Apple Harris watched the second hand as it swept to the top of the clock.  The minute hand was ready to tick over to the bottom of the clock, meaning she could finally close her window.  Ten seconds to go.  She heard the door open.  Naturally.

The guy was running to the window.  “Please!  Wait!”

Apple tried to hide her irritation and lowered her hand from the metal door she was about to pull down.  He was cute, but she told herself that didn’t enter into the equation. “How can I help you, Sir?”

He pulled up at the counter and thrust an envelope at her, “I have to get this out today.  Certified.”
Apple smoothed the envelope, laid it on the scale.  Postage was correct.  She pulled out the paperwork for certified.  Decided to fill it out herself, since it would be quicker.  “Do you want to know when it’s delivered?”

“Yes, please.”

She slid the postcard and a pen to the guy and continued to fill out the certified forms.  When she was done, she affixed it to the envelope.  She rang up the total, hoping nobody else came in, so she could get closed.  He finished, she checked the form, affixed it to the envelope, collected his cash — yes, a young guy who used cash.  Odd — then she handed him his receipts.

“Thank you, so very much.”

His relief was so obvious.  “My pleasure,” she looked down at the return address, “Mr. Orange?”

He nodded.  “Good night.”  He turned to leave.

“You, too.” She reached up to pull the door down, noticing he had a really nice body.  She thought she heard someone coming up the steps.  She closed the door firmly and locked it.  Whew.  Someone banged on the door, but she was officially closed.

***

Don walked out of the Post Office, relieved. The contract was on its way, and he’d just met the deadline.  As the relief flooded through him, and he relaxed, he reflected on the woman at the counter. Her name tag had said her name was Apple. How unusual. She’d been all business, but she’d also helped him when she didn’t have to.  Part of him wanted to get to know her better.  Too bad he didn’t live closer to Reedsville.  It wouldn’t be too strange to drive fifteen miles to buy stamps, would it? His environmentalist friends would never buy off on it. He didn’t particularly care what his environmentalist friends thought anyway. If he did, he wouldn’t drive an F-250 4X4. Practical reasons. He bumped the door locks and climbed inside. Everyone said his truck clashed with his name, but he liked this particular deep shade of red.

***

Apple had counted her drawer and secured it in the safe before turning out the lights and setting the alarm.  Still daylight when she secured the building before heading to her car, she wondered what Donald Orange was sending off that required a certified letter. She hoped it was for something good.  He looked so relieved to be able to catch her before she closed.  Most people were, but this felt different somehow.  She shrugged.  She’d probably never see him again.  His return address was from Trio. A larger town than Reedsville, so he’d not be likely to be in their neck of the woods often, even though it wasn’t far away.  Something had brought him to town today, though.  Don’t be silly, she told herself.  He’s a customer.  One of hundreds of customers who came to her window in a week.  Some were regulars.  Some, like Donald Orange, were one timers.  That’s what she had to tell herself.  Silly to get all wrapped up in someone she’d met for a five minute rushed transaction.  Shake it off, Apple.  You need to get to the grocery store, or you’ll be eating crackers and water tonight.

***

Don made it to the edge of town before turning around.  She’d likely be finished closing up.  Maybe he could catch her before she left for the day.  He hadn’t seen a ring on her finger, but she could still be involved with someone.  He at least had to know before he wasted lots of time thinking about her.  He pulled back up at the Post Office right as a car was beginning to pull out of the parking lot.  He rolled down his window and honked his horn.  She looked up at him, clearly puzzled.  He gestured for her to wait, and he pulled his nose into the parking lot so his door was next to hers.  She rolled down her window just a few inches.

He didn’t blame her.  “I’m sorry to worry you, but, well, I don’t know any other way to ask this.  Are you seeing anyone right now?”

Apple looked taken aback.  She recovered enough to say, “That’s not a question I get every day!”

He waited.

She looked up at him in his truck from her car, “No.  I wouldn’t say that I am. Why do you ask?”

“I thought I might like to get to know you better — unless there was someone who would object to that, then I would respect his wishes.”

She grinned, “How do you know it would be a he?”

His turn to be taken aback, “Oh!” He paused.  “Lucky guess?”

Now she laughed. “Okay.  Lucky guess.”

He plucked a business card off his console, “I’ll tell you what.  I would like to get to know you better, but just in case you might not, I’m going to give you my card.  Give me a call anytime.” He handed the card out the window and stretched toward the narrow opening in her window.  She reached up and took the card from his hand, brushing his fingers as he released it.  He drew his hand back into his truck, touched his forehead, in a mock salute. “I’ll leave you to resume your regularly scheduled evening.  I hope it’s a pleasant one.  Good night.”

She smiled and waved.  “Good night.”

He waved and pulled into the parking lot to turn around.  She drove away.  He was careful to turn the opposite way.  He didn’t want her to think he might follow her.

***

Apple rolled her window up and turned out of the parking lot.  She still had to go to the grocery store.  As she drove the few blocks, she mentally composed her list — milk, cereal, fresh vegetables for casseroles, fresh fruit for lunches, a couple of cans of beans, some fancy spaghetti, tomatoes, and lean ground beef.  That would keep her going for a couple of days. As she parked in front of the store, she glanced at the business card she’d placed in one of her cup holders.  Donald Orange, of O Range Ranch.  She hadn’t heard of that one.  Should she call him?  She locked the car behind her and headed into the store.  First things first.  She needed groceries, then she needed to get home.

***

Back at the ranch, Don changed clothes and headed out to take care of the cattle.  He made sure the tank had plenty of water.  He added a fresh roll of hay.  He counted heads to make sure they were all  there, and while they were milling around, he checked to make sure each of them looked healthy.  While he worked, he wondered if Apple would call. He couldn’t believe he’d decided to do that.  What had come over him?  That was so unlike him, but he hoped it would pay off.  He didn’t even know why, but his gut told him he wanted to get to know Apple better.  He had no reason to believe Apple would be any different from any other woman he knew — so far they all had decided ranch life wasn’t for them — even the ones who had grown up on working ranches.  At least, that’s what they said.   Face it, he told himself.  That contract you sent off tonight isn’t going to make it any easier to be involved with a rancher.  Finishing his checks, he headed for the house.  He had work to do.

***

Apple started dinner, then she studied the business card Donald had given her.  O Range Ranch. She smiled.  Clever.  She reached for her phone.  She had a few minutes before dinner would be ready.  May as well let him know she’d be willing to get to know him a little better.  After tapping the unfamiliar numbers into the phone and pressing send, she waited.  Third ring.  He answered.  “Hello.  This is Apple Harris, the woman you threw yourself at as she was trying to leave after she finished work today.”  She paused.  “Assuming there was just one.  If there were more than one, I’m the one from the Post Office.”

He laughed and said, “No.  Just the one.  Thank you for calling.”

“I can’t talk long.  I just wanted to let you know I’d be interested in getting to know you better.  No promises.”

“Fair enough.  I’m planning to go to the Trio Trades Days this weekend.  Would you be interested?”

“Sure.  I’ll meet you there. Are you going Saturday or Sunday?”

“Saturday if that works for you.  About nine?”

“That does work for me.  Where would you like to meet?”

“I get breakfast at the Trio Diner.  If you’d like to join me there, make it 8:30.”

Apple smiled as she confirmed, “Sounds good to me.  See you at 8:30 Saturday morning.  I have to go.  My dinner needs some attention, or it will burn.”

“See you then.”

Apple ended the call and stuffed her phone into her pocket as she headed toward the kitchen.  That wasn’t as painful as she thought it might be.

________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for visiting for the April A-Z Blogging Challenge.  Today’s entry is a work of fiction.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on it in comments — what you liked or didn’t like.  Each day will be a little different, so if you don’t want to miss an entry, please enter your email address below, press sign-up, then check your inbox to click the validation link to get these blog posts in your inbox.