Page 4 of Cherished Lands
I'd hoped this cidery idea would give him something to wordtoward. Right now, it looked more like a new source of temptation. "It's not just about making booze, you idiot. It's about diversifying our income streams, creating a new brand."
Natalie was frowning and tapping her fingers on the countertop. "We'd need an investor. The startup costs for something like this... it's not small potatoes. Yes, it could be profitable, but with the state of the finances as they are..."
"I know," I admitted. "But think about the potential. We could tap into the craft beverage market, maybe even distribute beyond Sable Point."
Chase snorted. "Yeah, 'cause that's what this town needs. More drunk tourists."
I clenched my fists. If I was going to sell Natalie on this plan, I needed to stay calm and rational. Knocking my brother unconscious would not help my pitch. "It's not about getting people drunk, Chase. It's about creating a premium product, showcasing what our orchard can do."
Jasper looked up from his laptop, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "You know, this could actually work. We've got the space, the resources... and Dad's recipe really is killer."
"Exactly," I said eagerly. "We could start small, maybe do some limited releases to gauge interest."
Natalie tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I'd need to crunch the numbers, look at projected revenues versus costs. But... it's not the worst idea I've heard."
Coming from her, that was practically a ringing endorsement. I felt a grin spreading across my face. "So, you guys are in?"
"Hold your horses. I said I'd look at the numbers. We need to approach this carefully." Natalie was using her stern voice, but a hint of a smile played on her lips.
"I can helpwith the business plan," Jasper offered. "We'll need to research licensing, regulations, all that fun stuff."
I nodded gratefully. At least I could count on one of my brothers to have my back. "Thanks, Jas. I've got some ideas already, but I could use your help fleshing them out."
Chase had gone quiet when the talk turned to numbers and projections, but now he beamed and rubbed his hands. "So, when do we start taste-testing?"
I rolled my eyes. "Jesus, Chase. We haven't even started yet."
"Never too early to start quality control," he said with a wink.
Natalie shook her head and gave him a withering look. "Alright, boys. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's run some preliminary numbers. Projected startup costs, estimated production capacity, that sort of thing."
Holy shit. This is actually happening.
I grinned at my brother and future sister-in-law. "I'll leave the number crunching to you dorks. But I really think this could be big for us."
Natalie was already pulling out her laptop, her fingers flying over the keys. "Okay, let's start with a SWOT analysis. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats..."
As she started rattling off questions, affectionate warmth welled up in my chest. This was what I loved about our family. When push came to shove, we came together. Even Chase, for all his bullshit, was leaning in and paying attention. It was enough to make me giddy with excitement.
Maybe this is it.Maybe this is how we save the orchard.
Jasper looked up from his laptop, a knowing glint in his eye. "Threats. Vintage Point. They're not going to be happy that we're encroaching on them."
A smirk crept across my face. Of course, the Belmontes would see our cidery as a threat. The age-old rivalry between our families had been simmering for generations. This could be the spark that would ignite it all over again.
"Leave them to me," I said, feeling a familiar rush of adrenaline at the thought of going toe-to-toe with Vintage Point.
"How did I know you were going to say that?" Jasper muttered, shaking his head.
"Because he's wanted to fuck Tessa Belmonte since we were teenagers."
A hot angry flush crept up my neck, and I rounded on my twin. I'd had just about enough of his shit lately, and I had a long and creative list of objects he could go fuck himself with. But Natalie, bless her, jumped in before I could say something I'd regret.
"And you haven't?" She looked at Chase, her eyebrow arched in challenge.
His bravado faltered, and I felt an uncharitable surge of satisfaction as he stammered, "Hell no! She scares the shit outta me."
I snorted, shaking my head. Yeah, Tessa Belmonte was intimidating as hell, but that was part of what made her so damn attractive.
