Page 29 of Something’s Brewing

“By all means,” he said. “You’re better at that stuff anyway. I only ever showed up for the free donuts.”

She smiled. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

A pause stretched between them. Then Garrett asked, “You ready for Brewfest?”

Madison leaned her head back against the wooden slats of her chair, a slow, confident smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, I’m not just ready. I plan on winning.”

Across the patio, Garrett chuckled. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

She laughed. “I heard there’s a hockey practice in Silver Pines tomorrow. Any chance Maverick Monroe will be there?”

“Why? Don’t tell me you’re fan-girling over Mav?”

She snort-laughed, covering her mouth quickly. “Who, me?”

“You trying to invite yourself along?”

“Maybe.”

“I was going to ask if you wanted to come,” he said. “You beat me to it. Did you bring anything warm?”

“I saw Eve has some winter stuff in the hall closet.”

“Perfect. We’ll head out after we check in at the brewery tomorrow morning.”

They sat in companionable silence after that, the serenade of frogs filling the quiet between them. Madison closed her eyes for a moment, letting the breeze drift over her skin. She was getting used to relaxing; it felt . . . right.

When she finally pushed herself up to head inside, she paused before opening the patio door and glanced over. “Good night, Brewery King.”

His voice came soft and low. “Good night, Cider Queen.”

Her smile lingered long after she closed the door behind her.

She didn’t understand him. Not really.

Garrett Reid was calm and steady on the surface—confident, quiet, good with a joke when he wanted to be. But beneath that, he was a puzzle she hadn’t figured out. And she hated not being able to figure someone out.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The bell above the coffee shop door jingled softly as Madison stepped inside. The warm, nutty scent of espresso and cinnamon hit her like a full-body hug. Her shoulders relaxed for the first time all morning, even though she’d only slept—what, maybe four hours, tops? She, Garrett, Ryker, and some of the full-time brewery staff had been working around the clock to get ready for the soft opening.

Garrett walked in behind her, the door catching slightly on the heel of his boot as it swung shut.

She hadn’t meant to arrive with him.

But they’d both stepped outside at the same time, bleary-eyed, with matching mumbles about caffeine. They hadn’t planned this. Hadn’t planned to meet or walk to Sacred Grounds together. But standing there in the doorway . . . it sure looked like they had.

Every head turned. She caught snippets of greetings from around the café.

“Morning, Garrett.”

“Good morning, Madison!”

“We’re looking forward to the opening!”

Madison barely remembered some of their names, but they spoke to her like she’d always belonged.

And the wild part? She didn’t hate it like she thought she would.