“Can you save my seat?” Beth climbs off her stool. “I need to go recruit my brother for some haying.”
“I’d better get back to the wife. Let me know if you hear anything.” Carlos meanders away.
Sawyer gives me a questioning look.
This is my last night to soak in everything Jules Creek. I don’t want to spend it talking about Calder. At the same time, it’s all I want to discuss. Maybe then I won’t think about him all the time.
“He asked if I heard from the guys.”
“You haven’t heard from one guy in particular.” She folds her arms on the bar counter.
“Nope.”
I just made a sweep of the taproom for refills. Molly’s on the patio taking orders, and Brennan’s entering with an armload of empty glassware. He stops to talk with Crossroads’ other neighbors, the Millers. They’re nice enough. Better than Gil, but I’ve got an out-for-themselves vibe from them.
With the duties covered for the time being, I take the opening to ask Sawyer what’s been on my mind for weeks. “Did Calder and I play a game of chicken, veer in different directions, and just keep going? Should I text him?”
“Why would you?” she asks gently.
“Because…” I miss him. I want him. It’s been a month, and I’m afraid I made a mistake. But the fact is, he hasn’t called or texted either. He hasn’t driven into town to lift me off my feet and tell me he wants to give me everything.
We had one last amazing night, and it was the hottest, sweetest, saddest goodbye of my life.
FIFTY
MEREDITH
The sun shines bright over the various white canvas tents set up in the park off Main Street. A Scandalous Affair is in its first full day. The temperatures are climbing, but the beer is cold.
I hand a small plastic cup with a splash of Scandalous Creek in it to Bea’s friend, forcing a smile I don’t feel. Last night, I closed up Jules Creek for the last time. This weekend, I’ll be off-loading as much product as possible.
“Let me know what you think of that.”
She shoots it back like it’s tequila. “Mmm. I like that. I’ll have to come back for it, since I heard it’s the last run.”
I go to rub my aching chest, but I drop my hands to my sides instead. “I keep telling everyone that when I say ‘limited-time only,’ I really mean it.”
The woman chuckles at my half-hearted joke, then she spots the bracelets in the booth beside me and pats Bea’s walker. “Take your time. I’m gonna pop over for a quick second.”
When she’s gone, Bea smirks at me. “That’s code for she likes it, but she doesn’t want to buy any because she’s cheap.”
I laugh—a nice, normal feeling for a weekend I usually adore. “No problem. It’s selling fast.”
“Well, I’m going to get the Scandalous Creek for her.” Bea starts digging in her purse.
“Bea, no. Take it, and then you can come back and help yourself to whatever’s left.”
Grief crosses her face. She’s lost friends, and now she’s losing the brewery—me—and I’m not sure what Sawyer’s going to do. She said she was going to take her time to figure it out, since she’s been working constantly since finishing school.
She dabs at the corner of her misty eye. “The end of an era.”
I dig out a six-pack for her and hand it over. She sets the money on the table and gives me a hard look.
“Fine,” I say, chuckling, and put the cash in the money box.
She sets the bag in her walker basket. “I’ll be back before the fair ends today.” Her eyes glisten again. “Maybe a few times.”
When she sets off, I greet another couple wanting a taste. At least it’ll be busy, and that’ll keep me out of my head.
