by Kinney Scott
Brooke and Dean snuck out of the dining room to cover a couple slices of cake with plastic wrap; the argument destroyed any hope for sharing a quiet evening over dessert. She said goodbye to Mom and Linnea in the kitchen, away from the familiar argument between Allen and Wade.
“Oh, honey, do you really need to go?” Her mother said as her husband’s voice lifted over the sound of Linnea rinsing dishes at the sink. Sliding into her jacket, she thanked her mom for the wonderful meal. Dean patiently held the door open, and ignored the angry volume coming from the dining room. Brooke settled into stride with her husband, grateful for the peace awaiting them at home.
Wade took a steadying breath. “I will always help Brooke any way I can. Just as I return to give you a hand. Don’t you see Dad? The beer gives me access to the best testing ground. I don’t have to hear second hand if the hops possess the qualities to produce a great beer.”
“Brooke may not always need you, and what will you do if she shuts you out!”
“Don’t pit me against her. Linnea, Brooke and I watch out for each other, we always will.”
Avoiding the dining room, Linnea and Karleen crept upstairs to read before going to bed, knowing the same argument would progress, as it always had with the same result. Wade would leave the farm, and Allen would feel betrayed by his son.
Four days of non-stop exertion came to a muscle-aching finish. After several hugs, and coolers loaded with food from home, the siblings took separate vehicles back to Ashwood. Wade detoured through Old Mosquito for a day, while Linnea drove back to her aunt and uncles directly.
Linnea thanked work and extreme exhaustion for reducing her ability to obsess. Waking at 5:30 to toil past sundown with only a short break for lunch, took every ounce of worry out of her. She simply didn’t have the energy to think about Rick.
Covering the three-hour trip too quickly, Linnea knew her pace would not let up. Only two days separated her Yakima trip from the tour of taprooms in Portland, and she needed the distraction. Her heart pretended it didn’t matter that Rick had not bothered to text or call.
Arriving to work, the bright morning sun shining, in her own car, wearing clothes she loved, Linnea smiled at her reflection in the rear view mirror. Yes - I’m even having a good hair day! That morning she chose an outfit to focus Rick’s attention on what he’d give up if he moved on. She climbed from her car wearing a curve-hugging blouse, and a sleek skirt. Spending a few days on the tractor added a glow to her skin, and the work a little more definition to her long legs.
Kent caught up with her, just before Rick pulled into the lot. At first, he didn’t recognize the hot girl in the unfamiliar car. Damn - Linnea looks good today. “Welcome back Linn. How was Yakima?” he asked. He took time to let his eyes roam her curves, and Linnea blushed under his inspection. If Rick didn’t make a move soon, Kent thought he might have to amp-up his flirtations to include both of the stunning women working close by.
A truck door slammed loudly behind Linnea, but she decided to bask in Kent’s obvious flirtation. Leaning against his truck with his muscled arms flexed against his chest, Kent’s eyes flashed, giving that damn woman, you look good smile. Linn shared a few details of her trip, and ignored the man getting out of his truck. Maybe a little jealousy would catch Rick’s attention.
Kent’s eyes flicked back mocking Rick’s scowl as Linnea’s lush hip flirtatiously shifted. Rick had no shame as he memorized every inch of her apple shaped butt deliciously on display in her snug skirt. While Kent chuckled under his breath, Linnea attempted to ignore the solid sound of boots pausing immediately behind her. Her body stiffened, aware of the possessive heat, but still, she did not turn.
“Yakima was great. Wade seems extremely happy with the planting of his new hops.” Linnea said, trying to ignore the shift of Rick’s boots in the gravel as he took one step closer.
Everyone at Whitewater and Mosquito knew about Rusk, Wade’s newly patented hop variety. They also knew to keep this information out of Coalition’s hands. Unfortunately, Linnea did not see Ravenna just inside the doorway until it was too late. Worry suddenly tinted Linn’s face as Ravenna approached.
Rick caught the worry in her eyes reflected back in the shop windows. Needing to touch her, and longing for more, he placed the strength of his hand on the small of her back, and caressed lightly with his thumb. Linnea was more than able to handle her job, but every part of him longed to protect her from the stress of work, not to mention Kent’s admiring gaze.
Ravenna smiled, “Hi Linnea, glad you are back. Wade sent me an email, and said he would be a day or two behind you. Do you know what he is working on at Old Mosquito?” Linnea just shrugged, and shook her head.
For one moment, Rick enjoyed the sensation as Linn relaxed into his touch, seeming to need the strength he offered before she was forced to move inside. Ignoring Ravenna didn’t stop the questions that trailed her escape into Whitewater’s Office. As Linn snuck a look across the shadowed interior, his possessive gaze reached out for the first time this morning. His genuine smile giving her hope that whatever had been recently bothering him had resolved on it’s own.
Struggling to shift from Rick’s attention to her workday ahead, she pulled out her laptop and typed in the password. “Just let me get settled. We can go over our Portland plans for the next few days.” For now, Linnea pushed the conversation toward the taproom trip, ignoring the question about work going on at Old Mosquito.
“How was your trip home?” Ravenna asked. Linn carefully scanned Ravenna’s face when asked that specific question. As far as she could tell, Ravenna hadn’t overheard her small conversation with Kent about the new hop variety.
“Home was great. I’m excited to have all my clothes back. I had so many choices this morning, it felt like Christmas!” she laughed.
“I love the skirt. You know how to make a vertically challenged girl jealous with your mile long legs.” Ravenna laughed. “Did you say goodbye to a boyfriend when you moved to Ashwood?”
She laughed a bit, “Nobody recent. This move has been a welcome change.” Her eyes slipped in a telling way toward the shop.
Ravenna followed her gaze. “Kent and Rick both seem nice, or have you met anyone new in Ashwood to help you pass your time?”
Linnea blushed. “Not really. I mean I have noticed how great the guys are here, but work keeps me busy.”
“In that case, let’s try to make our trip to Portland more fun than work. I know we both deserve it.” The travel plans were in place, and Ravenna looked forward to escaping the tempting ache she suffered when Wade Michaels was around.
Glancing up from her computer, Linnea decided to trust her instincts and enjoy her time with Ravenna. “I’ve looked forward to this trip. After completing some research, I feel I’m nearly ready to make final decisions for the taproom. This trip will help cement my choices.”
“Great. Your timing is perfect. The taproom should reflect the personality of the beer. Fans of Mosquito Creek will visit, hoping to find an immersive experience.”
Ravenna suddenly looked a little guilty, and Linnea worried about the shift. “While you were in Yakima I had extra time on my hands. I hope you don’t’ mind, but I’ve set up in the brewery office. Nothing permanent, just two sawhorses, a sheet of wood, and some chairs. What do you say, should we move over to the brewery?”
Relieved, Ravenna smiled when Linn stood and began packing up her things. With an enthusiastic nod she agreed, “That’s terrific. We can spread out and work. I will meet you there in ten minutes.” Linnea gathered her essentials, and caught Rick’s eye as she moved to the building next door. He followed her smooth steps wrapped in sexy shoes with his heated gaze.
ELEVEN
Wade timed his arrival at Mosquito to see his sister off before her Portland trip, and tried his best to avoid Ravenna. He looked forward to a few more days away from her alluring body, sleek hair, and distracting lilting laugh. “Have fun Linn, remember you don’t have to drink beer at
every taproom to get a feel for the atmosphere.”
“Enough Wade. I may work for a brewer, but truth be told, I prefer wine!” she laughed at his wounded expression.
In response, he feigned a gunshot to the chest, staggering back in exaggerated death throes groaning, “Wounded to the core by my own sister.” His wobbling gate sent him squarely into Rick’s path, whose laugh could not hide the apprehension in his eyes. Wade wandered off with a smirk - good luck - leaving Rick to attempt an awkward goodbye.
Ravenna ran back to her tiny house to grab a warmer jacket, intentionally leaving Linnea and Rick alone in the lot. He snuck her around the side of his truck, craving a little privacy. “When you return from Portland, please leave a night open for me.”
She looked up, feeling the heat coming off him as he eased her between his firm body and the cool metal of his truck. “I’d like that,” she nodded. Rick kissed her lightly, teasing his lips across hers. The tip of his tongue tasted the seam of her full mouth. A low moan passed between them, stirring a flame that Rick knew he could never again deny.
The SUV kicked to a start where Ravenna sat behind the wheel, waiting in her rented Jeep. Linnea pulled away from his tender kiss. “I’ll see you in a couple days.” He whispered, needing more. Covering her mouth once again, he plied her with a knee-melting taste of her full mouth. His lips guaranteed she would miss him. With his hand lingering at her waist, she climbed in the Jeep. Once Linn settled, Ravenna backed the Jeep, shifted and slowly began to pull onto the highway, giving Linnea extra time to peek at her passenger side mirror. Rick watched, leaning against his truck until Linnea was no longer in sight.
***
It was quiet tonight. The happy hour crowd had dissipated, leaving Kent and Rick nearly alone on their stools at the bar. “Kent, now that you know I’m interested in Linnea. It’s only fair for you to come clean.”
“Come clean – what are you talking about?” he was honestly confused. He didn’t think his recent flirting with Linnea had crossed a line. If anything, it helped Rick get off his ass and make up his mind.
Rick leveled a stare, “Amanda.”
Kent’s shrug attempted to hide his uneasiness. Nothing to tell. Except that we are friends, have been for a while. She’s just a kid who likes to flirt.”
“Didn’t she just turn twenty? Seriously - Amanda is not a kid.”
Kent’s voice lowered, “It’s not her age I’m worried about. I don’t want to be…her…first.”
Rick’s eyes raised in awareness, and he nodded. “Did Amanda say something?”
“No, Natalie asked Kelsey to talk to me. It felt like a warning, coming from Seth.” His head sank as he stared at the worn surface of the bar.
Rick disagreed, “If Seth wanted to warn you…he would do that face to face.”
“Maybe, but after last summer, maybe not. Our conflict over Natalie left a mark on our friendship. It’s never been quite the same.”
Rick laughed off Kent’s worry. “Natalie could only see Seth from the first moment she walked into town.”
Maybe Rick was right, “I know. I guess I care about Amanda too much to hurt her.”
“So you do like her, and would pursue her if…”
“Maybe, but I can’t be that guy. The one she saved herself for. I’ve never been the guy who sticks around. You know me Rick. I’m…”
“An Ass,” he teased with a laugh, attempting to break the strain in his friend’s expression. When Kent just stared blankly ahead, he added, “Complicated. Sucks to be you.” And nodded, now fully understanding Kent’s warranted hesitation.
“The thing is. I almost feel trapped. If I see anyone else right now, Amanda will know, and that will fuck up everything with her in the future. Even looking at another woman feels like cheating.”
Rick could sympathize. Since Linnea came to town, he hadn’t been able to see anyone but her.
A pained laugh escaped Kent. “Hey, I’m getting in great shape, running every morning just to take the edge off.
“What do you plan to do? Date her - Or move on. Those are your choices.”
“If I make it to summer, and get out of town, any girls I meet rafting won’t be friends with Amanda. Maybe I can save our friendship.” Kent sank back, running his suddenly sweaty palms over his jeans.
“One question.” Rick said, seeing the weakness in Kent’s plan.
“Yeah?” Kent said tilting his gaze.
“This summer, when you are gone, if Amanda hooks up with another guy?”
“It will kill me.” He mumbled honestly, realizing he had no good way out.
***
After taking notes at each taproom, Linnea began to see common themes. Industrial chic, industrial pub, or industrial restaurant. Repetitive. She would do her best to give her place a fresh northwest spin. Pulling in key elements would help define Mosquito’s image, and Wade wanted his taproom to keep beer as the focus.
“I’m glad we aren’t serving food.” Linnea shared with Ravenna as they split an IPA flight.
“Food does give the customers the ability to consume more beer. Have you given it plenty of thought?”
“Yes, I think so. We have two reasons. I don’t want to compete with Iris for business. She has been integral to Mosquito’s growth. Second, it instantly turns you from a taproom to a pub. The focus becomes the food, not the beer.”
“You’re right. And being aware of your image in the community carries as much weight as the image inside the taproom.”
“Anything else you notice?” Ravenna led the discovery and learned about Linnea in the process.
“Many of the elements are the same from one place to the next, but details matter. Not as much as the beer, but they do make a difference. That atmosphere they remember and carry away may bring them back.”
“Linnea, you are a natural. If anything just trust your instincts,” Ravenna encouraged.
On the way to the next location they talked about music in the taproom. Their wide range in music tastes left them debating their options. As music came up the girls tossed around ideas for events. “We’ve decided to rent the space for weddings parties and concerts. Wade wants to make sure we provide a service to our community, and keep the cost affordable.” Linnea added.
“You both make my job easy.” Hearing Linnea talk about Wade didn’t help Ravenna forget her obsession with the man, and his many great qualities. He worked hard, his employees respected him, and family was a priority. She missed Wade. It bothered her that he was avoiding her. Since she arrived, he had not spent a single night in his tiny home.
I think we’ve seen plenty of taprooms today, and have chosen two tomorrow closer to home. Before it gets too late, I’d like to visit an antique store where we might get lucky and find some cool decor. Would you rather eat at the dining room in the hotel or choose a place close for dinner?”
“Let me check reviews, and find a local restaurant.” She pulled up an app on her phone while she talked, “Ravenna, I appreciate the time you’re investing in Mosquito. I’ve had such a good time today; it doesn’t feel at all like work…Is this typical for every brewer coming on board with Coalition?” Linnea asked.
“No. Mosquito is different. You’ve successfully worked past most of the hurdles I guide new brewers through.” She hesitated for a moment and decided to take a risk, “I’ll be honest Linnea, and you can share this with Wade if you like, I’m a little puzzled about this partnership on both sides.”
Now she had Linnea’s attention. “Coalition usually finds a brewer with one or two great beers, and brings that product to a larger market. Our brewers usually lack experience with scaling up, but Wade’s already an expert.”
“Yes, Wade’s knowledge and experience are nearly perfect.” His sister agreed. “I don’t know how he managed to juggle his growing responsibilities. He only needed someone he could trust to share the workload.”
“Exactly.” Ravenna continued, “And, from what I’ve been able to see, Wade has
family support. Seth seems to be involved in more than construction. I don’t need to see a contract to figure out that Seth and Natalie have invested in the brewery.” She hoped her blatant honesty hadn’t cost her Linnea’s trust.
Linnea bristled a bit, but wanted to know more. “Well, I don’t see how that makes a difference?” She asked, without lowering the hedge of protection around her family.
Ravenna waited, sighed, and chose again to take a risk. “My company generally calls the shots on everything from the design of the labels to the quality of the ingredients in the beer. Cost and image, that’s typically the message I deliver.”
Linn’s expression shifted to concern, “But we are being treated differently?”
Ravenna nodded, “Yes. I’m bothered that I don’t know why.” She leaned forward and her dark hair obscured some of the alarm on her face, but not all.
Linn now saw Ravenna’s genuine anxiety. “You have me worried. I get the feeling you are crossing a line by revealing this to me.”
“You’re right, I’m concerned. My job often puts me in difficult situations. Brewers push back when asked to make adjustments or meet quotas. I am always honest with everyone, and eventually the new members to Coalition come around. In Mosquito’s case, the executives seem to mainly be after information.” Ravenna waited for Linnea to absorb the weight of her concern.
“Information? About what? Does Wade know this?” Linnea asked.
“He’s avoiding me.” She said, the frustration raising tension in her voice. “Wade hasn’t even stayed in his tiny house at Whitewater since I arrived.”
“Are you serious? Ravenna, I’m so sorry. I’ll talk to him right away. I promise, things will change.”