Page 17 of Just One Chance

She glanced over her shoulder with a smile. "I think they do, or they will once their store-bought table falls apart after a few years."

I thought she was a socialite. A woman who played at business but went home to party every night. I didn't think she'd appreciate something handmade. But I was clearly wrong.

"So you spend most of your time in here?"

"This is where you'll find me year-round. In the summer, I'll open the garage so I can hear the stream."

She frowned when she saw the worktable that doubled as my office. I had piles of paperwork, separated by current and upcoming jobs. The completed paperwork was in a metal file cabinet behind the table.

"That sounds nice, but I can't imagine working by myself. You don't even have a computer or a laptop in here?"

"I keep it in my apartment. I'm not a fan of computers or paperwork."

Her eyes widened slightly. "I see."

"Are you ready for me to give you a tour of the inn? Or would you like to start with the brewery?" I asked, ready to have her out of my space.

"I'd like to get a feel for the entire property and what you have to offer. So I'd like to see everything. The order doesn't matter."

"You've seen my workshop. The next closest building is the brewery. You want to walk over there?"

She looked down at her heels. "Somehow I don't think I wore the right shoes for walking."

I grunted. She was a city girl. Of course she'd wear heels. "Did you bring hiking boots?"

Her nose wrinkled. "No. Why would I?"

"Because the outdoors is as much a part of the inn as the decor." In the cab of the truck, I sent a message to Clara, my sister, asking her to pick up some new boots in town. Kennedy looked to be about the same size as Clara.

When Clara texted back that she'd be happy to help, I set my phone in the cupholder.

"Are you always this grumpy?"

"I wasn't last night, was I?"

"You were pensive. At least when I first saw you on the balcony."

"My parents had just announced that they'd hired a designer when I thought they were going to decide to showcase my work. I did a lot of the furniture in the brewery, and everyone loves it. It was finally my chance, you know? But they'd already hired you, and they are convinced that you are the one who's going to save this renovation."

She sighed. "I didn't mean to come between you and your family."

"You didn't." I wouldn't let that happen. "I'm just placating my parents. They'll see that using my furniture will be better for the inn."

Her mouth opened and then closed. "That was blunt."

"I was just telling you how it's going to be."

She huffed out a breath. "It was something all right."

We pulled into the brewery's lot. It wouldn't be open until later in the day, but Beck's truck was there. Rowan usually walked over since he lived so close.

"Come on," I said without waiting for her to get out first. I met her at the front door and used my key to open it.

Beck was spread out on one of the tables in the dining room. He lifted his head. "Boone. What are you doing here so early?"

"I had breakfast with my parents and the new designer." I gestured toward Kennedy, who extended her hand to Beck.

"Kennedy Barnes, this is Beck Rivers. He's Malcolm's friend and an investor."