Page 106 of Tennessee Trouble

“Right.” Brenna winks. “You ready to do your little reveal?”

Clapping his hands, Brandt lights up like a slot machine that just struck the jackpot. He’s been waiting for this moment for weeks—practicing what he’d say in the mirror and the car—ready to introduce the world to our newest creation.

I follow him out from behind the bar and over to the large speakers set up in the corner by the stockroom door. The crowd turns to face us, the din of conversation starting to die down, and I look out among the many familiar faces.

The very first time I visited Hickory Hills with Brandt, I was worried about what to expect. If the town would accept me. I know how small towns can be—I live in one, after all—and was more than a little aware that Brandt bringing in an outsider might not go over well. His moving to Trouble certainly caused a few waves.

Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. Sure, there were some people who were wary of me, just as some were of him back home, but they quickly realized that I wasn’t trying to step on anyone’s turf. Soon enough, Hickory Hills became a second home, and I love splitting my time between here and Trouble.

“Thank—” Feedback cuts Brandt off, causing everyone in the room to bristle. He takes a step away from the speakers, hoping that will help, and tries again. “Big thanks to y’all for being here today. Especially those of you who drove in from Trouble. It means everything to Lindee and me that you’re here.”

Whoops and whistles ring out, a few people raising their glasses full of Southern Brothers and our newest drink. Including Jerome and Brenda Cochran. Two people I never, ever would have thought would be excited about something like this. But, as it turns out, winning the SLOSH award made him realize that he now has something else to brag about, and that supporting me and my ideas for the brand would mean even more of that.

“It’s been a wild year trying to figure this out. An incredible new adventure, and there is no way it ever would have happened without the brilliance of Lindee. Really, I should have listened to her from the start, but my dumb ass really thought I had the answer. Turns out, I didn’t and she knew it. She let me try anyway though…”

The crowd laughs and heat singes my cheeks. Both because the focus is now on me and because I’m not looking to relive the whole hops debacle. Every batch he tried with the hops was just…bad, for lack of a better word. It wasn’t the flavor profile we were looking for. Finally, he agreed, and we turned our focus to something more agreeable to cider. Bourbon-soaked cherries.

“Anyway, enough of my rambling. I know y’all are really here to find out what we’re calling this goodness that you’re drinking, and when it will be available. So, without further ado…”

Rylan bangs on his table, trying to imitate a drumroll. The move inspires others to join in, the rising noise level sending Declan to his feet and heading for the door, cell phone pressed to his ear.

Turning to the covered sign behind us, I tug on the sheet, pulling it down and letting it fall to the floor. The cardboard mock-up shows the bottle, looking crisp and cold, condensation dripping down the side, on the dark purple and magenta background, surrounded by apples and cherries, underneath the tagline in a sharp font.

It’s time to get into some Southern Trouble.

“Introducing Southern Trouble hard cider. A joint venture between Southern Brothers Brewing and Tennessee Trouble Spirits. It is currently only available at Pour Decisions, here in Hickory Hills, and at the Tennessee Trouble distillery in Trouble, Tennessee, but will soon be expanding into other restaurants and stores.”

The crowd erupts, everyone loving the name. It’s not long before we’re surrounded by people, Brewer trying to herd everyone away from us. Either that or trying to steal as much attention as possible.

I hug more people than I can count, including a number of people I don’t know, but who seem to know me through Brandt. Each one is more excited than the last, telling us all about it. The moment is a dream come true.

“Well, seems like it worked out,” Brandt says, slinging his arm around my shoulder. He presses a kiss to the top of my head as I snuggle into his warmth.

“The real question is going to be the production of it,” Rylan says. “It was one thing for y’all to create it together, but figuring out the logistics of pressing, fermenting, distribution⁠—”

“That’s why we have you, Ry,” I stop him short. “We’re just in charge of creating it.”

My older brother rolls his eyes, trying to act like he’s put out. He enjoys the challenge; we all know it. He just also likes complaining about it.

“Sorry I missed the announcement,” Declan says, joining the group. “But that was Selena Kelly.”

“Who’s Selena Kelly?”

“Office manager for Clarence Mercher,” I say, confused as to why a call from her was so important. Clarence I can understand, but his office manager…that doesn’t compute.

“It was about the inn,” Declan says.

Rylan perks up. “Did the beneficiary change her mind? It’s been a year and she still hasn’t taken possession.”

Declan shakes his head. “No, she’s still keeping it. I guess she had loose ends she needed to tie up in Little Rock first. But…Selena found out who it is. Clarence has been keeping it all hush-hush and wouldn’t let her near the paperwork until everything was officially official.”

“Probably because he knew she’d blab,” I quip. There isn’t a piece of gossip in our town that Selena Kelly isn’t all over. If I were Clarence, I wouldn’t have told her anything either.

“So, all this matters because…” Brandt prompts.

“It’s Briar Ellison.”

Holy shit…