Page 16 of Something’s Brewing

Madison laughed easily and talked with her hands when she got into something, but she listened closely when others spoke. Every now and then, she glanced over at him.

They spent the next hour soaking up some Vitamin D while conversation ebbed and flowed. A gentle breeze swept over them, giving them some relief from the heat. When the sun was high in the sky, Ethan rolled out the large water mat, and Garrett removed his sling and slid into the lake without hesitation. Cold water helped ground him. He needed to clear his head.

Chloe looked over the rail, holding his sling in her hand. “Shouldn’t you be wearing this?”

“I’m fine,” he grunted. “The only reason the doctor wanted me to wear it is because he thought I’d overdo it.”

Chloe rolled her eyes. “Suit yourself.”

When Madison hovered near the edge, eyeing the mat, Garrett asked, “Have you ever gotten onto one of these before?”

“Never. I’m trying to figure out the best way.”

“I could tell.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“Use the sea lion technique,” he said. “Watch.” He swam to the edge, put his stomach on the mat, and with a combination of a shimmy and a roll, he settled onto it.

“Okay, I can do this.” She pushed onto the mat and immediately rolled into him.

Garrett reacted out of instinct, his hand landing at her waist to steady her before she slid off. And just like that, she was right there. Too close.

Her breath caught and so did his.

The lake rocked beneath them, but everything else went still. Her hair brushed his shoulder and her hand pressed lightly against his chest.

His gaze dropped, just for a second, to her lips before snapping back to her eyes. “Careful,” he said, his voice low.

Madison swallowed. “I had it.”

“Did you?” One corner of his mouth tipped up.

He needed to end this now before it turned into something. He shifted, rolling slightly so she could steady herself. “You’re good.”

“Thanks.”

He nodded once, already pushing himself off the mat and back into the water.

Distance. He needed distance.

The rest of the afternoon slipped by in a blur of easy banter, sun-warmed skin, and laughter that came without effort. Madison couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. She found herself watching Paige and Ethan with their quiet, easy love, Chloe with her effortless confidence, and Garrett. He kept his distance and she wondered why, since every time she’d glance at him, their eyes met.

When it was time to go, Garrett told Chloe he’d take Madison home. She climbed into his truck, and he put her at ease by saying, “I’m glad you came.” He started the engine. “I’m sorry I didn’t think to invite you.”

“I had fun.”

“Yeah.” He glanced over at her, then back to the road. “Me too.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

As Madison pulled into the newest location of Northern Lights Brewery, one word was on her mind—impressed. Garrett had outdone himself in his design work; he truly was an incredible architect.

The brewery sat just outside of town, surrounded by a stretch of jack pines and birch trees that made it feel tucked away, like its own little escape. Gravel crunched beneath her tires as she eased into a spot, taking in the thoughtful landscaping, the clusters of wildflowers, tall grasses swaying in the breeze, and smooth stone edging that lined the path to the entrance.

In the photos Mason had shown her of the original structure, it was a run-down armory building—nothing special. The ugly old yellow-brick facade was now painted a deep shade of gray, and black metal framing surrounded three glass-windowed garage doors. An impressive white Northern Lights Brewery sign spanned the top of the building. A black awning covered the entrance, and slender black lights shone over it to highlight the name and illuminate the sidewalks when nightfall came.

The moment Madison stepped through the front doors, the scent hit her—hops and toasted grain with a hint of citrus and something darker, richer. The space opened up with soaring ceilings, exposed beams, and brick walls that still held the scent of fresh paint. Polished concrete floors gleamed under rows of pendant lights, and sleek black metal fixtures gave the whole place a modern edge without trying too hard.