Page 129 of In These Hills

“Is it safe to approach?”

Hearing Uncle Jack’s voice, Dodge turned to see him—and Josephine—cresting the hill.

“Sure. We haven’t mixed the solution yet.” He grabbed his shirt from the fence rail and went to meet them, not missing Josephine’s lingering look as he pulled it on. Try as he might to curb his desire for her, those looks didn’t help.

“Care for a tour of the ‘canal of prosperity,’ as the government’s calling it?” Dodge asked.

“I’m in.” Uncle Jack gestured, then looked at Josephine.

“Lead the way, Mr. Coburn.”

Dodge walked them through the entire process, answering questions as they went. Minutes later, they ended back where they’d begun.

“One question, Dodge.” Uncle Jack stroked his beard. “Any chance this whole dipping process will be finished by next weekend?”

“If the arsenic and other ingredients arrive tomorrow as planned, we’ll be done in two days. Three tops. And should see results within a week. Why?”

“Because our first group of vendors arrives next Friday!”

Josephine’s head snapped up. “Next weekend? Mr. Daniel, that doesn’t leave us time to prepare for everything you want to do.”

“We’re only showing them the distillery, Mrs. Dunham. Telling them how we make the whiskey. That’s what they want to hear about. Then we’ll have dinner at my house that night. All very simple.”

“But not simple to execute,” she countered. “Where will the guests stay? Who’s giving the tours? Which buildings will they see? Are the employees prepared? Are the facilities ready for visitors?”

Uncle Jack just smiled. “It never ceases to amaze me how many prodigious thoughts are spinning around in that remarkably capable—and might I add, lovely—head of yours.”

She exhaled. “Mr. Daniel, I—”

“I’ve already put my nephew Lem Motlow on it. Guest lists, schedules, accommodations. All of it.”

Josephine paused. “Lem Motlow as in Ophelia Motlow’s husband? Miss Mary’s sister?”

Seeing her confusion, Dodge jumped in. “One and the same. Lem is Uncle Jack’s sister’s oldest son. Lem recently married Ophelia, Miss Mary’s younger sister, after his first wife died a couple of years back. Everybody in town’s related somehow, Josephine, so best tread carefully if you gossip.”

“So then,” Uncle Jack continued, “everything’s in hand. It promises to be a grand success. Lem says we even have guests requesting to bring guests!” His full mustache twitched as he smiled. “And if memory serves . . . you promised to attend the dinners, Mrs. Dunham. So I will most favorably anticipate your presence next Friday night.”

“I believe she promised to save you a couple of dances as well,” Dodge added, fully expecting the glare she tossed him.

“Indeed, she did, Dodge. Now, one more thing . . . I want a shingle made with our motto.”

Josephine looked at them. “The distillery has a motto?”

Mr. Daniel cleared his throat. “Every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can! What do you think? Better yet!” Uncle Jack snapped his fingers. “Let’s have it printed on a big banner we can drape across the side of one of the barrel houses. That way, all the vendors will see it when they arrive.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea!” Josephine gave him an enthusiastic smile. “For Mr. Motlow to pursue.”

Uncle Jack chuckled. “First time I met you, Mrs. Dunham, I knew I’d met my match. And I have not been disappointed.”

The sparkle in her eyes said she appreciated the comment, even if the slight tilt of her head suggested she intended to carry on exactly as she pleased.

“Shall I escort you back to the office, Mrs. Dunham, on the way to my next meeting?”

“You go on ahead, sir. I have something I need to speak with Mr. Coburn about.”

Once Uncle Jack was out of earshot, she leaned in slightly. “You said the other day, Dodge, that you’d like to help the person struggling. That you thought you could.”

Following her train of thought, he nodded.