Page 36 of Any Luck at All

“Okay,” she said, already getting up. “Save the bubble machine for me too.”

“I thought you said he found it on the street?” Georgie asked, although it was obvious she didn’t expect to like the answer.

“He did,” Josie said, as if it should be obvious. “My street.”

Jack sighed again, louder this time, and poured himself a glass of water as Josie let herself out of the building.

“Okay, here goes nothing,” Georgie said, getting to her feet. River did the same.

“Is everything okay?” he asked as they headed toward the back. “I can tell your brother was tense before the whole”—he gestured to the brewery—“bubble debacle. And you look…sad, I guess.”And scared.

“Just some unexpected news about the family,” she said. The way she said it told him he shouldn’t pry, and so he didn’t. She paused, turning to look at him. “I’m sorry about the way I greeted you before. I didn’t mean to seem cold. I just…”

“We’re going to be working together, and you’re trying to stay professional, right?”

“Something like that,” she said with a small smile.

“Look, I get it. It’s a weird situation. Let’s handle this other very weird situation, and then maybe we can talk.”

She nodded slightly and started walking again. “I’d like that.”

“Now, about Lurch…” he started, but when they got into the back, Lurch was sitting on Josie’s abandoned stool, holding his head. His bald head, which had more than a few bubbles on it.

He jolted back when he saw them, nearly falling off the stool.

“Oh,” he said when he saw River, “it’s you.” He glanced at Georgie, his eyes widening. “And this must be Beau’s granddaughter, Georgie.” He managed to sound not displeased about the fact, which was an impressive feat given that he currently sat in a sea of bubbles of his own making. “I’d love to talk to you, but can I steal River away for just a minute?”

That last bit had been said in pure panic.

Georgie gave River a look, and when he nodded, she said, “Sure. I’ll be waiting out in the tasting room.”

And wouldn’t Jack love that.

But River didn’t have any time to question what had happened to the Buchanans. As soon as Georgie left, Lurch grabbed him by the bottom of his shirt and pulled him forward.

“You have to help me, River. I think I peed in one of the kettles last night, but I don’t remember which one.”

Chapter Thirteen

Georgie found Jack where she’d left him, clutching his pint glass with enough force that it looked liable to crack.

“Well?” he asked with a dark scowl.

“Lurch had something he wanted to discuss in private, so I told River I’d wait out here.”

Jack groaned. “I bet he did.”

Georgie sat across from him and lowered her voice. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know what it means, Georgie. How do we know that River and Lurch aren’t making plans to sabotage us? After last night, we know that beer is River’s life. Beau gave him his start. This place is nostalgic for him, and he obviously has more fond memories with the old guy than you do.”

While Jack had absolutely none.

All of that might be true, but it didn’t mean River was out to get them. “We spent several hours with him last night,” Georgie argued gently, “and granted, we were drinking, but River didn’t strike me as the kind of guy who would use subterfuge to get what he wants.” She leaned closer. “Not to mention that I doubt he even knows the terms of Grandpa Beau’s will. Beforeorafter.”

“We can’t count on that. We need to find someone else for the job.”

She was surprised at the shiver of fear that sent through her blood, not only for the business, but for her. She wanted to see him every day, even if they couldn’t have a romantic relationship. They could still be friends…well, as friendly as a boss and her employee could be. “We can’t do that, Jack. Weneedhim.”

---