Page 32 of Any Luck at All

It looked like Mr. Manning had more than one document for them to sign. He flipped the pages until he reached one with two signature tabs.

“Let’s start with the reason you’re here. This document says that you both agree to keep the brewery. Sign next to the tabs.”

Georgie grabbed a pen from a cup in the center of the table but stopped with the pen hovering over the signature line. “Lee said you had a buyer lined up for the property?”

Jack’s body jolted.

The attorney’s smile wavered. “That’s right. Bev Corp, a national company, is very interested.”

“How much did they offer?”

“Four-point-two million for the brand, the recipes, and the facility.”

Georgie couldn’t help wondering if Adalia needed the money. A quarter of the sale price would be enough to completely change her sister’s life. Was she being selfish? But then she thought of the determination in Jack’s eyes. He deserved to be part of the Buchanan legacy. And Lee believed in her, for once, something she’d always wanted. And then there was River. He’d been important to Beau, and he wanted—needed—to make this work as much as she did.

Jack shot her a questioning look. Even if Georgie decided at the last minute to sell, she knew he would never agree to it.

Ultimately, she trusted her gut, and it told her this was the right decision. She leaned over and signed her name, then passed the form to Jack. The attorney produced several other papers for them to sign, one naming Georgie the executor of her grandfather’s trust—which included the brewery and the house—and giving her control over Beau’s business and personal bank accounts. “Grandpa Beau named me as executor? How did he know I’d agree to do this?”

“As you’ve likely guessed, he changed his will after your visit. Originally, the house went to your father, and the brewery went to someone else.”

“Who was it supposed to go to?” Jack asked.

Instead of answering, Mr. Manning pursed his lips and handed Georgie the bank account statements.

Had Beau originally planned to give the brewery to Dottie? He hadn’t left her anything in the will, although Georgie had assumed that was because he’d passed along everything he’d wanted to her before dying.

She considered pressing Mr. Manning, but she was more interested in the financial state of the brewery. She slid the papers between her and Jack, and they quickly scanned the business account documents, which proved the business was indeed in trouble.

When they both finished signing nearly everything in the stack, Mr. Manning gave them an apologetic smile. “Now that you’ve finished most of the official paperwork for keeping the brewery, I need to tell you both about the strings.”

She gaped at the attorney, sure she’d heard him wrong. “Strings? What strings?”

“Beau wanted to make sure that you and your siblings didn’t make this a side project. He was worried the others might be uninterested.”

Her heart skipped a beat as she waited for what she was sure would be terrible news. “Excuse my language, Mr. Manning, but I have no intention of half-assing this.”

“And neither do I,” Jack said with a firm resolve.

Perspiration began to dot the attorney’s forehead. “They aren’tmyrules. Trust me, I tried to talk Beau out of it.”

Her stomach turned to a dead weight. “What did Grandpa Beau do?”

Mr. Manning handed her an envelope. “Perhaps you should read this first.”

She broke the seal, pulled out the page, and read the shaky handwriting.

Dear Georgie,

You have no idea how much I loved your visit. You have your father’s drive for success, but you also have something he never possessed. Sure, he has ambition, but he doesn’t have heart. You, my girl, have it in spades.

I knew after our visit that you wouldn’t sell Buchanan Brewery. I could see the fire in your eyes—the same fire that led me to found my business so many years ago. I’m ashamed to admit that I got tired. I lost my drive and I let things slide. I considered passing BB on several years ago, but the successor I’d named wasn’t ready. He had to pay his dues, just like you and your siblings will have to pay yours if you fail to meet the challenge I’ve set for you.

I know this will seem harsh, my dear, but I assure you that I would never ask this of you if I didn’t think you were up to it. We all need a little fire under our britches. Remember I do this out of love.

If anyone can turn Buchanan Brewery around, my dear, it’s you. My love, Dottie, is there to help you. Now go make me proud.

Love,

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