Faith's jaw dropped in astonishment. “Really?” she asked, feeling stunned. She of all people believed Ryan to be intelligent and competent, with a clear head on his shoulders. But he had never been involved in running the brewery before. His brothers already worked there, and it seemed to her that it made more sense to promote one of them to the head of the business instead of giving the position to Ryan. “I mean, I'm sure you're more than capable but your father has never asked for your help with the brewery before. He always seemed to prefer the input of your brothers, since they have the same ‘business before anything else’ mindset that he does.”
Ryan nodded. “Oh, believe me, I'm as shocked as you are. But what can I do? I couldn't say no. He was lying there in the hospital bed looking pale and scared. I've never seen him look scared before in my life. He asked me to take over the brewery for him and I just blurted out a yes.”
“Okay. Well, I know you can do it.” She forced a smile onto her face, knowing that he needed her encouragement in that moment. “Your dad obviously trusts you, and that’s special. Maybe he’s come to see that your attitude is more valuable in a place like Rosewood Beach than his is. You’re kind and you care about people—maybe your dad sees that his brewery needs that kind of leader.”
Ryan looked touched by her words, but he shrugged. “I’ll find out, I guess. Right now, I just want to eat something and slow down for a while so I can start to process it all. Does that sound good to you?”
“Perfect,” she assured him, reaching across the table and squeezing his forearm.
Annie came back to their table, and they ordered a couple of cheeseburgers with waffle fries. Faith watched her partner’s facewith a twinge of concern, knowing that he’d had a day that was extremely overwhelming in more ways than one.
I know he can do this,she thought,but that doesn’t mean it isn’t going to be a challenge. He doesn’t know anything about running a brewery, not really. I wonder how this is going to go.
CHAPTER FIVE
Dean looked over at Noelle and offered her a weak smile. She was sitting close beside him as they waited in the examination room at the doctor’s office. They were there for a final consultation with Dean’s surgeon before his procedure, and Dean felt his whole body buzzing with anxiety.
He knew that having the surgery was his best chance at feeling better—maybe even nearly back to normal—and he wanted that for himself, and for Noelle, who often had to be patient and gracious when his arthritis got in the way of their plans. He couldn’t help feeling unnerved by the whole idea, however. There were risks involved, and he hated the idea of going under and surrendering his body to strangers, no matter how competent they might be.
He was doing his best to be brave, but he couldn’t hide his building nerves from Noelle. She clearly sensed every time he shifted in his chair, and he saw her watching the mist of perspiration on his forehead with concern.
“How long have we been waiting?” he asked, partly to make conversation and partly because he wanted to know the answer. He was beginning to feel as though they’d been sitting there for an hour.
Noelle glanced at her watch, shaking her head. “It’s been nearly twenty minutes.” She placed a reassuring hand on his back. “Do you want me to go out to the front desk and check with Hazel? Maybe she can give us an update.”
As if summoned by her words, a moment later there was a knock on the examination room door and Hazel poked her head inside. Dean felt a surge of relief at the sight of his twin, and he’d never been so glad that she worked as a receptionist at the doctor’s office before.
“Hey, guys.” Hazel offered them an apologetic smile. Dean could tell that she sensed his worry too. “Dr. Keller is going to be here soon, I’m sorry for the delay. He got held up at another clinic, but he’s almost here.”
“It’s okay.” Noelle smiled at her. “Thanks for letting us know.”
“Of course.” Hazel nodded, glancing at Dean with a worried expression. “I’m sorry you had to wait. Can I get you both some more coffee?”
Noelle glanced at her empty coffee cup, which was resting on a small table next to their chairs. “Would you? Thanks, Hazel. You’re a sweetheart.”
“No problem at all. Happy to be able to do something.” Hazel stepped forward to take Noelle’s coffee cup as she handed it to her. “What about you, Dean Bean? Do you want any more coffee?”
Dean couldn’t help smiling when Hazel used one of his silliest childhood nicknames. He hadn’t heard it in a while, and it brought back good memories of simpler times. “No, thanks, Hazel. I’m good for now.”
The truth was that he would have enjoyed a little more coffee, but he was already feeling too jittery, and he didn’t want to add a caffeine buzz to his anxiety.
“Okay. I’ll be back in just a second.” Hazel smiled before disappearing through the doorway.
“That was nice,” Noelle said after a pause.
“Yeah.” Dean smiled. "It’s nice that she’s here.”
True to her word, Hazel returned in a couple of minutes with a steaming refill of coffee for Noelle. Just as she was handing her the cup, someone appeared in the doorway behind her. Dean’s heart skipped a beat when he saw that it was Dr. Keller.
“Hi, Dean, Noelle,” he said, striding into the room. He was a tall man, and his white doctor’s coat made him look bigger. Dean always felt slightly intimidated by the doctor, despite his kind and gracious demeanor. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”
Dean stood up to shake the doctor’s hand. “You’re all good. Thanks for meeting with us.”
“I’ll let you get to it,” Hazel said, slipping out the door again with a look on her face that said, “Come tell me what he says as soon as it’s over.”
“Please, have a seat.” Dr. Keller leaned against the counter and smiled at Dean and Noelle, who sat down again. Dean felt a surge of adrenaline as he steadied himself to hear what the doctor was going to tell them.
“So we’ve been going over all your tests, Dean,” he said, smiling the kind but emotionless smile that he seemed to have mastered after many years in his profession. “And it all looks stable. Surgery should be able to do you a world of good, and your body should take well to it. Nothing’s changed for you that would give us any cause for concern, so we’re full speed ahead on your surgery.”
