Trouble Brewing (In Ashwood Book 2)

by Kinney Scott

  She studied him. In the low light for a few tantalizing moments, he fed her senses - He took his time swallowing the wine, his throat moving as he drank. Under the fabric of his t shirt, Wades pecs rose in a breath. Ravenna let her eyes slide down to glance at the taught stretch of his jeans over the apex of his thighs. Good Lord, she knew she shouldn’t look, but temptation won out.

  He took another sip before returning the glass to her slim fingers. Wade waited for Ravenna’s eyes to meet his again, watching as she shamelessly enjoyed the view. Her cheeks had reddened a little by the time he spoke, a hint of arrogance in his playful smile. “How did your dad make the move from vintner to brewer?” He asked, with a still deep voice.

  Ravenna looked past him into the dark night, and sighed, “Ah that would be the famous story of how my parents met. If you give papa a few drinks, he will spin the tale in rich detail. I will give you the high points, but next time you see my father, bring it up. He loves to re-live the moment in the telling.”

  “I’d like to see your dad again.”

  Her face lit up. “You will. Papa plans to visit, while I’m here in Ashwood.” Wade enjoyed the fact that a happy tear rimmed her eyes. Ravenna’s love for her family was that potent.

  “My grandparents on my mom’s side owned a small vineyard in the Willamette Valley, not large nor terribly successful, but the climate was terrific, and the grapes perfection. My father came up the coast from California. Our family had sent him on a bit of a scouting trip for future grape purchases. He stumbled across my grandparents’ place. My mom gave him a tour of the winery, vineyard, and as fate would have it, the hop yard.”

  “Oh, this is good. And I’m sure Leo loves to tell the tale…”

  “With his own special flourish.” She said with a wave, like a magician charming with sleight-of-hand. Wade willingly fell under her spell.

  “Did Leo go home?” Wade asked.

  “Not until my mother went with him to meet his family in California. Both coming from conservative Catholic families, her sister went along as a chaperone.”

  “From the time they met, until they were married, how long?”

  “Ninety days.” She laughed, and Wade whistled in amazement.

  “Oh Leo, he had it bad.”

  “So did my Mama, Marina.” She took another sip of her wine, her lips stained by the rich burgundy liquid. The taste of wine still lingered in his mouth, and he longed to deepen that taste by licking it off her full lips.

  Wade took a deep breath, relaxed back into his chair and cleansed his mind with a sip of whiskey, the liquid scorching away the remnants of the wine with a satisfying burn.

  “Not drinking beer?” Ravenna asked, she’d noticed Wade’s preference.

  “I’ve been trying to find a perfect whiskey to barrel-age a winter beer.”

  “That sounds like enjoyable research.”

  “It is. Who knows I may try my hand a distilling someday.” She stretched her arm to request a sample. Reaching across from her relaxed position, her face was now flushed with the heat of the overhead lamp, the wine, and Wade’s presence.

  He placed the heavy whiskey glass in her grasp and she wrapped her delicate fingers around the weight. He wondered how those same fingers would look wrapped around his cock - then closed his eyes attempting to shut down the too vivid fantasy.

  Pulling the whiskey tentatively to her lips she inhaled the scent before taking it into her mouth, allowing the gold liquid to linger on her tongue. A sharp gasp and a slightly embarrassed smile followed her swallow. “Guess I’m not as tough as I thought.” She laughed, her eyes watering, as she released the glass to Wade. Amusement danced in his eyes as he took another taste, intentionally from the spot her lips had just been. He could still taste a hint of the wine.

  Cold filtered around them, even the heat from the lamp could not keep the crisp evening air at bay. “This whiskey might be too subtle.” He said after a moment. The cadence of the frogs had picked up, off in the distance an owl screeched, and a second owl answered.

  Ravenna pulled her arms around her body. “This chilly night has won out. I’m starting to feel the cold.” She stood, before he could offer a blanket, but he knew that was definitely for the best. “I think I’ll snuggle in for the night.” She said, as she wandered toward the stairs.

  “Good night Ravenna. And thank you…for…” and he realized he should have already apologized. He had been so pig-headed - Yet, she chose to be open. He was suddenly in awe of the risk she seemed willing to take.

  “Wade, no need to thank me. We are similar people, you and I. If our circumstances were reversed, I believe you would make a similar choice. Good night Wade. Welcome back to the neighborhood.” She said as she walked down the steps and disappeared around the front of her home.

  Wade stayed on the front porch, tracking her movements as she slid curtains closed, turned off lights, and made her way to the loft. Even after the last light switched off, he sat under the glow of the heat lamp wondering if he could take that same risk.

  Ravenna put his future ahead of her own, at a cost she could not possibly determine, and for a man who had been hell bent on avoiding her. No, they were not similar. This beautiful woman defined strength and integrity. Because Ravenna detected these qualities in his character, he committed to living up to her expectations.

  THIRTEEN

  “Hello, beautiful.” Rick said, as Linnea looked up from her computer.

  “How long have you been standing there?” She asked, her smile lit up her face.

  “Long enough to see that I need to rescue you,” he laughed. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, I’m just trying to get the details worked out for Wade’s first festival this season. He plans to roll out the seasonal beer as soon as possible.”

  “Are you ready to be stolen away for lunch?” He said, placing both arms on her shoulders as she sat at her desk in the newly finished Mosquito office. His strong hands massaged. He felt her moan of pleasure under his fingertips and felt the hum to travel strait to his groin.

  He stepped back and picked up the cooler she packed for their shared lunch. “I miss seeing you in the Whitewater office.”

  Linn nodded, “I didn’t realize the next building would feel so far away.” She missed her favorite pastime, getting her fill of watching Rick work, his muscles bunching and flexing as he built homes for Seth.

  “Where do you want to eat?” She asked.

  “It’s warm. Do you want to wander past the mill, and find some grass to sit on near the edge of the lumberyard?” Rick wanted to have this woman all to himself for at least a half hour.

  “Sounds great, let me grab something for us to sit on.” She selected a canvas from a pile of drop cloths folded near the door. They strolled close together. The unusually warm spring day buzzed with life. Insects and pollen skirted on the breeze, glimmering in the sunlight. Linnea smoothed the drop cloth over damp grass taking a seat next to Rick.

  Once she settled, Rick opened the cooler and fished out his first sandwich. He gave her a bottled water and smiled as he spotted his guilty pleasure. Last week, he shared that his favorite drink was flavored sodas. She had already surprised him with grape, and today he spotted a bright pink can of raspberry pop nestled against a freezer pack near the bottom of the cooler. “Oh, this one is my all-time favorite!” He popped the top and guzzled half the can in one long drink. The burp that slid from his lips afterwards made Linnea laugh. He looked a little embarrassed, until he shrugged and dug his teeth into his roast beef sandwich.

  Before starting on his second cookie, he wanted to ask Linnea a question. Even after spending time together at work, the thought of asking her out for something close to a real date coiled fear in his gut. “I was thinking, now that the weather has improved, you might like to take a hike with me?”

  “I’d love to Rick, but I have to warn you. I’m not very…fit. Will you be bored going at my less than athletic pace?” He had seen this side of
her before, a hesitation that made him wonder if she wasted her time comparing herself to others.

  “I could never be bored spending time with you. Let’s keep this first hike at the lower elevations, it will be warmer and wildflowers should be in bloom.”

  “That sounds perfect. I can’t wait.” She still seemed a little nervous, but Rick had a particularly beautiful trail in mind, with little rise in elevation. More than anything, he looked forward to relaxing with her far away from Wade’s watchful eyes. Any day now, he expected Wade to take him aside and ask what his plans were with his sister.

  They finished lunch, talking about places he liked to hike, and his annual ascent up Mount Adams. She lost herself as he described climbing the mountain that towered over Ashwood.

  All week she looked forward to the hike Rick planned for their first real date. Not until they had passed the last cabin on their way out of town, did she realize how desperately she needed this escape.

  Rick drove the rough road with confidence, dodging potholes and small washed out areas in his small SUV with practiced ease. “Don’t worry. The trail is better maintained than the road.” They laughed aloud, and Linn held on white knuckled, as they jolted over a particularly large bump.

  Carrying a small backpack, Rick led the way through trees occasionally broken by a stream. Mount Adams rose above sweet smelling wildflower meadows. As they climbed a bit in elevation, Linn caught the distinct sound of turbulent water. She attempted to catch a glimpse of the valley as the trees began to thin. “Just wait, we will arrive at the lookout soon.” Rick smiled, anticipating her reaction to his favorite spot.

  Gasping at her first sight of the immense glacier carved valley, Linnea leaned into Rick, feeling overwhelmed by the height. He wrapped his arm around her, kissed her temple, and inhaled her sweet scent mingled with the crisp alpine air. The vast barren gorge amplified the roar of multiple waterfalls. Towering on the far edge, a jagged ridge stunned her, yet it did not compare with the majestic beauty of Mount Adams rising high over the horizon.

  “Rick this is spectacular, and the sound. It’s like nature’s cathedral,” she said, tucked into his embrace.

  “I’m not sure it the person who named it Hellroaring Canyon was big on church,” he laughed.

  They wandered the area exploring side trails, while taking pictures of waterfalls. Rick led her to a secluded spot sheltered from the breeze by an outcrop of rocks. He plundered Linnea’s lips with kisses, leaving her wanting more. The sun dipped lower on the horizon, as Linnea watched in breathless wonder when five mountain goats scrambled away on an impossibly steep rock face.

  A charge of awareness grew between them during the drive home. Rick rested his hand on the heat of her thigh, stroking her with his strong fingers. She waited for Rick to ask her to come back to his place, his light touch preparing her for more. As he drove back toward Ashwood, Linnea felt a pang of regret when he took the turn toward her Aunt and Uncle’s house.

  Rick longed to have more time with Linnea, but it was already dark, and her uncle expected them back. As the District Ranger at the Mount Adams Station, Bill had asked Rick where the pair intended to hike today. He ached to take her home and have her alone for a few hours, perhaps longer, but if the pair didn’t arrive soon after dark, Bill would give him a call, or worse send out a search party to locate Linnea.

  He parked in the shadow of a large cedar, far from the bright lights of Bill and Sandy’s front porch. Linnea‘s deep blue eyes, darkened by need, overwhelmed him. He laced his fingers in her hair, and pulled her mouth to his. He had been craving this moment since they drove out of Ashwood this morning. In the confines of his small SUV, he pulled her pliant body snug to his muscled chest and claimed her lips again. Outwardly, Linnea seemed so controlled, so careful. He wanted to unleash the reckless side of her that he felt simmering below the surface.

  She yielded to his tongue as he carefully explored the contours of her soft full lips. A sigh of surrender slipped from her throat as Rick caressed the back of her neck with his fingertips. Hoping to bring that addicting sound from her again, he stroked the column of her throat with his lips, tongue and teeth, scorching Linnea’s senses, unravelling her controlled exterior.

  She slid her hands across the contours of his perfectly muscled back. He flexed under the explorations of her touch, his low-hummed response electrifying her senses. Encouraged by the increased cadence of her breath, Rick began to slide his hands from her neck, down her collarbone to tease the swell of her breast.

  Suddenly, they froze as the sound of the garage door broke through their pleasured haze. Bright light spilled past Bill. He began to roll the garbage can to the end of the long drive in a path bound to cross in front of Rick’s vehicle. “Damn it.” Burst from Linnea’s lips, as she lowered her head to his chest and moaned.

  Rick laughed aloud, she so rarely swore, it struck him as hilarious. She joined him and burst out laughing. At least her giggles relieved some of the tightly wound sexual tension. “You better get inside before Bill gets here. I’ll help him with the cans.” Rick said as he shrank painfully back into his seat.

  She sighed, touched his lips once with her fingers, and grabbed her backpack from the backseat before opening her door. He watched her dash into the house, her hair a little messy from his touch. Standing for a moment next to his car, he waited for his body to ease, and cleared his mind, before meeting up with Bill to help with garbage duty.

  ***

  Iris sent over a text to Wade. We could use another keg of Sweet Venom when I see you later. Wade smiled as he glanced at his phone. The new summer ale was moving at a record pace.

  Northside Grill had always been his favorite test market. His friends and neighbors never held back when handing out honest opinions. This time, he knew he’d developed a dead-on fantastic beer, the blackberry flavor was subtle and clean, and the lower alcohol content gave thirsty drinkers more to love.

  He placed a call to Iris, but she didn’t pick up. Instead of sending a text message, he decided to go help out with the lunch rush. Arriving at Northside, Wade brought the keg of Sweet Venom to the walk in. The air outside had warmed enough that the chill of the cooler felt refreshing. Iris found him before he left the large refrigerator, and snaked her arms under his shirt relishing in the contrast of the cold room to his hot skin.

  “You smell delicious, Wade.” She buried her face in his shirt at his muscled chest and inhaled. He turned her face up to his and snagged a quick kiss.

  “It’s the scent of the cedar being installed at the taproom,” he whispered against her neck.

  Since returning from Yakima, he’d only been spending a couple nights each week at her house. The bit of separation felt right. Iris was cautious, and preferred this slower pace.

  “How are plans coming for your trip to California?”

  “Good, Linnea has it handled. Are we still on for this weekend?

  “Yes, I can’t wait to see Old Mosquito, and your place off the grid.” Her shiver prompted Wade to lead them out of the cooler.

  “Hey, it’s not that remote. I have power and water,” he chuckled.

  “And a backup generator that could run a small city.”

  “Size matters.” Wade said with an almost straight face. Iris playfully attempted to push him away, when she blushed, and he held that much tighter.

  ***

  Wade bailed early for his weekend with Iris. The empty brewery had a particularly hollow sound. Rather than work nonstop, or mope about alone, Ravenna put on a cheerful spring dress, and left to join most of the town at the farmers market. From flyers pasted on every business, she gathered that Ashwood celebrated the grand opening with enthusiasm each spring.

  Pulling into the already overflowing lot, Ravenna spotted bright banners and crisp white canopies. Permanent stalls were set up beneath a large open arena. Local artists, gardeners, bakers, and craftsmen assembled a stunning array of local goods.

  Ravenna took a deep breath of the
cool spring air, the day promised to warm by noon. She spotted a few people she recognized from local shops, and returned their smiles when they nodded hello. Once a week she stopped by Goldfinch Bakery to treat herself to a decadent apple fritter. She smelled the rich cinnamon before she found their counter of baked goods behind a vintage glass case.

  “Hello Ravenna, I’m glad to see you found us! What do you think of our opening day?” Maggie asked.

  “I love it. It feels like home.” She said, as Maggie noticed her strained smile.

  “Are you homesick? Where are you from?” she asked.

  “I’m based out of Chicago, but I’ve never called that big city home. I grew up outside Klamath Falls in southern Oregon.”

  “Ah, so our small town charm appeals to you. Ravenna, I never would have guessed Chicago.”

  “When I feel the city taking over, I find a way to escape.” Ravenna looked over the goodies in the case. “Maggie, I love your apple fritters, but I’m in the mood for something different. Any suggestions?”

  “The apricot oatmeal bars are terrific. I had one for breakfast. If you want something more decadent, the double-chocolate cookie, will start an addiction.”

  “One of each. And my next stop will be the coffee cart.” Ravenna reached into her bag to pay when a familiar voice behind her told Maggie to put Ravenna’s choices on her tab.

  “Hi Natalie, nice to see you!” Ravenna smiled, “Do you want to join me for coffee? We could split these if you like.

  “That sounds perfect. How are you enjoying our market?” They wandered to the coffee cart, ordered, and grabbed a table to talk.

  “I love it. It’s a cure for homesickness.”

  “Honestly, I think this market began my love for Ashwood.”

  “Should we start with the oatmeal apricot?” Ravenna said, splitting it in two.

  “Please. Oh, that looks great. I see you chose a triple chocolate cookie. Maggie had to make extra batches when I first moved here.” They each took a bite.