Page 62 of Cherry Tree Ranch

“Because we were always trying to keep our heads above water with the stress of Mom and Dad’s relationship.”

She’s so right. I’m shocked by her awareness. There wasn’t ever any room for our emotions or our stuff. Even with each other.

“How are things with the ranch? Mom said you’re doing well with the cherries. Your website looks awesome by the way.”

“Thanks. Shame the QR code didn’t work for the judges.” I turn on the couch and our legs overlap. We haven’t been this close in years. “Yeah, cherry sales are going well. People go a little gaga for them. I think your label has helped a lot.”

“That’s really cool. Maybe I could help you sell some back in Silver Springs. The little gourmet food shop would be a great place.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” My eyes widen at the thought of my cherries being in such a luxe shop. “Thank you. That would be so great.”

She looks down at her hands as though she feels the same as me – this is nice, us getting along. I hope it’s not too little, too late.

“Emery?”

“Hmm.”

“There’s something you should know.”

She looks up, curiously.

“The ranch is in major debt.”

“It is?”

“That was the main reason I entered the competition – because of sales I could make at the state fair. Now I’m panicking because if I don’t sell enough cherries and honey in the next few months to pay it off, it’ll go to the lien owner.”

“How much money do you have to make? Could you borrow it from Dad?”

“I’m not doing that. The unpaid taxes are about thirty thousand—”

She covers her mouth with her hands. “Noooo!”

I nod and my eyes sting.

“How?” she asks through her hands.

My lip quivers. “Grandpa missed payments on property taxes. But I have to make even more than that to pay income taxes, like seven thousand more. It’s a little complicated, but there are also a few things in the barn I may sell. A saddle, some antique trinkets, a desk. I estimate them all to be worth about fifteen thousand.”

“There’s a desk in the barn?”

I chuckle. “Remember that dirty old sheet we used to pretend was a ghost?”

“Of course.”

“Well, it was covering a gorgeous old desk.” I shrug. “Who would’ve known?”

“At least that’s something you can use to make money,” she says.

I shrug, not knowing how to explain that I’d be sad to lose all those treasures from the past.

“Well, hey –” she pulls me in for a hug – “I know it’s scary, but you’ve got this. You’ll figure it out. I wish Grandma and Grandpa would have taught me what they taught you. Maybe then I’d be more able to help.” She leans back and points at me after she wipes her eyes. I haven’t seen tears in Emery’s eyes since she crashed her tricycle. “But I guess it never came easy to me – you always took to the nature stuff better. Still, let me know if I can help, OK?”

“OK, I will. You probably think this place really is a dump now, huh?” I squeeze her hand.

“No. I never have. I just knew it would piss you off when I said that.” She gives me a guilty smile. “If we’re good at one thing, it’s knowing how to push each other’s buttons, huh?”

“Bet.” I blink quickly, my emotions getting the best of me too. “Don’t tell Dad, OK?”