“You didn’t tell him that spending the weekend building DIY smokers was not your thing. And that you didn’t like beer.”
“I didn’t likehisbeer.”
Her gaze was steady. “My point is you didn’t talk to him about something that might end the relationship.”
“Smoked meat should not ruin a relationship.” I scoffed.
“It would’ve with Jerry.”
“Garrett.”
“How convenient he moved for work, and when he hinted that you could move with him, you gave him a tour of the family distillery.”
I had laid the family part on really thick. “Fine. I might be a little scared. Compared to Boyd—andGarrett—what I feel for Jonah is...” Everything. I wanted it all. If he didn’t, then what?
She opened her mouth but raised voices caught ourattention. She snapped it shut and we both cocked our heads.
I couldn’t make out what they were saying, but they were on the move. I swiveled in my seat to look out the window. Whoever it was hadn’t left the building yet, but the guy with the nice car must be arguing with one or more of my brothers.
Finally, a guy shouted, “You cannot take advantage of an old drunk like that!”
“He’s stone-cold sober when he’s talking to us.” That was Teller.
“You Baileys think you have the right to everything.”
“If he doesn’t sell to us, he’ll sell to someone else.” This was from Tenor.
“He’ll sell to goddamnme.” This time the stranger’s voice was a low growl. “That land has been in my family for generations.”
“You’ll have to take that up with him,” Teller said with more than a hint of defensiveness.
A door banged open. Autumn and I jumped.
A tall man’s powerful strides ate up the pavement as he stormed to the sleek black car. His charcoal suit was tailored to highlight his long, lean body and wide shoulders. The fading sun glinted off his ink-black hair. He ripped the driver’s side door open, and I was afraid he’d take the damn thing off. With a parting glare that should’ve melted glass, he slid behind the wheel and peeled away.
Teller’s comments from over a month ago about buying more land ran through my head. I knew who that man was. “Gideon James.”
Interest crept into Autumn’s expression. “Whoa.”
“Yeah.” I had the hots for Jonah, but I could acknowledge when another man was fine.
“Whoa,” Autumn breathed again. “I think my ovaries just packed their bags to follow him,” she whispered.
I chortled. The spell of Gideon James was broken. For me at least. Autumn’s starstruck gaze was still plastered to the window.
“Apparently,” I said, “he has opinions about his dad selling to us.”
She blinked. “What? We’re doing business with that guy?” I didn’t miss the interest in her voice.
“Not him. His dad must be selling without talking to him.” Empathy welled for the man. If Daddy had sold it all before he’d passed, I’d have been upset. If he hadn’t talked to us first, I’d have been devastated.
“That sucks.” She shook her head like she was ridding herself of the last remnants of a spell. “He’s going to hate each and every one of us.”
Yep. Copper Summit might be buying the land, but each of my siblings and I were the owners.
Teller entered the bar, his expression tight. Tenor was behind him, pushing up his glasses. He gave me a half wave when he saw I was there.
“Looks like you two need a drink.” Autumn put a mixing jar on the counter.
