Page 31 of Any Luck at All

“Not at Buchanan Brewery,” she said. “I started working there before Beau and I began courting. Indeed, it’s how we got to know each other. You really learn the make of someone when you work with them.”

“Well, I’m not so sure about that,” he said, gesturing toward the door even though Finn had left a long time ago. “Besides, even if it’s not in the HR manual, surely it’s not encouraged. And trust me, Aunt Dottie, she’s nothing if not proper. Even if it’s not unheard of, it would be for Georgie.”

His aunt shook her head knowingly. “That pink crystal tells me differently. There’s a lovely energy to that girl. Nothing like that dry husk of a father. She’s the type who’ll stand up for what she believes in—and for the people she believes in.” A sad look crossed her face. “And I’m not so sure you misjudged Finn, either. Sometimes you expect too much from people, dear, and it can only end in disappointment.”

He shrugged it off, although it was the kind of comment that had barbs, and he already knew he’d be thinking about it later.

“We’ll see, I guess.”

“Indeed, we will,” she said, shifting her gaze to the puppy, who’d fallen asleep on the sandal he’d been humping earlier.

“Hope he didn’t imprint on it,” River said.

“What are you going to name him? He looks an awful lot like a Flavius to me.”

River just shook his head. He was used to Aunt Dottie coming up with ridiculous names for things. “I was thinking I’d call him Hops. The last time I spoke to Beau, he told me he thought our…Big Catch’s new beer was too hop-forward.” He shrugged. “I bet he’d find it funny.”

She smiled at him. “I bet he would. Now, about Lola. Finn’s not the only one who’d benefit from having his cards read. You’re at a crossroads too.”

“No thanks, Aunt Dottie. I’ll find out what happens when it does.”

Which was how he always responded, but she still hadn’t given up. Part of him liked that. He liked knowing he could count on things—because for much too long he hadn’t been able to count on anything.

But could he count on Georgie Buchanan?

Chapter Eleven

Georgie walked into the law offices of Gramble and Manning at 11:57, ready to start the next phase of her life. After she and Jack finished with the paperwork, they were meeting River at the brewery at one. While Georgie had toured the space with her grandfather, she needed to see it again from an owner’s perspective, not to mention Jack hadn’t seen it at all. River had spent plenty of time at Buchanan Brewery, so he would make the perfect tour guide.

Sure, and that’s the only reason you want to see him.

Mr. Manning’s assistant met her as she walked through the door. “Jack is already in the conference room and Mr. Manning is readying the documents for you to sign.” She gestured down the hall to the room, then said, “Can I get you coffee or water while you wait?”

“This should only take a moment, right?” Georgie asked. “I won’t need anything.”

The assistant didn’t answer, just gestured for her to enter the room where everything had gone down the day before. “He’ll be here in a moment.”

Jack was standing next to the wall of windows overlooking a parking lot, wearing a pair of khakis and a short-sleeved button-down shirt. He turned when she entered the room, and she gave him a soft smile.

“Hey,” he said, appearing unsure of his standing with her. Georgie understood. They’d both been drinking last night, which called the decisions they’d made into question. Georgie had no regrets… Did Jack?

“How was breakfast with your siblings?” he asked, his body tense.

She stopped herself from saying they were his siblings too. “Good.” She brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Actually, great. Lee’s on board and plans to be hands-off, which means we can run it how we see fit.”

“And Adalia?”

She made a face. “Not so eager, but I think she’ll come around once it starts doing well and making a profit.”

He nodded, then turned back to the view.

Georgie eyed the table, reluctant to sit down. The emotions of the previous day still hung in the air, but she was also antsy. She wanted to get this done so she could head to the brewery and get down to business, not because she was eager to see River again. Okay, a partial lie. She was eager for both.

“Ah, Georgie,” Mr. Manning said as he walked into the room, holding a stack of papers. “And Jack. Thank you for coming in.”

“Of course,” she said with a smile. “Lee said it was okay for me to sign for him and Adalia.”

“Only one of you has to sign that you want to keep it,” the attorney said. “So the two of you signing is more of a sign of solidarity and not a legal necessity.” He set the stack of papers on the table and Georgie took a seat. Jack sat next to her, resting both his hands on the table.

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