Page 24 of Thirst For Me
“It’s beautiful,” I say politely. The orchard consists of row upon row of leafy trees, not much taller than I am, extending across the lush field ahead. I can’t see what lies beyond, but it seems to go on forever. “And what’s that?” I point to the quaint cottage that can be glimpsed at the end of the path to the far right, through some more trees.
“That’s my place. Mine and Kaylie’s. As soon as we finish fixing it up.”
“Wow. It’s adorable.” It looks like a scene from a storybook. A stone and cedar A-frame with a green front door, the front porch dripping with flowers that cascade from plant boxes all along the rail. If I were a small-town type, it might be a dreamy place to live.
Since I’m not, it looks more like a nightmare. Livingthatclose to my family? No fucking thanks.
I wonder if it has running water or if he and Kaylie always have to use the bathrooms in the big house.
“Once you get out to the road,” he says, “you’ll see it only goes in one direction, away from the water. Just follow the road to June’s place next door.”
“And how far is it to walk to the town center from here?”
“About ten minutes if you’re slow.” He eyes me. “Maybe fifteen, state you’re in.”
I groan involuntarily, and he smiles again.
“But if you’re really hurting, it’s even faster if you go along the beach.”
“Why didn’t you say so?”
“You’ll find the beach walk at the bottom of our driveway. Just follow it along the beach northward.”
“And north would be?”
He tips his head, eyeing me like maybe I’m just an ignorant city girl. “Well, we’re in the northern hemisphere and it’s midday, so that big fireball in the sky going east to west will be about due south right now, don’t you think?”
I groan again. “Okay, I deserved that. But come on. I drank a lot of booze last nightmade by your family, so it’s mostly your fault that I have no idea how to sort out what you just said.”
Layne smirks and points me northward.
“Thank you.” I slide my sunglasses on. “I’ll come back for my suitcase as soon as I can,” I add apologetically.
“No problem.”
“If you see Mason around before I do, please tell him I said thank you. And that his brother is quite a smartass.”
“Will do,” he says, still smiling.
Chapter 6
Sierra
I follow the path Mason’s brother indicated. It loops through trees and shrubs, around the family home, and past several buildings on the left: equipment sheds, and a couple of larger buildings that appear to be the cidery and distillery. To the right of the path, the orchard stretches ever on.
Up ahead, I find a cute building, all wood and climbing vines and flowerpots in the windows. The sign over the open door readsSea Haven Cider House. It’s midday Saturday, and the parking area in front is filled with cars.
A big old tree out front has several wood signs hammered onto it pointing in various directions. They mention a gift shop, cider tasting lounge, and patio. On the lawn near the tree, a young couple plays cornhole while sipping on glasses of golden cider.
Just past the cider house parking lot, I pause. The walking path connects to the long driveway that snakes off to my left. And directly ahead of me, through the gaps in a tall stand of trees, I glimpse the blue-gray waters of the Salish Sea.
Mason’s family’s property is right over the water.
It’s like something from a postcard.
This place isverypretty.
But I wonder what it would be like to grow up here.
