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loose leaf English breakfast too.” That had been a Christmas gift from Aunt Deb. Michelle enjoyed trying different types of foods. She found she had enjoyed the process of steeping loose leaf tea and the richer flavor that resulted.
    Hayes smiled at her, looking impressed. “I haven’t had loose leaf tea in forever. That would be amazing.”
    Michelle couldn’t keep the beaming smile off of her face. She sauntered to the kitchen to heat the kettle. “Note to self, buy more loose leaf tea.” She muttered quietly as she filled up the tea kettle with water. She set the kettle on her new stove and took the tea down from the cabinet. Movement beyond the kitchen window caught her eye. She leaned forward over the counter to see what was going on, her sweater pulling up to expose a hint of her waist, her honey blond hair sliding forward across her cheek.
    “Michelle? I have the quote done when you’re…” Hayes had come into the kitchen with a piece of paper, but stopped abruptly when he saw her stretched over the counter. Michelle turned away from the window, and the heat she saw in his eyes was anything but businesslike. She could feel an answering flush of longing pulse through her as Hayes made his way through the kitchen to her. Her breath caught in her throat as he stood next to her and reached over to push an errant strand of honey colored hair away from her face. Just like in her fantasy, his strong fingers sifted through the soft strands. He let them slide over his fingers as he tenderly tucked the errant hair behind her ear. With a sigh Michelle tilted her face towards him, so his fingertips brushed against her cheek as he withdrew his hand.
    A loud knock on the kitchen door broke the spell his touch had spun between the two of them. They sprang apart, startled. Michelle hurried to the door. Just as she touched the knob, the door opened and Betsy Turner pushed past her into the kitchen.
    “Oh, hello my dear. I brought the pie! Gerry and I have been talking and we think you should really call…” She stopped midstream as her eyes lit on Hayes. “Well, what have we here? Hayes Marshall. Are you here to do your Uncle’s dirty work young man?”
    “Good afternoon Mrs. Turner. How are you?” Hayes’ cheeks flushed as Michelle’s neighbor glared at him. “Michelle is hiring me to help her with her apple trees.” He glanced at Michelle. “At least I hope she will be hiring me. I’m here on a consultation.” His tone bordered on defensive.
    “Thanks for bringing over the pie, Mrs. Turner.” Michelle took the apple pie from her neighbor and set it on the counter next to the two tea mugs. “Hayes is the arborist the inspector recommended I call. From what he tells me, I shouldn’t have to tear the McIntosh down after all.” She gave Hayes an encouraging smile.
    “I’m sure the inspector wouldn’t have recommended him if he had known he was the nephew of the man responsible for the complaint in the first place. I saw Ed skulking around his lawn, eying the tree as I came in. Don’t you think there is some conflict of interest here?” Betsy pointed an accusatory finger at the arborist.
    “Respectfully ma’am, I work for my clients, not my Great Uncle. My job is to help Miss Perry save her apple tree, and that is exactly what I am going to do.” Hayes countered his voice cool and determined.  “Won’t you excuse us for a moment? I need to speak with my client in private.” Hayes turned abruptly and walked back out of the kitchen.
    Betsy harrumphed as Michelle excused herself to follow Hayes. She found him standing in the hallway putting on his jacket. “Oh no!” Michelle held out a hand to try to stop him. “Please don’t go. You haven’t even had your tea yet. Don’t let Mrs. Turner chase you away. She’s just feeling a bit overprotective.”
    Hayes smiled as he zipped up his jacket. “Don’t worry; I’m not being chased away. It will take more than an angry Betsy Turner to run me off.