Chapter 5

Brooklyn

We have quite a big conference room, which also doubles as extra storage when we need it. It's situated right at the back of the offices behind the tasting room for privacy. We sometimes take new clients and sign contracts there too.

For weeks I've been nervous about throwing my Moonshine idea out into the world, or at least to the rest of the family.

Even though I mentioned it before to my dad and he wasn't keen on too many changes, I haven't let it put me off. He's just set in his ways, but the ways are changing. I took Gray's advice when he came down to the cellar not so long ago; I poured us both a shot of my secret brew from one of the aged oak barrels in the vault.

He loved it. In fact, Gray was on board with all my new ideas for the brand straight away.

This time I'm prepared. It's taken me months to come up with all the information, from what other distilleries are doing, to branding, marketing ideas as well as the full process on what it takes to produce specialty bourbon such as the Tiramisu blend I've been perfecting. As well as the costs involved, that's the major factor in all of it.

It's definitely a bold move, and while some may see it as a novelty, our brand is here to stay.

I think it could finally prove we're moving forward. While still keeping our famous classic bourbons producing, we're adding something new into the mix.

That's the pitch I'm going for anyway.

It's my lifeblood. That, and of course my daughter and my animals.

This is what I do, and I could never imagine doing anything else.

I've worked hard to give Blake the best future I possibly can. She can be whatever she wants to be; if she wants to work in the family business, there will always be a place for her here. And if she doesn't, that's fine too.

Longevity is my main goal. I'm not here to sell a gimmick or some niche that will phase out in the short-term. I believe with every inch of my being that this could be next level for us.

When I get to the distillery, I check on Jarrod, my assistant, who also runs things when I'm not around. I grab my sketch book and notes out of the vault's safe where everything secret is kept, including our grandfather's secret recipes. I make my way upstairs to make a coffee before the meeting starts. I bump into Beau first up, then I see Callan behind him at the coffee machine.

"What's up guys?" I saunter in like I have all the time in the world.

The truth is, I learned not to stress and pull my hair out over things I can't control years ago. It doesn't get you anywhere.

This is my family I'm pitching to, and despite our ups and downs being in close confines with each other, they aren't exactly piranhas. However, I still think convincing Dad and Gabe will be the hardest.

"Hey, man of the hour." Beau gives me a cheeky grin. He's a six-foot tall baby face, with chestnut hair flopping over his eyes.

"Hey Brook, what gives?" Callan turns to look at me over his shoulder. "You been hiding down in that vault, cuz?"

"Something like that. Some days I think I should take my sleeping bag down there and leave it in the rickhouse. I spend enough time there."

"Same for me and the barn," Callan says. "God I love the place, but it's been hard work."

"It'll be worth it in the end," Beau assures him. "And weren't we just talking about you and Celeste being the first of us to say I do?" Beau gives me a wink and looks back to Callan.

He did recently propose and Celeste said yes. They were talking about a summer wedding, so you never know.

"Slow down tiger, we just got engaged." He laughs.

"You know you need to book wedding venues in advance," I chortle. "Especially around here, unless you two are gonna run away and elope with Sunny." That's his beloved Amstaff; she follows him everywhere, even to work.

Callan laughs, shaking off the notion. "Nope, my parents would kill me. And Celeste still deserves to have the wedding of her dreams."

She was let down at the altar a while back by her ex — who was only in it for his green card. She moved back to Stoney Creek six months after the event, rekindling things with Callan after she started working in our retail store. They were high school sweethearts before she moved to L.A.

"Where is Sunny, by the way?" I ask, because it's unusual for her not to be around.

"She's with Celeste this morning. She'll bring her in when she comes to work."

Callan also lives on the property close to his parents. He renovated our grandfather's old cottage, modernizing the appliances, but keeping it very rustic and in theme with the southern charm and country feel. He can fix most things and builds absolutely anything. He's even extended the cottage with his own two hands.

"Sunny that never leaves your side?" Beau makes a face.

"I know, I know. She loves Celeste now almost as much as me. Almost."

One of Sunny's favorite spots is on the decking, adjacent to the barn. She often trots into the back of the distillery to do the rounds and see where she can get her next pat. She's a huge softie.

"Apparently Noodle was having a playdate with Gabe's pup this morning, you could have dropped Sunny off for a puppy-fest. Gabe would love that." I chuckle thinking about all three dogs running around his perfect house and all over the stylish furniture.

"I think Sun has really taken Daisy under her wing; she's showing her the ropes and all the stuff only dogs can do."

"Yeah, well, Blake is asking me for a dog, now. Apparently having Noodle at Eden's isn't enough in the dog stakes, she wants one here too."

"How are the animals?" Beau asks. "I've been meaning to come over for a while and see the new donkey again." He just loves Sawyer, she's such a sweetheart.

"Things are good, bro. And I've got quite the harvest this year with my crops, you should swing by and grab some produce. I've been toying with this new compost, the veggie patch is going nuts."

"You and your compost." Beau chuckles as Callan steps out of the way so Beau can make his coffee. "What about you, Brook? Coffee or a shot?"

I don't miss the irony there. "Better keep my hat on this mornin', double strength coffee, please." It's not like Beau to make coffee for me, but he knows how much I want this meeting to go well. I appreciate the gesture.

"So you're prepared for today?" Callan asks, pouring milk in his cup, lifting his mouth to the edge of the pottery mug and taking a sip.

"Yeah, I've been going over it for weeks. I don't think I've left any stone unturned," I say.

"Well, I'm definitely on board."

"And you already know I'm in," Beau adds. "The numbers add up. I think it's worth the outlay in the short term." He's a figures nerd and practically sleeps with his calculator, so he would know. "And Autumn has offered to do the photography for the new brand. She's running her own show now. I think she's going to photograph the barn for the website once it's finished."

"Autumn, eh." I raise my eyebrows at him, insinuation laced through my tone. He's been friends with her for years. She's a few years older than him and a stunner to boot. Her family are a high-falutin lot from Memphis and come from old money, as well as her father being a real estate tycoon, so she could do any damned thing she wanted to do.

"Don't give me that look." Beau shakes his head. "I know it's hard for you to believe, but men and women can just be friends, you know."

I scoff. "Really?"

"Well, you and Eden were married, and you're still friends," he points out.

I shut my trap because he has a point.

We're still married. Little do they know my little secret, except Gabe, of course.

"That's hardly the same thing," I quip.

"And some of the best things can come out of a friendship," Callan adds. "Me and Celeste were friends growing up, look at us now. It only got better, despite everything we've been through to get here."

"I don't know if I think of Autumn in that way." Beau frowns at his own admission. "I mean, she sure is pretty."

I scoff again. "She's hot, Beau. Enough said. I mean, you're still in your twenties and you don't need to settle down. But if I had a friend like Autumn…"

"You'd what?" Beau shoves me in the shoulder, rocking my body forward. "Didn't you ask Hartley out before you knew she was doing the nasty with Gray?"

I swipe a hand over my face and chuckle at the memory. Yep, that was me.

"Or was that Skye?" Callan adds.

"Hey, I gave my brothers shit so they'd make the moves. Worked, didn't it? As soon as I stirred Gabe up about what a cutie Skye was, he staked his claim. I'd go as far to say they owe their happy ever after to me."

"Sounds interesting," Georgia-Blue chimes from behind us. She has the knack of sneaking up on us when we're in deep discussion about things not concerning her.

"Forget everything you just heard," I tell her, sliding my arm around her shoulders.

"Ooh, Beau, can you make me one too? A caramel latte would be fantastic."

He throws an eye roll at her over his shoulder. "I don't see you ever making my coffee."

"That's because you're better at it." She gives him a puppy dog face until Beau agrees. "And twinning is winning after all."

"Thank fuck there's not three of you." I scruff her hair as she tries to wriggle free.

Georgia laughs. "Can you imagine, thrice the fun!"

Beau shakes his head. "Let's all be thankful for that. I think one of you is quite enough."

"Right back at ya!"

"We were just telling Beau here to pull his finger out with his little lady friend. He's stuck in the ‘friend-zone' with Autumn. Or is it a rut?" I contemplate.

Beau shoots me a glare. "It's neither. We are just friends after all. And she has a boyfriend, though they are on and off."

"What's your take on it, Sis?" She's the go-to for these kinds of things. It's a wonder she hasn't snuffed out my secret yearning for my ‘ex' wife by now. She's like a bloodhound once she gets on the right trail.

"I love Autumn, she's so sweet! But her family is a bit of a nightmare, right Beau?"

"They can be," he sighs. "They're putting pressure on her to settle down so she can plant some roots and collect her inheritance. An arranged marriage with this idiot boyfriend of hers."

"Arranged marriage?" Georgia gasps. I can't believe what I'm hearing either.

"Do they still do those?" I quip.

"Apparently so," Beau says, and he doesn't sound thrilled about it. "And before you ask, I don't know the deets."

"Could be an opening for you, cuz?" Callan raises a speculative eyebrow toward Beau who balks.

"We're good as we are, thank you all for your concern," Beau says in a dismissive tone, trying to shut it down.

"Wait, are you interested in Autumn?" Georgia's eyes grow wide, like she's just realizing.

"Not like that, she's good to talk to," Beau maintains. "I wouldn't wanna wreck a friendship."

"You haven't had a date in ages," Georgia points out. "This could be the perfect fit for you both?"

"Did you listen to what I just said?" Beau passes me my coffee over the table and turns back to the machine to start making another for Georgia.

"I'm getting the vibes there's more to this." Georgia pauses, then she looks at me, leveling me with her intense blue eyes. "By the way, I heard you were at Stones Throw this morning with Eden."

Oh shit, she's moved onto me.

"Your point being?" I cock a brow.

"Tongues wag whenever you get together, Brook. You know it."

"Good news travels fast. And it's hardly a crime. If you must know, we were planning Blake's birthday party."

"Eden has a new boyfriend, which I'm sure you already know about," Georgia feels the need to add.

Is she purposely trying to derail my morning?

"Thanks for reminding me, sis." I try to shake it off because she's well and truly on the woo-woo patrol and I can't afford for this to get out to the entire family, not yet anyway. "And I'm sure it will be short-lived, the guy lives in Georgia anyway."

"People can move." She shrugs.

Hmm. I guess I hadn't thought of that, but what would a fancy surgeon do here? Wait… would Eden ever move away from Stoney? They're only dating though. It isn't serious… is it?

That puts my mind in further turmoil. I need to get this Kirk idiot out of the picture.

Okay, he might not be an idiot, but I don't want anyone near my wife until I can sort out this non-divorce mess and my feelings for her. That might sound selfish, but I don't care when it comes to her. She's an amazing lady, so if the guy doesn't truly deserve her, or measure up, I won't be quiet about it. I guess I'll know it when I meet him.

I suppose that will have to be at Blake's birthday party. The thought annoys me, but I don't wanna piss Eden off in the process. Maybe it will run its course like Gabe said when I spoke to him about it. He knows we're not divorced, and he gladly hasn't divulged it to anyone.

I'll resolve this in my own time, in my own way.

"Can we not talk about that right now, Georgia. I have a big presentation, are you gonna help me get the oldies on board or what?" Changing tact is always a good thing with her. She tends to flit from one subject to the other anyway. It's fine for her to scrutinize Beau's love life, or anyone else's, including her own, but I can't have her poking around me and Eden right now.

"Of course!" She links her arm in mine as she looks up at me, then gives me a conspiratorial wink. "Things are going to work out for the best. I can feel it."

I don't know if that has a double meaning, but I've agreed to just go with the flow.

It hasn't escaped my attention that Eden has to know the truth. And when I grow a set of balls after the party, I'll do just that. "Stay out of it," I warn her quietly.

She bats her eyelids at me. "What?"

"You have that look on your face."

"What look?"

"That look that says you're cookin' up trouble."

"She's always cookin' up trouble, right Blue Belle?" Hudson says, announcing his arrival by suddenly appearing in the doorway, leaning on the doorframe to the lunchroom. He's called Georgia that nickname since we were kids. "Is this a free party or can anyone join?"

Hudson is Gray's best friend and helps out on the farm from time to time in between running his own cotton farm on the other side of the creek.

Georgia rolls her eyes. "It's so unfair how I'm always outnumbered by boys around here."

"Keep your panties on, I just saw Celeste pullin' up." Hudson folds his arms over his chest, giving her a chin lift. "You makin', Blue Belle?"

She huffs. "Does it look like I'm making, GP? Beau's the one with coffee making skills, I'm just there to look good."

Grumpy pants.

That's her nickname for him and has been for a number of years.

He grins "Mission accomplished."

They just love stirring each other up to the point where someone ends up storming out, usually Georgia.

"Why are you being so nice?" She narrows her eyes. "Let me guess, did you finally find a better hobby than riding the Moose all weekend?"

"I don't know how those words sound that dirty comin' out of such a sweet mouth." He pushes off the door and heads toward us.

"Careful," I warn Hudson. "She's bitin' today."

He mouths ouch and steals Georgia's coffee from the counter before she has the chance to have a sip, holding it out of reach so he can take a noisy slurp.

"Hudson, that's so rude! Ugh! God knows what cooties I'm going to catch now!" she whines. "You are so annoying!"

"Funny, you're the only girl around here within a fifty mile radius who's complainin'."

"That's because I'm the only one with a brain in my head." She taps her skull with two fingers. "And since when did you become the regular Casanova? Boning Miss Dolly big tits doesn't count since every guy around here notices her."

Beau pulls a face.

I clear my throat. "When both of you are done, I've got an important meeting to get to."

"I'm definitely done," Hudson mutters.

Georgia mumbles something indecipherable as Huds turns to me.

"Hey, good luck, bro." He gives me a one-armed pound hug. "Just keep your eye on the ball. Slow and steady wins the race."

"Thanks man, I might need all the luck I can get."