The Apple Tree by Kara Jimenez Read Free Book Online Page A

pregnant. You’re going to have a little brother.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “Wow, okay. Another brother. Congratulations Dad.”
    “ Another one? Oh, yeah. I always forget about that little boy of your mother’s.”
    “ Yeah, his own father forgets about him too.”
    “ Oh. Well, I should have called sooner. The baby’s due in a couple weeks.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the notice.”
    There was a pause. “I’m sorry it’s been so long, Bianca. You know, I’m proud of you. You remind me of your mother.”
    “ The woman she used to be, you mean? Before you left her.” She hated the way her voice sounded so bitter.
    “ Yes, well, we all change, Bianca.” He cleared his throat. “I know you’re still angry with me, but I’m happier now. It was for the best that I left. Besides, you’re old enough to care for yourself now.”
    Except that she spent most of her time caring for her emotionally damaged mother. But, it didn’t seem right to bring that up. No sense in everyone being unhappy, even if he was the cause of it all.
    “ I should go. Tell your mom hi for me. I’ll send pictures of the baby when he’s born.”
    “ Okay. Bye, Dad.” Hanging up, she regretted answering at all.
    Her head fell back on the fluffy pillow and she lay in bed for a few minutes, thinking about her father’s news. Despite her bitterness, it made her happy to know that he was happy. Would her mother ever find the same kind of peace?
    She pulled the covers up higher around her shoulders. The mornings were getting colder and she thought of her plants outside on the porch. Today she should pick the vegetables before they froze and if she had time, she’d go to the farmer’s market to buy more.
    The clock on her dresser said eight. She should probably get up. Pushing the blankets aside, she swung her cold toes out to the carpet and rubbed her face.
    Levi had a garden beside his cabin. Would he be harvesting soon as well?
    Sighing, she stood and turned around to make her bed, adjusting the sheets until they lay flat. She hardly knew Levi and yet, he seemed to keep popping into her thoughts.
    She was still confused about what happened the other day at the pizza parlor. Surely, she’d seen blood on Levi’s finger, but there hadn’t been a mark on his hand. Had the blood come from somewhere else? She racked her brain for ideas, but nothing made sense.
    After changing into a pair of jeans and a vintage t-shirt, she hopped down the stairs to find some breakfast.
     
     

     
     
    Levi meandered his way through the crowded farmer’s market. Families with strollers and dogs lingered in front of packed produce stands. The scent of mint and sage hung in the air as he passed a table covered in herbs. He nodded toward the older gentleman behind the money box and continued down the street.
    He planned to check on Bianca later, but had forced himself to go through with his normal routine first and Saturdays meant the market. Most weeks, he didn’t buy much. His garden and chickens provided substantial food for his needs, but there were things he’d given up on producing himself since he was only one man. And it felt good to lose himself in the crowd.
    He paused in front of a bread stand, looking over the loaves.
    “ Can I help you?” A young blonde sat behind the table and batted her eyelashes at him. She wore a teal sundress, a white cardigan and entirely too much make-up.
    “ Uh, yeah. I’ll take this one.” He grabbed a sourdough and held it up.
    “ Okay, that’s six dollars.”
    He dug through his wallet and handed her the cash.
    She accepted with a smile and then leaned over the stacks of baked goods, her cleavage spilling out, to hand him a business card. “Give me a call if you have a special order… or anything.”
    He nodded and quickly turned away, dropping the bread into his cloth shopping bag along with the package of ground beef and the honey he’d bought earlier. The woman was attractive, but he