The Orchard Inn

by A. M. Kusi

  Ella looked at the laptop and then to River. “Already? Wow, that was fast. So, I didn’t ruin the whole thing?”

  “Nah, it could happen to anybody,” he said and she got the sense he was trying to make her feel better.

  “Thank you so much. You saved me a huge headache,” she said appreciatively.

  “Who set the website up for you?”

  “Is it that obvious that it wasn’t me?” Ella asked, curious.

  “Well, kinda. Still, I can see it’s a basic set-up. You need a few things updated, like, as soon as possible.”

  “I paid a local college kid to do it for me. It wasn’t pretty, but it was functional, and it was all we could afford at the time. I figured there was no point in improving it until the remodel was complete and we had all new pictures taken. I used our downtime to learn for myself. I thought I could do it, but now I am not so sure.”

  “You know, there is a company that will back it up automatically for you. And you can restore the whole thing with one click in less than a minute,” River explained.

  “Really? What is the name of this sorcery?” Ella joked.

  “I’ll show you,” he said, pulling up the browser on her laptop and clicking a few keys. “This is the one.”

  Ella looked at the screen. “Wow, I’ll definitely have to check that out tomorrow when I have recovered all the brain cells that died today in honor of The Orchard Inn dot com.” Ella laughed, and River joined in. She was genuinely having a good time and felt relaxed with him.

  Ella’s eyes met his and they sat staring at each other in silence for a moment.

  River spoke. “My offer still stands. I have to be at the resort until three for the next two days, but after, I can come and help you with the site. I can set you up with this company, update the site, and show you what to do so that you just have to maintain it in the future. Should take me a couple days.”

  “How did you learn to do all of this?” Ella asked, moving her hand in a circle, motioning towards the computer.

  “I have always been interested in tech. I wanted to go into accounting, and business administration. I know it isn’t nineteen-fifty anymore, but not too many white folks feel they can trust people with my color skin when it comes to their money. I was also good with technology, so then it all kind of fell into place. I joined my dad’s company, Parker Consulting Incorporated, and worked on the website and online marketing. I helped to make it what it is today,” River stated rather matter-of-factly, without any hint of arrogance.

  She watched his eyes light up when he spoke about his father’s business. She loved the way he seemed so sure of himself.

  Ella had stayed with Mac long enough to know that racism was still alive and well in this country. She had been blinded by her own privilege, being white and not having any friends of color in the small towns she grew up in over in New York. Being with Mac had opened her eyes to the fact that people of color were judged purely by their skin. The thought made her heart ache at the injustice of it all and to also feel guilty about her ancestry.

  “You love your job then?” Ella asked.

  “I am not really doing any of that now. My dad wanted me to take over the speaking and consulting with him so that someday I can lead the business.”

  Ella saw the light in his eyes fade a little. “So, you’re not happy doing what you do?”

  “In all honesty, no. I mean, the pay is great, and I enjoy doing some of it, but I’d rather get into the trenches and help companies to increase their revenue with online marketing. Since his company has grown, my dad usually outsources that now. I’ve never had anyone ask me that question though. My parents just assumed I should be working towards taking over their business. It is a great opportunity for sure and they did need my help, so I am not complaining. This career has given me a good life.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “It’s okay.”

  Ella couldn’t help but notice that River’s strengths seemed to be her weaknesses. She wondered if her talents would balance with his.

  Ella met his eyes, feeling the ball of anxiety in her stomach dull. “You help me with the website, teach me a few things about online marketing, and in return I become your tour guide? I hardly think that’s fair.”

  River’s eyes lit up seeming hopeful as he turned in his chair to face her better. “It is to me. I want to see the sights, but it is always more fun when a friend is there to share the experience. It also helps me not get lost. I have a terrible sense of direction,” he said with a smile.

  Ella laughed. “Oh no. Don’t tell anyone around here that. You may lose your man-card.”

  Ella thought over his offer, biting her bottom lip. Her guest had offered to fix a problem of hers in a simple business transaction. A trade. It would still be a professional relationship, only it would move from the inn to the outdoors.

  She was a professional after all, and this was just her conversing professionally with a guest. She repeated the word professional a few times as if it would cement in her brain, and calm down the part of her that was thinking anything but professional thoughts.

  She wasn’t sure she could handle it. As tempting as his offer was, she was not ready to take that step. Even if it meant having to deal with the website on her own.

  She would accept his help just this once. Updates and website recovery for a latte, but she couldn’t offer him more than that right now.

  “I really appreciate the offer, and your help here.” Ella reached out her hand to shake his.

  The touch of their hands sent sparks flying, she let the touch linger a few moments longer.

  River smiled and returned the gesture. “It really is no problem.” She sensed he knew that she felt more comfortable when they spoke as professionals.

  It was Ella who pulled back first.

  “Your scheduling plug-in needs to be updated. Do you mind if I do that now?” River asked, and she got the feeling that he was trying to buy more time with her.

  “Can you show me what to do so that this doesn’t happen again?” Ella asked.

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  River showed her what she needed to know, taking the time to patiently answer her questions. She enjoyed the exchange.

  “And that’s it.” He said when he’d finished.

  “You make it look so easy. Technology is definitely not my friend. I mean, I can handle my iPhone, but that’s about it.”

  They laughed together, and then their eyes met. Ella’s phone dinged with an incoming text message.

  “Speaking of.” Ella checked and saw the message was from Maggie.

  Maggie: Put the computer away and come have dinner and a drink with us!

  Ella set the phone down before answering her friend, realizing she was being rude. “Sorry, I have to check this for the inn. The guests might need something.”

  “It’s okay,” he assured her.

  Another incoming text interrupted them. Ella felt mortified as Maggie’s latest message flashed on the screen.

  Maggie: Bring that man candy too…

  Ella grabbed her phone as quickly as she could, praying to God River hadn’t looked.

  “Hey, listen. I really appreciated your help with this. You saved me. How about dinner on me tonight? I mean, I am supposed to meet a coworker over at the pub, and it would be just a social thing. As a way of saying thank you for your help.” Ella improvised. Maggie and Julie would make a great buffer for her, and she felt like she owed River something for saving her day. Or week, rather.

  “Yes,” River answered, almost too quickly. “Mind if I change really quick?” River asked, pulling the collar of his dress shirt.

  “No problem. How about we meet back here in the lobby at five thirty?”

  “See you then.”

  Ella watched Rive
r turn and walk back towards the stairs. She set up the sign on the lobby desk with her phone number in case the guests needed anything while she was gone. She texted Maggie to let her know that she would in fact be bringing River to dinner. Then she made her way to her room to take a shower and change before they left.

  At five thirty, Ella entered into the lobby where River was waiting. He was freshly showered and had traded his suit for a pair of jeans that hugged his backside in all the right places. He wore a simple light blue T-shirt with a picture of Link from the first version of The Legend of Zelda video game. Ella knew it because it had been one of her favorites that she’d played with Declan. These thoughts of her ex triggered a memory, and suddenly Ella was thrust back to a memory from seven years ago, reliving it as if it was happening all over again.

  ***

  Declan’s eyes shot open as he pulled her arm so hard Ella thought it might rip out of its socket. Pain seared from her wrist to her shoulder. He was on top of her in a second, with his hands around her throat. Declan was screaming obscenities, but all Ella could focus on was trying to free her throat and get a breath of oxygen into her lungs. She clawed at his hands and tried to wriggle free. It was no use. The room started to go black, and her lungs burned. This is it; this is where I die, She thought. Then, everything went black.

  ***

  River took in the sight of the beautiful woman in front of him. She wore her hair down, the long strands curling around her almost bare shoulders. She had on a bright yellow T-shirt and a pair of black leggings that showed off every perfect curve. River noted that her eyes looked different, darker, but he still couldn’t tell if she was wearing makeup. He liked her just the way she was, with a bare face. I’d probably like her naked everything.

  “Ready?”

  River’s voice seemed to interrupt Ella’s thoughts. She gave him a forced smile and repeated, “Ready.”

  Right before they walked out the door, the lobby phone rang.

  “Let me get this really quick,” Ella said, walking behind the desk.

  “No worries.” River tried his best not to, but his eyes followed her, and he realized he was having trouble picking a favorite feature of Ella’s. The view from behind her was just as gorgeous as the front. The leggings fit her body like a glove, showing off the curve of her ass, leaving almost nothing to his imagination.

  “Hello, The Orchard Inn. Can I help you…? Hello?... No answer, but I thought I heard someone breathing. Hello?” she shrugged. “Must have been a wrong number.” Ella hung up the phone. “It was probably a local kid with nothing better to do on a Thursday night than making prank calls.”

  River smiled and opened the door for her as they headed to the pub.

  Ella and River walked along the side of the road, making small talk about the area. The sun was warm even through the shade of the trees surrounding them on the mountain. The air smelled fresh, like pine and flowers. They passed the same lilac bush that they had the night before, and River noticed Ella stopped to smell the purple cluster of blossoms. River paused, drinking in the way her eyes fluttered closed as she seemed to enjoy every second of the aromatic experience. He felt jealous of the flower, and then realized how truly absurd that was. River knew he needed to get a hold of himself. He wasn’t sure why this tattooed inn owner brought out a predatory part of himself. Being near Ella made his whole body seem to short-circuit.

  He knew he had to explore these feelings, this magnetic force between them, but something told him she needed him to go slow. He saw the script tattoo over her forearm. You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. He knew the quote was by C.S. Lewis, one of his favorite authors.

  Ella looked back at River and gave him a sheepish smile before continuing towards the pub, “My favorite.”

  “So, people here in Vermont literally stop and smell the roses?”

  They laughed in unison.

  “Well, the lilacs anyways. Vermont is certainly a slower-paced place than most,” Ella explained.

  “I’ve noticed that. As soon as I drove into the Green Mountains State, it was just a different feeling. Especially your inn though. It feels homey.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad it does.” Ella had convinced Mac to upgrade most of the inn four years ago, including remodeling each of the ten guest rooms.

  When they had discovered the beautiful cream-colored stone behind the horrible yellow-painted sheetrock walls, Ella had encouraged Mac to strip the entire place. Ella had picked the modern lantern lighting, fixtures, color palette, and furniture herself. She was proud of what she and Mac had done together. She had fallen in love with the inn and had big plans for its future. It was a part of her now, just as it had been a part of Mac. It was her independence, her safety, and her home.

  With the remodel came a new energy. News had traveled and The Orchard Inn’s business started to increase. They were now one of the popular destination wedding sites in Vermont. Ella dreamed of extending that reach to the whole of New England. For that, she would need to put her arts and business degree to work and figure out how to market the inn online.

  They reached the pub, River opened the door, and Ella walked in first, and seemed to be scanning the room for her friends. He followed her to an empty booth and sat down.

  “They should be here soon.” As if on cue, her phone chimed.

  Maggie: Just got Avery settled at Mom’s. Heading over now.

  “They are on their way,” Ella said, trying to get Lucas’s attention with her hand.

  River felt his body grow tense as soon as he saw the tall, muscular tattooed man approach their table. He still wasn’t sure if Ella was single, and would bet anything that Lucas was her type: big, muscled, and inked.

  “Hey, babe, what can I get you?” Lucas asked, eyeing River suspiciously.

  “Hey, Lucas, this is River. He is a guest staying at the inn. We are waiting for Julie and Maggie, but I think everyone is set on pizza.” Ella turned to River. “Is that okay with you?”

  “Yeah. Sounds great.”

  River felt his jaw tense and he sat up straighter. He noticed Ella studying him and his changed body language. Are they together?

  “Two specialty flatbread pizzas. I’ll have the usual to drink. River?” she asked.

  “Whatever’s on tap.”

  “No problem,” Lucas said, giving River a onceover before returning behind the bar.

  River could feel the tension in the air. He just needed to get it over with and ask; directness was always his preference. “Is he your boyfriend?” He almost choked the words out and hoped she hadn’t noticed.

  “Lucas? No. He’s more like a big brother. He’s single, if you’re interested. Lucas is bi, and you do look like his type.”

  River felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment. He was speechless. Did Ella think he was gay, or bisexual too? “Oh, I’m not interested in him. I just wondered because he called you babe. I’m as straight as they come, like a board…or a line.” River decided to stop talking before he dug himself a deeper hole.

  A waitress brought over their drinks, and River took a long swig of the dark ale. When he set it back on the table and braved a glance at Ella, he saw a large, knowing smile across her face.

  “You were messing with me?” he asked.

  “It was too easy not too.” She laughed.

  River chuckled. He felt a surge of pride whenever Ella laughed because of him. He wanted to chase the high. The more she laughed, the more he craved it, like a drug. “I guess it was. So, what brought you to Stowe? Did you grow up here?” he asked, changing the subject.

  Ella paused, looking taken aback. She took a deep breath before answering, “I came here to work with Mac seven years ago.”

  “Oh. But he’s your dad, right?”

  “Not biologically. Mac was born in this country, b
ut his parents were migrant workers from Jamaica. He’d lived here in the States since he was in high school. His parents thought it would be a better life for him. He started working in the orchards like them, hence The Orchard Inn.”

  “Wow. A true American-dream kind of story, huh?” River was impressed.

  “Something like that. His mother is still alive on the island. I send her money every month to help take care of her needs.” Ella seemed uncomfortable sharing any personal information.

  Her words hit River right in the heart, and something inside his chest snapped. He had to take another sip of his beer to regain his composure, but his throat felt thick. This woman, who worked so hard for what she had, took some of her own money and sent it to another man’s family—without even a blood obligation. River’s ex-fiancée had made it clear that she expected him to pay for all her expenses, whether needed or not. River knew that Ella would never expect, much less accept, half the extravagant gifts Coraline had demanded.

  Any thoughts of his relationship with Ella being just for fun turned into him hoping there would be a deeper possibility. If only she would give him a chance. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did Mac pass away?”

  Ella looked down at her drink before answering, “Cancer.” She took a sip. “He was diagnosed six months before he passed away. It was too far along for them to do much. He refused all treatment at the end. So, I took care of him at the inn,” Ella explained.

  River could see in her face that she was replaying memories of her and Mac’s last moments. “It sounds like you and him had something special.”

  “He was the special one,” Ella almost whispered.

  They sat in a moment of silence; River felt like he needed to give her space after such a heavy topic.

  Looking up, River recognized a tall blonde who walked into the pub.

  Chapter 5

  The blonde walked up to the table holding hands with a redheaded woman. River assumed these were Ella’s friends. They crammed into the booth, forcing Ella closer to him.