Page 15 of More Than Words
Things were coming together.
Finally.
I was itching to get started by mixing up my first brew in the new tanks instead of the little ones I’d been using in my backyard shed.I’d been playing around and refining things for months.Tweaking until I got the ratios of water, malt, and hops just right.The first brew in the tanks would be a milestone.And would be the first batch I’d have on tap in Peaks & Brews.But it would have to wait.
I checked the time on my phone and cursed under my breath.I was already late for my meeting with Delaney.The last thing I needed was to give her another reason to write me off.
I finally felt like I might have made a little headway with her the night before.Well, maybe not too much headway, but at least she hadn’t yelled at me.
I grabbed my flannel from where it was hanging on a ladder and jogged across the plaza toward the coffee shop.The sun was out, but there was an unmistakable crispness in the air that meant fall had officially taken root.
Autumn in the mountains could be interesting.There were still plenty of warm days, mixed in with the cooler nights, but at any time, we could be hit with an early snowstorm.You never knew what was coming next.
I pushed open the door of the Bean Bag, the rich scent of espresso and cinnamon greeting me with a warm blast.
I took a moment to inhale the deliciousness before scanning the small room.
Her head was bent over a notebook.She was furiously scribbling notes.She didn’t see me right away, so I took a moment to watch her and let my heart rate come down.I’d like to tell myself it was from the quick jog over here, but there was something undeniable about Delaney Hart that, despite every reason not to, made my heart race like a teenage boy’s.
Delaney already had a coffee in front of her, so I ordered one for myself and an extra-large cookie that I hoped she’d share with me and made my way to the table.
“Sorry I’m late.”
She lifted her head at the sound of my voice.For the flash of a second, before she schooled her features into her mask of distaste, I saw the softness there.
“You’re late.”
“I just said sorry.”I set the cookie down between us.“I got a peace offering.”
Her lips twitched—just barely—but I didn’t miss it.
She glanced at the plate.“Oatmeal chocolate chip?”
“The best kind.”I slid into the chair across from her.“It’s like a granola bar and a chocolate bar had a baby.”
Despite herself, half a laugh escaped her lips.“That’s a disturbing image.”
“Maybe.”I winked.“But not inaccurate.”
“No.”She shook her head, but the smile stayed on her face.“I guess you’re right.”
I still had a long way to go with her, but at least she was no longer openly hostile toward me.I’d take whatever win I could get.
I broke the cookie in half and pushed the plate toward her.
Delaney hesitated a second before she picked it up.“Oatmeal chocolate chip is my favorite.”
“Really?”I was genuinely surprised.“Mine too.”
Her eyes widened.“That’s not true.”
“It is.”I broke a piece off and popped it into my mouth.“But you need to be careful because some people like to sneak raisins into their oatmeal cookies.”
“Monsters!”
“I agree.”I tried not to smile as I took another bite.
“Fruit—especially raisins—has no place in baked goods.”She broke off her own piece of cookie; her eyes fluttered closed momentarily as she enjoyed the burst of sugar in her mouth.
