Page 33 of Beyond the Hate

She strolls away toward the offices of the distillery. When she’s out of sight, I turn to the door and unlock it. I step inside and switch on the light.

I gasp. The distillery facility is no longer one massive room. A wall now separates the facility into two distinct areas. I discussed the need to separate the brewing and distilling areas into two zones, but I didn’t think Jaxon would have walls built.

How did he manage to have walls built in the week since I accepted Eli’s offer to use his facilities? Sophia’s fiancé, Flynn, is the main contractor on the island but he never mentioned anything to me.

“Does the setup meet your requirements?” Eli asks from behind me and I startle.

I wait until my heart calms down before facing him. “Yes. Thank you. Please thank Jaxon for me.”

“Why would I thank Jaxon?”

I motion behind me. “Because he set this up for me.”

“No, he didn’t.”

“But Jaxon is the master distiller in charge of the facility.”

“He is but he’s not the one who made sure your incredibly detailed list of requirements was met.”

I’m confused. Is there a facility manager I don’t know about? “He wasn’t?”

“I handled everything personally.”

I’m surprised. I assumed he didn’t have time. I assumed he delegated most of his work. And…I need to stop assuming.

“Thank you. How did you get the walls built within a week?”

He smirks. “I know a contractor on the island.”

I frown. “Flynn didn’t tell me.”

“I asked him not to.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“Mission accomplished. I’m surprised.”

“Good. Now.” He rubs his hands together. “How can I help?”

My brow furrows. “You’re going to help me set up the equipment?”

He opens his arms wide. “I’m dressed to help.”

For the first time, I notice what he’s wearing. Worn jeans and a t-shirt with the logo ofBuccaneer’s Whiskeyon it. Huh. He has jeans he’s worn often enough for them to have faded?

He should wear these clothes more often. Don’t get me wrong. Eli in a suit is a thing of beauty but in jeans? He looks good enough to eat. Which I won’t be doing.

He checks his watch. “Shall I open up the garage doors? Your first delivery should arrive soon.”

The rest of the day flies by as delivery after delivery arrives. I direct everyone where to place the mash and lauter tuns, the brew kettle, the fermenters, the beer tanks… The list goes on and on.

When we foundedFive Fathoms Brewing,we didn’t set up all the equipment in one day. It was a gradual growth as we went from brewing in my garage to opening the restaurant to building the brewery.

“I’m calling it a day,” Eli says as he walks into the storeroom where I’m putting away the brewing ingredients.

“Thanks for your help,” I say without bothering to look up from my work.

---