Page 151 of Worst Nanny Ever
I stroke her hair. “So when you’re sayingeveryonequit…”
Silver Star is a much smaller outfit than either Big Catch Brewing or Buchanan Brewery, but that’s still a lot of people to replace.
“Everyone. All twenty. The brewer was the first to go. He told me I was never going to make it. That no brewer in their right mind was going to work for me or anyone in my family. He said he was going to put the word out to make sure of it.”
Crap, he pulled a Rachel.
“I’ll work for you,” I blurt. “I’ll tell them I can’t take the job here. It’s fine. I haven’t even started yet.”
But Briar’s already shaking her head. “The daytime manager position here is perfect for you. If you don’t take it because of me, I’ll be miserable. Please, Hannah.”
“My cousin,” Sophie says. “Our crafting business is still only part time. He’ll work for you. I’m sure he’ll want to.”
“Thanks, Sophie,” Briar says sadly, but she knows what I do—a brewery isn’t a brewery without a brewer.
A brewer.
That’s when it dawns on me…
I can’t fix all of this for her, but I can fix one thing. Maybe the most important thing.
“I’ll be right back,” I say, rising.
Sophie looks up in alarm. “Where are you going?”
“To hire more staff for Briar,” I say with a smile.
I return to the party with purpose powering my steps, dodging friends, acquaintances, and strangers, until I run directly into a dark-haired woman.
I rock back. “Sorry. I’m just looking?—”
She turns, and I go momentarily mute. Because it’s Nora Leigh, GingerBeerBabe herself.
What isshedoing at our staff party?
“Did Dottie invite you?” I ask, shocked. I wouldn’t put it past Dottie to invite someone to a party she’s not attending or throwing.
“No, I’m here with her…” She glances nervously into the crowd, then points to the last person I would have expected: Moira Applebaum. “Moira’s my mom.”
Moiradidtell me she had a daughter.
A daughter who I reminded her of.
I stare at Nora in shocked disbelief, my mind struggling to process any of the big news I’ve gotten in the past few minutes.
“I’ve been wanting to email you,” Nora continues, “but I figured it would be better to talk in person. I’m so grateful for what you’ve done for my mom. She’s happier than she’s been in years.”
“You’reMrs. Applebaum’s mother?”
“Her daughter,” she says with a smile.
Oops.
I rub my temples. “Sorry, I just got some big news, and this is blowing my mind.”
She rocks a little where she stands. “Yeah, it kind of blew my mind too. Mom told me about your boyfriend’s little boy before she mentioned you by name. She said she’s never had such an advanced student.”
I nod, because flattering Ollie will get her everywhere. “He’s the best.”
