it, and so it’s not quite as much work for you.” He gestured to the orchard. “This is work and a pain sometimes, but I love it.” Work. He glanced at his watch, almost forgetting he’d come to San Luis Obispo for a meeting. “We need to get back. It’s getting late.”

He grasped Alissa’s shoulders and turned her to face him. “May I be honest?”

Her beautiful indigo eyes widened. “Yes.”

“This day has been special for me, too.” Ross bent down to kiss her cheek. “Thanks for coming with me.”

She looked surprised, but she didn’t respond for a moment until she grinned. “I loved every minute of it.”

Every minute. He hoped that included the kiss.

❧

“And that’s it,” Ross said, relating the meeting he’d had earlier. “Concessions on both parts. We pay more for two months then back to our original contract, but he guaranteed to give us a discount next year if we exceed our shipping agreement. Give a little; take a little. That’s business.”

“I’m glad it went well,” Alissa said, looking across the bay to Morro Rock, its rugged outcrop soaring above the water. “This is a gorgeous sight.”

“It is. I hope you don’t mind going back on Highway 1. I know it’s nerve-racking, but the scenery is tremendous.”

“It is, and I haven’t been this way in so long.” She thought about her last trip. “I’ll enjoy this one more than the last. We took it south on the ocean side of the highway last trip. At least we have the mountain wall going north.”

He chuckled. “It does feel safer.” He motioned ahead. “I thought we’d look for a place to eat farther up the highway, or would you like to stop here in town?”

“No. I’m not hungry yet. While you were at your meeting, I ate the last few chips in the can. I hope you don’t mind.”

He chuckled. “You could have eaten anything, and I’d be pleased.” He reached over and rested his hand on hers. “You’ve made my day, Alissa. I’m really glad you came along.”

“Me, too,” she said, placing her other hand over his and loving the feel of being together.

“I have a place I’ll take you then. It’s not too far. I think you’ll enjoy it.”

They settled into silence, and Alissa reminisced about the wonderful day. She’d enjoyed relaxing at Ross’s while he went to his meeting. She’d gazed up at the sky, creating cloud pictures, something she never did at home. Afterward Alissa had found a magazine about avocados and skimmed it, learning some new things with the turn of every page. She’d been fascinated by the packinghouse and the orchard and loved seeing Ross’s office. Everything seemed beyond what she had anticipated; even the house she thought was rather small for a man with such a lucrative business, she loved despite her previous expectations.

Though Ross had never said he was rich, Alissa knew what it meant to own a produce farm or orchard in California. It meant living more than well, a life she’d never considered possible for her. The thought gave her an uncomfortable feeling. She loved her inn, and though she would never be rich, she had a good life; she asked God’s forgiveness for thinking of material goods when they weren’t important in the scheme of things.

“Are you sleeping?”

Ross’s voice cut into her thoughts, and she looked up. “No, I’m thinking about the day and what a wonderful time I’ve had. It was so nice to see where you live and work.”

The image of his office credenza filled her mind, and though she’d tried to forget the ex-fiancée’s part in Ross’s life, she couldn’t. “Tell me about Audra. What happened?”

“Audra.”

He uttered the name then grew quiet.

Alissa panicked, thinking she might have ruined the perfect day with her question. She wanted to retract it, but obviously it was too late. As she listened to the stillness, except for the hum of the tires on the road, she struggled to find how to cover her error.

“It’s not an easy question to answer.”

Air shot from her lungs. “I’m sorry I asked, Ross. It’s really none of my business.”

“It’s fine, Alissa. You know, sometimes in life things happen beyond our understanding, but I always think God knows best. At least I’ve realized that through the years. Like death and loss, we don’t know exactly why they happen.”

His profile tensed, and Alissa wondered if he were thinking of his father and brother.

Ross’s demeanor changed. “Now that I look back, I realize Audra and I weren’t meant for each other from the beginning. She was a beautiful woman, and my father thought she would be an asset to our family. She had a knack for stepping into the limelight, for entertaining, and for wearing the right designer—so many things I didn’t value, but she did them with style.”

Alissa weighed his words. “It was one of those opposites-attract relationships.”

“Sort of, yes. But the opposite doesn’t sit well in the long run sometimes. While I loved the outdoors, nature, and the work I do, Audra detested ranch life. She tried to adjust and rented a condo in Paso Robles, but she much preferred the more glamorous city life—Santa Barbara, Carmel, and Los Angeles.”

“I love the quieter life, I think. I’m not a social butterfly.”

He chuckled. “More like a monarch?”

“I wasn’t thinking about that,” she said, grinning at the metaphor. “I can entertain when I must. I love cooking and showing guests a good time. It’s my job.”

“You are good at that.”

“But I’m not into glitz. Not at all.”

“We have that in common,” he said, glancing her way.

Her heart skipped as she thought about having things in common with Ross. She loved the life here, the outdoors, nature, but she loved Pacific Grove, too, and her inn. It was her security, and it was what gave her confidence and pride in herself.

“Look at the view.”

Alissa looked up. As they rounded a bend in the road, the vista stretched unending with rugged cliffs falling to the ocean where waves lashed against their jagged edges, smoothing them in time and spreading white foam to the shoreline. A mist had begun to hang on the cliffs, an ethereal haze that softened the rocks and spawned an unreal aura that seemed to wrap around the landscape.

“It’s unbelievable.” She viewed the sun as it lowered toward the horizon, its deepening hues melting into the rolling green water, turning it into shades of amber and coral that rippled with black dimples. “It takes my breath away.”

“I know,” he said, his voice only a whisper.

Shortly, Ross slowed and turned off Highway 1. They stopped at a traffic light, and soon he guided the car through a split rail fence into a parking lot. “This is it. Cambria Pines Lodge. They have great food and a terrific garden. We can stretch our legs there before we finish the drive.”

She slipped from the car and gazed at the old building that looked like someone’s rambling house with blue and white trim, nestled among the pines and shrubs a short distance from the dangerous stretch of highway.

The dining room had a quaint look with small print wall-paper and white molding. A stone fireplace stood in the corner, and pine furniture added a fitting look to the homey room. They were seated at a small table by the window, and outside she could see the expansive garden Ross had mentioned, with a winding path that wove past a fountain.

She ordered a tossed salad followed by chicken piccata with rice pilaf, and Ross couldn’t decide between the grilled fillet with fried onions or the wild salmon. The salmon won out, served with sun-dried tomato, cucumber salsa, and rainbow pasta.

The waitress returned with their iced tea, and when she left, a hush fell over them. Alissa wavered between looking at the scenery outside the window or gazing into Ross’s blue eyes. “This is so nice, and I would love to have time to walk outside. Did you see the fountain?”

“They have others. We’ll make the time.”

“But it gets dark early, and I don’t think you want to drive on that highway in the dark.”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” He brushed her cheek. “Now give me your pretty smile and stop worrying about me.”

Pretty smile. She hadn’t been called pretty by anyone since her mom died. Alissa pulled herself from her thoughts. “You asked earlier about Fern and me.”

His face spoke volumes. “It’s not my business to ask, but if you ever need a friend to listen, you know I’m here.”

“It’s one of those long stories like you mentioned with Audra, I guess. Fern and I were never really close. She skittered from one thing to the next. I was quieter. I love to read. Fern liked to argue. I preferred quick resolutions. We were very different. My mom knew that. I had goals early on, and Fern couldn’t settle on one thing. She hopped from hobby to hobby then job to job when she was old enough.”

“That’s what we talked about earlier. Opposites.”

“Yes, but it’s difficult in families, I think, because we’re in a forced-proximity situation.”

“True. You can drop a friend who becomes irritating.”

She calmed, grateful he seemed to understand.

Ross slid his hand across the terra-cotta–hued tablecloth and rested it over hers. “Has that been your problem with Fern?”

“It worsened when my mother died.” She paused, thinking of the anger that had sprouted at that time. “I told you she’d left a small will. We weren’t rich, but she had the house and a little savings, mainly from Dad’s life insurance and his social security. Mom never worked.”

“Some women prefer to be homemakers. My mom, too.”

She smiled, sensing more camaraderie with him and Maggie. “The problem arose when my mom left me the house and a smaller portion of her savings, with the rest going to Fern.”

“You did tell me that.”

“But it got worse. Fern resented me for selling Mom’s house to buy the inn. She thought I should keep the family home. Nostalgia, I guess, but I was looking at it from a business standpoint.”

“It was wise. The house located on Ocean View Boulevard with the magnificent view will draw in many more guests than a house that’s tucked away in the downtown area.”

“I know, but I couldn’t convince Fern.” She felt her hand tighten beneath his, and Alissa tried to relax. “The worst part was—and I don’t know if it was spite or just her nature—Fern wasted her money. She bought an expensive car and a complete new wardrobe. She met a man who convinced her to loan him money for this great business deal, and then he vanished. Fern didn’t have that much to begin with so she ended up with little left, and I loathed the situation.”

“I can understand how bad you must have felt.”

She looked into his eyes. “I didn’t just feel bad. I was bitter. I saw my mom’s skimping and saving and then how Fern tossed her gift away. I couldn’t forgive her for that, and I’ve held it against her all this time.”

Ross didn’t say anything for a few minutes. His gaze left her to look out the window. Finally he turned back. “It really wasn’t up to you how Fern spent or wasted her money. Do you realize that now?”

“I do, but I still begrudge her.”

“Then you have to work on that, I guess.” His face darkened as the words left him.

Alissa longed to know what thought had shadowed his face. “I’m hoping to do that. I think we have a start. When we talked, I told her the truth, and I think just getting it out in the open helped both of us. She resented my getting the house and selling it. We’d both let each other down.”

Ross nodded. “It’s easy, isn’t it, to let people down. I’ve done that myself, Alissa, and it’s hard to forgive ourselves.” He quieted a moment before continuing. “I think that’s often the problem. We can forgive others, but we can’t forgive ourselves.”

Alissa’s pulse skipped a beat. Was that it? As the idea settled into her mind, she realized how close to the truth Ross had come. The problem was forgiving herself, and now she had a new place to start. “Thank you.”

“Thank me? For what?”

“For being you.”

Though her words were interrupted by the waitress, she needed Ross to know how important he’d become in her life. He’d made a difference, such a difference that she didn’t know what she would do without him.