The Apple Of My Eye Read Online Free PDF Page B

important than plants.” Hayes gave her a warm smile and gently removed the old apple from her hand. “Like I said, there is good news too. All of this can be fixed, without having to cut down the tree.”
    “It can?” Michelle blinked, surprised. From the way he had been talking, it sounded like removing the tree was going to be necessary.
    “Sure. We will have to come in and do some remedial pruning, particularly on the alley side to make certain you are back in compliance with city codes. All of the detritus will have to be raked out, and you will want to put down some fresh mulch. Then we can treat with a sulfur spray to keep the fire blight at bay. Long term, I’d recommend looking at planting two new trees, so they are ready to bear when your older trees stop. The new trees will probably take three years or so to start bearing. It’d be best to get them in the ground this season, if possible.” He stood up and held his hand out to Michelle to help her up. “Let’s go look at the other apple tree, to make sure there is nothing catastrophic going on over there.”
    Michelle took his hand and let him help her up. Michelle stood up, but as she turned around to head towards the side yard, her foot caught on a tree root. She tripped and landed straight on Hayes. Instantly his strong arms were around her, steadying her against his chest. “Whoa, watch your step beautiful, I’ve got you.” She froze, his words sinking in as she stood in his arms. He thought she was beautiful? She couldn’t keep a delighted smile from spreading across her face.
                  “Sorry about that.” Michelle said softly, still not moving from the safety of his arms.
                  “Don’t be.” Hayes voice had become a sexy growl. He cleared his throat and continued. “Let’s go look at the other tree”. Hayes gently extricated her from his arms, but took her gloved hand in his. He led the way back towards the western yard, where the Fireside tree grew.
    He spent another several minutes evaluating the second tree. This time he showed Michelle what he saw as he went. Hayes pointed out the branches which would need pruning, the spots where a rabbit had been chewing on the lower bark of the tree. There wasn’t as much detritus under this tree. Michelle could remember Uncle Tom raking the side and front yard last autumn.
    “Honestly, there is a lot less work needed over here than in the back yard,” Hayes told her, sounding satisfied. “Some pruning, a little mulch and some pesticide, and you should be good to go.”
    “Wonderful. That’s a huge relief.” She smiled at the handsome man. “Would you like to come inside for a bit? We should probably talk about costs.”
    “Absolutely, I’d love to.” Hayes let Michelle lead him into the warmth of her home. She took his jacket and hung it with her own on the coat hook in the hall. He sat down in the living room and pulled a small form out from the back of the notebook he held. Michelle took a moment to enjoy the way his simple fleece shirt stretched over his athletic frame.  His head bent over the coffee table while he considered the form he had placed there. When he began to write, Michelle sat down across from him.
    “Can I get you anything? I think we have some soda in the fridge, or I can make some coffee?” Michelle asked, eager to think of ways to keep Hayes in her house a little bit longer.
    He looked up from his work, his green eyes considering her appreciatively. “Oh, you wouldn’t happen to have any tea would you? If it’s not too much work, I mean. I’ve been outside all day, and I’m freezing. I’d love a cup of tea.”
    Something about the request set Michelle’s heart aglow. Perhaps it was the juxtaposition of his hard working exterior, coupled with such a refined request. Michelle ran through the contents of her cupboard in her head. “I know I still have some Earl Grey, I just unpacked it. Is that ok? Oh, I have some