Wild Hearts

Chapter Six

As we pick up the leftover produce to head back to the farm, Lexi approaches us, her enthusiasm palpable. "Hey, guys! Lots of sales today?" Her gaze was fixed on Preston as he efficiently packs the boxes, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

"You'd be surprised by this one's sales abilities," he says, gesturing to me with a grin.

"Oh, well, she learned from the best," my father jokes, puffing with pride as he arranges the last of the crates.

"Apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Preston adds, chuckling.

Lexi nods, her smile brightening as she takes in the scene. "You two make quite the team. Maybe I should learn a thing or two from you!"

"Definitely," I say, laughing.

Lexi's eyes sparkle with mischief as an idea strikes her. "Speaking of learning, I'm thinking we could head to the café later—the one with free Wi-Fi. It's a perfect spot for a little social media training."

"Sounds like a plan!" I say, excitement bubbling up. "I can show you how to take those perfectly curated photos everyone loves, and we can work on your captions too."

"Great! I could use all the help I can get," Lexi replies, her energy infectious. "And maybe we can sneak in some of those cute coffee shots everyone's always obsessed with."

Preston raises an eyebrow, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "You two are going to take the café by storm, huh?"

"Oh, absolutely!" Lexi responds, her playful tone igniting the atmosphere around us. "We're going to be the queens of the 'gram! And who knows, maybe I'll even start a trend with farm-to-table aesthetics."

My father cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to him. "Just remember, girls, don't spend too much time glued to your phones." He shot a warning look at me.

"Of course, Dad," I assure him, rolling my eyes, as a small part of me feels a twinge of rebellion. "We'll balance it out, I promise." I force a smile, tension in the air.

"Alright, Julia, I'll See you later." She smiles uncomfortably and walks away.

As we wrap up the last of the boxes, I feel a surge of anticipation for our café outing. It will be a welcome change from the farm chores and a chance to reconnect with the digital world I have disappeared from... And with Lexi by my side, I cannot help but feel like we are on the verge of something exciting.

Once we finish packing everything up, we head towards my father, who was chatting with a few fellow farmers nearby. After exchanging goodbyes and promises to see each other at the next market, we make our way to the car. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over everything, and I breath in deeply, savoring the moment.

My fingers fidget with my phone, and I cannot help but bounce slightly on my heels as I walk, eager for the change of pace.

As I stroll down the winding road, I take in the serene beauty of the countryside. Fields roll out on either side of me, their golden hues swaying gently in the breeze. The sound of birds chirping, and the distant rustle of leaves create a soothing backdrop, a stark contrast to the bustling market atmosphere I had just left behind.

When I reach the café, the familiar scent of coffee envelops me, and I push the door open, the cheerful chime of the bell above announcing my arrival. I glance around the cozy interior, noting the rustic wooden tables and the barista behind the counter expertly crafting drinks. My heart lifts at the thought of indulging in a rich latte, the perfect companion for our training session.

Just as I settle into a corner table, pulling out my phone to check my messages, I spot Lexi walking through the door, her face lighting up when she sees me.