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“How long are you guys staying?” I ask and my father stares at me.
“Not sure yet.” I inwardly groan. “Is that a problem?”
“Nope,” I lie to them. “No problem at all.” I take a donut, glancing over at Emmett, who is looking down at his boots, laughing and shaking his head.
“Mrs. Barnes, did you see Goldilocks?” Emmett asks, and she shakes her head. “Third stall from the end.” He points down the barn. “Charlie has taken an interest in her.”
“Are you fucking done?” I ask.
“Not even close,” he retorts, walking with my mother to see Goldilocks.
“What’s up with you?” my father asks, looking to make sure my mother can’t hear what he says.
“Nothing,” I lie to him and avoid his eyes, instead taking a bite of the donut. “Just got things on my mind.”
“I heard you threw down with the Cartwrights,” he says, and I nod.
“Things came to light in the last little bit,” I inform him. “I don’t like it.”
“What sort of things?” he asks, and I don’t say anything. “You know that you can’t keep secrets, boy.” He puts his ass against the desk. “So you might as well just tell me what we are dealing with.”
“They have been fucking with Autumn’s family.” I look down the barn to make sure my mother isn’t near me. “Her family is practically bankrupt.” His eyes are shocked.
“The whiskey one?” I nod. “Saw her in town just before,” he shares, and my head turns back so fast it’s a wonder it doesn’t snap off. “She looks like she’s been through it, all right.”
“She has,” I admit, “and I was one of those who put her through it.” He’s about to say something when I lift my hand to stop him from talking. “But I’m not anymore.” It’s his turn to nod his head. “She’s got enough to deal with. She came back to town because her father is dying.”
My father doesn’t say anything, but I see it in his eyes, worry mixed with sadness. “We’ll scope things out, but your mother is right.” He stands back up. “You look different.” I roll my eyes and groan at the same time. “Can’t put my finger on it.”
I finish my donut. “Well, I’m fine. I’m all good. Nothing is different. And I’m happy you’re here.”
“So we aren’t cramping your style?” he jokes, and I laugh.
“Dad, I know you are trying to sound cool, but”—I shake my head—“you don’t.”
“Are you seeing anyone?” he asks, and I gawk at him. “What? It’s a question.”
I don’t even answer him. Instead, I turn and walk to my mother, but I can feel his eyes on me. When I look over my shoulder, he’s standing there with his hands on his hips, trying to figure me out. “Are you done, or are you going to help?” He walks to me.
“Deflecting,” he observes, “I know that game.”
“It’s not a game. Nothing is going on, and I’m not seeing anyone.” The words feel wrong in my mouth. “At least not officially.” I want to kick my own ass when the words slip out. “Or not.” I try to take them back, but the only thing heard in the barn is my father’s laughter.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Autumn
“What do you think?” Brady stands in front of the desk, his hands on his hips, watching me. “Honest opinion, obviously.”
I bring the small glass back to my lips and take a little sip. The amber liquid hits my tongue right away, followed by the softness of the vanilla, ending with the spice at the back of the throat. But it’s a smooth transition. “I think this one is my favorite.” I put it to my lips again and take a bigger sip, feeling the same thing this time. “It’s really good.”
“I tweaked a couple of things in the recipe,” he explains, picking up his own glass and looking at it. “The color is good, not too dark, just light enough.” Then he brings it to his lips and tastes his drink. “It’s good.”
“It is,” I agree. “We should serve it tonight.”
“Dad hasn’t tried it yet. He always tries it before anyone.”
My father hasn’t been in the distillery for the past two weeks. He came in once, but he wasn’t feeling so hot, so he went home. Even so, we spend most lunches together with me at his house. He’s getting a touch weaker, even if he doesn’t want to admit it. I try not to notice it, not wanting to think of what the outcome can mean. “Then I suggest you take a bottle over to him and let him try it out. Because I’m serving that tonight.”
