Free Sugar Creek by Toni Blake

t’other of ’em’s been tryin’ to get the orchard nigh on fifty years now. But what’s different about this time is…I’m thinkin’ about sellin’ it to him.”
    In response to Rachel’s dropped jaw and outraged expression, Edna said, “Now simmer down, girl. I’m thinkin’ about sellin’ it to him— eventually . In a few years, when I just plain can’t run the place anymore.”
    Rachel blinked, her mouth still hanging open. She couldn’t believe Edna, of all Romo haters, would consider such a thing. Even with the new revelation that she’d once had a thing for Mike’s grandfather. And besides…“What on earth does he want with an orchard? Isn’t he busy enough terrorizing the citizens of Destiny at every turn?”
    Edna worked on the sandwiches, not looking at Rachel as she replied. “Says he wants it in case he decides to retire from the department at some point. And that he’d enjoy runnin’ the place. He came to me a few months back with the proposition—said he’d already started savin’ towards it and that I could even stay here in the house ’til I die.”
    Rachel felt her eyes bolt open wider. “He’s killing you off in the bargain?”
    Now Edna looked up. “Believe or not, even I’m gonna die one of these days.”
    Maybe so, but…well, Rachel really didn’t like thinking about that.
    “I thought it was a right generous offer. Knowin’ I’d have my little home ’til the end does a lot to put my mind at ease about the whole idea.”
    Rachel remained livid, though, and still in utter disbelief. “Since when do you want to sell this place to a Romo?”
    “It’s simple,” Edna said, placing two ripe apples alongside the sandwiches she’d just set on plates. “My whole life, I figured one of my children or grandchildren would want to take over the orchard when I’m gone. But it’s lookin’ like that ain’t gonna happen. Now, I don’t make a big deal over it, but the fact is, when I pass on, I’d much rather know the orchard’ll live on and be cared for by a Romo than not live on at all.”
    Of course, the words did exactly what they were designed to do—make Rachel feel guilty. On behalf of her whole selfish family. For not being here. For not helping more. For not caring about the family business. “Okay, I get that,” she admitted. “But still, a Romo ? Of anyone in the world, you’d pick a Romo to keep the place going?”
    Edna shrugged. “Is a Romo my first choice? Nope. But a Romo’s what I got to choose from. And like I said, Mike’s a good enough fella—and he’s better than no choice.” She poured two glasses of iced tea, adding, “If you or one of your cousins suddenly decide you wanna run an orchard, you let me know. Otherwise, I’d be a fool not to consider Mike’s offer.”
    Heading into the old-fashioned dining room complete with blue flowered wallpaper, they sat down at the antique table and ate silently for a few minutes, and as Rachel bit into her Gala apple she turned it all over in her mind. Finally she said, “Are you making this whole thing up about Mike Romo? Inventing some elaborate scheme to try to trick me into saving the family business?” She shook apotato chip at her grandmother across the table. “Because I gotta tell ya, Edna, you’re seriously on the wrong track with that. I won’t do it. I can’t. I’m willing to help you out here for a few weeks, but I’m not an outdoorsy kind of girl and things like that don’t change.”
    “ You’re tellin’ me ,” Edna said. “You’re about the slowest apple picker I’ve come across. Not that I don’t appreciate the help, and I’m sure you’ll get better with practice, but…nope, Rachel Marie Farris, this ain’t a trick. I know that somehow or other I turned out a bunch of city-dwellin’ offspring—and I’m just finally startin’ to accept it and make plans accordin’ly.”
    “Well…good,” Rachel said, adding, “I think .” Since Edna had somehow made being