Page 126 of Small Town Firsts
Ronan shook his head. “Just the fermenters are in there now. We’ve been running them at max capacity to make The B3 for kegs.”
“Okay. Nothing in your workshop?”
I swallowed down the surge of saliva in my mouth.Do not puke, do not puke.“What’s missing?” I looked down again, but the papers were crinkled in my hand.
Beckett put his Yankees hat back on and took back the folder. “It’s not a huge amount. And I know at least a few cases were written off because of some of the staff trainings?—”
I shook my head. I wanted the paper back so I could triple check. I just needed to calm down and think. “No. I took those off. I counted them as write-offs.”
“All right,” Beckett said carefully.
The room was getting a little darker, but I forced my voice to stay even. “How many?”
“Twenty-three.”
“Twenty-three?” I swayed and Ronan grabbed my hand, gripping it tight.
“There has to be a mistake. Transposed numbers?” Ronan asked.
“I double checked. So I need you guys to recount the storeroom.”
I lifted my chin. “Of course. You can take it out of my pay.”
“What?” Beckett stood up. “No. That’s not what I’m saying.”
I shook back my hair. “It’s my responsibility to make sure this taproom?—”
“Our responsibility, Kira.” Ronan’s voice was sharp. “Not just you.”
I turned away from Ronan and toward Beckett. “It’s my job to make sure inventory is accounted for. My responsibility.”
“No.” Ronan moved beside me.
“No, I’m not letting you get into trouble.” I couldn’t look at him right now. He must think I was so incompetent. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine.”
Beckett stepped in front of me. “Key. I’m not saying you stole anything.”
My breath stalled. “I know it,” I said on a whisper. “But it’s still my fault.”
“It could be my fault.” Ronan caught my hand again. “Sunsh–Kira—I’ve been bringing the cases over in my truck. I could have miscounted somewhere.”
I shook him off. “No, you couldn’t, because I check you in. My responsib?—”
“If you say responsibility again, I’m going to tape your damn mouth shut. This is on both of us, and we’ll figure it out together. Period.” Ronan turned me and cupped my face. “Together.”
I tried to shake my head, but he lowered his forehead to mine. “We’re in it together, remember? I don’t bail on you, you don’t bail on me.”
“You shouldn’t get in trouble for me,” I whispered.
“Key. No one is in trouble. I promise. Except for the person who is stealing from us. And that isn’t you.” Beckett’s voice wasfirm. “I know you’ll figure it out because you’re the best numbers woman in this damn county.”
My eyes burned and a tear slipped down my cheek.
“Dammit, Sunshine. Don’t you cry on me.” Ronan looked over at Beckett and held out his hand for the folder. “Give us a minute?”
I couldn’t look at my best friend. I wanted to push them both out of the room and scream so I could get all this emotion out so I could focus.
Beckett sighed and handed over the folder. Ronan passed it to me and I hugged it against my chest.
