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“We’re heading in,” I called out.
She just waved and went back to whatever creative endeavor she was currently involved in.
The days were getting longer, and the sunlight gave me a small measure of comfort. Not that plenty of bad things didn’t occur in broad daylight, but I couldn’t be with her every second. Unfortunately.
As a compromise, I left Chaos to her own devices, but I left the door open to listen for her.
And I wasnotacting like her father.
Beckett hit the lights on the wall inside the door. “We use this mostly for storage in the off-season, but we keep an all-year production schedule for cider. This winter, we added our version of Apple Jack.”
“Happy Apples?” I snorted when I saw the labeled crates.
Beckett grinned. “They’ll make you happy after three or four of them.”
“Let me guess. Justin’s idea?”
“Oh, he’d prefer moonshine. That takes a whole different kind of permit to make. If the profits keep going like they are, we just might. Good to have backup for the leaner years.”
The area was more spacious than I’d expected. There was a lump of something covered in tarp. Probably tables and chairs. A bar took up the back of the room with more coverings on the stools attached to a foot rail.
“Nice place.”
“We expanded this past year. Having a few rockstars in the family has given us some good concert series options. Not just family but Ripper Records likes to use us for small concerts. It’s worked out well.”
“I’ve heard Donovan Lewis is a smart guy.”
Beckett gave me a surprised look.
I shrugged. “I worked in New York City for a long time. I heard shit at the endless parties Clay used to go to.”
“Now he’s all about that slow life. He’s seen the error of his ways.”
“Can’t say I mind it.”
We chatted about security and I made some notes in my phone to get upgraded equipment for them. Even if they didn’t have a lot of need for it out here, the distillery included a lot of expensive equipment.
“Oh, wow.”
We turned toward Chaos in the doorway. She held up her phone as she immediately zoomed in on all the cases against the wall.
“Guess you’ll be doing a video.” Beckett’s voice was amused.
Chaos flushed. “Sorry. Habit. I don’t have to.”
“Go ahead. Show off those Happy Apples. They’re releasing soon.”
“Oh, we’ll have to bring a bottle of it with us for the bachelorette.”
“Already earmarked two for you.”
She gave him that gut-punch smile. “You’re the best.”
Immediately, she started chattering away. I felt more at ease with the sound of her voice behind me.
“Where did the thief hit?”
Beckett motioned to the far corner. “I can’t believe they didn’t take the Happy Apples. They’re worth more than the cider. Not that anyone really knows about them yet. We’re only just starting the marketing push. Found a distributor that was willing to work with us, finally. You’d think it would be easier to push booze.”
