“For how long?” I whimpered.
“As long as breath fills my lungs, I will never leave you.”
I pressed myself so close to him I thought he might complain.
“She’s coming for me.” I felt it in my bones.
“Not tonight, baby. Sleep. I’ll watch over you.”
I slept.
I woke groggy and tired. I rolled over, reaching for Sam. He wasn’t there. I sat up, forcing my eyes open. “Sam?”
The room was empty. I flopped back down on the pillows as last night’s dream filled my head. China was back, and I was in danger, but I wasn’t worried about me, I was worried about Sam. What if he’d gone out this morning to find her? What if he was hurt? I groaned and swung my legs over the mattress. A piece of paper was propped up against the clock.
Don’t worry-I’ll be back soon.
I love you.
It made me feel a little better. I tried my best to push away the cobwebs and went to take a hot shower. The water felt good, and I stayed until the water turned cold. I took my time in the bathroom, blowing my hair until it was smooth and shiny. It had grown long this past year, falling to just beyond the middle of my back. Knowing I couldn’t stall the day any longer, I dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink and white striped T-shirt. I gave Sam’s note one last glance before heading downstairs for breakfast.
I was crunching on some cereal when Grandma came in from outside. “Aren’t you going to be late for school?”
“Nope, teacher workday.”
“That’s nice.” She went to the sink to wash her hands. “Now that spring has arrived, there’s going to be a lot more to do around here.”
“I’ll help out. Just make me a list of what needs to be done.”
She turned from the sink, smiling. “You already do too much.”
“Taking care of the horses and the barn isn’t that much,” I argued. “I was wondering if maybe you could teach me about the orchard? Maybe I could take care of it?”
“You’re interested in the orchard?” She seemed surprised.
“I walked up there the other day. It’s really peaceful and beautiful.” Not to mention that Sam and I spent precious ‘alone time’ there.
She got a wistful look in her eyes. “Your father always enjoyed working in the orchard.”
I smiled. “I remember. We always had so much fun picking fruit.” I wondered why I’d never thought of this before.
“The orchard hasn’t been a priority of mine for a few years. I am sure it needs some work,” she said, thoughtful.
“I can do it!”
“It’s hard work,” she cautioned.
I nodded emphatically. “I’d like to try.”
Grandma grinned. “Wonderful! If we get a lot of good fruit then we can set up a farming stand and people can come and buy bushels of apples or pick their own. I haven’t done that in years,” she mused.
“Can I plant some pumpkins, too?” An image of Sam carving out a pumpkin popped into my head. It made me smile.
“I grew those when you were little.”
“I remember.”
“It’s a plan, then.” She nodded, smiling. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“Sure.” I pulled out the newspaper. “I was thinking I might get a job too, just for the summer.”
“A job?”
“Mmmhmm. So I can start saving for a car and to have some spending money.”
“I think that Sam is a good influence on you.”
I nodded. “He works really hard. He has two jobs just to support himself. He pays rent and buys his own food…” my voice trailed off. And he does all of that while taking very good care of me. How is he not utterly exhausted?
“He’s emancipated?” Grandma asked. I’d told her that he was when I first came to stay.
I nodded. “He didn’t get along with his dad at all. It caused his parents to fight a lot, so Sam figured that it would be best for his mom if he moved out.” It was as close to the truth that I could get.
“Well, I like him. He has good manners, and he always cleans his plate.”
I giggled. “You really approve of him?”
“I really do,” she said, sitting at the table across from me with her coffee. “But don’t tell your mother,” she whispered.
I laughed, but inside I felt really nervous. I decided to take Kimber’s advice and try to talk to my mother. I mean really, how could things get any worse?
Grandma and I were making plans for the orchard and looking over the want ads when Sam knocked on the door. I was so relieved to see him that I bounded through the open door and flew right into his arms.
He chuckled. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” I said, stepping back and returning to my chair.
Sam closed the door behind him and came into the kitchen.
“Help yourself to some coffee, Sam,” Grandma said. “I didn’t make breakfast this morning; I was out in the barn doing chores.”
I froze, remembering that Sam was staying there and had a bunch of stuff in the loft. I caught his eyes, and he shook his head slightly. I relaxed, guessing he cleaned it out.
“I already ate,” Sam said while he poured some coffee. I got up and got out the cream and sugar for him and handed him a spoon. Then I got down a bowl and poured some cereal, adding milk. I sat it in front of him at the table, giving him a stern look. Power bars were not breakfast. Especially for someone with his metabolism.
He dug in with gusto.
I sat down, satisfied.
“Here’s one, Heven,” Grandma said, pointing. I leaned over to see. The local ice cream shop was hiring part-time help for the summer. It was a possibility. Then, I wondered if I could take strangers coming in every day staring at my face. Get used to it, I told myself.
“I’ll check it out later,” I said.
“Check what out?” Sam said, draining the bowl of all its milk.
“I’m getting a job this summer.”
His bowl hit the table with a clink. “A job?”
I nodded.
I could see he didn’t really like this idea, but he couldn’t say so in front of Gran.
“The ice cream shop is hiring. I’ll give you free ice cream,” I sang.
He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Sounds delicious.”
“Grandma is going to show me how to take care of the orchard this year, too. We want to open a farm stand when the fruit is ripe.”