Raspberries and Vinegar (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 1) by Valerie Comer

few minutes.”
    “We really shouldn’t,” said Jo at the same time Sierra said, “Sounds lovely, thanks.” Jo shot her friend a look, but Sierra ignored it.
    “I’ll just be a moment.” Mom headed to the back door then turned and called for Domino. He leaped up, nearly knocking Jo over. Zach’s reflexes kicked in and he caught her before she landed rear first on the ground. Domino bounded into the house and the screen door smacked shut behind him.
    Jo pulled herself away as soon as she’d regained her balance. “Thanks.” But she didn’t look up at him.
    “Not every day a girl falls for me.” Zach nearly slapped his hand over his mouth.
    Sierra chuckled. “Clever.” She elbowed Jo. “You okay?”
    “Yeah, fine.”
    Now why had her face turned so red? She couldn’t be — nah. No way would a little gal like her find a guy like him of more than passing interest.
    Time to get back in focus. “You had something you wanted to ask?”
    “Here we go!” Mom pushed the screen door open with her elbow and carried out a wooden tray with red liquid sparkling in tall glasses. “Come on up to the veranda and make yourselves comfortable.” The screen door slammed against Domino’s nose and he whined, sinking to his belly inside the door. Mom set the tray on the side table.
    He’d find out soon enough what the girls had meant to ask. Zach motioned toward the steps. “After you.”
    Jo and Sierra went up and sat together on the quilt-draped porch swing. Zach picked up the tray and offered the contents to the girls first, then to his mother before taking the final glass and a handful of cookies to a wicker chair.
    Apparently even apple-and-carrot girls ate homemade cookies.
    “Mm, this is delicious. What kind of juice is it?” Ice cubes clinked in the glass as Jo turned it.
    “We call it raspberry vinegar.” Mom took a sip herself. “I learned how to make it years ago from an old neighbor who lived to be over a hundred before he passed on. Quite simple, and a way to stretch a summer treat year round.”
    “Vinegar?” Sierra frowned and peered into her glass. “I wouldn’t have thought you could just drink it.”
    “That’s all it is. Raspberries fermented in vinegar, with sugar added. Makes a concentrate that keeps well when canned into quart jars.”
    “It’s really refreshing. I suppose a person could use honey?” Jo gave the swing a little push with her foot.
    “I don’t see why not.”
    Right . Yet sometime s Jo seemed so normal. He needed to remember to keep his distance. “You said you’d come over to ask a favor?”
    This time Sierra spoke up but her gaze met Mom’s. “When we signed papers on the land, Steve mentioned he’d be willing to till up a garden spot for us.” She held up a hand. “Now, I know he’s sick, and I hope he’s feeling better soon, but I was wondering if you knew someone else who could help out? It’s rather a large area for our little hand tiller.”
    Nice of her not to put Zach straight on the spot, but the question was clear enough all the same.
    Mom glanced his way. “Yes, I remember the conversation now that you mention it. I’m so sorry, but it completely blanked out of my brain when Zach and I were talking the other night about the spring work here. He’s hooking the rotovator up to the tractor and getting my patch prepared later today.”
    Were they going to talk around him the whole time? Zach couldn’t stand it. “Sure, I can do it for you this afternoon.” Might as well go the extra mile. “While I have the machinery going, would you like me to bring over some rotted sheep manure and old hay to work into the garden plot? I’ll be hauling some for ours, too.” He jutted his chin toward the dirt patch.
    J o’s face lit up and she looked right at him. “Oh, that’d be great. What will we owe you?” She had gorgeous eyes, all brown and sparkly.
    “Oh, Zach wouldn’t dream of charging,” Mom broke in smoothly. “It’s the neighborly thing