Applewild Read Free Page A

actually—and on a few late-night talk shows.
    Apparently, he and Mrs. Avery were so close, she had offered up Applewild as his place of refuge during this particular media offensive. Jamal, the part-time hand, was supposed to pick him up from the airport later that morning.
    Monroe felt for Alton. As far as she could tell, he was just starting to come into A-list status. It was a shame his rising career had to be weighed down by a failing love life.
    She flipped her eggs and changed the channel.
                 
    *
     
    Monroe parked the farm truck in front of Airport Terminal C and glanced through the glass doors for any sign of Alton Daniels. According to a text from Ms. Hutter, the housekeeper, she was in the right spot. A quick glance at the airline website told her the flight was on time. Jamal had called in sick. Again. So now she had to pick up Mr. Celebrity and take care of eight horses on her own.
    She looked up from her phone just in time to see Alton exit the terminal. A TSA officer hurried him through the door to avoid as many cameras and smart phones as possible. Monroe opened the driver’s side door and held up the sign she’d been instructed to make. White block letters on a black background spelled out Daniels , very distinctly, so he would know she was authorized personnel.
    He nodded in her direction, and she hopped down to pull back the cover of the truck bed so he could toss his things in the back. He shook the security officer’s hand and let himself in the passenger’s side of the dented cab while Monroe slid in the driver’s seat. She put the truck in gear and left the curb immediately.
    Her instructions were clear—get in and out as quickly and quietly as possible. Once they were in the flow of traffic, on their way back to the farm, they could relax. Or so she thought. One glance at Alton’s clenched jaw and rigid shoulders told her he was far from relaxed.
    “I’m Monroe,” she greeted, holding the steering wheel with one gloved hand and extending the other to him.
    He shook it, extending the expected courtesies but not much else. “How far is it to the ranch?”
    “About an hour.”
    He nodded and went silent, clutching his phone in a white-knuckle grip.
    “Is this is your first time visiting Applewild?” she asked.
    “No, I came to the housewarming party.”
    “It’s been a while, then.”
    Alton nodded and offered no more conversation. Monroe glanced his way again. The damage from his recent split showed. She was used to seeing images of him clean-shaven, with gelled hair and a stylist-approved outfit. Now his hair was mussed, he had a five o’clock shadow, and he wore a wrinkled v-neck tee beneath a faded black jacket. He smelled like alcohol.
    “Are you done ogling?” he asked, even though his eyes remained on his phone.
    Monroe felt the sting, and her irritation at even having to be here, doing Jamal’s job, sparked into anger. She wasn’t ogling . She hadn’t awarded him any more attention than she would to another stranger who left her with no one to interact with but herself.
    “Now I am,” she muttered.
    The next fifteen minutes were silent. She didn’t look at him again until he spoke.
    “Mind if I smoke?”
    “Yes.”
    He paused. He already had a cigarette and lighter out. “Really?”
    “Yes.”
    He paused again. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. I’m just a bit on edge.”
    “Understandable.”
    Alton ran a hand through his hair. His leg bounced. Monroe felt the vibration in the bench seat, and she glanced over.
    “I could pull over, if you like.”
    “Someone might see.”
    “It’s up to you. Risk it or wait.”
    “What do you think Madison would have to say about this?”
    “Mrs. Avery isn’t a big fan of smoking. I think the odds are in my favor.”
    Alton sighed and twirled the cigarette in his fingers. “Alright, pull over. Just a few puffs.”
    Monroe pulled off the highway and stopped the truck. Alton got out and leaned