Free Family Trees by Kerstin March

paying for his items, Ryan had one last question for Ginny. “I was wondering . . .” he said, shoving his wallet into his back pocket and trying to sound casual. “Is she here, by any chance?”
    â€œHmm?”
    â€œYour granddaughter?”
    â€œWell, I wondered how long you were going to stand here talking to an old lady before you came around to that question.” Ginny straightened her posture and set her hands on her hips. “Since I’m a sucker for good-looking men, I’ll tell you what. If you walk out behind the store and head to the eastern side of the orchard, you’ll find Shelby. She’s out working this afternoon.”
    â€œThank you.” He reached out his hand. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
    Instead of a handshake, Ginny took his hand, held it in the warmth of her soft palm, and gave it a nurturing pat. “And if you ever visit Bayfield again, do it in early October when the apples are at their peak. We have an apple festival that is quite a hoot.”
    â€œI’ll remember that.” He smiled, released her hand, and headed out the door.
    â€œOne more thing . . . ?” Ginny called out.
    He held the door open and looked back.
    â€œWhen you find her, tell her that I’d like her to wrap it up. My husband is having some produce buyers from the Twin Cities up this afternoon and he’ll need to use the truck. I’m sure she can find something else to do during the remainder of the day.” She either winked at him or blinked away something in her right eye. Considering the way her eyes nearly creased shut when she smiled, it was difficult to know for sure.
    â€œOf course.” Ryan thanked her and walked outside with a boost of optimism.
    After stashing his purchases in the car, he headed off in the direction Ginny had instructed. He passed a “Pick Your Own Apples” sign and wished it was October. That would have given him an excuse for showing up unannounced in the orchard. As he walked between the rows of apple trees, he thought it would probably end poorly, but it felt right—and exciting—and real. It could be a huge mistake, but he was willing to give it a second shot.
    It didn’t take long before Ryan spotted Shelby. Compared to how she looked earlier, her jean shorts were now scuffed with dirt and her T-shirt clung to her skin, which glistened with perspiration. She looked endearing with her hair pulled up in a ponytail that looped through the back of a red baseball cap. Instead of bounding up to her, he paused under the cool shade of a tree to consider the best way to introduce himself. Again.
    Standing on a ladder that leaned against the tree trunk, she appeared to be checking the condition of the apples. There was a large bucket on the ground beside her ladder where she seemed to be collecting damaged fruit and shoots that must have been pulled from the tree. Shelby moved effortlessly. While it was obviously a strenuous task, particularly in the rising heat, she hardly appeared out of breath. There was rhythm to her movements, as if she were in synch with the trees.
    He knew very little about apple farming, but from what he could observe, it seemed the Meyers family would have an abundant crop. The tree branches were heavy with fruit. The apples grew in clusters throughout the tree, even hanging down from the branch tips like grapes from a vine. The apples were young, pale green and blushed with pink, with only a few displaying a touch of red.
    When Shelby paused to wipe the sweat from her brow with her work-gloved hand and readjust her hat, Ryan saw his opportunity. He took a deep breath and slowly stepped out from behind the tree.

C HAPTER 7
    BLUSH
    â€œH ello?” came a man’s voice from the orchard shadows. Shelby gripped the ladder to steady herself and looked wide-eyed toward the sound. With the sun directly behind the man, she couldn’t make out the details of his