Page 29 of Shelter from the Storm

She opened the door a crack, her gaze sliding over his shoulder to look behind him before she relaxed.

He held up the pills and water. “Edith wanted me to bring you these.”

“Oh.” Gretchen opened the door more fully, taking them from him. Theo noticed the suitcase on her bed, then the open dresser drawer.

“Just now unpacking?” He gestured toward the case, surprised, considering she’d already been in town a few days.

“Um…yeah.” She fidgeted with the pills in her hand nervously. Gone was the easygoing woman from dinner. This Gretchen was on edge, and he wished he knew what had set her off.

“I’m getting ready to head home,” he said.

“Okay.”

“I’ll pick you up Monday morning around eight-thirty.”

She nodded slowly. “Okay.”

“Good night.” He forced what he hoped passed for a normal smile, afraid he was too worried to pull it off.

“Goodbye.” Gretchen closed the door.

Shit. That goodbye sounded too damn final. It wasn’t a see you later sort of farewell, but more of a we’ll never meet again sort of goodbye.

Theo stood in the hall for a moment, fighting the instinct to knock on the door again and ask her what was wrong. Leaving her alone when she was upset was harder than he might have imagined.

Despite every internal admonishment he’d given himself about maintaining a professional relationship, he was failing to resist the pull.

If this kept up, he was going to have to call Levi to see how the hell he managed to keep from losing his mind once he realized Kasi was the woman for him, because now that he’d met Gretchen…

Jesus. He ran a hand through his hair.

Time to get a grip.

Chapter Six

“Have you ever heard of beer donkeys?”

Theo and Nora both looked at Gretchen with equal expressions of amusement and what the fuck.

“I know it sounds silly,” Gretchen said. “But when I was doing some research on event barns after getting the job, I came across the beer donkey option as one of the things people can book for wedding receptions and other celebrations. Considering Rain or Shine Brewery is right here, it felt like a great way to promote your beer at parties.”

Theo and Nora exchanged a glance, and Gretchen felt a slight pressure on her chest, afraid perhaps she’d finally said something so stupid, the Storms would know they’d screwed up in hiring her.

She wasn’t sure what kind of cousin-link telepathy they shared, but before Nora finished saying, “Call Remi,” Theo already had his phone out and was dialing.

“Remi.” Theo smiled at Gretchen as he spoke to his other cousin on the line. “Two words for you. Beer donkey.”

Gretchen couldn’t hear Remi’s reply, but given Theo’s chuckle, he’d captured her interest.

Once he explained the concept to her, Gretchen got the feeling this suggestion had been as well received as her previous ones, because for several minutes, all Theo managed to say was “okay” and “mm-hmm” and “sounds great.” Then he made a funny, wide-eyed, OMG face for her and Nora’s benefit.

Dear God, Gretchen thought. This job really was a dream.

Primarily because of her two bosses.

Well, she supposed she worked for the entire family, but she answered primarily to Theo and Nora, who had been extremely helpful and supportive in getting her started. Because it was a new position for the farm, the three of them had held several long meetings this week, discussing everything from how to schedule events and promote the new event barn, to generating a list of fees for the various things they planned to offer.

Theo and Nora had listened to her opinions and valued her input. One week in, and she was already starting to feel a bit more confident about her ability to do the job.

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