Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43

Skye

F ive minutes later, we're standing in line to get into the farm.

Encyclopedic Maddie excitedly tells her father about all the apples we read about. The area offers close to a hundred varieties, including heirlooms, which are no longer commercially sold. Bored out of her mind, Kayla pays little attention to my precocious little girl. She tries her phone yet again and curses under her breath when she can't get service. Losing her patience, she pouts.

"Phineas, why on earth did you have to choose this fuh ...farm?" By the skin of her teeth, she manages to avoid the F-bomb. "We passed dozens of them and none of them had lines."

"Because this one is the most fun!" chirps Maddie. "Guess what!"

"What!??" Kayla snaps back.

"It has a petting zoo and a tractor ride." She looks up imploringly at her father, with those big puppy-brown eyes you just can't say no to. "Daddy, can we visit the animals and ride the tractor after we pick apples?"

Finn affectionately ruffles her hair. "Of course, birthday girl."

"Yay!" Maddie claps her hands, then clamps her arms around her father's long muscular legs. His face lights up while Kayla's grows horrified.

"You must be kidding! I'm not getting anywhere near some stinky animals that can bite or riding some trailer park vehicle!"

Finn is clearly annoyed by her contentiousness. He narrows his eyes at her. "Listen, Kayla, you can do whatever you want. After we go apple picking, you can check out some of the stores."

She huffs. "The only store I'm interested in is Neiman Marcus." She glances down at her mud-encrusted high-heeled sandals. "You owe me a new pair of shoes." She screws up her face. "Thank you very much."

Finn's obnoxious, self-centered fiancée makes my blood simmer. I've never met anyone with such a sense of entitlement. I want to punch her in the face and actually clench my fists by my sides so I don't.

Despite its length, the long line to the entrance moves quickly. About to embark on our apple picking adventure, we're given eco-friendly paper bags which can hold up to five pounds worth of apples as well as long poles with a small basket at the end for gathering apples off the trees. Finn tells Maddie that she can share his. Kayla declines both with one word: "Seriously?"

We're off. Holding his pick along with a bag, Finn takes Maddie by the hand. She looks my way, her sparkling eyes gazing up at me.

"Can I hold your hand too, Scarlet?"

"Of course, sweetie." I take her other hand so that she's sandwiched between Finn and me. The warmth of her little fingers twined with mine makes my heart smile. With a jubilant Maddie jumping and skipping, we head down a long dirt road surrounded by apple trees on either side in search of the first orchard with ripe, ready to pick fruit. Occasionally, we swing Maddie into the air and she squeals at the top of her lungs. It all feels so natural. Like the three of us have walked together like this forever. People passing us smile. Several even comment: "What a sweet child you have! You're a beautiful family!" Neither Finn nor I say more than a heartfelt "Thank you."

Kayla trails behind us. I don't look back. Nor does Finn.

***

We get an "A" for apple picking. Just from the first orchard we stopped at, our bag is more than halfway full. We must have over two dozen heirlooms. Toting the heavy bag, Finn insists we move on to another orchard so we can bring home a variety.

Next stop: Classic McIntoshes.

The orchard is packed, with people of all ages clambering for the popular shiny red apples. We find a ripe tree that's not too populated.

Gazing up, Maddie instantly spots an apple she covets.

"Look, Daddy! A baby apple!"

Sitting piggyback on top of Finn's shoulders, she aims the fruit picker at it.

I look up at the apple-laden tree. Yes, in the midst of all these big red apples is a petite one. Like my baby!

"Go for it!" Finn tells her.

Expertly, she swipes at the tiny apple, but it refuses to drop into the basket. No matter how many times she tries, the stubborn little Mac remains dangling on the tree. I study it. It's perfect. Rosy. Unblemished. Radiant. Feisty. Just like my sweet little girl. The apple of my eye.

Maddie frowns. "Why won't it come down?"

"Sweetie, I don't think it's ready. I think it wants to stay with its mommy and daddy."

Scrunching her brows, she digests my words and then gazes back up at the tree. She points at the two mature apples that bracket the small one, one on either side.

"Do you think those two big apples are the mommy and daddy?"

"Yes, darling. I do. We should keep them together. They're a family."

With a squeeze of my hand that makes my heart flutter, Finn gazes up. "Sunshine, I think Scarlet's right. We should let it be. Why don't we check out one more orchard and then we'll have lunch."

Before we take another step, a tart, familiar voice descends upon us.

"Where the hell have you been? I've been looking all over for you, Phineas!"

I look over my shoulder. It's Kayla. She looks completely disheveled, her perfectly blown hair a mess and her expensive ensemble laced with dust. Fuming, she stomps toward us, fury fueling every step. A few feet away, she trips over a rotten apple and goes tumbling to the ground, landing in a twisted heap.

She curses under her breath, her voice pained.

Maddie bursts into laughter.

"Why are you laughing, you little imp?" shrieks Kayla as she sits up.

"That was funny!"

Red-hot with rage, Kayla makes a scathing face at the little girl. "No, it's not!" Then, she examines her outfit, frantically brushing off the patches of dirt and dry bits of foliage that pepper her slacks and sweater. "Oh my God! My brand new Armani pants are totally trashed."

Lifting Maddie off his shoulders and setting her down next to me, Finn hurries to Kayla's aid. The two of us follow him.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice full of concern.

A dart of jealousy stabs me as Kayla massages her ankle. "Do you really have to ask?"

"Let me help you up." He grabs Kayla's hand and lifts her to her feet. She grimaces, her right foot unsteady.

"Can you walk?"

Holding onto Finn, she takes a step and, with a groan, almost crumples to the ground.

"Ugh! I think I've broken my ankle. I can't put any pressure on it. I need to get medical attention immediately!"

Despair washes over Finn. "Guys, I think we need to end this day early. We've got to get Kayla to an emergency room."

Disappointment sweeps over Maddie. Her lips quiver and tears brim in her eyes. "But Daddy, you promised I could pet the animals and ride in the tractor."

"Sunshine, I'm sorry." His voice sounds so sincere, so remorseful.

A fat tear rolls down Maddie's cheek as she starts to cry. Her sobs pain me.

"What are you crying about, you little brat!" barks Kayla. "This is all your fault!"

"No, it's not!" I bite back, lifting the sniffling, runny-nose little girl into my arms. "It was an accident."

Kayla sneers at me and then turns to Finn. "You need to carry me to the car. Let's get the hell out of this dump!"

The vision of Finn gallantly carrying his beautiful wounded princess in his arms sickens me. Before he can lift her into his arms, a cute elderly couple that was picking apples alongside us approaches him. They're each carrying a bag full of fruit.

"Is everything all right?" asks the concerned, snowy-haired woman.

His face tense, Finn blows out a breath. "My fiancée tripped and hurt her ankle. We have to cut our apple-picking trip short so we can take her to an emergency room."

The wife's gaze moves to me, taking in the still wailing Maddie.

"I bet your little girl wants to stay."

Finn's voice softens. "She does. And it's her birthday."

"Aww!" sighs the lovely woman. "Happy Birthday, sweetie!"

"Thank you," sniffles my little one, turning her head, her politeness filling me with pride.

With a warm, appreciative smile, the woman shifts her attention again to Finn. "I have an idea. My husband and I are about to leave. We're driving back to Santa Monica. Is that by any chance close to where you live?"

Still nursing her foot and grimacing, Kayla cuts in before Finn can respond. "Jesus, Phineas, this is not the time to start up a conversation with some lowlife octogenarians you don't know I'm in pain! Let's go!"

Finn ignores her. His face brightens as he answers the woman's question. "Yes! I live in Malibu."

"Perfect! We can drop your fiancée off at St. John's," says the kindly, bespeckled husband.

St. John's is one of LA's top hospitals. Located near the beach, it's not too far from either Kayla's apartment or Finn's house.

"Really?" asks a shocked Finn.

"Not a problem."

"I'll help my fiancée to your car."

"Stay put. We'll talk to the people at the information center, explain the situation, and get permission to drive our pickup here. Then, we'll take her with us."

Kayla's face burns red with rage. I swear if she could walk she would physically assault one of us.

"Are you really serious, Phineas? You're going to leave me alone with two derelict strangers who could possibly abduct me? And make me travel in a truck?"

I bite down on my bottom lip to refrain from laughing and admire the thick skin of the lovely couple. They have a sense of humor! A half-hour later, despite a tantrum, Kayla is out of sight. Out of mind.

And Maddie is having the time of her life on the tractor ride. Make that... we are having the time of our lives. The three of us. Finn, Maddie, and me.