The Orchard Inn

by A. M. Kusi

  “Thank you,” Ella said genuinely.

  “You have a good day.”

  Ella hung up and stored the officer’s number in her phone, leaving a copy of the number stuck to the front desk.

  Later that afternoon, Ella folded her laundry in her bedroom, finding River’s black tee shirt from the day at the waterfall. She pulled the shirt to her nose and breathed in the faint scent of River’s woodsy cologne. Her phone dinged with an incoming text.

  River: How is your day going? I’m at the airport, waiting for my flight and drinking a latte. Airport lattes have nothing on yours though.

  Ella smiled as she read the words, her stomach doing flips that he’d followed through with his promise. She texted back.

  Ella: It’s my secret ingredient that I didn’t tell you about.

  River: Oh? You were holding out on me. Are you going to tell me what this secret ingredient is?

  Ella: Not yet. I think I’ll make you work for it. You said you like a challenge, right?

  There was a moment of silence before she saw the little bubble appear, signaling that he was writing something.

  River: Challenge accepted. It’s worth it. You’re worth it.

  Ella held her breath as she read his words. They both knew he was talking about more than the latte. Ella wasn’t sure how to respond.

  The bubble appeared again, and his text came through a moment later.

  River: Getting on the plane now. Can I call you tonight? Eight p.m?”

  Ella bit her lip, anxiously. She typed her response, I’ll look forward to it, and hit send. She was surprised with how happy she was to hear from River and how much she missed him already.

  Ella went to the pub for dinner. She needed to be around familiar people and decided she was not going to let fear of Declan control her. She sat at the bar and worked on some of the things that she and River had discussed, until the sun started to set.

  Lucas brought her a fresh cup of tea and said, “I’ll walk you home when you’re ready to go, unless River is coming?”

  Ella looked at the tall, dark, and handsome man who was like a brother to her. Ever since she’d met him in Mac’s office, Lucas had been protective of her. “Thank you, Lucas. I would really appreciate it. River left.”

  “Oh? I thought he was into you. Did you kick him to the curb?” Lucas asked with a sly smile.

  “He had business in the Big Apple.”

  “I see. Let me know when you’re ready love.” Lucas said, drying his hands on a towel before moving on to refill the glasses of his customers at the bar.

  Ella finished her tea and let Lucas know she was done. He walked her to the inn and gave her a hug goodbye before returning to his pub.

  Ella checked the messages and went upstairs to her room. The clock read seven thirty. She changed into her pajamas: a simple light blue tee shirt and a pair of black boy-shorts. She was snuggled in her bed, reading a romance novel, trying not to check the time too frequently as the seconds ticked by more like minutes. At 7:50, Ella’s phone rang and she jumped from the surprise, dropping her book to the floor. Ella quickly checked the caller ID and composed herself. It was River calling.

  She hit the green icon and teased, “You’re early.”

  “Right. Well, the time difference and all messed me up,” River joked.

  “Time difference? Pretty sure we are both on east coast time,” Ella said, not buying it.

  “Alright you caught me. I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to hear your voice,” River admitted.

  Ella wasn’t sure what to say. His words made her feel special, and her stomach flutter.

  River continued, “So, how was your day?”

  Ella recapped her very drawn-out day in less than two minutes, mentioning she found his shirt in her laundry.

  “Well, now I have to come back. Whether you want me to or not.”

  Ella could hear his smile through the phone. “I want you to come.” The words left her mouth before her brain could filter them.

  “I want to come back too,” River replied.

  He told her about his day, mentioning how the chain hotel was nothing compared to her inn, which made her smile. They continued their banter until ten o’clock when Ella could barely keep her eyes open. Waking up at four thirty meant she was usually ready for bed at nine. River understood her fatigue and assured her he was exhausted himself. They said their good nights and went to sleep.

  The next eight days went by fast. River had a busy week with conferences and meetings, but he would send Ella texts throughout the day, checking in with her and seeing how hers was going. They spoke every night for at least two hours. They talked about what they were doing in life, and what they wanted to do. They spoke about their interests and hobbies. River always had a funny story to tell her about his experiences in college playing soccer with his friends, Ethan and Jaxton. Ella had a few of her own to share about colorful guests or the funny items they’d left behind. Those phone calls turned into the best part of their days, and they both looked forward to connecting with each other before bed.

  It was Wednesday afternoon, and Ella hadn’t heard from River since the text he’d sent earlier that morning saying: Good morning, beautiful. The phone calls from Declan had stopped, and Ella felt more at ease. She figured he’d got the restraining order and decided that she wasn’t worth the hassle. Or rather, she hoped.

  Ella was distracted with the expansive list of items Maggie had left her to get for the wedding at the inn on Saturday. She made her way to the hardware store to buy the final bits and pieces before returning to the inn, having to make two trips to bring in all the supplies she’d bought.

  Maggie had covered the front desk while Ella had been gone, and she greeted her with a smile. “You want to join me and Julia for dinner tonight at the pub?”

  Ella looked at the clock and saw it was quarter to five. Realizing she’d never heard from River, she felt a pang of rejection.

  See? Good things never last. It was too good to be true.

  River had told her that his last break-up hadn’t even been resolved. That they’d both just gone their separate ways. She wondered if that was what he was doing.

  “Sure. I’ll head over after I shower and change. I could use a drink,” Ella said. “I have Emily coming in tonight to show Tanya the ropes of the night shift.”

  Ella had hired more help for the busy event season at the inn and would be rotating evening shifts with Emily and Tanya. Emily would stay with her to refresh Tanya’s memory and walk her through the changes. Ella had originally planned for Emily to show her, so that she wouldn’t miss River’s call.

  “Sounds great! See you at six?” Maggie said, with a little too much enthusiasm.

  “Why are you acting weird?”

  “What? You’re right; you do need a drink. You’re cranky today. Trouble in paradise?” Maggie teased, as she grabbed her purse and darted out the door before Ella could respond.

  Tanya and Emily walked through the back door a couple minutes before five, and Ella took her leave. She showered and decided to leave her hair down, opting to stick with her favorite skinny jeans and another loose-fitting blouse for dinner. A knock came at her door at 5:45. It was Tanya.

  “Sorry to bother you, Ella. There is a guest here who says they have a reservation, but I can’t find it and we are fully booked until next Monday,” Tanya explained apologetically.

  “Let me see what I can do,” Ella said, following Tanya down to the front desk. This was the last thing she needed to deal with right now. She wanted a drink, and to stop letting the absence of a certain man’s text affect her mood. What kind of woman was she if she let a man she had known less than two weeks, make her obsess over the fact that he hadn’t texted or called her, or…

  Ella’s phone dinged with an incoming text as she opened the door to the lob
by. Her hand shot down to her pocket faster than the speed of light. She saw his name across her screen and clicked on the text as she walked blindly to the desk.

  River: You’re even more beautiful than I remember.

  Ella smiled as she quickly read his words, in the same instant as she caught the familiar woodsy cologne. Ella frowned curiously as she looked up, doing a double take to the guest waiting behind the desk.

  Chapter 17

  He stood watching her with bright hazel eyes and a familiar smile. Ella’s mouth gaped open in surprise. River Parker was in her lobby.

  “Thought I would surprise you,” he said, obviously pleased with her reaction.

  Ella didn’t know what to say so she walked up to him and pulled him into a hug, all anger at their lack of contact during the day suddenly forgiven.

  Emily filled Tanya in as to who the mystery guest was, and they left Ella and River alone in the lobby.

  “You came back,” Ella said, pulling out of River’s arms long enough to look at his face.

  “I wanted to show you I meant what I said,” River explained.

  Ella felt her doubt subside and hope bubble towards the surface. Maggie was right; River did deserve a chance. “How long can you stay?”

  “Just two nights. I have to head home by Friday.”

  “The inn is booked solid because of the wedding this Saturday, but I have somewhere for you to sleep. Grab your bag and follow me. I was going to meet Maggie for dinner at the pub. You up for that?”

  River picked up his duffle bag and followed Ella through the kitchen towards the back stairs. “Yeah, sounds good.”

  Ella pulled up her phone and sent a text.

  Ella: Running late. Be there soon…with a guest. Did you know?!

  Maggie typed back almost instantly.

  Maggie: He might have called me to help arrange coverage of the inn for the next couple of days. Don’t worry about it and have fun. I’ve got it sorted with the girls until Friday afternoon.

  Ella read the text and stopped in front of the door to Mac’s room. She turned to River. “You called Maggie to set this up?”

  River ran his hand over his hair. “It worked out so well the last time she set us up. Are you mad?” he asked worriedly.

  Ella noticed the scruff of his beard and tired eyes for the first time. He had traveled all day just to come and see her. “No, I’m glad you came.”

  River smiled with relief, and Ella opened Mac’s old bedroom door without hesitation. The room was a little stuffy from remaining closed for the last six months. Everything was just the way she had left it after the funeral. “This was Mac’s room. I’ll have Emily come up and clean it, change the bedding and such, while we are at dinner. You can stay here, unless you’d rather find another place.”

  River reached for her hand, acknowledging how much this offering meant to her. “This is perfect.”

  His hand was warm against hers. Turning to face him, she realized just how much she’d longed for his touch. “Do you want a shower before we go to dinner? Have you been traveling all day?”

  “Since six this morning actually. A shower would be great, but I can wait. I don’t want to make you late,” River said.

  Ella thought about it for a minute. “Take your stuff into my room and use that shower. How about we just stay in tonight? I would love to relax here, and I think you need it too.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. I’ll go grab us some burgers to-go from Lucas. We can eat them here. Meet me in the kitchen when you’re done?” she asked.

  “Sounds perfect,” he agreed, seeming relieved.

  Ella stood up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek before walking to her bedroom and opening the door. She gave him a towel and set him up in her bathroom.

  River caught her hand and pulled her to him. “Thank you.”

  Ella looked up at the handsome man who would be naked in her shower in just a few short minutes. The heat rose to her cheeks as he bent down and kissed the top of her forehead. She wasn’t sure why it felt so good when he did that, but it did.

  “It is my pleasure, Mr. Parker. Enjoy your stay at The Orchard Inn.” Ella smiled.

  He let out a laugh before releasing her.

  Ella walked down to the kitchen, and out to the lobby to tell Emily and Tanya to prepare Mac’s old room for River. Then she ran to the pub and ordered two meals to-go. Maggie came over and asked where River was. Ella explained she had to cancel their dinner plans.

  “Oh? Wow, Ella. I can’t believe you’re actually doing this!” Maggie said excitedly.

  “Well, the little bird was getting hungry in the nest all alone,” Ella joked.

  “I bet. The kind of hunger only a certain man can make go away?” Maggie teased suggestively.

  Ella blushed, and her throat went dry just as Lucas came over with two boxes for her. “Thanks, Lucas,” she managed.

  “Have a good night, love,” Lucas said with a nod.

  “Oh, she will,” Maggie added with a wink.

  “You are the worst,” Ella said to her best friend.

  “That’s why you love me so much.” Maggie laughed. “I’m gonna get back to Julia. I want to know all the details after he leaves.” Maggie turned from the bar and headed towards the table where Julia was waiting with Avery. They waved.

  Ella walked out of the noisy pub and into the fresh air of the warm night. It would be a nice evening for a fire.

  ***

  River showered and thought back to their last kiss. When he heard her moan, he nearly lost his composure and pulled her into the back seat of his car, fulfilling one of the countless fantasies he had come up with involving Ella. She deserved better than that. He would prove to her that he was not going to use her and then abandon her like everyone else had. He was going to show her how she should be treated.

  When he saw her in the lobby, he couldn’t help taking in the sight of the woman he had missed more than he’d thought possible in the past eight days. It was all happening so fast, but he felt ready because for the first time in his life, he felt like something fit. Ella and him just clicked. The more conversations they had, the more he was convinced.

  River came down to the kitchen and found Ella setting two beers on the island.

  “Perfect timing,” Ella said. “Beer?”

  “I will never refuse a good cold beer.”

  “I got the burgers,” Ella said, motioning to the cardboard to-go boxes.

  River’s mouth watered. “You have no idea how much I needed this.”

  “You do look tired. I thought if you were up for it, we could eat on the back patio. I have the firepit going.”

  “Oh, yeah?” River perked up.

  “Only if you want to.”

  “Lead the way.” River nodded with a smile.

  Ella grabbed her beer and box of food before walking out the back door. River followed her. The orange flames danced in a large firepit surrounded by ground-level stonework in the center of an outdoor seating area. The smoke mixed with the floral scent of the blossoms in the flowerbeds surrounding the inn, as well as the wildflowers in the field next to them. A wooden table sat off to one side next to a few old oak trees.

  Ella sat on one of the chairs closest to the fire, her food in her lap and her beer in the cupholder of the armchair. River sat in the seat closest to her and followed suit.

  Once they had eaten their dinner and finished their drinks, Ella and River sat by the flicker of the firelight, as the sun disappeared behind the purple mountains. The stars poked through the indigo sky one at a time until the clusters lit up the night with the help of the nearly full moon.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to sit outside with a fire and see the stars,” River admitted.

  “For real? I guess I forget how hard it i
s to see them with the city lights.” Ella leaned back in the chair, staring up at the twinkling canopy.

  River turned his head to watch her, seeing the glow of the firelight against her creamy skin and the reflection of flames in her eyes. His chest tightened, and he knew he would never be the same after his time spent with Ella.

  “We should make up for all the nights you’ve missed this,” Ella said, holding out her arms, gesturing to the fire and the stars.

  “How?” River asked, intrigued.

  “Wait here!” Ella said, picking up their containers and empty bottles and running into the kitchen.

  River waited outside, taking in the mostly quiet atmosphere. It was a stark contrast to what he was used to hearing in his own neighborhood of doors slamming, car alarms going off, and neighbors yelling. Very few cars passed on the mountain road. He could hear the buzzing and whining of insects flying around, searching for light sources. Bats chirped their echo location above, probably looking for their first meal of the evening. The inn was in front of him, and an empty field of overgrown hay and wildflowers to his left. String lights ran all over the wooden pergola to his right. The pub could be seen up the hill through the trees, if he turned around.

  River sat in the wooden seat, content and relaxed for the first time since he could remember. The smell of wood smoke was surprisingly relaxing.

  He wondered where Ella had run off to just as he heard the creaking spring of the back door.

  Ella walked out with a tray full of items and a mischievous grin on her face.

  “What do you have there?” River asked.

  “Well, what fire is complete without s’mores?” Ella asked, setting the tray on her lap. First, she handed him a small wine glass full of a dark liquid, before taking one for herself.

  River took a sip and was surprised by the sweetness. He looked at the glass quizzically. “Is this wine?”

  Ella laughed. “No, it’s mead. My friend makes it with raw honey from the local Mcfarline Apiaries here in Vermont. Do you like it?”