Page 18 of Just One Chance

He shook Kennedy's hand and smiled. "I know what it's like to feel like an outsider."

I was really hoping he wouldn't explain the real reason why he was here, because it was a similar story to mine and Kennedy's.

"Malcolm asked me to evaluate the viability of a brewery." He gestured around the room. "I obviously gave my blessing. But not everyone agreed."

"Who was the holdout?" Kennedy asked.

His brow furrowed. "Malcolm. He's stubborn."

She raised a brow. "I would have thought it was Boone."

An amused smile spread over his face. "Why would you think that?"

"He's not happy that I'm here."

Beck stood and stretched. "We asked him to make the furniture, so he was excited about the project. Maybe he'll change his mind about you if you suggest his furniture for the inn."

"He does very good work," she said noncommittally.

"Thanks," I said, not liking that they were talking about me as if I weren't present. "But we're here to get a tour of the brewery. Not my work."

Beck waved us off. "I'm working on some things from our first night. But Rowan is still at home. I'm sure he has some making up to do."

"That makes sense." At the opening, a reporter had leaked that he wasn't engaged to Hattie, that it was all pretend. It had prompted Rowan and Hattie to admit that they had fallen in love with each other while pretending to be engaged.

Kennedy smiled expectedly at me.

I was hoping that Beck or Rowan would give the tour so I could hide out in my workshop. "This is the tasting room. We serve pizza and popcorn along with the brews." The equipment was showcased in the windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. "In the back, we have the brew baths."

She frowned. "What's that?"

Beck smiled. "If you don't know what it is, then you're in for a treat. You'll have to bring your bathing suit next time and enjoy it for yourself."

"Now I'm curious," Kennedy said as I led the way through the doorway to the back.

The baths were separated by partitions, and each one had unobstructed views of the mountains. "The water contains hops, barley, and brewer's yeast. They've added some other aromatics, oils, and minerals to make the water softer. I've been told it's a spa-like experience."

She turned slightly to face me. "You haven't tried it out yet?"

"They were literally waiting on me to finish the furniture so that we could open. I haven't had time to try it out for myself yet."

"We should do it together."

"I don't know if that's a good idea." The last thing I wanted to do was get in another body of water with Kennedy. I had trouble controlling myself around her.

"You're one surprise after another," she murmured as she walked past the baths, peeking her head in to see the differences. Each bath had a different decor and feel. You could rent them out as a couple or a group.

"I'm so predictable. I'm boring." I work and sleep. I go to family dinners and make appearances when I'm needed at the restaurant or the brewery. But I certainly wasn't unpredictable.

Her lips quirked. "Is that so?"

"Yes." I felt as if I walked into a trap.

She turned to face me, resting her hand on the doorframe to the largest bath. "So you normally go into stranger's rooms at the inn? Not telling the poor, unsuspecting woman that you own it."

"My family owns the inn, and no, I don't make a habit of hooking up with guests. You're a first."

Her eyes flared at that admission.