BRENTON
“So, Miss Washington, who gets to go first?” I asked Helen as she took her seat back at the table.
I served her a piece of steak that I had cooked to perfection and some potatoes that I grew in my greenhouse a few miles away. I also poured us glasses of red wine. I was aching to go first, to ask Helen if I could buy her property or at the very least harvest those apple seeds, but I needed to present myself as a perfect gentleman tonight. I needed to get on her good side if I wanted any access to that tree whatsoever.
I watched Helen adjust her dress, still eyeing the sunset. I had missed almost the entire thing, choosing to watch Helen instead. My eyes were fixated as her mouth opened and closed, unable to find words to express the sight before her. I had felt the same way when I saw my first sunset up here. It was one of the reasons I stayed.
This sunset felt a little different than ones prior though. Helen’s red hair reflected the sun’s orange hue beautifully. Her fresh curls, ones that hadn’t been there just a few hours ago, shone and glimmered as she basked in it. Before I knew it, I had almost burned our steaks. I snapped myself out of it and quickly turned the grill off, plating our meals.
“I’ll go first,” she said. “What type of man was Dudley? Was he kind? Cranky?”
“Umm,” I didn’t want to offend her by saying he was the crankiest old man I had ever met; that in fact, he was so rude that he almost shot me once. “He was okay. Grumpy at times for sure. He was more of an indoor person. He liked his maps and his books. We didn’t see each other much.”
“Yeah, about those maps and books, did he travel often? His house is filled with objects that look like rare artifacts. I’m almost scared to touch most of them.” She chuckled and looked down at her feet. She caught my gaze when she looked back up and I noticed her blush.
“There were certainly periods of time where I didn’t see him around for weeks on end. Kids would come up and mow his property for him. I remember because I had to shoo a few of them off my lawn. I have my own people for that, and I’m pretty particular about how it’s done.”
“Yeah, your property is intense.”
“Thank you,” I said, though I wasn’t sure it was a compliment. “It’s all very important to me. This land is my passion, my business. It has to be properly maintained.”
“Business?”
“I own TruFruit. You probably haven’t heard of it but we produce apples, as I’m sure you could have guessed. I breed them with a patented process to help them grow year-round in the California climate. But my real passion is the unique types of apples I’ve been able to cultivate. Dozens of new sweet, sour and delectable flavors.”
“I think I’ve heard of TruFruit before. It must have been in the paper or something.”
“We were featured in Forbes once.”
“Oh yeah, that’s it I think. So apples are a pretty profitable business then, huh?” She asked me, but it was fairly nonchalant – not in a way that seemed like she cared about the money I was making.
“With the patented seeds, definitely. So long as I can continue to find unique species. It’s been pretty rewarding thus far.”
I paused for a moment, taking in the stoic look on her face. I may have caught a hint of admiration, but she didn’t seem all that interested in discussing the success of my business.A woman who didn’t care about my paycheck? That was a first.My pulse quickened, and I grew hot at the thought.
“Okay, my turn,” I continued. “Helen Washington, as in the Washingtons? As in Washington Industries?”
Helen sighed and noticeably shrunk into her chair a bit. I hadn’t meant to make her uncomfortable, but I was itching to know more about my new mysterious neighbor, so I waited. Washington Industries was a huge investment firm. I remembered my father considering them as early investors in TruFruit, but I hadn’t heard them mentioned much after that. I assumed the deal fell through or he found someone else. Helen took a deep breath, pouring another glass of wine before answering.
“Um, yeah. I’m not involved in all that though. My family and I have a…strained relationship.”
“Is that why you never met Dudley?” I asked.
“I don’t think they were all that close to him either. They would beg to differ if it meant they’d get a sliver of his inheritance though.” Helen slammed the rest of her glass and poured another.
“I see. I’m sorry to hear that. I’m no stranger to tense familial situations.”
“Oh?” She pried. Now it was my turn to slam my wine.
“My ex wife and I don’t really get along much anymore.”
“I’m sorry.” She seemed genuinely apologetic, which took me a bit off guard.
“It’s for the best. I prefer peace and quiet anyway.”
“Clearly. You’re really out on your own up here. No one for miles.”
“It’s perfect. I don’t have to deal with snobby city-goers or nosy neighbors. I can just do things my way. Well, usually.” I eyed her again and her cheeks reddened.