Orchard Hill Volume Two

by Kara Lynn Russell

  “You never used to say things like that to me. We used to share everything. What changed between us, Faith?”

  “I think you’re mistaken.” Her voice was cold, and it shook a little. “We’ve never shared everything. You just didn’t notice before, and I don’t understand why you’ve suddenly started caring.”

  “We didn’t share everything? I shared everything. What have you been keeping from me?”

  “Why don’t you just go find your date, Andrew?”

  Anger swelled in his chest, and he answered her in a mocking voice. “Go find your date, Andrew. Go home Andrew. Don’t you have work to do, Andrew? You keep pushing me away.”

  She stood. “Then maybe you should take the hint.” Faith walked away, moving through the crowd to leave him stranded at the café table.

  TITLE

  Orchard Hill: volume Two

  Chapter 8

  Andrew didn’t think anything could make him feel better. Even Harmony seemed somehow disappointed with him as he dropped her off at her house after the Spring Fling disaster.

  But when he walked in the door at home, he was suddenly assaulted by a killer bear hug, and his heart soared again. Robin was home.

  “Hey, I thought you weren’t going to get here for another week,” he exclaimed, hugging her back.

  “We got the option of taking some of our finals early if we were prepared. And I was prepared, so I thought I’d go ahead.”

  “You didn’t rush, did you?” he asked, setting her away and studying her. “You didn’t overdo things?”

  She laughed. “No, Dad, of course not. Besides I had to get home and see what was going on.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked, steering her toward the couch where they could settle in and talk.

  “Kevin has been sending me frantic emails. What’s this about you asking out some woman named Melody?”

  “Harmony. I promised I’d go on a date and I did.”

  “But Dad, couldn’t you think of anyone else to ask?” Her blue eyes searched his earnestly.

  “No, not really. I hadn’t thought about dating in years. But it wasn’t so bad.”

  Robin rolled her eyes, as if he was being obtuse. “What. About. Faith?”

  Andrew frowned. “Things haven’t been going so well between us. Did Kevin tell you she’s quitting at the school?”

  “And just when did this happen, Dad? About the time you asked Harmony out?”

  “Now that you mention it, it was. But I don’t see how that…”

  “Why didn’t you ask Faith out?” Robin interrupted.

  Andrew stared at his daughter, shocked at her suggestion. “Faith’s a coworker. I’d never date a coworker. You know that.”

  Robin stared at him, sadness and disappointment reflected in those dark blue eyes that were so much like his. “In general I’d agree that’s a good policy. But you and Faith are different. You’ve been together forever. You’re a team. She loves you, and you just can’t see it.”

  Andrew shook his head, trying to clear it. “What did you say?”

  “Faith is in love with you, Dad.”

  “Then, why is she quitting?”

  Robin closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “You started dating someone else. She’s been waiting for you for so long, and then when you asked this Harmony out, she was hurt. I’d bet money she decided she’s not going to stick around to watch you fall in love with someone else.”

  “She said she wanted a fresh start,” Andrew said quietly. “And that rumor that she was leaving because of a man.” Realization sunk in. “That’s me.”

  Robin let out an exaggerated sigh. “Glad you finally caught up, Dad. Kevin’s been doing everything he can think of to get you two together.”

  “Is that what the tea thing was about? He wanted me to play the rescuer, coming to take care of Faith?”

  “Actually, I think Misty helped him set that one up.”

  “But…but what am I going to do?”

  “That depends. How do you feel about Faith? I thought you loved her, too, but didn’t want to do anything about it because we kids might be upset. Then Kevin and I talked it over before I left, and we decided it would be great if we all became one family.”

  “You and Kevin actually agreed that you wanted to be brother and sister?”

  She shrugged. “Why not? You’ve said yourself we fight like siblings.”

  “That’s true,” agreed Andrew.

  “Anyway, I thought if I made you promise to go out on a date, you’d ask Faith.”

  “And I didn’t.”

  “So, do you love Faith, Dad?”

  Andrew sucked in a long breath. “I don’t know. I’ve never allowed myself to think about it before.”

  “Well, think about it now.” Robin rose from the couch. “I’ve got unpacking to do. I’d better get started.”

  ****

  It was her last week at school, and Faith wanted to cry every day. She wanted to cry when she thought about seeing the children for the last time, or leaving her friends, or never sitting behind her desk again. But she held it all in because she knew she would get hurt a lot worse if she stayed.

  Andrew acted strangely. She often caught him staring at her. And he didn’t stop right away when he registered that she’d noticed. And when they talked, it seemed like there was something he wanted to say, but never got out.

  Faith longed for the week to be over, and at the same time, wished it would never end.

  ****

  On Thursday, after school, Andrew found himself sitting in his car, eyeing the door of The Green Scene. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing here. Well, he knew what, but he didn’t know if he should.

  With a sigh, Andrew heaved himself out of the car. He’d run out of options and this Misty seemed to know a lot about Faith. What harm could it do to talk to her?

  He didn’t see her when he first walked in the door, but he heard her cheerful greeting. Looking around, Andrew located Misty as she transferred brightly colored bottles of vitamins from a carton to the shelf.

  “What can I do for you today, Andrew?”

  She remembered him. That was good, but how could he just blurt out what he wanted to ask her?

  “That tea that I bought for Faith—It worked so well for her that I thought I’d try some.”

  “Oh, do you feel like you’re coming down with something?”

  “No. I just thought…I’d have it on hand for next time.”

  Misty raised an eyebrow. “Do you get a lot of summer colds?”

  Andrew shifted uncomfortably. “Not really. It’s good to be prepared just in case.”

  Misty led him to the boxes of tea again. “Here’s the one you bought for Faith. I could recommend some supplements that can boost your immune system if you’re interested.

  “Thank you, but no. This is good for now.”

  “Anything else I can help you with today?”

  “No. This is it.”

  Andrew followed her to the counter where she rang up the sale and bagged the tea. “You’re sure there isn’t anything else I can do for you?”

  This was his opening. He had to say something. “You’ve known Faith for a long time, haven’t you?”

  “Yes. She’s a great person. I enjoy having her as a customer.”

  “My…my daughter thinks Faith is in love with me,” Andrew confessed, unable to meet her eyes.

  “What do you think?’

  “I’m not sure, but you seemed to know so much about her that I thought…”

  “That I’d rat her out?”

  Startled he looked up for a second and caught the amused expression on her face. She thought his situation was funny.

  “No, of course not. I’d better be going.” He paid for the tea and grabbed the bag. As he turned to go, Misty spoke up.

  “I think the real question is ‘do you love Faith?’”

  Andrew turned back to the counter. “She’s my assistant. She’s also my best
friend, the person who helped me raise my daughter, and the mother of a boy who’s very dear to me…”

  “What else?”

  “What else?”

  “Don’t think about it. Just say what comes to mind.”

  “Faith is…she’s the first person I look for every morning when I get to school. I can’t start my day without a smile from her. When something happens, good or bad, she’s the one I want to share it with. She’s a person of strong character and true virtue. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know. And…and she has legs that were made for skirts.” He mumbled the last part, but Misty caught it anyway, and smiled.

  “That sounds like love to me.”

  “But what if I tell her and she thinks I’m just saying it so she won’t quit.”

  “I think that’s an extreme measure to keep a secretary. Andrew, you’re worrying too much.”

  “Then what do you suggest I do?”

  Misty cocked her head to one side and studied him. “Start small. How about you just kiss her?”

  TITLE

  Orchard Hill: volume Two

  Chapter 9

  Friday. Her last day. Faith was late for work because she’d been crying, and she’d had to redo her make up. She vowed to keep it together today for the kids. She couldn’t let them see her tears.

  Fortunately, the last day of school was too hectic to give her any time to wallow in her misery. She was busy with directing volunteers in setting up for the picnic. There were tables to be put up, covered with cloths and set, bars to cut, and food to put out.

  “Do we have any more paper cups?” asked one of the parents who was helping. “I don’t think this will be enough.”

  “What? Oh, I think there are more in the supply closet. I’ll check.”

  Faith strode briskly to her destination, her mind reviewing a mental checklist for the afternoon. It didn’t register with her that someone else came in until she heard the rumble of a throat clearing.

  She jumped, and the cups slipped from her hands. Seeing who it was, Faith let out a huff of exasperation and bent to retrieve the cups. “Andrew, what are you doing in here? You should be getting the grills ready.”

  “I needed a quiet place to think.”

  “About what?”

  He took the cups from her and set them back on the shelf. “About you.”

  “About me?” He was studying her intently, and Faith felt a jolt of awareness.

  “Will you tell me why you’re quitting? For real.”

  Her breath caught and she shook her head. “I can’t.”

  “People are saying you’re in love with me.”

  “What?” Faith felt her body heat with embarrassment. “Who told you that?”

  He smiled. “A lot of people. Is it true?”

  Faith wished she were better at telling lies. As it was, here in the dim room with Andrew standing so close to her, her eyes trapped by his, she could only nod.

  “And that’s why you’re going away?”

  Again she nodded. She couldn’t speak or the tears she’d kept at bay all morning would overwhelm her.

  Andrew brushed her cheek with his fingers. She trembled at his touch. Clearing her throat, Faith choked out, “The picnic…there’s so much to do…we should get back.”

  She backed up a step, but Andrew caught her wrist and pulled her back to him. “I didn’t know, Faith,” he said softly. “I didn’t know how you felt. I didn’t know how I felt.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He didn’t answer her. Instead he brought his hands up and cradled her face. She drew in a sharp breath, and then his lips touched hers.

  It was wonderful, tender and warm, just as she knew Andrew’s kiss would be.

  “If you have to leave the school, that’s fine but please, Faith, don’t leave me, too. My life would collapse without you.”

  Her mind was whirling. This was the type of thing Andrew only said to her in her dreams. “Do you know what you’re saying? Do you mean it?”

  “Have you ever heard me say anything I didn’t mean?”

  “But why now?”

  “I’m sorry I’ve been so blind. I didn’t realize how much you meant to me until you threatened to leave.”

  “It’s not a threat.”

  “I know. That’s what scared me so much. And even then I didn’t understand why I was scared. But I’ve finally figured it out.”

  “You did?”

  “I love you, Faith.”

  A sob escaped her when she heard those words. Words she’d lost hope of ever hearing from him. “Andrew, what are you doing? We’re in a closet at school with kids, parents and teachers just on the other side. What if someone comes in? What if…what if…”

  “What if you stopped worrying and let me kiss you again?”

  “No, we can’t…” Her words were cut off, then, as he pulled her closer and kissed her again in spite of her protest. She couldn’t help herself. She flung her arms around him and kissed him back.

  When he let her go, she gave a soft cry and fled from the room.

  Andrew stared after her. He could feel the silly grin spreading across his face. He had no more doubts about his feelings for Faith.

  For the rest of the day, he gave her some space. From the grills he watched her interact with parents and children.

  “What’s wrong with Faith today?” asked Oliver as he flipped a row of burgers. “She seems as nervous as a long-tailed…what’s that expression?”

  “As nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs,” Andrew reminded him.

  “Does it have something to do with this being her last day, you think?”

  He grinned. “No, I don’t. And I don’t think this will be her last day, either.”

  Oliver shrugged. “Whatever you say. I’m going to have to turn the grill over to you so I can start the baseball game.”

  “Go ahead. I think Hope Velasquez is getting the kids together now. She’ll help you.”

  Andrew raised his eyebrows when Oliver muttered, “Hope. Great,” and stalked away. He didn’t waste time worrying about it though. He had much more important things on his mind.

  ****

  Finally the day wore down. Happy, excited children went home with parents or on the bus, eager to enjoy their summer vacation. Volunteers and teachers stayed to help with clean up. It was late by the time Faith was back at her desk. For the last time.

  “Hi Mom.” Kevin sauntered into the office and dropped a bulging backpack on the floor.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I went to Tyler’s house after school and since it was close by, I thought I’d stop and see if you need some help carrying your things out.”

  Faith studied her son. He’d been so set against her quitting, why was he offering his help now? “What do you want?”

  She saw him trying to hold back a smile. “Nothing, honest. I just thought you’d like some help.”

  “Hey, Faith.” Now Robin bounced in.

  The sight of Andrew’s daughter had Faith on her feet. “You’re home!” She held out her arms for Robin’s hug. “Now, what are you doing here?”

  “I thought maybe you and Dad and Kevin and I could go out to dinner,” she said. “I know neither of you had time to eat those burgers and hot dogs everyone else was stuffing themselves with.”

  “Oh, honey, I don’t know. I’ve got so much to do here.” Faith looked down at the box. So far it held only a picture of Robin and a picture of Kevin.

  “Well, I think it sounds like a wonderful idea.”

  She looked up to see Andrew leaning on the doorframe.

  “But…”

  “Leave it, Faith. You can come in Monday and clear it out.”

  “Come on, Faith,” pleaded Robin. “I haven’t had any time to talk to you since I got back.”

  Kevin chimed in too, urging her to go.

  She didn’t know what to do. Andrew telling her he loved her was a dream come true. In fact, i
t seemed too good to be true. She was afraid to believe it. It was too much, too fast. Now, she needed to stay far away from him until she figured out what was going on, but her will was wavering with the three people she loved most in the world begging her to go.