Free The Apple Of My Eye by Christine McGreggor

upstairs if you want.”
                  Kara shook her head. “No way, your Gran’s old spare bed is perfectly comfortable, and I can just close the library door. I’m not letting that jerk ruin these rooms for me.”
                  “Okay. Try to get some sleep.” Michelle gave her friend a last hug, and went outside to help Hayes finish picking up the front lawn.
                  By the time the two managed to bring all of Kara’s scattered possessions inside the house, it was nearly one o’clock in the morning. Despite her desire to keep Hayes with her, Michelle couldn’t stifle her exhausted yawn when she had finished carrying the last box inside. Hayes stretched, and then looked ruefully at the beautiful, tired woman standing next to him.
                  “You have had a long night. Go to bed, sweetheart. I will be by in the morning to start work on the tree.” He brushed a hand lightly on her cheek. “That is, if you still want to hire me?”
                  “Of course I do.” she yawned again, making him chuckle. As much as Michelle wanted to repeat the passionate encounter from earlier in the evening, she could barely keep her eyes open.
                  “Good, then I will see you in the morning. Good night, Michelle.” He swept a light, searing kiss across her lips, pulling back before it could become anything more.
                  “Good night Hayes.” Michelle watched as the handsome man turned and walked out the door. She locked the door behind him and dragged herself up the stairs. Falling on the bed, she barely managed to get her clothing off before she fell fast asleep.
     

CHAPTER TEN
     
                  Michelle opened her eyes to an enveloping darkness. Her bed was cold and the pillow beside hers was empty. She was alone, just as she had been alone for so many nights before this one. The feeling had become familiar, detested. She was so tired of her grief, tired of unfulfilled longing, tired of the long, black nights. Bitter tears flowed down her cheeks. When would this endless solitude finally be done with her?
    “Michelle! Michelle?” a woman’s voice called to her, familiar and poignant. It drifted through her open window. “What are you doing in bed silly? Don’t you know we are waiting?” Michelle walked to her window and looked out through the open pane. A beautiful woman with dark blond, bobbed hair stood in the back yard. The sun shone down on her, turning her hair to gold. She wore a flour dusted apron over a navy and white polka dot dress, a string of ivory pearls gleamed around her elegant neck. Spotting Michelle at the window, the woman waved.
                  “There you are, my Lovey. Come here. The apple tree is blooming.” Michelle realized the woman was standing beneath a huge apple tree, the boughs covered in delicate pink and white blossoms. Michelle inhaled the heady fragrance of the blooms. The perfume seemed to wrap around her, filling her with warmth and beauty. She blinked and she was under the tree, the sunlight shining down on her, dappled through a pink and white curtain.  The dress clad woman put an ivory hand on Michelle’s arm and favored her with a dazzling smile. Michelle turned towards the strangely familiar face. A moment later Michelle was being held in the woman’s arms, being showered by kisses from apple blossom pink lips.
                  “No more tears my Lovey, no more dark nights. You are done with that now.” The woman took a step back, and a masculine figure approached the pair from behind the blossom laden branches.
                  “Michelle.” Hayes’ deep voice rumbled around her. He gathered her into his arms, his eyes gleamed the deep green of summer leaves.
                  Michelle could feel the woman’s hands rest lightly on her shoulders as Hayes bent down to kiss her. “I