“I care about you and your dad, and about the orchard,” Toby said.

“I always have, Jenna,” he continued. “You guys are a second family to me.”

Jenna turned away. “Don’t say stuff you don’t mean.”

He stood just inches from her, his gaze searching hers with an intensity she couldn’t look away from.

“I care, Jenna. I care. Tell me what I have to do to prove it and I will.”

Wrestling her racing heartbeat, Jenna fought the need to sag against him. To rest her head against his chest, cling to him and cry for all their lost years. But Toby didn’t love her. Never would. He’d made that fact crystal clear years ago—his friendship with her was a dirty secret he didn’t want anyone to know about. She wouldn’t fall for that again. For him and his ability to say the right thing.

Besides, even if he was a changed man…she had changed, too.

“I want things to be okay between us again,” he whispered with a gentleness that tore at her heart.

Could she ever trust him?