Trouble Brewing (In Ashwood Book 2)

by Kinney Scott

  “Thank you Linnea. If we all work together, perhaps we can figure this situation out.”

  Linnea planned to help, but needed to ask, “Will it actually make any difference? The contracts are in place, Mosquito Creek still has to comply. That is why you are here, correct?”

  “Yes. However, Coalition isn’t being honest with me, and I’m afraid they weren’t honest with Wade when he came to them to partner in his expansion. My company may be using me, and I still have my personal integrity to consider.”

  “If Wade helps you explore this, will you be honest with him about Coalition’s motives?”

  “Absolutely. I’ve always communicated truthfully with my brewers, even when they didn’t want to hear what I had to say. I won’t be manipulated by my company, and I’ll be damned if I’ll allow them to use me to manipulate someone else.” Ravenna’s eyes flashed with unguarded fire. A deep conviction Linnea recognized and understood.

  Linnea was now convinced she could trust her.

  ***

  Ravenna glanced over to see Linnea grinning at her phone, “I see that smile. Rick missed you while you were gone.” She laughed as they crossed the narrow bridge over the Columbia separating Oregon from Washington.

  “Not as much as I missed him. I’m new to this, and it scares me a little.”

  “How many relationships have you had?” Ravenna asked. “Certainly quite a few, you’re that perfect combination of interesting and gorgeous.”

  Linnea didn’t feel that level of confidence in herself, but decided not to protest. “I’ve only had one boyfriend that I’d consider serious. I’m the quiet one - my sisters definitely outshine me.” This admission stung, but she shrugged it off.

  “What are your sisters like?”

  Brooke is married now. She was the girl every guy pictured themselves settling down with. Something about her just begs a man to take care of her.”

  “A little high maintenance?”

  “More like a princess in the tower to their knight in shining armor.”

  “And she married her knight?”

  “Yes, and they live and work happily ever after on a parcel of the farm. Mom’s impatiently waiting for grandbabies.”

  “And Sylvia? Is she your younger sister?”

  “Yes, Sylvia, vibrant, athletic, and outgoing. We are polar opposites. I miss her terribly. She went off to college, and the house felt like a tomb. When she left, all the energy at home left with her. This job has saved me from moping about.”

  “So back to relationships. You’re not the princess, and not the prom queen. Plenty of men aren’t looking for either of those girls. Why the delay?”

  “I guess I was picky, and hesitant. Growing up boys tried to get to know me in order to meet my sisters. I learned not to trust them. My one real boyfriend I met at community college. He actually worked there and taught some math classes.”

  “Was he your professor? That’s seriously hot and wickedly scandalous.”

  “No, I’m far too cautious for anything like that!” she laughed aloud.

  “We met at a school job fair. I was a volunteer. It lasted about three months. Not much to tell. He was my first, and was older. I’m glad he was more experienced. At least I learned something.”

  “No fire?”

  “Not even a sizzle. How about you and Steven? I’m guessing there’s fire?”

  “Just because I’m Italian?”

  “Well, maybe.” Linnea didn’t want to say anything, but if the sparks between Wade and Ravenna were any indication, Ravenna could get a man pretty worked up.

  “Steven does everything all out. He’s passionate about work, and passionate about me. My only issue, with Steven, work wins out over our relationship. We have a trip planned. I plan to hide our computers and telephones, order room service and keep him in bed all weekend.”

  “Good luck!”

  “I won’t need luck, I bought new lingerie.” Her wicked smile had Linnea giggling, and wondering how Rick would like a sexy incentive.

  TWELVE

  The Northside was between the lunch rush and happy hour when Linnea walked in. Wade slid comfortably behind the bar, poured them both a coke, and added a slice of lime. Before she arrived in town, she called and asked Wade to meet her, even if she dreaded sharing what she learned during her Portland trip. Moving ahead, she knew enough time had already been wasted avoiding difficult circumstances.

  Sitting with his sister, he picked up on her hint of hesitation. “What’s wrong Linn? What happened in Portland? I’m surprised Ravenna’s not here with you.”

  Her eyes glinted with warning. “Wade…we all know you’ve been avoiding her. But that’s not what I’m here to talk about.”

  At first, Wade was irritated with the call out from his sister - even if it was the truth. Yet, her unchecked honesty scared him. Something serious must have come up in Portland.

  “First, Wade, I need you to trust me. Ravenna asked me to share some things with you, but this information may put her career at risk. Please, don’t reveal anything I’m about to tell you without thinking about her future first.”

  “Damn, Linnea, this sounds serious.”

  “It could be, but we can’t know for sure. Ravenna’s not certain about the details, but she’s been honest with me about her intuition.” Linnea shared everything with her brother. Coalition’s constant information fishing had Ravenna deeply concerned, especially when coupled with the unusual way Mosquito Creek Brewing seemed to bypass many steps of the expansion process.

  After hearing all his sister had to say, “Do you trust her?” was his first question.

  “Yes, absolutely, I do. Her integrity means everything to her. Ravenna thinks Coalition may be using her to manipulate you.”

  Wade leaned forward, his brows furrowed with frustration, “Why not talk with me? What made her come to you?” Irritation grated his tone.

  Linn chose to ignore it. Her eyebrows raised in silent communication with her brother. “Come on Wade…do you really want to talk about why you’ve been avoiding Ravenna here? At the Northside? Let’s just say Ravenna’s noticed you’ve been scarce.”

  His eyes glanced around the room. “Since you’ve spent so much time talking heart to heart, just tell me, does she think she can handle working closely with me?” Their eyes met, conveying the message neither dare communicate aloud.

  “She knows it may be difficult, but this is your future Wade. If it helps, Steven, her boyfriend, will arrive soon.”

  His jaw clenched, as he tempered his jealousy with reality. Both were in serious relationships. Neither intended to chase their intense attraction. That didn’t change the fact that this obsession still scared the shit out of him.

  ***

  By the time Wade and Linnea made it back to Mosquito Creek Brewing, Rick had left for an aid call, an accident between an elk and a sedan on the narrow highway between Ashwood and Osprey Lake. Linnea hoped everyone was okay. She passed the time catching up on emails. No matter how complicated the situation became, she knew at the end of the day she must still run a successful taproom.

  Later that afternoon, Linnea met with Wade and Ravenna. She chose to listen and jot down detailed notes while Ravenna explained her concerns to Wade. More than two hours of discussion elapsed, when Wade stood, stretching his arms, thick with muscle, over his head. “We can look at this from every angle, but until CCC makes a move, we won’t really know what they are after.” Wade moaned with frustration.

  Ravenna forced her eyes to stay locked on his face when his movement stretched his thin t-shirt over the flexing muscles of his back and chest. Clearing her mind, she added, “True. If we behave differently, we will have a more difficult time figuring it out.”

  Linnea added with a nervous laugh. “Should Wade continue to be his stubborn, uncooperative self?”

  “Really? I’m not stubborn. Not if I’m always right.” Wade said with a grin.

  Ravenna smiled and agreed, “Linn has a point, i
f you suddenly go along with every request, the execs might not continue to dig.”

  “I could try to be more of an ass.” He kidded.

  “Actually brother, you may be onto something.” Linnea nodded.

  Ravenna said, leaning forward, suddenly serious. “I agree, push Coalition into revealing their hand.”

  Wade caught the worried shadow passing over her beautiful eyes. “Ravenna, I don’t want you to put your career at risk. This has already crossed a line for you, and if you want to drop it, I understand.”

  His concern caused her to smile. “Wade, my work with Coalition has always been about helping brewers succeed.”

  “Like Leo?”

  “Yes, I guess so, but in a different role.” She glanced out the window for a moment. “Now that you point it out, I can see the similarities.”

  Wade nodded, “without your father’s guidance I wouldn’t have Mosquito Creek Brewing.”

  Shadowed with sadness her eyes watered with past loss. “When Papa sold Silver Raven to Coalition Craft, it destroyed me. That small brewery was my second home. Fortunately, he secured this position for me in the deal. I’ve always been thankful, but I’ve never seen myself as an insider. I guess I do for the new breweries what I want to do for myself.”

  Linnea knew why Silver Raven was sold, but her brother didn’t need to be burdened with that information. And it was Ravenna’s story to tell.

  During their weekend in Portland, Ravenna shared the details. Leo had left brewing to devote all of his time to his wife’s breast cancer treatment. After her recovery, the couple decided to open a small lakeside resort. They bought a rundown collection of fishing cabins on a lake in the southern Oregon Cascade range. After renovating the cabins, Leo added a simple restaurant and store. Now, Leo was satisfied with a small-scale home brewery, as he shared his creations with his customers and friends. He wasn’t tempted to reopen, but that didn’t mean Ravenna had left her dream entirely behind.

  “I’m sorry Ravenna. I never knew Silver Raven had been a dream for you.” Wade sympathized, knowing how lost he would feel without his own business.

  “Papa sold when I was in college, and it was the right decision for the time. ” She turned away to looked out across the brewery from the nearly finished office. The gleaming new tanks and vessels stood like shining sentinels ready to begin Mosquito’s next chapter. “Did you know Silver Raven looks exactly the same as the day Papa locked it up?”

  Wade huffed a breath in surprise, “You mean he didn’t sell off all the equipment?”

  “No. By the time he sold, much of it was too antiquated. His location was so remote that shipping didn’t make financial sense. He sold his label, and his recipes. The brewing shifted to Chicago.” She couldn’t meet his eyes, as a mixture of fear and pity changed his expression.

  Just thinking about that kind of dismantling made Wade’s stomach churn. He would do everything in his power to avoid a similar fate. “I’m sorry Ravenna.”

  “No, it’s okay. I actually like that it’s all still there. I visit every so often. We still own it, the entire property.” She looked up at him, but her eyes reflected the pain. “Hey, maybe I can turn it into a museum of craft brewing someday.”

  Wade longed to pull her into his arms. He was thankful when Linnea moved, her caring instincts on the mark. She wrapped her new friend in a warm sisterly embrace.

  “Thank you, Linn. I needed a hug.” She said sniffling back tears. Wade couldn’t take it, he stood and wrapped both women in his arms, offering strength in his embrace.

  After a moment, Ravenna began to giggle. “Would it be wrong to admit that you two are smothering me!” Wade stepped back and laughed.

  “Never underestimate the power of a Michaels’ bear hug.” Linnea said releasing her friend. “It’s late. Rick texted me. He’s going to be out at that accident scene for hours.”

  “That sounds serious.”

  “I think you’re right, but he never gives details in the middle of an aid call. I haven’t spent enough time with Amanda lately. I think I’ll go home and watch a movie with her - if we are finished here.”

  “Absolutely. Let me walk you to your car.” Wade said, locking up as they left. Ravenna gave Linn another quick hug before jogging away toward her tiny home.

  In the low light from an almost full moon, Wade thanked Linnea. Her brother’s tone was almost somber. “Linn, you may have saved my business. Ravenna would have never opened up to me.”

  “I don’t know. I’m hoping we’re worried over nothing.” She tried to give him an encouraging smile.

  “I don’t think so.” As she opened her car, he added, “I’m so relieved you are here in Ashwood, I could have lost everything without your help.”

  “I love it here, Wade, and I love you too. See you tomorrow.” Linn got in her car and drove away. Walking toward his tiny home, he dreaded the mess waiting for him in his refrigerator. Still, he could make do with a can of soup or chili. Iris wasn’t expecting him back tonight. He needed to give her space, moving to her place had never been his plan.

  As Wade rounded the side of the shop, his home was completely dark except for the automatic porch light that lit each evening. In contrast, Ravenna’s home glowed, light pouring from every window. He stopped in the cool evening air, rich with the smells of spring, and watched her move through her kitchen.

  The bass pulsing from her music matched the rhythm of her movements as she danced through meal preparations. Pulled in a sleek knot at the nape of her neck, her dark hair shone in the white light. Every so often, her lips joined the lyrics of her song. Wade tore himself away from her enticing pull.

  Climbing the steps to his home, he swung the door open. Scanning the place, it looked too tidy. Then he spotted Linnea’s note, written prior to her Portland trip.

  Elves didn’t tidy up this whirlwind known as Wade, your little sister did. I replaced some of the food that had turned into a science experiment. Welcome Home – love you!

  He pulled out his phone and typed a quick text, thanking his sister, letting her know he loved her too.

  Opening the cupboards and refrigerator, he smiled. His sister had stocked his favorite orange and chocolate cookies, wheat bread, and hamburger buns. How had she known when he would be back? The freezer held steaks, ice cream and some burger patties ready to go on the grill. He pulled the makings for burgers out, easy to toss on the gas grill that was always ready to fire up on the porch.

  Stepping outside to light the grill, he glanced in Ravenna’s direction again. She sat at her small dining table, turning the page of her book while simultaneously nibbling at her salad. Her fingers drifted up to twirl a strand of hair between her fingers.

  His stomach growled, a message from his body to keep him on task. Cleaning lettuce, slicing a tomato and sharp cheddar, each simple detail helped him focus on something other than the woman a few yards away.

  Digging into a cupboard, he found his favorite chips, thank you Linn. In a few moments, he stood out on his deck, beer in hand, flipping a burger on the grill. Wade smiled. The smoky smell brought with it a hope for summer.

  ***

  Ravenna tried not to watch when the lights kicked on next door. She tried not to stare as Wade moved around his kitchen. Her eyes didn’t want to gaze when he stood under the dim lights on the deck, flipping a burger, drinking a beer, looking delicious in those faded jeans that hugged his taught butt. Ravenna had been reading the same page in her book for the last twenty minutes, and could not recall a single detail. This man was the best sort of torture.

  He moved back indoors to eat his meal. Focused back on the pages in front of her, she now regretted choosing her steamy romance novel. Every fantasy the book described suddenly had one vivid character assuming the role in her mind.

  His porch had a small outdoor heater tucked into a hidden space overhead. When the red glow turned on, Ravenna moaned. Her fantasy had decided to sit outside in the cool night air and finish his beer.
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br />   He had put on a soft blue sweatshirt, the sleeves pushed up revealing his powerful forearms. Once he sat down, he glanced her way. Had she wanted their eyes to meet? Yes, because the level of torture was not yet exquisite enough.

  Wade watched as Ravenna smiled, and moved from her seat in her home. She reappeared in her window wearing a jacket, carrying a glass of red wine in her hand. The door to her home was on the far side facing away from his view. He listened for the sound, and felt the heat of his body change just from the click of the door closing behind her.

  A moment later, her petite body appeared, almost fairy-like in the dim moonlight. The night seemed more alive now that Ravenna moved through it.

  “Mind if I join you?” she asked, climbing the steps. “I have to admit, I love sitting out at night, but it’s a little spooky alone this far out.”

  The thought of her out here alone suddenly filled Wade with a desire to protect. How could he have abandoned her on this lonely property, isolated in the woods out on the edge of town? He shook himself from dark irrational thoughts of wild animals surrounding her home, as she sat in the Adirondack chair next to him and sighed, “The heat lamp, oh my God it’s so deliciously warm. I could get addicted to this. I may have to pay Seth to add one to my place.”

  “No need, come over anytime.” Wade said, suddenly hoping to spend more time with her than he should. “Family wine?” He asked noting the glass of deep velvety liquid in her hand.

  “Yes, it’s the last of the bottles I brought with me. I’ll have to run to Portland, and find a specialty wine shop, if I want more.” She took a sip, “Mmm, “it reminds me of my grandparents - of my family.”

  She passed the glass to Wade without asking if he would like a taste. Their fingers touched, and he wanted to touch her everywhere. He settled for placing his mouth on the edge of the glass, still moist from her full lush lips.

  Wade closed his eyes for a moment, to let the wine hit his tongue. “Rich. Delicious...” He spoke with a low rumble that Ravenna fantasized was his sexy, satisfied, I’m taking you again voice.