Page 21 of Hammer and Hops

“Cool. What’s going on?”

“Everett’s delivery van has flat tires.”

“Damn. Well, go help your new man, dude.”

I waved and headed over to pick up the jack.

The tires had been delivered and were sitting by the van when I arrived, so I pulled out the jack and got started before Everett even came outside. The first thing I noticed after jacking up the rear passenger side was the big slash across the tire. I circled the van to the front driver’s side where the other flat was, and yep, slashed. What the hell was that about?

Everett came outside and waved at me as I started loosening the lug nuts. “Thanks for coming.”

“Anytime. I mean it. Hope I was fast enough for you.” I leaned over and gave him a kiss before pulling off the tire and bouncing it out of the way. “Also, you should call the Sheriff and report this.”

“I don’t have time now, but maybe when I get back.”

“Back?”

“I have to deliver these kegs to CraftDraft out at Miller’s Point. I’m already going to be late.”

“Let me get these on then.” I put the new tire on, then switched the jack to the front to repeat the process. As soon as I was done, Everett took off. I was relieved I was available to help, but I probably would have left a job site to do it anyway. Solving problems like that was one thing I was pretty good at.

Chapter fifteen

Another Date Fishing - Everett

One thing I thought I would never do. Go fishing. Actual fishing pole, hook in the water, fishing. But I was up earlier than my normal butt-crack-of-the-morning time and on my way to meet up with Cameron to do just that.

We met at Harrington’s to pick up some supplies. Cameron said he had some things but would like to get a few more. I didn’t think the store would open that early, and it wasn’t. I pulled into a nearly empty parking lot with only one vehicle, Cameron’s truck, parked. He got out and met me at the rear of the vehicle and pulled his tailgate down. “We’ll be waiting for a bit, but I wanted to be sure we got here as soon as they opened.”

“I could have waited.” I glared at him until he handed me a large to-go cup of coffee, and after taking a sip, I realized he’d fixed it exactly how I liked it. How the heck did he know that? “Mm…”

“Glad you like it. I also got us some tacos.”

“Tacos?” I liked the truck but it was entirely too early for that.

“No, not that kind of taco. These are like burritos with eggs in them.” He pulled one out of the sack, and I smelled the bacon calling to me.

“Yum. Gimme.” I reached out and he chuckled as he handed the bundle over.

“I have taco sauce if you want.”

I swallowed a bite. “Nope. This. Cheesy. Mmm…” It was perfect, like heaven. I took another bite. “Thanks.”

“You’re most welcome. I thought you’d like them. There’s a second one for you, if you want it.” They were big, but I hadn’t been hungry until I started eating the first one, so I was pretty sure I’d be diving into the second as well.

We ate our morning breakfast-deliciousness while waiting for the store to open, sitting on the tailgate and watching the sun come up. “I have to admit this is pretty cool.”

“Glad you think so. Oh, they’re opening. Come on.” He took my hand and led me to the store.

As soon as we pushed through the doors, we were greeted by a happy guy. “Hey, Cameron. You’re here early.”

“Ryan, this is Everett Lundy. He owns the new brewery, and I’m taking him up to the lake this morning.”

“Fishing?” Ryan asked.

“Yep.”

“Got it. Come this way. I’m sure we’ll find what you need.” He led us over to some shelves full of all kinds of fishing stuff. In fact, they had two full aisles of it. Cameron picked out a couple of rods, reels, a tackle box, and a bunch of stuff to go in it.