Chasing Cypress by Ana Hartnett Reichardt

Chasing Cypress by Ana Hartnett Reichardt

Author:Ana Hartnett Reichardt [Reichardt, Ana Hartnett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2023-02-02T00:00:00+00:00


Chapter Twelve

“God, I hope this goes well,” Aiden says, his head knocking against the shotgun window with every little bump I drive over.

I peek over Scott, who sits sandwiched between us as if he’s our kid brother. “Why wouldn’t it go well?” I throw my truck in neutral and coast down the end of County Road Nine into Holston Valley. We’re almost to East Sparrow. My gut tightens with excitement. Not only do we get to host an incredible event for AQF, but Olivia will see our orchard for the first time. She’ll see my hometown for the first time. The thought is quickly replaced with a nervous crunch. I haven’t decided if I’m going to ask my dad about the peaches and blueberries yet, but I can’t stop thinking about it.

“Yeah, no stress. Sounds like every detail is accounted for. It should go off without a hitch,” Scott says.

Aiden leans forward to look at me. “Sure, but what if no one shows up? It’d be so awkward.”

I shake my head. “There’s no way that will happen. AQF has a huge following at this point, and the softball team alone could fill a whole event. It’s going to be perfect.” It is going to be perfect. It’s the end of October, and the weather is cold but bright and sunny. The perfect fall weather for the perfect Fall Fest.

Scott, Aiden, and I left for East Sparrow right after our last class today, and the rest of the AQF crew and Maya and Andy will meet us bright and early tomorrow morning to begin setting up. I hate that Olivia isn’t the one sitting next to me right now, but she insisted I take Scott and Aiden in the hope that when it’s the three of us, Aiden will work up the nerve to come out to our dad. She’s coming later tonight with Tessa and Ashley. We get one night at home with just the six of us.

I clear my throat and let the hot anticipation swirl in my stomach. There are three rooms; Aiden’s room for him and Scott, the guest room for Tessa and Ashley, and my room…for me and Olivia. We’ll share a bed. My mouth dries at the thought, and I bite at a dry spot on my lip. I’m so fucking excited, I shift in my seat. “Do you think you’re going to tell Dad?” I ask.

Aiden grabs Scott’s hand from his lap and pulls it over. “Reckon if Scott is brave enough to tell his super conservative folks, I can tell our super fucking awesome dad.”

“You got this,” Scott says through a smile.

“You definitely got this. He won’t be fazed, I promise. Shoot, he probably already knows. You got pretty lax with your secrecy senior year.”

“What?” Aiden scoffs. “And how is that?”

I chuckle. “Oh, I don’t know, Tommy Price practically falling out your window trying to sneak out before Dad woke up. Only, Dad was already out on the tractor, and Tommy’s car was parked in the Fujis, the same apples that were on the pruning schedule for that day.



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