Walking Among the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series

by Heather D'Agostino

  “You’re chicken,” Ty teased. “Tay’s a chicken. Bock, bock, bock, bock.” He flapped his arms as he grinned at me. A red ring had formed around his mouth from the Popsicle, and a few drips had made their way onto his bare chest.

  “Am not!” I shouted. The truth was, I’d fallen out of that same tree attempting this stunt when I was here last week by myself. I’d landed on my arm and still had a bruise to prove it. I’d lied to my dad so he wouldn’t be mad, but I didn’t want it to happen again.

  “Are too,” Trevor hooted as he flopped back in the water and ducked under the surface. “Come on! What are you afraid of, sissy!”

  “Nothing!” I grumbled as I reluctantly climbed the tree. I knew I was going to regret this, but at twelve you did a lot of stupid things. Trevor was proof of that. At sixteen, he still did stupid stuff.

  My feet clung to the bark as I reached above my head and grabbed onto one of the lower branches. I slowly followed the same path my brother’s had and I made my way up the tree. It didn’t seem as high up as the last time, but as I inched out over the water I couldn’t help but swallow as I looked down.

  “Come on!” Trevor motioned. “Show your girlfriend you’re not a chicken.”

  Upon hearing Trevor mention Morgan, my head whipped around, searching for her. I didn’t see her, and hearing Tyler bust out in laughter, I knew they’d tricked me.

  “Oh my god! You should have seen your face!” Ty clutched his middle as he leaned back almost falling off the branch. “I knew you liked her,” he pointed at me as I stood there balancing over the water.

  “Shut up!” I growled as I positioned myself to try and land this backflip. My knees shook as I bent them, and I closed my eyes.

  “Stop stalling,” Trevor goaded me. “Just do it.”

  I took a deep a breath, and flung my body backward, hoping that I cleared the branch and the ground. I held my breath as my body plunged awkwardly into the icy water below. It caught me off-guard that I’d actually done it, and when I surfaced, I sputtered and coughed. Both Trevor and Ty were laughing their asses off, and I frowned. “What? I did it; I’m not chicken.” I crossed my arms over my chest. I’d done what they asked, but they still felt the need to tease me.

  Trevor shrugged, “Yeah. You did it. Whoop de do.”

  “Why are you such a jerk to me?” I shook my head as I swam to the grassy bank. I pulled myself up onto the soft grass, and flopped down, covering my eyes with my arm.

  “Because it’s fun,” Trevor called.

  “Yeah, it’s fun,” Ty echoed.

  I heard a splash shortly after, and figured it was Ty jumping from the tree. He was only nine, but fearless. Our mother told me he was going to put her in the grave early, and at the time, none of us knew what that meant.

  “Let’s go,” Trevor grumbled as he moved closer to me. I still had my eyes covered, but his voice was getting louder. “Mom said supper would be ready by now.”

  “Go ahead. I’m not ready to leave yet,” I mumbled.

  “You’re going to get in trouble,” Ty warned.

  “I don’t care. I’m not leaving right now,” I lifted my arm to peer up at him, standing over me, before dropping it back over my eyes.

  “Whatever,” he sighed as he slipped his shoes back on and took off running after Trevor.

  I knew I’d get in trouble for being late, but she always came around this time and it was nice having her all to myself. Morgan liked to swim when the water was quiet. She didn’t like to be splashed, and that’s exactly what happened the one and only time I’d brought her here with my brothers. It had been a disaster, and ever since then I’d been staying late. Mom usually made me do extra chores for causing her to worry about me, but I didn’t care.

  “Hey,” her timid voice sounded from behind me. “You stayed.”

  I sat up quickly and turned my head to face her, “Of course, I stayed. We’re friends.” I shrugged as I watched her fold her slim figure down on the grass beside me. Her cheeks were pink from the heat, and it made her blue eyes sparkle even more.

  “I just thought…” she trailed off as she stared at me. Her eyes moved over my chest, and down to the cutoff jeans I was wearing that were now plastered to my legs from the creek water.

  “Just thought what?” I pushed my wet hair back to keep it from dripping in my eyes.

  “Never mind,” she shook her head as she turned to stare out at the water. “Is it cold?”

  “Only one way to find out,” I grinned as I stood and offered her a hand to stand up. My mother had always taught me to treat a lady with respect, and I tried to with Morgan. She was pretty, and even at twelve, I could sense something inside me calling to her.

  She stood, and reached for the hem of the sundress she was wearing. As her fingers bunched the fabric, more and more of her tan legs came into view. When she finally got the thing over her head, I swallowed. The one piece suit she was wearing revealed just enough skin to keep my twelve-year-old brain interested. She smiled shyly as she brushed her hands over herself as if she needed to smooth something. Her blonde hair was in a long braid that fell down her back, and her toenails had been painted in a light pink that matched the swimsuit she was wearing.

  “Come on,” I grabbed her hand and pulled her behind me over to the base of the tree I’d just jumped out of.

  “I’m not going up there,” she shook her head as she tried to pull her hand from my grasp.

  “We won’t go up that high. It’s fun. Trust me,” I grinned at her over my shoulder. I stepped back and pointed to a branch. “Grab on right there, and pull yourself up.” I watched as she followed my directions and inched up to the lowest branch that would hold both our weight and get us over the water. “I’m right behind you,” I reassured as I too, reached up and grabbed on.

  Once we were both on the branch, I grabbed her hand and helped her inch out over the water. A breeze blew causing the tree to sway and Morgan to cry out in fear. “It’s ok, I gotcha,” I soothed as the breeze died down. She sagged slightly in relief as I tightened my grip on her hand. “Ready?” I grinned at her. She nodded quickly before sucking in a breath. We bent our knees and took a flying leap together down into the icy water.

  “Ahhh,” she screamed when she surfaced. “That’s cold!” she turned her face to where I was laughing and glared at me. “You should have told me it was that cold.”

  “Why?” I shrugged. “You wouldn’t have done it then,” I chuckled. “It feels good though, right? You have to admit that it’s refreshing after being in the hot sun all day.”

  “Yeah,” she relented. “It does feel nice.” She swam over to where I was, and placed her feet on the creek bed. “Thanks,” she grinned at me, and I could see something change in her expression.

  “No biggie,” I lifted a shoulder. “You ok?”

  She blushed, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You just seem different today,” I scanned her face. The blush on her cheeks began to spread to her neck and ears, and I couldn’t help but wrinkle my forehead. “Did I embarrass you?” I was utterly curious, and at the time I didn’t know what her signals meant. It took me four more years to realize that Morgan McGregor wanted to be more than friends.

  I sighed as I finished off my beer. CJ was getting to be the age I was when Morgan popped into my life. He hadn’t said anything to me about girls, and I was silently hoping that it would continue for a while. I knew I couldn’t keep him a little boy forever, but I could try.

  I WIPED AT my forehead as sweat beaded across my brow. I’d been moving furniture and boxes all day. It was my third day here, but you couldn’t tell I’d done anything. Virginia had more stuff then I knew what to do with. I was going to have to give some of this away if I wanted to keep the place. There wasn’t room here for any of my things.

  I sighed as I pulled yet another box over in front of where I was sitting. I began sneezing as the dust lifted in a cloud in front of me. Who knew the last time anyone had been through any
of these rooms? I wiped my hand on the cotton shorts I was wearing and happened to notice the dusty hand prints left behind. I felt gross, and was craving a cold shower, but curiosity over what she’d saved over the years won out. My dad would have a fit if he could see me now. In his eyes, movers should be dealing with this, not his CEO daughter.

  The box popped open with ease, and caused me to suck in a breath when I saw the paper casually lying on top. I lifted it and ran my fingers across the writing. First Place, Cherry Pie Baking Contest and my name was scrolled underneath it. I remembered that day like yesterday. Virginia had taught me how to bake the summer before, and I’d finally worked up the nerve to try and enter the contest in the yearly Cherry Festival. The blue ribbon that they’d pinned on me when I won was sitting right under the certificate along with the picture Virginia had taken of me. Taylor was standing beside me smiling. His arm was casually wrapped around my shoulders, and I remember feeling the tingles that it caused. “I can’t believe you kept this,” I murmured as I lifted my eyes to stare at the ceiling. “Why?” I whispered. A small tear trickled down my face as I remembered that summer, and all it held for me. It was the beginning of the us I’d always wanted. It was fleeting and painful, like most summer loves, and thinking about it now still hurt.

  Enough of this, I thought as I pushed the box away. I stumbled to my feet, and made my way to the back door. I wanted to go out into the orchard. I hadn’t done that yet, and I missed it. If I had enough time, I might even go down to the creek and soak my feet. It wasn’t swimming, but it would still be refreshing.

  AS I AMBLED farther into the orchard, the spring breeze blew against my sweaty skin and cooled me. The blossoms on the trees were close to peak, and as they fluttered, they reminded me of a pink snowstorm of sorts. The grass was soft, and as its blades brushed against my sandaled feet, it tickled. I could hear laughter in the distance as I approached the edge of the orchard, and assumed that some kids had found my old swimming hole. I used to come down here every evening after supper to swim and cool off. Many nights, Taylor would join me despite his parents punishing him for being out late.

  I tipped my head back to the sky and peered up at the clouds. The sunset sky was a soft shade of orange and purple, and seeing it made me yearn to give up my life in the city and make this a permanent home. I knew I couldn’t. My father would never allow it, but I could pretend just like I used to.

  “Hey!” The voice I’d heard earlier brought me back to the present. I’d been daydreaming and staring at the sky so much that I hadn’t realized that I’d made it to the creek bank. My head snapped in the direction of the voice to find the boy I’d met on the road the day before.

  “Hello,” I smiled as I lowered myself onto the soft grass.

  “You comin’ swimin’?” He grinned as he waded toward the bank.

  “No,” I shook my head as I slipped my sandals off. “Just cooling my feet.”

  He wrinkled his nose as he climbed from the water. His shorts were dripping and he slung his head like a dog would to shake the water from his hair. “That’s boring,” he moved over to the tree I remember jumping out of so many times as a child. “Wanna see a trick?” He grinned as he began climbing its truck.

  I swallowed. “Be careful.” I watched as he climbed higher and higher.

  “You sound like my dad,” he groaned as he reached his destination and inched out over the water. “Watch this.” He bent his knees, swung his arms, and launched himself backward into a backflip before plunging into the water below.

  My eyes scanned the water waiting for him to emerge. Thoughts of all the times the Cook brothers did this swam though my mind. It scared me then, and now, it was worse. As an adult, I knew how dangerous this was. When he surfaced, I sighed in relief. “You really shouldn’t do that. You could break your neck,” I warned him.

  “It’s fine. Really. I’ve been doing that since last summer. My cousin taught me. He’s younger, and he’s fine,” CJ shrugged as if it was common knowledge that if someone younger could pull off a dangerous stunt he should be able to do it, too.

  “Does your dad know you do that?” it came out authoritative, and I felt bad after the fact. I didn’t know anything about this kid, or his family.

  “Sure,” CJ glanced at me guilty. “So,” he swam over to me. “You got a husband that’s coming to stay with you?” he climbed out of the water and seated himself beside me.

  I laughed. “I’m not married.”

  “Boyfriend?” He grinned.

  “I think you’re a little young for that,” I laughed again.

  “Eww, no!” He scrunched his face up. “I mean you’re pretty and all,” he back pedaled “but eww. I was just wondering if maybe I could help you with anything. You see,” he picked at the grass beside himself. “I want this new bike. My dad said it was too expensive, so I figured if I helped pay for it then he’d get it for me,” he shrugged before turning his eyes back to my face. “You live close; I could walk to your house.”

  I was amazed at the maturity of this kid. He seemed so driven, but also carefree. He reminded me of something I had always strived for. I had the drive, that wasn’t the issue. It was the way he could be so relaxed at the same time. “So?” he picked at some more grass. “I can do anything. My dad says I’m really handy, and I’m strong. Got any heavy boxes or anything?”

  “As a matter-of-fact I do,” I smiled at him as I slowly melted. It seemed innocent enough, and when I thought back to all the lessons I’d learned here in Cherryville, I couldn’t help but try to pay it forward, even it was to help a kid buy a bike. “Are you sure your dad would be ok with this?” I watched him as he slowly stood and slipped on his dirty sneakers.

  Yes!” His head jerked up and down feverously. “Oh yes!”

  “Come by after school tomorrow then, but make sure you finish your homework first,” I tipped my head back so I could see his face as I shielded my eyes from the sun.

  “Yes, Ma’am,” he hopped from one foot to the other as he fumbled with his sneakers. “Thank you so much.” He held his hand out for me to shake. “I won’t let you down; I promise.” He shook my hand, and then turned to run back through the orchard.

  As his silhouette became smaller and smaller, I couldn’t help remembering all those afternoons watching Taylor run away in the same direction. This kid was slowly weaseling his way into my heart, and I didn’t know anything about him other than his first name. How could you love someone else’s child like your own? Could I let my heart yearn for the one thing I always wanted… a family? I had turned off that emotion so long ago that I’d forgotten what it felt like. Who was CJ, and whose family did he belong to? I was afraid of finding out, because when I did, it might tear me apart.

  WHEN AFTERNOON CAME the next day, CJ showed up just like he said he would. He’d ridden his bike and left it in the front yard; he’d stormed up onto the porch and pounded on the door as if someone was after him. When I’d swung it open, he stood there beaming at me as he’d tried to catch his breath.

  “I can stay til supper,” he grinned as he shifted on his feet.

  “Are you sure your dad is ok with this? Maybe I should call him and introduce myself.” I blew out a breath. I wasn’t sure what the protocol was here anymore. When I was younger, everybody knew everybody else. You didn’t need to worry about strangers, but I didn’t understand how this boy’s family was so ok with him being here and knowing nothing about me.

  “He don’t care,” CJ shrugged.

  “Doesn’t,” I corrected and he frowned.

  “You been talkin to my dad,” he grumbled under his breath. When I didn’t confirm or deny him, he glanced up at me, “He don’t let me get away with talkin like that.”

  I laughed as he scowled, “Maybe your dad just wants you to sound more like a gentleman.”

  “I don’t know,” he sighed as he stepped past me and into the foyer of the house. “Wow,” he gasped as he looked around. “You live here?”

&nbs
p; “For now,” I nodded. “So, if you’ll follow me,” I gestured as I led him into the kitchen. His feet padded along behind me slowly as we made our way over to the large farm sink. I’d grabbed a bucket, and some sponges earlier in the day for him to use, and already had done some of the work myself. “The windows all need to be wiped down on the inside. I’ve done the ones that would be over your head,” I gestured to a far wall of windows that led out the sun porch. “If you want to start in here that would be fine. Here’s the soap and a sponge. Make sure you change the water after every three windows that helps keep the water clean. When you finish in here, you can go to the rest of the rooms on this level, and then upstairs if you have time,” I smiled as I placed the bucket of soapy water on the floor. “Sound good?” I stepped back and waited for an answer from him, and was rewarded rather quickly.

  “No problem, Ma’am,” he grinned as he lifted the bucket and placed it in front of the first window. “I’ll get them all finished today. I promise, Ma’am.”

  “You don’t have to call me ma’am,” I smiled. “My name’s Morgan. You can call me that.” I watched him as his brow furrowed. “Something wrong?”

  “My dad says you don’t call grown-ups by their first names. It’s not proper,” he shook his head. “What’s your last name?”

  “McGregor,” I tipped my head to the side as I watched him.

  “Can I call you Miss McGregor then?” he lifted the sponge and began wiping the first window.

  “Sure,” I nodded. “Who’s your dad? I need to thank him for raising you right?” I asked so quietly that it was almost inaudible.

  “Taylor Cook,” he jerked his head in the affirmative as he trailed the sponge over the glass. “He owns the hardware store. You should come by. He likes pretty ladies,” he continued to face the window with his back to me.

  It felt as if the air had been completely knocked out of me. I knew he looked like Taylor. Same hair, same eyes. It was like going back though time. Even his mannerisms were the same. The air in the room became so thick that I knew I needed to get out of there as fast as possible. Taylor had a son. He’d met someone else, fallen in love, and had a baby with her.