One Chance

Chapter 5

The orchard comes into view and we stop right in front of the old cottage which is adjacent to it. I get down first and Toby parks the car. 

"It must be a wonderful day today that little Lucy finally comes out of the town", I hear a voice from behind me. 

When I turn around I see that it's Mark , the owner and my boss's son. I walk up to him and give him a quick hug. We grew up together. I consider him  my big brother as he is two years older than me and I do sometimes wish I made more time to see him. 

" I’ve just been busy, you know how I am. Don’t really like leaving town if I can help it", I say as we are walking. 

When I look to my side, Toby is already walking right beside me. I smile at him and almost miss him staring. Lucky for me, by the time I even get a chance to say something, Mark starts talking. 

"How is it that both of you came here together? I didn't know you guys knew each other. I knew Toby was coming today but I never thought Lucy would come !". 

Toby chuckles at that. " Well, I found out she was coming here too so I figured it would be best if we came together. To answer your question though, we have only met a couple of times and i would call us friends now as we did share a car ride together. " He gives a really charming smirk as he says the last part. 

"I am here for work actually. Well, not that I will not come to visit you otherwise and I'll surely visit you  again,soon, but this one trip is mostly for work." I say with a little guilt. 

"Well that makes more sense that you just showing up out of the blue. My mother had something to do with this I'm assuming ? "Mark asks. I notice his brow go up as it usually does when he asks a serious question .

"Well you know how she gets and I cannot for the life of me say no. But I mean seeing you is always fun and I really have nothing to lose. " I add before we head in. 

"Let's eat lunch first ! " Mark shouts to no one in particular and goes to the dinning table to take his place. Toby and I follow him and take our seats opposite each other with Mark is at the head of table. 

"Yummm, this is delicious" I say in between bites." It's as I remember, you cook really well Mark. I am going to come here often even if it is just for your food. " 

"You always had a soft spot for food" Mark says laughing. "I remember cooking in college too and that is where Toby and I met." 

I look up at Toby and finally know how he knows Mark. I never got the nerve to ask Toby in the car but I am glad Mark said it before i had to ask him myself. 

Suddenly Toby says, " You guys seem pretty close. How come you never mentioned her to me before Mark?  I even told you I was moving to your town. I see I have a really nice friend ". 

"Hahaha, I see someone is jealous,or maybe feels left out. Lucy and I have been friends since we were kids. She was kind of like my little sister growing up. Living in our town , everyone knows each other. Both of us were really close but it has been a while since we’ve spent time together after I left for college out of town 2 years before Lucy and she along with Amanda decided they were going to go to college in town. " Mark says,  making me nostalgic. 

" We only recently reconnected after almost 9 years when he walked into my parent's bakery with the cartons of apples. It was really nice to see him though. It was only when I saw him that day did I realize how much I actually missed him." I say extending my hand to Mark and giving it a little squeeze. 

" Mark is a pretty great friend. Probably one of my first friends in college. We were both in the same management class and I guess there was just something about him which made us instant friends from the first class. These past 9 years couldn't have been possible without him." Toby says almost in a daze. 

I look at both of them with admiration in my eyes. I can clearly see that they are close and the way Toby spoke about Mark just now warmed my heart. Mark has always been the kind,generous,life of the party person. Knowing that he's best friends with Toby only makes me more sure of Toby as a person no matter what his past might be. 

After lunch is fine, Toby decides to take a walk in the orchard so Mark and I sit in the balcony overlooking the orchard. 

" Can I ask you a few questions now? " I ask hoping Mark to agree. 

"Sure, go ahead. I'm not sure if it'll be anything interesting to write about but I promise to tell you as honest and as much as I can. " Mark says in a way that I know he means it. 

"What made you want to buy and manage this orchard ? Was this something you always wanted to do?" I ask 

"Well, when I went off to college in the city I never thought I would look back. But after spending a couple years working in the city I happened to find out about this orchard from a friend and well I guess the timing was right and I packed up everything and moved here. I know it isn't exactly in the town but it's close by to visit my mom. " He says and I could see in his eyes that he likes it here. 

" Next question... If you could describe the orchard in a couple of words,what would they be? Something that stands out about it ? " I ask.

" Well, I would say it has its own country charm. Lots of apple trees till as far as you can see and the view is amazing. For anyone that wants to visit it I would say if you want some time away from the city and just a spend a couple of days or hours of peace and quiet. This is the perfect place. This is the only one around for miles and I provide accommodation for a maximum of 10 people which comes with my cooking. " He says, laughing to himself. 

" Well, I would come for your cooking for sure.. "I repeat my earlier comment. 

I ask him a couple of questions more and close my book satisfied that I have enough material to write an article. 

We walk to where Toby is sitting in a wooden bench staring at the trees. He looks so calm and peaceful. I almost get caught staring by Mark and look away. 

" So do you like it here ?" Mark asks Toby who nods in reply with a smile. 

" I think it's exactly how you described it. Peaceful and serene. Perfect place for a quiet weekend. " I say almost too happy to be here. 

We are all lost in our thoughts for a few minutes till Mark says out loud " Are you guys staying for dinner ?" 

" I cannot today but I definitely will visit you next time and stay for a weekend !" I say meaning it. 

" I will come see you after the bookstore opens , I still have a bit of work to finish up. That reminds me don't forget to come to the opening in 2 days. I expect you to be present and I will not take no for an answer." Toby says looking right at Mark. 

" I wouldn't miss it for the world. Well I guess I’ll see you guys in town. You better leave now before it gets dark. " Mark says while walking us out to the driveway. 

Mark gives us both a hug before we get in the car and we drive away. 

While on the road it's a comfortable silence driving back. I take one look at Toby and smile to myself . 

" Do you mind if I doze off, I feel really tired "I say swallowing a yawn. 

" Take some rest , Ill wake you up when we reach the restaurant" , Toby says and that's the last thing I hear before dozing off.