Page 53 of Silver Brewer

“I didn’t want to disturb you, but this is Jaxson Rathstone. He’s Giant’s nephew and works with him at the brewery.”

Jaxson tensely smiles and extends a hand. It’s clear he doesn’t want to be introduced to me as he tersely greets me. “Nice to meet you.”

“She says she’s staying with your uncle,” Hollilyn offers.

“Hollilyn,” he hisses. He’s a good-looking man, and I’m guessing late twenties for his age. His eyes are all Harrington. Dark and intense.

“What? I just thought you’d like to meet her.” Hollilyn turns to me, and Jaxson mouths, “I’m sorry,” from behind her. I smile and shake my head.

“Have you seen your uncle this morning?” I pick up my phone as way of excuse. “Having trouble with reception.”

“He’s still at the warehouse. I’m heading over there after I grab a coffee. To go.” He reaches for Hollilyn’s elbow, and she steps away from the table, catching the hint to fetch his drink. As she walks away, he tips his head toward her. “Sorry about that.”

“No worries.” I pause. “I’d drive to the warehouse, but I don’t have a car.” I don’t know why I offer this information, but Hollilyn must have sonic ears because from her place near the coffeepot, she hollers, “Jaxson can give you a ride.”

I look up, taking pity on the mid-twenties man. With his dark brown hair and matching eyes, I can see a slight resemblance to his uncle and wonder what Giant looked like as a younger man. “I bet your mother warned you about stranger danger. You don’t need to give me a ride. I’ll just find an Uber.” The words tumble out before I know if Blue Ridge even offers the service.

“You’ll be hard pressed to find that here.” He chuckles. “And my mother also warned me about one-night stands and look where it got me.” He winks as he nods in the direction of Hollilyn.

I’d be taken aback by the insult if Hollilyn hadn’t approached, swatted Jaxson on the arm, and then said, “You love me.”

He chuckles without directly answering her, but his eyes light up, and I imagine he does love her.

“I can give you a ride. You look innocent enough.” He winks again, and I decide charming must be a trait of Harrington men.

21

Oktoberfest

[Giant]

“Letty?” My tone rings surprised as I see her standing in my office door, a bit disheveled, with my nephew next to her. Charlie turns in his seat. We’ve been discussing a few things—legal stuff—and I note the time on my phone. I’m two hours later than I planned to be. I also have a few missed messages from her. She’s been waiting for me.

Shit.

Thankfully, she doesn’t look pissed.

“Imagine my surprise at finding this pretty lady at the diner,” my nephew says, all flirtatious for someone about to have a baby with a girl he won’t admit he loves. “And she says she’s staying with you.”

“How did you get to the diner?”

“I walked.” She leans against the doorjamb, crossing her arms, which only emphasizes the outline of her body. Thick breasts. Hourglass hips. Her hair sits in a messy bun at the base of her neck. She looks edible, and I’m upset again that I didn’t take the opportunity last night. My head got in the way of my heart, and I became overwhelmed with her in my place. Letty is so vibrant and energetic, and I like having her here. We should have had sex all night, but my bedroom shut me down, and I wonder if it’s the picture of Clara in my dresser.

Or was it guilt that I’d finally moved on?

Charlie had been giving me a pep talk before Letty arrived.

“How you doing with Letty here?”

“Wonderful.” I sighed.

“And it’s not strange in the house?”

“It’s very strange but in a good way.” I smiled, thinking of our romantic dinner on my porch. I pulled out all the stops, surprising myself at how much I wanted everything perfect for her.

“Mati said she had trouble with it.” Charlie means our younger sister whose new love was an old friend. My sister lost her husband in a car accident over a year ago. Needless to say, she moved on much sooner than I did.

“You know Mama’s going to have a field day with this.”