As he got closer, he could see a sign that read Honey Hollow Tangerine Orchard.

Tobias owned property? That was a little disheartening. Axel had been hoping to find that he didn’t have a penny to his name. But so many people in this artsy community were wealthy. He should’ve known.

So…was Tobias a farmer? Or something more?

Axel had thought he might be a model, given the guy’s looks.

With a sigh, he pulled over and waited for several minutes so he wouldn’t give his presence away. Then he turned off his engine, quietly opened his door and crept closer to the house that faced the highway.

He’d assumed Harper had gone there, but all the lights were off. He stood in confusion for several minutes, looking around and wondering what could’ve happened to her. But then he heard voices, coming from farther down the drive near a second house that was tucked away in the back.

“Your mother’s here?”

That was Harper. It was easy to recognize her voice.

“Yeah. She didn’t want to drive over herself. I brought her back with me so she can see Maddox, Jada and Maya tomorrow.”

The deeper voice belonged to Tobias. Axel recognized it, too.

“Of course,” Harper said. “That’s great. Is she…doing okay?”

“About the same.”

“I see. I’m sorry. Still, I’d like to meet her someday.”

“I’d introduce you tonight, but…she’s already in bed.”

“No problem. It’s late. I just… I had to see you for a few minutes.”

Axel crept closer—until he could make out two figures silhouetted in the porch light that glowed on the second house. This house was much smaller than the one facing the street. Was that where Tobias was living? If so, it didn’t look as though he owned the orchard.

Could it be that he only worked here?

The possibility gave Axel a bit of hope that Tobias wasn’t well-off. Axel would definitely have more to offer there.

“I’m glad you came,” he heard Tobias say as, using the trees of the orchard to remain hidden, he moved closer. “I have something for you.”

“For me?”

“It’s nothing big. Just a little something I thought you might like for Christmas. Which reminds me, you left your necklace here. I’ll go get it—”

“No, don’t bother,” Harper said, stopping him. “I’ll get it next time. And you didn’t have to buy me anything. That isn’t why I got you the watch.”

She’d bought him a watch? Axel felt his stomach muscles tense. This was more serious than he’d thought it was.

“I know,” Tobias said. “But I wanted to do this.”

As Axel watched, Tobias reached up to take a small gift from where it had been sitting on the banister, which he gave to her.