Page 9 of On The Rocks

Ronan rolled his eyes, then he grinned at Kain. “You want a spicy cider, you gotta come into the brewing room.”

“Fine. I can handle that.” Kain rubbed his hands.

“Where’s Kira?” I asked.

“She took the Ella into the office for some quiet time. I think she just wanted an excuse for a nap. I can’t blame her. I think I’m going to go in there with her.” Ronan slid off his stool and took Amelia back from Kain. “Nice to have you back, Len.”

I smiled at him. “Good to be back.”

Beckett tipped back his filthy Yankees hat to show off a slice of clean skin above his dusty face. “You got a new drink for us since you went off to be fancy for over three months?”

“I might.” I flipped up my metal shaker and bounced it off my elbow to arc over my head and I caught it neatly in my other hand. “Why don’t we keep with the spicy theme?”

“Careful, Beckett can’t handle much.”

“Shut up,” Beckett muttered. “My wife tries to burn off all my tastebuds with her breakfast skills.”

I laughed and turned to my usual wall of supplies, but they were all still boxed away. To keep things easy, I grabbed a bottle of the new honeycrisp vodka and cracked the cap. I splashed a little in a shot glass to taste it.

It was tart with a helluva finish. I shook my head.

“It’s dangerous, isn’t it?” Justin asked from behind me.

I spun around with it in my hand. “I was expecting sweet.”

“Me too. Sneaks up on you.”

“Evidently.” But already my brain was whirling with what to do with it. Working at the orchard required me to be more creative than a usual bar. Being a flair bartender was more show than perfecting complicated drinks.

I was able to brush up on my technique working here.

Until you aren’t.

I pushed that voice to the back of my head. I didn’t have to make decisions on that front for a little while.

I took another tiny taste of the vodka and opened the mini fridge. I’d need to restock all my usual juices, fruits, and mixers. But the lime juice gave me an idea. “Got any salad stuff in the kitchen yet?” I asked Kain.

“Yeah. Not much to speak of this time of year, but I have some cukes, tomatoes, and a few different lettuces.”

“Perfect.” I held up a finger and slipped from the bar, then jogged to the kitchen. I opened up the massive fridge and found a seedless cucumber, I then raided Kain’s pantry for hot sauce.

I went back outside to find the guys chatting about the Lark cabin. Griffin had joined the group of guys, and my heart gave a quick kick when he tossed his toothpick into the corner of his mouth and gave me a slow grin.

Ignoring him, I started building the spicy cool drink by chopping my vegetables and slicing up a lime. I pulled out four lowball glasses and lined them up with crushed ice.

The lime and the cucumbers would balance out the heat. I’d chosen a sweet heat to combat the tart of the vodka so I could get the flavors balanced.

After I loaded my shaker with a good double handful of ice, I measured out my ingredients and shook the concoction, absently spinning the shaker as I garnished the glasses with thinly sliced cucumbers with my other hand.

“Veggies in anything other than a Bloody Mary seems wrong,” Justin groused.

I laughed. “You’ll like it.”

“If you say so.” Justin peeled at the label on his bottle.

I rapped his knuckles with the long handle of my stirring spoon. “Cut that out.”

“Sorry.” He laced his fingers around the Hot Honey bottle of cider.

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