I frowned at the white frothy drink with a sprinkle of cinnamon. I’d already had a concoction that included Scarlett’s lemonade, a light, fruity cocktail that was outside the realm of anything I normally drank. This was out of the entire universe. “A bourbon milkshake?”
“No.” She laughed, then paused to consider the idea. “You know, that might work and appease Teller and Tenor’s desire for more limited-edition drinks. I’ll have to brainstorm with Wynter.” She tapped the glass. “You’re the guinea pig. This is our annual bourbon eggnog. Wynter and I switch up the recipe each year, but it’s pretty much on me this year.”
“I’ve never had eggnog.”
“It’s delicious, I swear.”
“Raw egg with my drink?” I said dubiously.
“We use pasteurized eggnog. It’s safe, I promise.”
I took a drink. The play of spices hit my taste buds first. Cinnamon, probably nutmeg, maybe ginger, and something else I couldn’t identify. Smooth bourbon fused with the creamy flavor. “It’s good.”
She grinned, pride shining in her eyes. “I added ginger and cardamom this year. Mostly, we just add a new spice each year and take one off.” She leaned on the bar top. “We learned the hard way we can’t veer too far from the traditional eggnog flavor. Peppermint nog was an epic fail.”
She looked over my shoulder and straightened. “Teller, hey. Everything okay?”
“Can’t I have a drink and talk with my sister?” Hepulled a stool out, keeping an empty one between us. He fit in with the clientele in a green-plaid shirt, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. His dark hair was almost shaggy, but his beard was trimmed. “James.”
“Bailey,” I greeted in return. I wasn’t dressed much differently. But not because I wanted to blend in. My attire just made sense. Made it look like I was accepting this new marriage and new life... in a place where Dad wouldn’t be.
“She’s testing her new concoctions on you?”
He was joking, but he was also diminishing her job. The bar was an advertisement for the distillery. Autumn did ground-level marketing for the company. People didn’t just come here for the drinks. They came for that ambience, and also for the employees who served them and added pleasant conversation to cap their day. “Good thing you have such a savvy sister when it comes to mixing drinks.”
Teller’s brows drew together. “I didn’t say she wasn’t.”
“But you didn’t say she was.”
He pushed a hand through his hair. “It’s been a long fucking day, James, and now you’re telling me I’m a shitty brother.”
“You’re not a shitty brother.” Autumn set an empty squat glass in front of Teller. “You’re bossy, stubborn—which I’ve heard is a family trait—and you tend to treat me like an annoying little sister. Sometimes, I wish you took me as seriously as you take yourself.”
If I smiled, I’d look like I was gloating, but pride rang through me. She hadn’t flinched away from the topic. Maybe she’d told him before and it’d run off him like rainwater, but this time, she had me to corroborateit. He pondered her as she grabbed a bottle from the top shelf, Copper Summit Gold, and poured two fingers for Teller.
He spun the glass in his hand. “Is this about what Tenor brought up?”
Autumn glanced at me like she was seeking permission to stand her ground. I put as much encouragement in my gaze as possible. She said, “It’s about Tenor discussing it with Tate first, and then you, and then telling me like I’m just another employee and not part owner. I’ve taken over running the bar, but it’s my and Wynter’s area of expertise. Would you two discuss marketing campaigns without her?”
Teller frowned. “You already have a job?—”
“I have two,” she said firmly. “And it’s my decision to decide if I’m overwhelmed or not. I’m not an injured kid anymore. I realize it’s inconvenient that I’m not around Copper Summit as much as you guys are, but you can call, text, or email.”
“Shit,” Teller grunted. “I didn’t realize it bothered you so much.”
She rolled her eyes. “You did, but you weren’t taking me seriously.”
Teller rocked back like she’d hit him. “Fair enough. I’ll make sure Tenor and I come to you first.”
Autumn dipped her head, gratitude and relief in her eyes.
Teller pinned me under his gaze. “You’re trying not to laugh.”
I didn’t hide my snicker.
“You wouldn’t laugh if she called you out.”
“She’s put me in my place a time or two.” I took a sip of my boozy, creamy drink. The flavor was growing onme. It’d become my favorite fucking drink if it irritated Teller.
