Page 100 of Small Town Firsts
I laughed. “I’m ready. I’ll work out the details with Laverne and figure out a menu.”
“Thanks, Key.”
“You got it. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I tucked my phone into my pocket and stood. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Ronan in the shadows. He stalked to his workshop and the lights flicked on inside.
“Great,” I muttered and went back into the taproom.
I heard music and banging in the kitchen and found Kain with his head in the pantry with his iPad open on the table. He’d put on a shirt—sort of. It was missing its sleeves and half the sides of the shirt, leaving his arms on display as usual.
Today’s music of choice piped in the kitchen matched the concert promoted on the shirt. Santana’s epic guitars soared in the wide space. The sultry “Black Magic Woman” was sad and sexy at the same time.
“You finally ready to order for the opening?”
He hit his head on one of the shelves above him. “Dammit. Don’t sneak up on a man like that.”
I grinned as I leaned an elbow on the tall table. “You’d make my life infinitely easier if I had a menu.”
“Talk toBoa. But at least he told me a few of the flavors he’s using. He’s a precious little bitch about these ciders.”
“We both have a lot of pressure on us.”
He tucked the Apple pencil behind his ear. “Yeah, I get it. He just doesn’t want to disappoint you or the Mannings.”
“Well, until you guys can agree, I’ve got another project for you. Beckett just asked if we could do a dry run of sorts. Hayes’s birthday party. Kind of a trial run.”
Kain nodded. He rubbed his massive hands together, his silver rings clicking. “Good thinking. Do I get to do what I want?”
“Within reason. You’ll have to talk to Laverne. She’s the one who came up with the idea.”
His tanned face split into a smile. “I love that little snowy bird. I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
“Good. Thank you. That, of course, will be a different budget. So we’ll see how much the family wants to chip in for.”
“Always with the numbers.” Kain shook his head.
“If I let you and Lennon run free with the checkbook we’d be in the red for the first month.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Then we’d be in the black because people won’t be able to resist this place.”
“I’m more than willing to be proven wrong. With a budget to start.”
“Bah.”
I grinned. “It’s good for you. Creates character. Now go the hell home. We’ve all been here for fourteen hours.”
“Just needed to put an order in with my friend in Honolulu. Different spices back home.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I’m heading out. I’ve got a date with Ruby tonight.”
“Dear God, don’t burn down the town.” My old boss over at Lucky’s was just as wild as Kain.
“No promises.”
“Okay, I’m going to lock up.”
I wandered back out to the dining room. The paintings made the space—a final piece that I hadn’t even realized was missing. I made a note to order a few lights to showcase the art.
