In Orchard Falls, autumn means three things: changing leaves, strong cider… and grudges that refuse to die.
I run one of the town’s rival apple orchards—legacy trees, time-honored recipes, and a cider the locals swear by.
He runs the other—modern techniques, experimental brews, and a smile that makes me want to throw an apple at his head.
So when a heated argument at the Harvest Festival turns into a very public bet, the rules are simple: Whoever loses has to work at the winner’s orchard. No sabotaging. No backing out.
And absolutely no falling in love.
But as late-night tastings turn into stolen glances, and crisp autumn mornings blur into something warmer, I start to wonder if the real danger isn’t losing the competition… …it’s losing my heart to the one person I never saw coming.
Because fall isn’t just in the air. Fall is brewing.
