Page 91 of Small Town Firsts
I showed the latest contestant—because it had started feeling like a freaking game show—to the door and looked around forKira. I found her in one of the swing chairs at the edge of the property.
Her mile high shoes were kicked to the side and she was curled into the bamboo, egg shaped swing. One foot lazily sent the chair into a gentle rock as she stared out on the orchard below. The sun had gone from brutal midday heat into a muted warmth that teased an ending to the heat wave that had plagued most of July. A perfect evening to bask in the view of the landscape below.
I was glad to see she had taken a moment to relax, but the closer I got, the more I wasn’t so sure about that. She was in profile from my vantage point, the waning sun gilding her in a soft gold. Her hair was down and in a disorganized tumble, which told me she’d been rubbing at her scalp in frustration. The skirt of her dress had shifted up in her position, showing off all that leg that made my mouth water. Instead of her usual water or coffee, a tumbler full of dark liquid rested against her bare knee.
The bourbon was out.
Because of me? Or because of the day?
Probably both.
I came up behind her in the swing, twisting it lightly so she could see it was me.
The relaxed body language morphed into tension. “Go home, Ronan. It’s been a long one and I don’t have the energy for you right now.”
I moved around in front of her and dropped to the ground, propping my forearms on my knees. I reached for her to give me the glass.
She rolled her eyes, but handed it to me. It was a good sign that she didn’t tell me to fuck off. I took a quick sip and the smoky bourbon settled on my tongue. The aftertaste of apples left a nice echo in the mouth. Gave me a few ideas for one of the ciders. I handed the glass back. “Nice.”
“It was.”
I sighed. Yeah, I was definitely still in the doghouse. “The day started off rocky, but I think we did okay.”
“Oh, sure.” She tucked her other foot up under her leg and pulled her dress over her legs. Balls, I was enjoying the view. “Eight crappy interviews and one possible hire—not for the job I was looking for, by the way—is not a good day.”
“You may not have been looking for Jess, but you know she was a good find.”
She took a healthy sip. “She wasn’t in the plans.”
“It’s okay for the plans to change, Sunshine.”
“My schedule is already tight—something I don’t think you seem to comprehend.”
“I get it.”
“No, you really don’t. You’re playing with your friend and have the good ole boys charm with Beckett. I have to be the one who does all the boring stuff. You know, worries about logistics and plans, and staffing and supplies. While you guys just make chaos.”
I scooted forward to touch her.
She gave me a frigid stare and I sighed again, letting my hand fall away. “You’re right.”
One eyebrow rose as she paused before taking another sip. “Oh, really?”
“Yes. Except one part.” I linked my fingers. It was natural for me to touch and reach for her, and she practically had a neon sign above the swing saying back off. “Chaos is kind of part of the deal. The taproom is ever changing and some disorganization is going to come with that. One of the things I came to talk to you about. I was thinking about Kain?—”
“Of course you were.”
“Just hold on. You’re right about Kain being a wildcard. But maybe we lean into that. Instead of banking on one chef, we leaninto the idea of a seasonal one. If we find one that works all the time, that’s great. However, it gives us an easy out if people don’t work for the taproom. A handy way to not get locked into a long term contract.”
“So, you think Kain is going to flake? Is that what you’re telling me?”
I shook my head. “Kain is one of my oldest friends, but I can tell you he’s going through something personal. Something I can’t really talk about until I see how much he wants to share.”
She narrowed her gaze at me. “Is he not going to show up one day?”
“No. He’s got too much integrity for that.” I held up a hand when she opened her mouth. “I know, I know. You don’t know him. I need you to put a little faith in me this time.”
“Unfair.”
