The Simplicity of Cider

And she hadn’t.

They lost twenty acres of the Looms that summer. Those rows of the orchard still stood empty.

She never wanted that to happen to her. Especially when she had other things—like everything—to worry about. She stopped tracing the circle on the table and stood, Isaac’s hand falling off her arm.

“I forgot something in the barn I need to do.”

? ? ? ? ?

Sanna heard the gravel crunch before the door to the barn opened and knew who it would be. She picked up the pencil to at least pretend she was taking notes instead of staring out the still-broken window like she had been doing.

“I brought you some dessert,” Isaac said, that rich voice walking up her spine.

“Just set it down there, thank you. I’ll eat it when I’m done here.”

The plate made a dull clink on the stainless steel counter, but he didn’t leave. He stood a few inches from her.

“Did I do something to offend you?”

“No.”

“Because you left right after I—”

“You didn’t do anything to offend me. I just needed to get this done before I forgot.” She pointed at the notebook with only a few words written on the page and a lot of loopy doodles.

“I can see that.” The laughter she heard in his voice poked at her pride, and, hotheaded, she stood to face him. She always forgot he was as tall as she was, and it startled her that they were so close. Again.

“Thank you for bringing dessert, but you can return to the others. I’m sure Pa will be pulling out the aquavit soon. If you’re not around, he’ll probably give it to Bass.”

Isaac’s eyes searched her face, and Sanna worried he could see the confusion inside her. He exhaled.

“Look. I get the sense you don’t really like me. Shocking as it may be, you wouldn’t be the first. But Bass and I are staying through the season, and now that your dad is hurt, I think we’ll be working with each other more. You don’t have to like me, but I’d like to make working with me less difficult for you. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it. But I’m not going anywhere.”

Sanna watched him say these words, giving her permission to set the rules—yet she could really only focus on his soft pink lips and how she wanted a cider that was precisely that color. It would be sweet and crisp and bubbly. Something you could drink and drink and never get enough of—each sip would reveal a different shade to the flavor, from a lush rose to a pale blush.

She had to know what lips that color tasted like, so she leaned forward and kissed him. Barely a whisper, the briefest of touches on his fascinating lips, with a hint of the toasty cider they’d had with dinner. Her senses lit up like Christmas lights. She pulled back even faster than she’d leaned in. The surprise she saw on his face matched her own.

“I don’t know why I . . .” Her voice trailed off. Colors still crackled around her.

Isaac moved an inch closer, leaning in to inhale near her ear, but he didn’t touch her, didn’t push her any further. His face was so close she could count the silver flecks in his beard.

“I’m glad you did. I like you. You’re interesting, smell unexpectedly like roses, and are obviously gifted.” He waved a hand at the cidery as he took a shaky breath. “The few times I’ve made you laugh have made my days, and I hope to succeed at it again. If that will be a problem, let me know. And, Sanna, I give you permission to kiss me whenever you want.” He pointed to the plate and stepped back a few inches. “You better eat that before Mrs. Dibble comes out to supervise you herself. That woman is a tsunami in grandma’s clothing.”

Sanna finally smiled. Something safe they could agree on.

“And a gossip to match her delicious food. You’ll no longer be anonymous in Door County,” she said. “She’ll tell everyone about the handsome man and his son at the Lund orchard. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a line of single ladies here in the morning.”

Isaac smiled, his eyes crinkling, and Sanna’s chest thumped. What did she say to cause that smile?

“You think I’m handsome.”

“I’m not blind. Any fool can see you’re attractive.”

“And you’re no fool.”

“No, I am not. Fools take actions without understanding the consequences. That’s no way to make a decision.”

“Not even for love?”

“Especially not for love.”

Isaac studied her face in silence, long enough for Sanna to want to adjust her position, but she refused to move. She wouldn’t let anyone see her squirm.

“What happened to you, Sanna Lund?” His face clouded over and his direct question caught her off guard.

“You’d better get out of here. Mrs. Dibble is probably spreading some insane tale of an illicit relationship between the two of us. The tales that woman spins are better than any soap opera.”

“Is it really that outlandish? Two attractive people working side by side in the hot weather, isolated. All of it starting with an impulsive kiss. It’s like a romance story.”

Sanna smiled again, but this time not so warmly. She appreciated his charm, but she wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

“There are no happily-ever-afters.” She finally took a bite of the cherry strudel. “Except maybe strudel.”





CHAPTER TWENTY


Sanna dumped the ingredients into the casserole dish. If she could get this made now, then she’d only need to put it in the oven after her dad’s physical therapy appointment this afternoon, but before changing the sheets on both their beds. Anders could change his own sheets. She added the water too quickly, sloshing some onto the counter. She reached for the paper towels but only found air.

“Pa, where are the paper towels?” Sanna said after looking in all the usual spots in the kitchen.

Einars sat at the table next to Anders, going over the paperwork he’d refused to look at last night.

“I stopped buying them. Just use a regular towel. Silly to waste all that paper when a towel works just fine.”

She grabbed the washcloth and wiped it up, rinsing the rag and hanging it to dry. Using a spatula, she stirred the dish, then covered it with plastic wrap and set it in the fridge. She gave the counter one last wipe.

“I’m going to the store later, where’s the credit card? It’s not in the usual spot.”

He pulled out his wallet and handed her three twenties.

“Here, use this instead.”

Sanna took the cash, confused. They rarely used cash.

“I can get cash from the ATM.” She tried to hand it back.

“Just use this.”

She shrugged and stuffed it in her jeans pocket as Isaac and Bass entered the kitchen.

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