don’t have the patience for prima donna customers who are terrible to the staff. The customer is not “always right.”
I’m in Nova Scotia to prove to him and the rest of my family and to myself that I’ve got staying power. That I can stick to something for at least thirty days. The orchard I inherited from my long-lost uncle is the perfect way to show I can do something for at least a month. How hard can it be anyway? I mean, I’m a fast thinker, not to mention college educated. Yeah, okay, an English Lit degree hasn’t really prepared me for farm work, but Google is always at my fingertips.
My father thinks I’ll be home in less than thirty days. I bet top dollar otherwise, telling him he could keep the trust fund left to me by Granddad if I bail before the month is over. He’s been holding it as ransom until he’s sure I won’t blow through it. This is the last chance to prove myself worthy—the last chance to prove I can do something. If I don’t stick with it, goodbye money.
“I wouldn’t have needed rescuing if you hadn’t knocked me in in the first place,” I shoot back, but as soon as the words leave my mouth, I feel like crap. It’s not this guy’s fault my life sucks and no one believes in me. Heck, I don’t even believe in myself, which is why I’m taking over a farm I have no idea how to run. Honestly, I’m in so deep, I’m going to need a compass to find my way out.
His jaw drops open. “You think I knocked you in?”
“Not on purpose,” I say to soften my harsh retort. “You reached out and touched my elbow. It startled me.”
“I was just trying to—”
The captain laughs, and we both turn to him. “What?” we ask simultaneously.
“You two argue like an old married couple.”
“We’re not a couple,” Jay and I say at the same time.
“Could have fooled me,” the crusty fisherman adds.
“We don’t even know each other,” I say.
Jay nods in agreement. “Probably never set eyes on each other again.”
“A lesson or a blessing.” A wide grin splits the captain’s weathered lips as he turns from us and spins the big steering wheel, or whatever it’s called on a fishing boat, proceeding to dock beside a long wooden deck.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“People come into your life for a reason,” he explains. “It’s either a lesson or blessing.”
Well, look at that. We’ve been rescued by a captain and a philosopher. This day is getting better and better. Instead of commenting, I ask, “What would you like me to do about your blanket?” Good God, I hope I don’t have to run to my car in my wet underwear.
“Keep it, and keep off the black rocks,” he says with a shake of his head. “You’re lucky we spotted you.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate the help and the blanket,” I say and gather my wet clothes. He helps me off the boat, and I search for the parking lot.
Jay follows me off, and once we’re on stable ground, he turns to me. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“That’s okay. I think I can see it from here,” I say, and he hesitates a moment.
He brushes a bead of water from his forehead and scrubs the wispy hairs on his chin. “So uh, be careful on the rocks. I might not be around to rescue you next time.”
“You mean you won’t be around to push me in,” I counter.
He grins and is about to turn away, but I stop him.
“Jay,” I say and his head dips. His eyes meet mine, and wow, they push back the rest of the cold in my bones, and I nearly liquify. A burst of heat arcs between us, and I get the sense that he feels it every bit as much as I do. Attraction at first sight. I guess it really is a thing.
“Yeah.”
“It’s been a really rough day. Actually, it’s been a really rough week, and I want to thank you for staying with me in the water. You could have easily made it to that boat faster.”
“It’s what anyone from around these parts would do.” His smile is genuine, and I sense he’s a nice guy. I could use one or two of those in my life. “But I guess you’re not from around here.”
“Far from it.”
“Then let me welcome you to Nova Scotia.” He glances