Chapter 4

4

Autumn

Two days later

I sit outside the distillery, clutching onto the steering wheel like my life is depending on whether I take my hands off it or not. I take a few deep breaths. The bank manager just called to tell me my loan application was denied.

Denied! I seriously don't know what to do. I wasn't expecting this.

I thought it was cut and dry; a done deal.

My photography business is just starting to make good money, but because I've only been running my own show for the last year, the bank isn't liking the lack of financials. They said I need at least three years showing a profit before they'll even look at it again. Three years!

I get they're being conservative due to the fact I'm self-employed, and I've been studying to further the business in videography. But it doesn't seem to matter that I've worked hard in my previous jobs as a photography assistant, and taken various freelance work over the years and had a steady income that entire time. I can prove all of that. I have references!

I'm disappointed because I was really counting on that money to help not only with the roof repairs on my historic townhouse in Stoney Creek's central hub, but to put some more funds into my business so I can purchase more advanced equipment for work. I need it or I can't operate.

It was a little scary this winter hoping to God my roof wouldn't leak, because there wasn't much I could do about it if it did. I guess my parents would step in and help if things got really bad, but I'm trying to show them I can do things on my own. I can be independent. I also don't want to be running to them every five minutes whenever I have a problem. I'm an adult. I need to figure things out on my own. That may even mean giving up on my inheritance money. That's kind of a given anyway. I will not be lured into marrying one of Grandma's suitors just because she wants me to, or for the fact I need the money. It's absurd and outdated, and the more I think about it, the angrier I get. Even thinking about it nowI can feel the rapid rise of my heartbeat, the blood rushing to my cheeks and my hands balling into fists.

Beau's words flash through my mind about lending me the money, but it's fleeting. One thing I can't see myself doing is borrowing money from one of my most trusted friends. I could never do that. Not when I should be able to do things for myself and not rely on anyone else. It was really sweet of him to offer though, that hasn't gone unnoticed.

I haven't put my usual morning post up in the Discord BBB chat yet because I was running late, and I just got the phone call from the bank on the way over to the distillery. It put a major damper on my mood.

I sigh and pull myself together. I'm good at that — putting on a brave face when I feel anything but. I had to do it with the Michael situation recently, and as many times as I've realized he was a complete asshole — reminding myself it wasn't me, it was him — that shit still hurts. So I'll do it again now because I don't want to be a person who is just acting down on my luck all the time. Even if I am disappointed, I'm lucky in lots of other ways. I'll have to find the money some other way.

If there's one strong point I have, it's resilience. I have to be resilient to live in the Davenport family. When your parents mean well but they have a major say in your life ever since you were born, that can be hard to bear. I don't want to disappoint them, and I'd never do anything to damage their reputation, but sometimes it doesn't feel like I can be myself around my mom, especially. I guess I've gotten good at pretending everything is fine with them, too.

It feels different living in Stoney. That's why I decided to stay here several years ago when I first started photographing country weddings. I've traveled all over the south, but have kept my base here in Stoney Creek. I love how it has that small community feel, where you're a part of something. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I also love that I can go back to my beautiful townhouse at the end of the day and unwind; there's no crazy traffic, noise or nonsense to deal with.

And bonus, it doesn't take you hours to get across town.

Everyone knows everyone around here, which means your private matters sometimes aren't very private, but at least people are nice and remember your name. All in all, it's the best move I ever made, even if my parents disagree and want me back in Memphis.

I also love the friends I have here and how close I've grown with Eden and Carrie over the years. My friendship with Beau too has never waivered, it's only grown stronger. I love coming out to the distillery, I always have. I think it's the vibe and the feeling I get that I belong when I come here. That's what Georgia-Blue is always talking about, but she's right. It always feels good, maybe it's because Beau is one of my favorite people and there's no expectation there to be anything except myself. He wouldn't care if I arrived wearing a paper bag, none of my friends would. Nobody here is trying to fit me into a tiny cage like I feel sometimes when I'm with my own family.

I was thrilled over the winter when the Bassett's offered me the exclusive photographer position for their weddings and events. Time flies because now it all kicks off in a couple of weeks. I know it was due to the twins' and Eden's recommendation; which I'm thankful for. They're my peeps. I also love how I get to be around the beautiful historic places in Stoney and get paid for it. I love nothing more than seeing happy couples and capturing their most precious moments.

I suppose I'm a little bit of a romantic deep down. And while I would love nothing more than a sweet down-to-earth southern boy to call my own, I don't see it happening any time soon. The kind of wedding my grandmother would want for me is also not anywhere near the scope of what I would want to do; big wedding, big dress, lots of people. I've worked at way too many weddings in my time to realize that the bigger gatherings aren't always necessarily the best ones.

I can appreciate what goes into big, fancy weddings where no expense is spared, and it can make for one hell of a party, but my ideal wedding would be something more quiet, intimate, and romantic. Not that I've even hashed out what my wedding would ever look like if I did bite the bullet one day and get hitched. I guess that's also because I've never been with anyone I would even consider being tied to forever.

I guess some people have worse problems than my inheritance and Grandma woes.

I shake my head. I have to let it go. There's no other way because I don't intend to get married any time soon. I'll figure it out. Maybe I can even just get a few repairs to the roof for now, rather than trying to replace the whole thing at once?

I swipe on a bit of lipstick in the rear view mirror and smack my lips together as I run a hand through my hair, straightening it out. I'm aware my wide and glassy eyes show disappointment from the bank's phone call, but hopefully only to me.

I don't want to go in there with my sad face on because then I'll have to confess to Georgia and whoever else is there because I can't lie to save myself. I don't want people feeling sorry for me and I also don't want to hide things from Beau if he asks, and he will ask because he knows I've applied for the loan and am waiting to hear back. Beau and I tell each other everything, so I guess I'll have to broach it sooner or later.

"Come what may," I say to myself, trying to perk up as I step out of my car.

The clink of my heels is the only sound for a few moments as I walk over the little wooden bridge into the tasting room door. I usually walk in the customer entrance because I love walking through the tasting room gallery. There's beautiful artwork adorning the walls and a long bourbon tasting bar at the far end.

Celeste told me that Callan made the beautiful oak countertops because he's a carpenter by trade and can make, as well as fix absolutely anything. It's a sophisticated space, but also with touches of rustic charm which blend together really well. They've definitely designed it to a tee, so it feels really welcoming when you walk in. Maybe it's the warm tones of the timber, or the muted overhead lighting from the copper pendants hanging down. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting.

"Cooee!" I hear Georgia's voice when I'm halfway through the room. She's always around somewhere between her office out back, the tasting room and the retail store on the ground level. That's Celeste domain. She looks after the retail end and also designs on the side. I wish I could be creative like that. Sadly, I'm only good behind a camera.

"Hey." I smile. See, I can do this. There's no disappointment in sight because I'm good at pretending when I need to. "How are you?"

"I'm great. I haven't seen you in forever. How are you?"

"Fantastic. I've been so looking forward to getting out onto the property to shoot these photos for the website. The weather is perfect."

The Bassetts have a special section dedicated to their new wedding venue on their events website — thebarnstoneycreek.com — featuring the brand new renovation from start to finish.

The website has been built and designed by both Georgia and Beau, with Gabe overseeing the overall finishes. It's whimsical, romantic, and everything a southern wedding website should be. I know Eden approves, and she's been in the game a while now. Georgia asked me a few weeks back if we can get some new photos and some live shots of the barn. It will also include the surrounding backdrop and Stoney Creek itself, now that everything is in full bloom.

I have also just completed the task of taking new staff profile photos with the new uniforms Celeste designed.

I suggested a family photo of all the Bassetts; Gayle and Bob, Patti and Jack, Callan, all the Bassett boys and Georgia-Blue. It's been a while since the family portrait was updated.

"Sounds great." Georgia gives me a wink, then her face drops. "Is everything okay?"

I falter for a second, forgetting how freaking perceptive she is. "Umm, what do you mean?"

"You don't seem like your usual self, hun."

I've no idea how she knows that. I'm just acting like my usual self… aren't I?

"I'm fine. There's been a lot going on lately. I'm just tired." I haven't been sleeping very well lately, so that's not even a lie.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I've been a little down since the breakup."

She knows about Michael. I think everyone does, even though he didn't live here and we barely saw each other. "There are so many shitheads right? But you know my motto by now…"

My eyebrows raise. "Remind me again?"

"For every pot there's a lid."

"And there's plenty more fish in the sea?"

"Exactly!"

"Who's fishing in what sea?" Eden pops her head around the door, her auburn curls bobbing as she moves. She smiles when she sees me. "Hey, Aut. Is everything ok?"

Kill me now . I'm obviously projecting something without knowing it.

I wave it off with a flailing hand. "I'm fine. Just a lot going on in my head now that we're leading up to the wedding season."

"Tell me about it," she sighs. "I mean, I'm glad we're hosting some of the finest weddings Stoney Creek has ever seen this year, but there's still a lot to do in the next couple of weeks."

"We're going to rock it." Georgia smiles so enthusiastically that her blue eyes follow suit and twinkle. She folds her arms over her chest like it's a done deal.

"We definitely are!" Eden says. You can't wipe the smile off her face lately. Since she rekindled things with Brook and they threw their ‘non-divorce' papers into the fire just before Christmas, they've never looked back. I've also never seen her so glowy or so happy and I'm overjoyed for her. She deserves it, they both do.

"I can't wait to see how everything is shaping up on the website." I clap my hands together. "And the photos around the farm are only going to add to the appeal. People love that southern comfort feel." I'm making a short video of the lead up to the barn; showcasing the beautiful garden and flowers surrounding it. Followed by the backdrop of the property; sunset shots and the views over the two hundred acres. I've even borrowed Beau's drone to capture the view and show how visually stunning it is.

We have to do a pretend set up of the barn as if it's ready for a wedding to begin. I'm excited for that. It'll also give potential clients an idea of how big the barn is, and how many people it'll hold comfortably, which is around a hundred. That's where Eden and Georgia come in because they both have a great creative flair and the edge to make it look stunning.

"We're the dream team, so I know it's going to be fabulous," Georgia says with a knowing smile. "Why don't we make a coffee and I can take you around on the ATV; you don't want to get any dirt on those gorgeous boots."

My lips twitch in a smile, looking down at my caramel cowboy boots. When you look at Georgia, you quickly realize she's a southern-belle if you ever saw one. She's prim and proper looking with sleek, rich, dark hair that's always styled, her skin is creamy smooth and she's always immaculately dressed — whether it's in her work attire or when she's out and about. She makes sweats look stylish. She also isn't afraid to get her hands dirty, which makes her a Bassett through and through.

She may be the PreciousPrincess on our Discord chat, but I've often seen her out on the farm in her rain boots and her outdoor gear getting stuck in where she's needed.

Thinking about her driving around the farm on the ATV is amusing in itself.

"Sounds good," I say.

"You know Beau has had a spring in his step since the charity auction," Georgia says as we head out to make coffee in the staff room.

"Really, how come?" I ask curiously, because that was months ago.

She giggles and looks at Eden. Clearly I'm not privy to her thoughts, nor do I know where she's going with this right now. She did tell me and Beau to get a room on the chat the other day…

"Umm, because you spent quite a sum on a date with my brother!"

My surprised laugh echoes around the small space, remembering back to the weekend after Thanksgiving when I attended the annual town bachelor auction to raise money for the kid's wing of the local hospital and to help out their families, especially when it comes towards the holidays. Beau approached me before the event, saying he'd been roped in by Georgia-Blue because it would look good for business, as well as help the town, if he entered. I agreed to bid on him because he was terrified one of the man-eaters around town like Dolly Simpson and her posse would keep him under lock and key; something I found amusing. Amber Jenkins, one of the mom's that goes to Blake's school, made it known before the auction she would be making a real beeline for Brooklyn. However, Eden beat her to it.

Beau also agreed to pay me back if I went along with it. I didn't mind. It resulted in us having a free dinner at Mary-Lou's On The Creek.

Of course when we went out we just bantered about the auction the whole time and how funny it was with Amber trying to outbid Eden for Brook. She didn't realize that they had just gotten back together, but it was too late for Brook to back out of the auction.

Beau was just glad it wasn't him. Some of the single ladies around Stoney can be really nuts and he's just not into being pawed over, bless him.

"I didn't spend as much as some people." I eye Eden and she laughs all too knowingly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You were the big buyer of the night."

Five hundred big ones went down that night and E sure staked her claim when she outbid Amber and shocked the town.

"Guilty as charged." Eden holds her hands up. "But you two sure did look cute together."

"He was just happy neither Dolly nor Amber snapped him up," I say. "Though for a minute there I thought one of them might."

"I love Dolly and all, but that would be way too much for my brother," Georgia says. "But Eden's right, you two do make a cute couple."

"Umm, he's eight years younger than me!" I laugh. "And one of my best friends."

"Just sayin'." Georgia shrugs.

He did look extra-cute the other day, there's no denying it. He was wearing some well-fitting jeans and ankle boots, plus a smart black button-down… Not that I should be noticing every single detail.

One thing I definitely can't shake is how good he smelled. His scent was slightly oriental, like mandarins mixed with a woody sandalwood or cedar, maybe even a hint of vanilla.

I know what she's just sayin' . And my dear friend GB is well known around here for having a meddle or two in the love lives of those closest to her.

Funny thing is, she's also usually right.