Michaela sat outside waiting for Trisha to come back. She was tired again. Tired and just a little edgy. She was having trouble understanding why Trisha had taken off like that. But then, had she ever fully understood the volatile Trisha? She suspected that was part of the charm.

She’d checked her email again before coming out to sit in the fall sun. Another email from the orchard manager, sounding pretty pissed that she’d taken off. Several decisions needed to be made, he’d said. She knew she should be back there; it was going to be her first season solely in charge.

She tipped back in the chair and thought about the orchard. It wasn’t exactly what she was planning to do with her life, was it? After all those years away at university, she wasn’t just going to be an orchardist, was she?

Why didn’t she sell up? She could sell the place and look for work here. She thought of the tiny town she was now in and gave a laugh. The only work she could probably find was on one of the orchards she’d seen from the car. How was that for irony?

Not really an option. At home she owned the whole show. Here she would just be a picker, climbing a ladder during the season and nothing more. She wasn’t qualified to teach in the States, she couldn’t use her degree for that. What a bloody mess.

And where the fuck was Trisha? She let the chair fall forward and stood up. She felt a lot like a caged animal. Trapped and all this energy making her edgy. She took a calming breath. Wouldn’t do to be blowing steam from between the ears when Trisha finally turned up.

And just like that the Mustang turned into the drive and parked beside the house. Michaela stood where she was, hands tucked into jeans pocket, rocking back on the heels of her boots. What sort of mood was Trisha going to be in now?

Trisha climbed out of the low-slung car and walked over. She stood in front of Michaela, not saying anything. They simply looked at each other. Trisha sighed.

‘I wasn’t ready for this,’ she said.

Michaela frowned. ‘For what?’ she asked.

‘Seeing you again, it’s made me realise some things.’

Michaela could see this wasn’t going to be easy, whatever way it was going to go. ‘What sort of things?’

Trisha shifted as she stood. ‘Ah fuck it, Michaela. I love you, all right? I don’t want to lose you again, we have to work something out, okay? I mean we really have to.’

Michaela stared at Trisha in surprise. She’d never heard Trisha say that before. Not seriously like this anyway. Not in a way that meant anything.

Trisha was going red and looking increasingly uncomfortable. ‘Say something already,’ she said. ‘Jeeze, Michaela.’

Michaela took a step towards her and brushed the hair out of Trisha’s face. She cupped the blushing face in her hands and kissed her. She smiled into Trisha’s eyes. ‘I love you too,’ she said. ‘And we’ll work something out, for sure.’

Trisha nodded, then smiled and nodded again. Slipped her arms around Michaela’s neck and hugged hard. ‘I’m sorry about taking off, babe,’ she said. ‘I was just overwhelmed. Had to sort myself out.’

Michaela hugged back and kissed Trisha’s hair. ‘It’s no problem,’ she said. ‘Absolutely no problem at all now.’ She lifted her up and swung her round. ‘I love you so much Trisha. I am never letting you get away from me again.’

She put Trisha down and they stood, fingers entwined, grinning at each other. Caro came down the back steps and walked over.

‘What’s going on?’ she asked.

 Trisha turned around and shrugged. ‘Nothing, baby sister. Just getting a few things sorted.’ She looked back at Michaela and shrugged.

Caro examined them both through narrowed eyes. ‘You guys have made up,’ she said and glared at her sister. ‘What about Julie?’ she asked.

Trisha shook her head. ‘It was never serious with Julie and me.’

Caro nodded. ‘Don’t think she would have agreed with you there, but okay, I can swallow that.’ She looked at the pair again. ‘You two look good together,’ she said. ‘But don’t you guys live on the opposite sides of the world?’ Her eyes widened. ‘You’re not fucking off and leaving me here, Trisha,’ she said. ‘Don’t you dare tell me you’re doing that.’

Trisha let go of Michaela and slung her arm around her sister. ‘I’m not doing that, don’t worry,’ she said. She shot a look back at Michaela. ‘We haven’t figured out a way around that particular obstacle yet, but I ain’t leaving you, little sis, that’s for damn sure, all right?’

Caro nodded and poked Trisha in the ribs. ‘Never thought I’d see the day,’ she said, grinning now.

Trisha looked perplexed. ‘What day?’ she asked.

Caro was laughing. ‘The day you’d admit to falling in love.’

‘Hey,’ said Trisha, poking Caro back. ‘Who said I’ve admitted any such thing?’

Caro stopped laughing and gave her sister a hug instead. ‘It’s written all over Michaela’s face,’ she said. ‘And it’s very cool news.’ She stepped back and grinned at Michaela. ‘We should celebrate,’ she said. ‘I know, let’s go to Kenosha and eat at that Chinese place they have there! I love the food there.’ Her face fell. ‘Shit, I forgot. I have to work this afternoon.’ She turned to Trisha. ‘Mom says you’re back on tomorrow morning as well.’

They walked back inside together, Trisha’s hand sneaking out to find Michaela’s and twisting her fingers around hers. Michaela raised it to her mouth and kissed Trisha’s knuckles. It was going to work out; all of it, it was all going to work out. She was sure of it.

Caro was first in the door and she stood frozen, blocking the way.

‘Move,’ Trisha said. ‘What’s the matter?’

Caro moved. She was looking around the room. ‘It’s dark in here,’ she whispered.