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The weekend’s been two days of constant smiling, entertaining Branson, and too many people for my liking. I crave the quiet. We’ve finally wrapped up an early dinner with the Montgomery clan, and Daddy announces they’re heading out. They’ll be dropping Branson off at home and attending a function in Mobile.
Since it’s a sixty-mile drive, they’ll be spending the night. I’m having difficulty masking my disappointment. I hoped to spend the evening stargazing with Daddy. It’s the perfect night for it, but it wouldn’t be the same on my own.
Like he reads my mind, Daddy says, “We’ll be home tomorrow, and then you and I will head out tomorrow night.” He pulls me into a hug, kissing the side of my head. As we pull apart, he winks and smirks, his blue eyes conveying the truth: He’s about as done with all this entertaining as I am.
Mamma leans in to kiss my cheek and then links her arm through daddy’s as they walk out the door. Ecstatic, I’m going to have the house to myself, I follow them out and say my goodbyes, my smile genuine this time because the opportunity to relax is welcome.
With the whole house to myself, I race upstairs to my room and grab a book and blanket. The late afternoon sky is clear, perfect for stargazing, and I’m looking forward to getting out there tomorrow. In the meantime, I’m going to chill on the porch with a good read. I snuggle into the papasan swing and become one with my story, losing myself between the pages.
At some point, movement off between the trees catches my eye. Glancing up, I realize it’s dark, I’ve lost all track of time, and I can’t make out the person. The light from the porch doesn’t reach far enough, so I squint, wondering who’s entering the orchard at this hour. I’m sure it’s one of the summer hires, one of the many students that come to work here each summer while saving money for college. The last of the students should be heading back to college this week.
Curious, I arch a brow and drop my book, deciding to check it out. He could be up to no good, or maybe he’s lost. He’s a long way off from the worker cabins, and it can be difficult to navigate the land through the trees in the dark.
The nosy Southerner in me rises to the surface. I follow him, keeping a distance between us as he continues ahead of me, walking the path between the trees. It’s too dark, and I’m having difficulty making out his form. A piece of me prays it’s the man from the barbecue, the one I thought I imagined. I speed up but then he’s gone.
Where did he go?
Pausing, I scan the area. He’s vanished, and now I’m questioning my sanity. Am I seeing people that aren’t really there? Turning to head back, I’m startled out of my skin when someone moves out from between the trees and appears right before me. The screech that escapes my lips causes him to jump back. It’s dark, but there is enough light for me to clearly make out his face.
Sweet baby Jesus.
It’s him.
Those hard, chiseled cheekbones lined with the shadow of stubble—just enough actually. The way his dark hair swoops lazily across his brow is beyond captivating. He’s stunning. He’s real all right, I didn’t imagine him. But where did he come from? How did I not see him around?
How is it that someone I don’t even know can have such an immediate effect on me? I’m focusing hard, trying to maintain a straight expression, to not give away these crazy thoughts.
“Why are you following me?” he asks, a definite tease to his tone.
Oh, he totally realizes his effect on me.
I can’t have that.
“Um, I...thought maybe you were lost...You’re a summer hire, right?” I try to sound less like a stalker and more casual, but I’m pretty sure that ship has sailed.
“Yeah. Just taking a walk. It’s a nice night.” He turns and walks away. Flustered, I stare after him, my curiosity, among other things, more than a little aroused. It’s perplexing, completely unusual, yet also welcome. “You can join me if you like...”
I shouldn’t. I don’t know this man, but my legs take over, and I race to catch up to him. “I’m Zeta,” I say.
“I know who you are. Your family owns this land—It’s more like a small country.” He stops, turns to me, and eyes me. “Where to? You grew up here, where should someone go to think?”
“Well, normally I’d head straight for the farthest edge of the orchard, where the trees stop and the fields begin—it’s where I usually go to stargaze, but my telescope is back at the house. The greenhouse is the next best thing—the budding life, the flowers, it’s very relaxing and a lot less buggy.” Words just tumble from my lips, and I’m sure I sound stupid, like a blubbering fool.
He makes a sweeping motion with his arm, and I nod, leading the way. “I’m Nick,” he says.
We walk to the green house in silence. Once inside, I stroll along the isles, making no move to turn on a light. “It’s better in the dark. I have just the spot.”
At the back of the greenhouse, an area of loungers and chairs are set up. It’s one of my favorite places. Nick plops himself into a lounger and stares up through the screened roof at the night sky. He doesn’t speak, so I recline in the lounger next to him and do the same.
“I’ve only been here in the daylight, but this is pretty awesome,” he says.
“Right? The roof in this area is just screened in, so it’s very open and the perfect place to chill and watch the stars.”
He sighs audibly, and it’s laced with frustration.
“What’s got you so stressed?” Why did I ask? It’s none of my business.
“College, life, you know...”
I laugh. “Yup I know, and I’m happy to be done with it—with college, I mean.” My voice quakes with nervousness and the thumping in my chest is insane. Why do I feel so uncomfortable? Closing my eyes, I silently beg my racing heart to calm while focusing hard on my words. “You’re returning to college this week, right?”
“Yup. Classes start in two days—I need to pick up a couple to complete my degree.”
“What’s your major?”
“Business, but I’d rather be in biology, botany. My parents insist I use my education to its full potential.” His tone is sarcastic, very bitter with just a hint of resolve.
“Is that why you’re working here? To gain experience?”
“Yeah. Some of us weren’t born into money.” The dryness to his tone upsets me because I now feel unfairly judged.
Fire rises to the surface, blushing my cheeks and causing me to snap back as I shoot him a death glare. “Excuse me, I’m not some spoiled rich brat, you know. I do have a mind, and I intend to use it and never squander what I’ve been born into. Jeez, people assume that just because we have money that we’re worse than the devil. My father, my father’s father, my entire family has worked their fingers to the bone to get here. Nothing has been handed to us. It’s all earned, and we’re good people, my parents are so kind and generous. Not cool, Nick, not cool.” There’s a definite pout to my lip and I’m trying to rein it in, to stop the tears that threaten to fall.
“I never meant...Well, yeah, I meant it.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “I apologize. I wasn’t trying to be cruel though, just meaning I have to work harder to find my place in the world, too. It’s no disrespect, you’re just lucky is all.”
His words help, and yes, I overreacted, but I can’t stand being judged. I get where he’s coming from though, so I calm. “I am lucky, blessed actually, and I know it. God put me exactly where I am meant to be. Mamma says I have mud running through my veins, that I was born to be a farmer. She hates it, wishes I were more interested in the debutante ways. I love this life, the dirt beneath my nails, the hard work—just being a part of it is truly amazing.”
“I feel the same—the land, the trees, making something flourish—you’re right, it’s amazing.” His tone is dreamy. All previous and overreactive rage dissolves with the sound of it, but my heart still races.
If I could just relax, this could be a fantastic conversation because I am one-hundred-percent intrigued with this man and his love of the land that aligns with my own. I feel safe in this space, so I say, “Out here, day or night, the beauty makes me feel connected to our world, our universe, in a much deeper way. I’d take an orchard full of trees over a stuffy office job any day.”
“Agreed. I’m going to run an orchard one day.” His confident tone states he will do just that.
“Well then, you should ask our orchard manager, Clive, to mentor you when you finish college. He’s one of the best there is. We’re so lucky to have him.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks.”
We lay in silence, taking in the air around us. Mine is clogged with questions about what to do next. I’m trying to be casual, but I’m too awkward. Nick is really hot, and I’m so lame when it comes to dating, flirting. I’m too straightforward for games and have no idea how to act.
“Word in the field is you and Branson Montgomery are engaged.”
Whoa! Where did that come from? “Word would be wrong...” I scoff—I literally hate gossip, and to know the workers are prattling on about me and Branson, well it really sticks in my craw. I’m silent as I seethe.
“Come here, Zeta.” He pats the lounger, there’s only room for one. The anger is gone as I contemplate his sudden invite. Was he testing me to see if I’m available?
Wait.
Is he trying to hook-up with me?
I’m not that kind of woman, but somehow my body takes over, I scoot over to his lounger, and he pulls me into his arms. My body is stiff as it drapes along his, and my heart is quaking—I’m freaking out. I can’t believe we’re doing this, but what is harder to believe is his effect on me. The arm he has around me is firm, gentle, and his free hand strokes my arm—it’s heaven. “Relax...I won’t bite. Talk to me.” His gentle tone gets into my head and somehow, I feel lighter, calmer.
“About what?” I can’t seem to form a thought in my head.
“What are your plans now that you’re done college?”
“You’re looking at it. I plan on immersing myself in our land by day and stargazing at night.”
“That’s it?” He sounds surprised. “Not gonna get married, have babies?”
“Um. Well, eventually, but I’m only twenty-two. Besides, there’s more to living than having babies.”
He chuckles in a suggestive way and the mood is gone. I’m suddenly super uncomfortable with where he thinks this might be headed.
“It just got weird. Look, I don’t do this sort of thing...” I blurt out, trying to rise and leave. He holds me firm.
“Stay. You know you want to.” He doesn’t sound cocky, just matter of fact.
“Oh, I absolutely want to, but I’m not going to. I’m not looking for a hookup—I’m proudly saving that part of myself, until marriage, and I’m uncomfortable with a situation that challenges that vow. Nice meeting you, Nick.” I climb off the lounger and start to walk away.
He’s in front of me now, blocking my way. He moved so fast, I jump back, startled. He reaches out to touch me, but I shirk it. I’m now wondering what I’ve gotten myself into—I don’t know this guy. I mean he’s pretty, but he could be a psycho.
“Don’t go like this. I can appreciate a woman who stands up for herself and isn’t afraid to speak up. I was only teasing.” We both know that he was dead serious, but I allow the apology and nod since I made myself clear. “Listen, I’m supposed to head back tomorrow morning, but I can stretch it until tomorrow night. How about we go stargazing together? I’d love to check it out. I’ll find you at your spot, say...just before dark...eight o’clock?”
My head tilts as I consider. Daddy and I can stargaze after—I literally have no reason not to, so I nod again, but I’m still feeling uncomfortable. He sees it and steps aside.
I walk away.
A part of me wishes he’d stop me, and a bigger part of me tells me to turn around and return to his arms, but I don’t do it. The fact that for even a fraction of a moment, I am entertaining such a thought is unnerving. I stand by my values, but it still feels like a stretch. I don’t hookup, I want more, and I won’t settle for anything less, but oh how I have to fight myself to remain true.