AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Usually, he only looks like that when he talks about his sister. It’s that whole semi-dad, proud parent thing.
If that expression is on his face now, it means he’s really excited about this place. With how thorough he’s been on gathering information about properties before we visit them in person, I can’t help but trust his judgment, especially since I’ve seen the spec sheet on this property. It really is a great fit for what he wants to do.
“Honestly, Rusty, I think this would be a great choice.”
“You like it too?” he asks, his eyes still perusing the space, as if he hasn’t already memorized everything.
I nod. “I do.”
“There’s plenty of room to build out a kitchen over here,” he says, wandering over to one side of the room and opening his arms wide. “And there’s a bunch of land out this door to build up the brewing facility and a parking lot. There’s already plumbing installed. The structure is older but built to code.”
“And it just looks fucking dope as shit,” I add, knowing the truth.
That’s when I get the full smile out of him.
“It does look pretty amazing, huh? Just needs some paint and a sign.”
I nod. “And I bet it looks even better during the spring and summer.”
The people that call Cedar Point home will definitely enjoy a little spot like what Rusty is dreaming up, but the customers who are going to absolutely flock here are the tourists that come to town during the high season. People like me. Twenties and thirties, and really into travel and collecting experiences. A local brewery with delicious grub and a social media friendly aesthetic? It’s basically hipster heaven.
Rusty claps his hands together and looks around one more time. “Okay, then. Let’s call Shawn with an offer.”
The two of us head out to the car, and I drive while he calls the current owner of the barn to discuss terms of sale. It’s somewhat unorthodox since they’re not involving a realtor, but apparently that’s pretty common in this town when properties exchange hands between residents.
Their conversation goes on for quite a while, lasting the entire drive back to Rusty’s house. Once we arrive, he heads into his office and closes the door, leaving me to my own devices.
Which is how I find myself in the living room with Abby as she wraps Christmas presents at the kitchen island.
“Hey.”
She glances over at me, then returns her attention to the task she’s working on.
“Hi.”
“You wrapping presents?”
“Yup.”
I nod, heading into the kitchen, to the other side of the island.
“Who are they for?”
She takes a deep breath and lets it out long and slow.
“This wrapped one is for my brother. The coffee press is for Briar, and the World’s Worst Boss mug is for Andy.”
My brow furrows. “Is Andy your boss?”
“No, he’s Briar’s,” she says, looking at me with a mischievous smile. “And according to this,” she adds, holding up a to/from sticker, “that’s who it’s coming from.”
I chuckle, putting a hand on the edge of the counter and leaning forward. “Clever. You know, when I was younger, I never—”
“You don’t have to do this.”
Abby’s interruption surprises me, mostly because I have no idea what she’s talking about.
“Do what?”
