Kiss the stars with me

The crisp evening air kisses my skin leaving a trail of goosebumps behind its icy touch, the soft woven blanket beneath warming my back. My eyes filled  with the light of what seemed like a thousand stars.The night time breeze whispering in the trees and around me the smell of apples fills the air and lands on my lips.

 It was a beautifully warm and clear summer day, out on the green grass below the biggest apple tree, I laid down on a silver fluffy blanket and matching pillow. With my newest romance novel in hand, to add to my ever growing collection. I got comfy and tried to lose myself in the passionate love story. But my heart racing like a prized stallion as memories from a year ago start to fill my mind, and I end up putting my book down …

 It was early in the summertime when I met him, well more like when landed in his arms… His strong, muscular arms for a matter of fact, but I am trailing off topic. It was Mid September on the Golden Drop Apple Farm that was nestled in the Countryside of Cape Town . Needing a little change of scenery I decided to go help harvest apples for two weeks. The first few days were a little overwhelming as we were bombarded with information on the apple harvesting protocols . Knowing when your apples are ready to harvest was the first lesson of the day taught by none other than Mr Honey the owner of The Golden Drop Apple Farm. You could see and feel the passion he had for his business, Most often than not the topside fruit will ripen first as they have the best sunlight. Showing us that the first thing you look at is the colour of the skin,  Once the colour had deepened they were ready for picking. Honey Crisp apples were everywhere shining bright in both red and green skins. To get the full understanding of the whole process we had to have a taste test, Sweet and Juicy with the crispest outer skin. Mr Honey said “ They are the world's greatest dessert apple!", And that his mother had the best apple pie recipe that won a few first place ribbons in their local apple pie competitions.

Next we learnt  how to pick an apple, Mr Honey was a romantic at heart the way he spoke, it was almost as if he was talking about a woman.” Apple picking is a romantic dance, slow and soft is the key." Making a cup with the palm of your hand and a delicate touch hold the apple and gently lift up and tenderly twist, the apple should detach with its stalk intact. Handle the fruit with care as to not bruise the skin. Mr Honey’s golden rule “ Never Tug ! an apple from the tree as you could damage fruiting spurs or cause nearby apples to drop early."

The rest of the day was spent picking apples. Standing on the top of a wooden ladder,leaning slightly over to pick the most perfect apple I had ever seen, it was large and the most seductive shade of red. I hand the apple in hand when I felt something crawl over my fingers, I may have overreacted but in that moment the spider was as big as a bus. I lost my balance and fell …

Opening my eyes to Raven black hair, Blue eyes that sparkled like a million facets of the rarest sapphires. Feeling those strong and muscular arms I mentioned earlier. A wickedly mischievous smile spread across his face right before a hearty laugh spilled from his full lips “Easy Angel” He said as I slid from his arms. Finding my footing and blushing as red as the apple I had in my hand. I smiled “ Thank you for catching me.” His icy blue gaze intently raked over me from my feet to my eyes. “Thank you for dropping in, Not everyday you get to catch a fallen angel.” he said seductively ending with a wink. I could feel the blush intensify in my cheeks” Hi I am Lara” extending my hand to him. His Almost perfectly manicured finger tips ran over my hand and brought it to his lips, “ Hi Lara, I am Jax!”.

We learnt so much in the next few days, preparing apples for storage and where to store them .

The sun started to set, the sky looked like it was set on fire with different shades of orange and yellow.. I made my way to my room, they were quaint wooden cabins on stilts in between the trees. Taped to my door was a note . 

Angel, 

Do you want to join me for an adventure?

I promise it will be worth your while…

Open your door at 8, where your chariot will await 

Be mine for tonight !

Jax 

Opening the door and walking down the stairs, There he was leaning against his vintage style Black and Silver motorcycle.” Nice Chariot!” I say with a smile. Seeing him admiring my white summer sundress I had chosen to wear “ Nice dress!” he said then running his tongue over his lips. After straddling the bike he held his hand out for me to jump on the back. Wrapping my arms around him the smell of his black leather jacket fills my nose. The Bike roars to life and we make our way down the sand road through the orchard…

After a while the bike started to slow and in a small private clearing at the end of the property was a moonlit picnic set up. We sat down and enjoyed a delicious meal topped off with the most delectable apple pie and cream for dessert. Had me wondering if it might have been Mr Honey’s moms recipe. Still to this day i don't know. We spent the rest of the night laying under the stars talking about anything and everything.Wishing the night could last forever. I could feel the air start to magnetize and my body shivered, Jax took off his leather jacket and gave it to me to put on, As I slide the jacket into place he moved a strand of my long blond hair out of my face and we shared a kiss that ignited the entire world around us. 

Within a blink of an eye my two weeks were coming to a close., For the rest of our time Jax and I worked side by side during the day and spent all night wrapped up in each other's arms . The last night we spent together, I could feel tension in Jax " Hey, Are you okay?" I asked with slight worry in my voice. He took a deep breath in and sighed " Angel, I uh... Before I met you, My career was all that drove me, I am part of Doctors without Borders and I have committed myself to go help in Zambia for the next year." Not knowing what to say I fell silent for a moment. I could feel his heart start to pound in his chest. "Angel., Please say something". "Is this what has had you in knots the past few days?, that is the most honorable and selfless thing I have ever heard." He let out the biggest breath and his body finally softened. " Please Promise me something, Meet me at the tree where you fell into my life, this day in a year" He asked while holding me tightly.

And here I am, one year later  , sitting under that very apple tree, under the same stars we shared our moonlit picnic and unforgettable kiss. The light from my cell phone screen makes my eyes squint a little and I see it is almost midnight. My heart falls as I come to the realization he's not coming. I start to pack up and turn to walk through the orchard back to the tree top cabins when I hear the all too familiar sound of a roaring bike engine. I turn back to the tree and there he stands one year later he kept his promise … 

“ Hi Angel”

 Written by Candy K