"A contemporary about recovering from trauma"

After a traumatic experience involving one of her patients, Psychologist Abby MacKenzie decides to take a leave of absence from her job in Los Angeles to try to get over the horrible memories. She ends up across the country, in New England, and takes a job picking apples at Templeton Orchard which is owned by a friend of her aunt Mo's. She hopes the hard work will make her forget, and give her a chance to heal. She doesn't feel capable of helping anyone else with their problems. All she wants is to be left alone. But then she meets Dr. Jake Templeton and his troubled young daughter Stacey. She can tell these two need help, but she doubts her ability to help anyone again.

Jake is a widower who is still grieving the loss of his wife and is very worried about his daughter, who has never been the same since the accident. He has taken Stacey to numerous counselors seeking help, but with no luck. He and Stacey have developed a very poor opinion of members of the profession. Even though Jake is physically attracted to Abby, and would like to get to know her better, he forbids her to have anything to do with his daughter. Stacey has been through enough and she doesn't need another "shrink type" messing with her head. Abby agrees, but soon finds that even while she is becoming closer to Jake, she is being drawn into the mystery of what is hurting Stacey.

THE APPLE ORCHARD was a good, solidly entertaining read. I found the characters to be well written, with depth and sensitivity. Jake truly thinks he is doing what is best for his traumatized child, and his whole family is caring and sympathetic. Abby has some trauma of her own to overcome, which perhaps makes her even more sensitive to Stacey's troubles. Together, they attempt to do what is best for everyone and, happily, succeed in the end.

Reviewed by Janice Bennett
Posted July 17, 2002

Summary

Apple picking in New England...

For Abby MacKenzie, a few months working in an apple orchard--far away from Los Angeles--may be just what the doctor ordered. Hard physical labor, fresh air and nothing to remind her of the trouble at home.

So she drives across the country and arrives at Templeton Orchard. The large Templeton clan is warm and welcoming-- except Dr. Jake Templetom, who doesn't want Abby anywhere near his unhappy young daughter.

However, as the busy apple season progresses, the little girl reaches out to Abby. And Jake finds himself falling for the sensitive, beautiful woman who's haunted by her past.