What did they know about Moose Falls or running this unique establishment? Absolutely nothing, she would wager. But because the tavern owner’s blood flowed in their veins and due to Hattie feeling nostalgic about “the boys,” they were poised to inherit it all. And, if they didn’t want the businesses, they could sell the entire lot a year from now.
What would happen to True when the Stone brothers owned Northern Exposure lock, stock, and barrel? Would she still have a job? She’d seen new owners completely turn establishments upside down after acquiring them. She needed this position at Northern Exposure. How else would she continue to support her nine-year-old little brother? In terms of family, they were all each other had in the world since the accident that had ripped their lives apart.
Tears of frustration mixed with fear stung her eyes, and she headed to the back office to gather her composure. She hated being afraid. In many ways Xavier could determine her future. And she couldn’t help but hate him for it.
Xavier swept his gaze around the establishment, marveling at the setup. The interior of Northern Exposure was rustic and full of charm. The flooring was hardwood and slightly scuffed, as if many a patron had trod all over it. Pictures of Alaskan wildlife graced the walls—bears, moose, foxes, caribou—lending the place a rugged vibe. Large flat-screen televisions hung from various vantage points around the barand dining area. All the counters were gleaming as if they’d been polished just this morning. A cedar smell drifted in the air along with another sweeter aroma.
The waitress who’d introduced herself as Bonnie brought over his salmon burger and fries. The scent of the food was incredible, and his hunger kicked up a little in response. She sent him a sympathetic look. “I took the liberty of bringing you another cider in case you wanted to try another flavor. This one is black cherry, a bestseller in these parts.”
“I really appreciate that, Bonnie.”
She favored him with a wide grin. “Please let me know if you need anything. Any kin of Hattie’s is tops in my book,” Bonnie said enthusiastically.
“That’s really nice to hear,” Xavier said, slightly startled that she also knew his identity. Had Hattie announced to all of Moose Falls that her grandsons were coming to town and inheriting her business? Or had True clued her co-worker in?
As soon as Bonnie walked off toward another customer, he cracked open the tab and took a hearty sip of the drink. The flavors crackled on his tongue as he took a swig, providing a soothing distraction from the lingering effects of the chicken wings. Whereas the apple cider had been like a crisp walk in fall, the black cherry was explosive, packing quite a punch.
“Very nice,” he said aloud before taking another sip. So far he was discovering that Yukon Cider’s products were amazing. He now knew why his grandmother’s company was thriving. So far, each cider had a different personality and distinct flavor. Hattie produced a fantastic product. Yukon Cider. From what he’d found out, the hard cider company was an extremely lucrative enterprise. According to his research, Yukon Cider was a household name in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. The company was valued at several million dollars.
Thoughts of his grandmother flitted through his mind. Xavier dug into his pocket and retrieved the letter he’d received from her roughly six weeks ago. He smoothed out the wrinkles and began to read it to himself, even though he practically knew it by heart. The delicate cursive scrawl tugged at his heart.
Dear Xavier,
Oh precious one. It’s been too many years since I’ve looked into those deep brown eyes of yours and held you in my arms. My sweet little X. Before I get down to business, it’s important that you know I’ve never stopped loving you for a single second. I’ve thought of you each and every day since you and your brothers left Moose Falls. I want you to remember that the things that separated us won’t ever be as important as the ones binding us together.
My doctor tells me my time on earth is coming to an end. I’m in late-stage renal failure after many years of treatment. As a result, I think it’s pertinent to get my affairs in order. So, here goes. After one year of residing in Moose Falls, you and your brothers are to receive one hundred percent ownership of Yukon Cider. At the end of one year, you may decide to keep or sell the company. The decision is yours. It has always been my intention to make the three of you my heirs. I’ve built up Yukon Cider so that you three could carry on its legacy and learn the craft of making cider. I truly believe love is always the answer, no matter what the question is.
Love always,
Granny
His throat tightened with emotion as the words washed over him. He must have reread the letter a dozen times in the last few weeks. It was still hard to believe he, along with Caleb and Landon, was set to inherit a hard cider company from a grandmother none of them had seen in two decades. And now here he was in the wilds of Alaska, on the brink of reconnecting with his long-lost granny and their roots.
His mother, Daisy Stone, hadn’t been too thrilled about the fact that her three sons were returning to Moose Falls. For her it was a complicated issue. He had always been in awe of the way she’d packed up and left an unhealthy marriage with her three sons in tow. She’d raised them as a single mother with zero help from their dad. Surely his mother wouldn’t hold it against her sons that they were reaching out for the brass ring once she recovered from the shocking news. It wasn’t as if they were going to have anything to do with their father. He let out a snort. Calling himfatherwas an act of generosity since Paul Stone hadn’t done a single thing to earn the title.
Xavier let out a shout as soon as he spotted Landon and Caleb walking into the tavern. His brothers were supposed to have beaten him to Moose Falls by an hour or so, but due to mechanical issues with their plane, they had missed their connecting flight.
Caleb’s personality was always on full display with his wide smile, matching set of dimples, russet-colored skin, and the movie-star good looks that had earned him the nickname “Hollywood” back in high school. Landon was also a good-looking guy with a lean, athletic physique, fine features, and warm-brown skin. He tended to put himself under the radar and didn’t usually engage in social situations. Spending most of his time locked away in a laboratory hadn’t done him any favors in the getting-himself-out-there department. He was definitely an introvert.
His brothers rushed over to his table, and Xavier wasted no time sweeping them up in a tight bear hug. Words couldn’t express how good it was to be a threesome once again. Due to his living in a different state than both of them, he hadn’t seen them in person for at least three months.
“It’s great to see you guys,” Xavier said as he finally let go of them. He felt his shoulders relax. Now he wouldn’t have to go it alone in a town he wasn’t familiar with. Things would be so much better with his brothers by his side. Although they were nothing alike, the three of them couldn’t be closer. As strange as this situation was regarding their return to Moose Falls, Xavier knew he could handle any potential challenges with these two by his side. The Three Musketeers had nothing on them!
“It’s been a day of travel headaches, so we’re really glad to be here,” Caleb said, sounding exhausted. He sank into a seat, mirrored by Landon, who appeared just as weary. All three of them needed to get a good night’s sleep as soon as they met Hattie and settled in.
Within minutes they’d put in an order with Bonnie for nachos and queso to share between them since they’d grabbed something to eat earlier. Xavier put in an order for more ciders so his brothers could sample Hattie’s amazing product.
“Who’s that?” Caleb asked, his gaze focused on True. Leave it to Caleb to notice the gorgeous woman behind the bar. Of the three of them, Caleb was the one most likely to find female companionship in Moose Falls even though he’d sworn off women. Xavier didn’t buy it for one second. Caleb and women went together like a Super Bowl party and nachos.
Xavier’s gaze lingered on True. “That’s True Everett. She runs the place.” He splayed his hand on the table. “I’m pretty sure she knows all about us and why we’re in Moose Falls.”
Landon pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. “Seriously? I guess word gets out fast in small towns.”
Xavier bit down on the inside of his cheeks. His mouth was still fiery. “Don’t let her sweet façade fool you. She set me up to eat some ghost pepper chicken wings that practically obliterated my esophagus. I can’t put my finger on it, but she’s sending out some strange vibes… like maybe we’re not wanted here. At least by her.”
Caleb let out a throaty chuckle. “And here I thought this town was going to be a snooze fest.” He rubbed his hands together. “Sounds like the drama is just getting started.”
Landon bristled. “Why would she have any negative feelings about us being here? She doesn’t even know us.”
