Several hours later, I'm so focused on my brewing notes I almost don't notice my Bluetooth speaker, currently playing my favorite playlist, suddenly cut out. Then it kicks back on with a saccharine little “I love you” tune that unlocks an ancient childhood memory.
What the hell?The Barney theme song. The one I loved as a child, but not so much as an adult, blasts through my brewery at full volume.
I lunge for the speaker, frantically trying to disconnect it, but it just keeps playing on repeat. I try turning it off, but it immediately reconnects and starts again from the beginning.
"TOMMY!" I shout over the deafening music. "Did you mess with my speaker?"
Tommy appears in the doorway, fingers in his ears and looking equally confused. "No, boss. That's all you."
But it's definitely not me, which leaves Wyatt. That sneaky, underhanded, brilliant bastard must have hacked my Bluetooth speaker.
The jingle starts its sixth loop and I jab repeatedly at the screen, but the interface is frozen. I try swiping it closed, but that doesn’t work either. The music keeps going. Finally, I give up and hold the power button until the speaker dies mid-note and blessed silence returns. I stare at the speaker warily, half expecting it to resurrect itself.
Tommy is trying very hard not to laugh and failing miserably. "He hacked your speaker," he finally says, his voice shaking with suppressed laughter. "That's actually kind of genius."
"Oh, he wants to play dirty, huh?" I mutter. "Fine. We'll see how he likes this."
I open my laptop and pull up the community Facebook group, the one where most of Pelican Point's residents and seasonal visitors hang out, sharing recommendations and announcements. My fingers fly over the keyboard.
Exciting news from Recon Roasters! Wyatt has just announced his new seasonal blend for Valentine's Day: Fairy Tale Kisses & Chocolate Wishes! This limited-edition blend features notes of fairy dust and pure imagination. Think massive vanilla bomb mixed with chocolate covered-strawberries. It’s one of a kind. Get your orders in now before this magical blend sells out! Contact Wyatt directly for details or feel free to stop by. He loves it when you do! #PelicanPoint #LocalBusiness #FairyTaleCoffee
I add a few heart emojis for good measure, tag Recon Roasters, then hit post. Within thirty seconds, the likes start rolling in. After two minutes, there are comments:
"This sounds amazing! Chocolate-covered strawberries? Sign me up!"
"My daughter would LOVE this! How do we order?"
"Fairy Tale Kisses? Way to embrace your creative side, Wyatt!"
Tommy reads over my shoulder and bursts out laughing. "Oh my God. He's going to kill you."
"He started it," I say primly, even though I'm grinning like a maniac.
My phone buzzes almost immediately. I snicker when I see it’s a text from Satan himself.
God dammit, Gallagher! Fairy Tale Kisses? Really?
I type back:I thought it had a nice ring to it. Very on-brand for you.
Three dots appear, then disappear. Then appear again, which makes my grin spread even wider. I can practically see the steam pouring out of his ears.
You're going to regret this.
Whatever. Promises, promises, Dalton.
I set my phone down, feeling immensely satisfied. The Barney song was a good move, I'll give him that. Definitely more creative than his standard caveman tactics. But I just turned his own joke against him, and now half the town thinks he's launching a Valentine’s-themed coffee blend.
"This competition is going to be insane," Tommy says, shaking his head with a grin.
"Hell yeah, it is," I agree, turning back to my notes with renewed determination. "And I'm going to win."
Thirty minutes later, the deep rumble of Wyatt’s truck echoes through the building as he pulls into his parking space. The engine cuts off, and his door slams with considerably more force than necessary.
I smile.
Game on, Dalton.
Chapter 3
