Page 96 of Any Luck at All

“Speaking of misunderstandings,” she said, “I hope you don’t think Beau did this to spite you, or because he didn’t believe in you. When you told him you were happy at Big Catch, he didn’t want to get in the way of that. The way he structured the will—he did it because he wanted to make sure his grandkids took it seriously. Those Buchanans have competition running in their blood, he said, and he figured it would fire them up. I also think he wanted them to get to know you. It was his way of ensuring it. I wonder now if it was a mistake.”

“Let’s hope not, Aunt Dottie. I’m going to do everything I can to make it right.”

When he got home, he hugged Hops to his chest.

“I guess you’re sticking with me, buddy,” he said, and the little dog licked him. And then he picked up the apartment, so as not to look like an insane person, and video-called Jack.

Jack picked up on the first ring.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

“He’s not coming,” Georgie said, scanning the room for the hundredth time.

Adalia put her hand on Georgie’s arm and squeezed. “I know this is easier said than done, but try to enjoy the party. All of these people are here to celebrate Grandpa Beau andyou, Georgie. They’re excited you’re rebuilding his legacy.”

“Not anymore,” Georgie said, fighting the urge to cry.

A twenty-something man walked up and extended his hand, one of about a hundred in the last hour, or so it seemed, whose faces had all blended together. “I hear you’re Georgie Buchanan.”

“That’s right,” she said, forcing a smile as she shook his hand. “And this is my sister Adalia.”

Adalia took his hand next. “Call me Addy.”

The man’s smile grew bigger. “CallmeNed. Are you part of the family business too?”

“Sure am,” she said with a flirty look. “The Buchanan sisters are taking the Asheville brewing world by storm.”

He laughed.

“Along with our brothers,” Georgie added.

The man kept his gaze on Adalia, making it clear he didn’t give a hoot about their brothers. Georgie felt a little prick of protectiveness, but at the same time, she felt lucky her sister was around to butter people up. She currently felt about as charming as a cardboard box.

“They’re more like silent partners,” Addy said with a wink.

Adalia had come into work with Georgie that morning, and Dottie had given her the grand tour (Dottie’s words). She’d come back to Georgie’s office practically glowing with positivity—this was something Georgie ascribed to the Dottie Effect, a little-studied phenomenon about what happened when people drank Dottie’s Kool-Aid.

“She’s right about one thing,” Adalia had said. “It has good vibes. I feel weirdly at home here.”

Georgie had smiled at her, but with tears in her eyes. “I felt that way too.”

“We’ll talk sense into him, Georgie. Dottie says he just needs a little bit of time.”

Georgie hoped so, but she also knew how badly she’d messed up. There was a chance River might forgive her, but he likely wouldn’t forget. And even if he agreed to come back to work, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle the pain of seeing him every day, knowing how much he despised what she’d done to him. Knowing what could have been if she’d only been stronger.

“I want to be part of this, Georgie,” Adalia had said earnestly. “I want to help reopen Buchanan Brewery.”

That had choked Georgie up—how much would she have loved to hear that two weeks ago?—and she’d fought tears to reply with a straight face and clear voice. “I don’t know if there willbea Buchanan Brewery.”

“Dottie said not to worry,” Adalia had said, waving that off. “She thinks fate has a way of working things out.”

Maybe so, but who was to say fate was on her side? She was beginning to doubt she had any luck at all.

“Is River around?” Ned asked, his gaze darting around the packed tasting room. “I’d love to offer him my congratulations on landing at Buchanan. You know, we always thought he’d inherit the place.”

And didn’t that just twist the knife.

Addy gave him a sweet smile. “River’s currently detained, but I’m sure he’ll be here any moment.”

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