The Apple Tree Read Online Free Page A

the counter and her eyes grew wide. A deep breath calmed her before continuing to place the meat around the pizza. It didn’t matter if it was that guy. It was just a little weird, seeing him again so soon.
    He stopped at the front door, holding it open for a woman pushing a stroller. Once inside, he stepped under the hanging wooden sign that read ‘Order Here’ and leaned his elbow casually against the counter, looking straight at her.
    “ Can you help that guy? I’ve got to pull these pizzas out before they burn.” Kate flung the metal oven door open.
    Bianca approached the counter, unsure whether to mention the orchard or act like she didn’t know him. Maybe he didn’t recognize her? “Hi, what can I get you?” she asked.
    “ Oh, hey, you’re the girl… from yesterday.” He pointed toward her, then dropped his hand and bit his lip. “I’m sorry I was rude last time we met. You caught me off guard and… I had a headache. I’m Levi.” He extended his hand and she took it. His grip was firm as he shook her hand and smiled.
    “ Bianca.” She liked the way his navy t-shirt made his eyes appear almost blue instead of gray.
    Releasing her hand, he glanced down at the menu. “I think I’ll have a small pepperoni and green pepper.”
    “ Sure.” She punched buttons on the cash register. What was with the one-eighty? He seemed almost nice, but the day before, he’d been downright rude. Would a headache really cause such a drastic change in behavior?
    “ So, do you often go trampling through the woods at twilight?” he asked.
    She looked up, studying his smile as she tried to make sense of him. Was he mocking her? “No, I was following a deer. I wanted a picture of it, but I got lost.”
    “ Mhmm.” He nodded and handed her the cash for his order.
    “ Thank you.”
    He took his time putting his wallet in his back pocket. It seemed like he wanted to say something else. Instead, he walked to a table next to the unlit fireplace.
    She began spreading sauce on his order when Kate came over.
    “ He’s cute. Do you know him?”
    Bianca paused, debating how much to tell her. Kate was a gossip after all, and she didn’t want to start any strange rumors. “I only met him last night. I was lost. He gave me directions.”
    “ He’s really buff. He must do some kind of manual labor. Maybe he’s a logger?”
    “ I don’t know.” He was buff. The fabric of his shirt barely covered the expanse of his biceps.
    “ Well, go over there and talk to him again. Find out. He likes you. I could see it in his eyes.”
    She laughed. “You think? He is kind of gorgeous.” He had such square shoulders and a hard jawline. But, he’d also been really weird the night before.
    “ Talk to him. Or I will.” Kate smiled and gave her a playful shove.
    Bianca huffed, but couldn’t keep the grin from her face. She knew Kate was only joking, her friend would never go after a guy she was interested in, but was she interested?
    When Levi’s pizza was ready, Bianca carried it out to him. He sat hunched over the brown formica table. In his palms, he held a book, the title obscured by his fingers. As she approached, he straightened his back and grinned.
    “ So, how are you?” He fiddled with the corner of his book. “I mean, you seemed a little shaken last night, being lost and all. How are you feeling now?”
    “ I’m fine.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “You have a lovely little cabin, by the way.”
    “ Thank you. I built it myself.”
    Her eyebrows rose. “Wow, that’s impressive. I mean like, really impressive.” She studied him, trying again to decipher his age. He couldn’t be more than twenty-five. Other guys her age usually wasted their time playing video games. He’d built a house?
    “ It’s not that big of a deal.” His cheeks reddened as he looked down and gave the pizza pan a gentle spin.
    Faustino walked over. “When you’re finished, go ahead and take a break.”
    Bianca glanced at her