Page 28 of Something’s Brewing

She pulled in a slow breath of the warm summer air, laced with the scent of pine and the last wisps of charcoal from someone’s grill.

She should’ve felt like an outsider here. She had, at first. Everyone seemed to know everything—everyone—in this town. Who was dating who, who’d bought a new lawnmower, who’d kissed whom under the Fourth of July fireworks. It was enough to make her want to retreat.

But lately, the fish-out-of-water feeling had started to fade.

Chloe, Paige, Alexis. They’d welcomed her like she’d always belonged. Not in a fake, polite kind of way, but with sincerity. With offers of help that didn’t come with strings attached.

But this town, it was starting to grow on her. Helping with the last touches at the brewery and entering the Brewfest competition, and now having something to focus on as she dug into what was going on with the mayor.

It was community. It was belonging. It was a life she didn’t know she wanted until she started living it.

She passed Lakeside Realty—dark now, closed for the night—and slowed to look over the listings taped to the window.

Could she live here? Run this town?

She’d led teams. Handled budgets larger than the town’s yearly tax income. Made decisions that had life-or-death consequences. And yet the idea of running for mayor felt oddly intimate. Close. Like stepping into the very heart of something.

She wasn’t alone. Elsie would help. The committee women had her back. And the town? The town wanted someone to step up. Someone to care.

A purpose. A direction.

Maybe this was the door she should walk through.

The idea settled in her chest.

She thought of her new niece or nephew, who would be born any day now. Could she be four hours away? She’d been farther for years.

But Deer Creek Falls felt closer than anywhere she’d been in a long time.

She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring—maybe another awkward almost-moment with the man who was both maddening and oh-so magnetic.

But for tonight, she was home. And maybe, just maybe, she’d found where she was meant to be.

And Garrett . . .

She glanced toward the lake as it came into view, the surface still and glassy. His condo lights were off—he wasn’t home yet. She wasn’t sure what to make of him. He looked at her like he wanted something more, then pulled away like he didn’t trust himself to want it.

She stepped onto the patio, the lake stretching wide and peaceful beyond. The sky above was darkening, revealing the stars.

“You know, I’ve been called a lot of things—but Brewery King is a new one.”

Madison’s heart jumped into her throat. She spun toward the voice, hand clutched to her chest. “You scared the crap out of me.”

Garrett was stretched out in an Adirondack chair on his darkened patio, only the glow from his phone lighting his face. “Sorry,” he said, not sounding sorry at all. “Didn’t think you’d be this jumpy after your drink with Chloe and Paige. Rough crowd?”

She rolled her eyes and lowered herself into her own chair. “Not rough. Just . . . lively. And for the record, you can blame Chloe for that ridiculous meme.”

“You mean the one with you holding an imaginary crown and me looking completely baffled?” His mouth curved. “Cider Queen and Brewery King—not the worst PR we’ve had.”

“Speak for yourself. My crown looked like a dinner roll.”

He laughed, warm and low. “Still looked good on you.”

Madison went quiet at that, caught for a second by the ease in his voice. There was something intimate about this, talking in the dark, the lake stretching silently in front of them.

He cleared his throat. “So, the committee meeting? Did Paige, Chloe, and Alexis behave?”

“Define behave,” Madison said dryly. “But yes. It was productive. I’m actually happy you asked me to take your place. Are you sure it’s okay?”