Here With Me

“Not really. I do most of my brainstorming at home.”

When I turn back, I see she’s picking up the book she threw at me. It has the title Branding Basics, and I get an idea.

“You know, I was thinking… We should probably do something like that for the orchard.”

Her brow furrows, and she slides the book into a stack on the shelf behind her desk. “Something like what?”

“A logo… a website.” I point to the posters on her walls. “All the things you do here. You can do them for us.”

“But why?” She looks at me confused, and I chuckle.

“Is this how you attract new business?”

“I’m sorry.” She rubs her fingers across her forehead. “I just… LaGrange Orchard has been around for decades. Everybody knows who you are.”

“Not everybody. We’re always competing with new growers, and there’s Georgia…”

Going to her desk, she picks up a pen. “I’m sure I can come up with something. I know you as well as anyone.”

“Better.” Our eyes meet, and she blinks away fast.

Her cheeks turn the lightest shade of pink, and I’m encouraged I can still throw her off balance. I take it as a positive sign.

She moves her mouse back and forth quickly, waking her computer. “I’ll put you on my calendar and get a concept to you by the end of the week. Do you have an idea of what you want?”

Considering I just thought of it five minutes ago? “Not really… Maybe we could work on it together.”

Scooting back in her chair, she shakes her head quickly. “I meet with clients during the day. Then I work on concepts at night.”

Stepping back, I put my hand on the door. “I don’t mind working nights.”

“I work alone.” Her voice is firm, and she seems a bit flustered again.

It’s kind of a backfire, but at least I’ll see her more. “I’ll check in with you then.”

She looks around the room. “I’m not sure this is a good idea…”

“Sure it is. I’m your first hometown client.” My hand is on the door, and I push through it, not giving her a chance to back out on me. “I’ll let you know if I think of an idea.”

I wave through the glass, thinking how pretty she is owning her dream.

“I talked to Mindy about creating a logo and some branding for the orchard.” I’m in the kitchen with Noel after dinner, gazing out the window at our family’s estate.

“Sounds like a great idea.” Noel is at the table reading an article on her laptop. “What did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know.” I sit across from her. “What do you think?”

Noel leans back and blinks around. “It would need to be something that speaks to who we are…”

“The biggest orchard in north Louisiana?”

“Yeah, but something more personal.” She stands and walks to the sink, looking out the window. “Something about family… or tradition… or perseverance…”

“An anchor.” I can’t believe I didn’t think of it this afternoon.

Noel crosses her arms and tilts her head to the side. “That doesn’t really say peaches to me.”

“But it’s personal. We’re an anchor in the community. We provide security—”