Page 5 of Love Is Brewing

“Thanks for being so good about this,” she said. “I’m not used to driving in the snow.”

“I figured as much,” he said. “Most around here don’t even leave their house until the roads are clear. Which means when it melts in a few hours.”

“You’re out,” she said. She was looking at his truck to see if she could find some sticker on it showing that he was fire or police. Why else would he be out this early if what he said was true?

“Got a business to run,” he said.

“Me too,” she said.

“There you go. I have staff that can’t make it in, so someone has to be there,” he said.

“I’m hoping my staff make it in this morning,” she said. Something told her that wasn’t going to be the case.

“I’m not sure I’d bet on it,” he said, laughing. Some more of that “friendly” conversation she’d been getting this morning. Telling her the way it is.

“I’m learning fast,” she said. “I’ll let you get on your way. Sorry again about that.”

“No worries,” he said. “Have a good day. Your drive home will be easier.”

Phoebe nodded and got into her car, righted it on the road so that it was straight, and slowly drove to her office two blocks away.

She parked in the back, then walked to the door, punched in the security code, unlocked the door, and then locked it behind her again, flipping on the lights.

She was just making her second cup of coffee in the break room when her phone dinged. It was a text from Sophie, her secretary, saying she’d be in by noon once the roads were clear of snow.

She wanted to growl but knew there wasn’t much she could say about it.

Safety first and she’d just proven that accidents can happen.

She replied that it was fine, then got another text from her paralegal, Ellen, saying she’d be in in a few hours too.

Looked like she was manning the office alone while she tried to do interviews.

But when she sat down at her desk and turned her laptop on, the first two emails to pop up were her early morning interviews asking if they could reschedule to this afternoon or another day.

She wanted to say no, they lost their chance, but beggars couldn’t be choosers in a small area like this.

Her interview at eleven seemed to still be on and that person was getting bonus points if they showed up on time.

If Phoebe could make it not only on time but early, then they should be able to also.

That was the type of employee she wanted.

Dedicated.

At least she wasn’t the only one feeling that way, since the man in the truck was obviously covering for his staff too.

The man in the truck.

Hmm, she never got his name.

That’s fine. The mystery to it was much better in her mind.

2

FAMILY DYNAMICS

Elias stomped the snow off his boots at the back entrance to his brewery. He had a large box in his hand that he was thankful to even get.

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