“I understand. Please keep in touch. Okay?”
“I will.”
He hurried out as Billy brought the beer. “Somethin’ wrong?”
“Yes and no. Poor guy lost his lease at the distillery they were hoping to build.”
“Do you want this?” He held up the pint.
“Might as well. I’m done for the night and it will go great with a venison burger—if I may.”
Billy set the beer down and nodded. “I’ll put in your order.”
Wonder if I’ll miss the food and company of this place? It’s not like another continent—you’ll only be a few miles away. I’m surprised I haven’t heard anything from Reggie.
Chapter Thirty-eight
“Hello?”
“Ms. Andrews, this is Daniel calling back about letting the cottage.”
Bryce sat up and dropped her book on the floor. Evidently, she’d dozed off. “Hello, Daniel Thanks for calling back.” The clock read eight thirty.
“Kathleen told me about your visit and was quite excited that you were interested in a long-term lease. We could offer a month-to-month lease for £575, or £500 for six months. Of course, we’d need a deposit. Do you know when you’d want the place?”
Bryce grabbed her notebook and checked the calendar. She’d paid up through next week. “Could we say end of next week?”
“Sure. That will give us some time to get the place spiffed up a bit. I’ll leave the lease here, and you can stop by anytime to sign and leave a deposit.”
“Sounds perfect. Thanks, Daniel. If you don’t mind my asking, where do you work? Your wife mentioned a nearby distillery
“Down at Tormore. Been there for three years. Was there a reason you’re asking?”
“Sorry, yes. I’m in the same business doing sales and distribution. I’m always curious.”
“Makes sense. We’ll see you then.”
The room at the inn felt so cozy. What would she need to buy for the cottage to make it more comfortable? She flipped to a blank page in her notebook and wrote down “household items” and underlined it. The walkthrough with Kathleen had given her a good visual. After jotting a few notes, she decided to shop at the Filling Station store in Craigellachie.
The phone surprised her. “Hello?”
“Bryce. Hope I’m not bothering you.”
“Hi, Leo. I’m really glad you called. How are you feeling?” Relief washed over her hearing his strong voice. The frailness was gone.
“Getting better every day. I’m back to work, but shorter days. How are things with the MacDougalls?”
“Amazingly good. Gavin had a fall and was hospitalized then rehabbed. Since then, he seems to be getting more alert and remembers more. He has a newfound interest in the whisky business, as well as teaching it to Fiona.”
“That is good news. Have you decided on a place to live?”
How does he always know exactly what’s happening? “Matter of fact, I looked at a cottage about five minutes south of the distillery. It will be easy to help out whenever I’m needed.”
“Sounds good. Have you heard anything from Reggie?”
Bryce grimaced. “Not exactly. An email a while ago where she apologized for making a stink. I’ve let it go.”
“Good. She needed to do that. What she did was unprofessional and uncalled for. On another topic, I had a note from Ian says he hasn’t heard much news from the recent clients lately. Everything moving along?”
She sat up and took a breath. “Well, I’m not sure, but we may not keep the Townsend-McClure fellas. Brian came over today to tell me they will be losing their lease in a few months. The owner died, and the heirs want to sell.”
“Wow. That’s hard, especially for youngsters just getting started. Do they have stock we can sell for them?”
“I’m quite sure, but it still needs a few years.” It made her feel good knowing Leo treated everyone with consideration. Most in the business would probably just cut their losses and move on. “I’ll give him a few days, then ask him if we can help.”
There was a long pause. “Let me talk to Ian and see if we can figure something out. I’m sure this isn’t the first time that young start-ups have hit a block. I’ll let you know. And I don’t want you to worry—I want you to get some rest.”
“Thanks, Leo. I promise I will. Please take care of yourself.” She ended the call.
Bryce flopped back on the bed and remembered she’d promised to call Fiona back…maybe a text would be okay.
Bryce: Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. Crazy day. Can we get together tomorrow?
Fiona: No problem. After lunch ok?
Bryce: See you then. Sleep well.
She rolled over and remembered the apple blossoms, the sunset, and the sweetest kiss she’d ever had. Sweet dreams.
****
Fiona continued to stir the soup while her dad sat at the table scribbling furiously. He was very engaged, which was wonderful, but she worried he wasn’t getting enough rest.
“The equipment seems to be working, but I’m afraid there’s a bit of maintenance to be done for loose parts, a bit of oil, and a good cleaning. I’ll make a list.”
A knock at the back door surprised her.
“I’ll get it. Come in, Murray. We were just going to have some homemade Cullen Skink, why don’t you join us?” She cleared a spot at the table.
“I got the note you left on my door. Sorry I haven’t been around. I had some business to tend up in Elgin. But I’m ready to help with whatever you need.” He hung his cap on a peg by the door.
“Murray, we’re gonna have some work ahead of us. Me and Fiona went through the place today. There’s a few loose spots and some leaky hoses.” He looked up and squinted. “Who was the lad had that power washer?”
“Do you mean Amos? John’s boy.” Murray pulled out the chair and sat.
“’At’s him. Think you might get him to come help us out? Course we’ll pay him for sure.”
“I’ll try to find him tomorrow. Anything else?” Murray sipped the hot tea.
“We’re going to need to get some fellas who can just help clean stuff. I can’t be climbing ladders, and neither should you.” They both laughed. “Fiona, do you think Tom and Liam might be willing to come by and make some suggestions for improvements?”
“l’ll ring him up and ask if he can come over tomorrow.” Fiona shook her head and smiled at the two old mates talking. It helped knowing their history better. “Make some room.” She set down a wooden cutting board with a fresh loaf of bread and some butter, then went for the soup. Both men dug in like they hadn’t eaten in days. It pleased her that she’d taken the time. And thank heaven for the old cookbook. She crossed her fingers. Let this be a good beginning.
Chapter Thirty-nine
Fiona stood at the top of the driveway, waving. She looked beautiful. Her jeans looked new and fit perfectly. The loose-cut cotton shirt was a jewel-tone blue. Bryce stopped the car next to her and reached over to open the door. “You look lovely, but too dressed up to be puttering in an old cottage.”
“Thanks, but the truth is simply I haven’t done a wash.” She buckled her seatbelt and smiled. “I’m excited to see the place you found. I’m sure I’ve passed it a hundred times but never noticed.”
“It’s small but I really like the way it feels — kind a woodsy and comfortable. I just picked up a few things at the Craigellachie Filling Station this morning to make the place more personal.”
Fiona looked over her shoulder at the number of bags filling the back seat. “I can see you had no difficulty finding a few things.” And then she giggled.
Bryce followed the road south just a couple of miles and turned into a gravel drive and past the pretty white cottage. “Kathleen said I could come over and leave whatever I needed, and she’d bring over the lease.”
“I see what you mean.” Fiona got out of the car and walked around the front of the cottage. “It’s really secluded, but you have a great vie
w.”
The door was unlocked. “Do you want to look around or unload?”
Fiona trotted up the steps. “I want to see.”
They were a foot apart and Bryce really wanted to pull her closer, but Fiona slid past into the house.
“This is quite nice.” She walked from one room to the next opening cupboards and testing cushions and mattresses. “And very tidy.”
Bryce covered a smile, but appreciated how much Fiona cared to be so discerning. “Thanks.”
“It’ll do quite well, I suspect.” Fiona grinned.
“Hello?” A voice came from outside. Bryce went to the door.
“Kathleen, hi. We just got here.”
“I heard the car and brought over the lease and some housekeeping rules.” She handed over a folder. When she noticed Fiona, she stuck out her hand. “I’m Kathleen Grant. My husband Daniel and I are letting the cottage.”
Fiona took her hand. “I’m so happy to meet you. You have a lovely spot here. I live just up the road a bit, so I guess we’re kind of neighbors.”
“Fiona and her dad own the MacDougall Distillery, and I’m fortunate to be helping them refurbish the business.” Bryce took the folder to the kitchen counter and read through the lease while Kathleen and Fiona visited. Pretty standard lease. She signed one copy to leave with Kathleen and took the other copy for her files, and pulled a check from her pocket for the rent and deposit. “I know it’s a bit early, but I just brought a few household items I needed. Do you mind if I bring them in?”
“Please go ahead. We finished up in here last night. Daniel is just getting copies of new keys made for you. Nice meeting you, Fiona. Daniel will be thrilled to find out you folks are right up the road.”
“Thank you.” Bryce waved as Kathleen walked back up the driveway to the main house that was barely visible from the cottage.
“She seems nice,” Fiona said. “Let’s bring in your stuff.”
It took about an hour to put everything away, and after she washed up Bryce brought two water bottles to the small rear deck where Fiona was sitting. A wooden bench was built into the railing and Fiona sat with her legs stretched out.
“You look relaxed. Here.” And handed her a bottle.
“Thanks.” She cracked open the cap. “I don’t know if I mentioned it, but I’m awfully glad you decided to stay on. It’s been such a weight off my shoulders knowing you’d be here to help me.” She smiled. “I’m even sleeping better.”
“I’m glad, too. I needed a break, and already it feels like the right decision.” She put her arm across the rail behind Fiona. “I wish I could say I was sleeping better.” She cleared her throat.
Fiona’s face flushed. She rested her head on Bryce’s arm and put her hand on her knee. “You know, I was quite smitten when you first stumbled into my driveway…or out, but never considered it might be mutual.”
“Really? I’m surprised because I felt that I was doing a lot of stumbling.” She stroked some hair back from Fiona’s forehead. “You took my breath away.” Bryce set down her water bottle. “With all the frenzy of my job and Reggie’s screw-up, I just couldn’t let myself ‘feel.’ You know what I mean?”
Fiona nodded. “Oh, yes. I know exactly what you mean. I’ve felt like I was running a race for months with no end in sight. And I feel terrible about the whole row with Reggie. Something about her showing up just felt off. I should have trusted you, but I—”
Bryce stopped her with a kiss. A deep, passionate message. Fiona moved into her arms and clutched the back of her neck. Bryce felt her center collapse as ripples of electricity raced through every cell in her body.
She pulled back and held Fiona’s face in her hands for just a moment to look into her incredible green eyes that reflected the same desire. She kissed her again deeply.
The wind came up from the east and brought the smell of the river and freshly mown grass. Bryce caressed Fiona’s hair and relaxed into a soft embrace and the silence between them. Her heart swelled with a newfound joy that might never have come again. The vibration against her hip made them both start.
“Sorry, my phone.” Fiona sat up and pulled it from her pocket. “Hello? Hi, Tom…really…? That’s perfect.”
“Was that Tom Hobart?”
Fiona stood. “Yes. I left a message asking if he could come by and give us some advice.” She smiled. “And he’s on his way over with Liam.”
“Guess we better move.” Bryce took the water bottles with her and picked up the empty Filling Station bags. She wanted a chance to talk to Tom about selling some of Brian’s whisky. Might as well see about storing it somewhere. If Brian would be interested. It would be a shame if they both got discouraged by this misfortune.
Ten minutes later, they parked in the driveway next to Tom’s Speyburn Ltd. vehicle. The warehouse door was up, and Liam was standing with Gavin at the office door.
Fiona looked over and shrugged.
Chapter Forty
All six of them were crowded around the kitchen table with spreadsheets and card files scattered about. Fiona took the pitcher to make more lemonade. Much of the conversation was lost on her, but she guessed by her father’s interest and enthusiasm he felt very comfortable. Even Murray provided something to their problem-solving.
They had arrived at the point where a budget needed to be made.
Bryce pulled out her phone and scrolled through it. “With the next round of bottling and sales, all past expenses will be paid and there is still a loan for renovating and salaries.”
Murray looked surprised. Fiona knew he hadn’t ever received an actual check. Could they trust him, now?
“I think you have a good schedule for modernizing the still room and upgrading the plumbing and wiring. For now, you might want to use Liam to blend some of your stock, but keep putting out the original.” Tom jotted some notes. “If you only send us one or two barrels a month, maximum, it will be time enough for the distilling to start up and age a bit. With over one hundred barrels to bottle, you’d have a decent start.” He leaned back.
Gavin lit his pipe and no one said anything for a few minutes. This was really happening. They might actually save MacDougall’s. Fiona leaned against the counter and Bryce turned to wink at her.
“Fi, think you could find a bottle of the Dew?” Her dad grinned.
“I sure do.”
Tom stood. “I don’t think we can stay. It’s getting late for us.”
Liam moved out from his spot behind the table. “Mr. MacDougall, I’m really looking forward to working with you on this blend.”
“Och, Liam, I’m just Gavin. I’m glad we’ll be doing something different. Should be tasty.” They shook hands.
Fiona and Bryce followed them out to the car.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you helping us out.” Fiona shook both their hands.
“Thanks, fellas. We’ll catch up soon.” Bryce waved as they pulled out. “Fiona, could we go look at the warehouse for a minute?”
Fiona shrugged. “Sure, why?”
“I have an idea, and I’d like to run it past you and your dad.”
They crossed the yard and up the ramp. “Is it secret? Or do you just want to get me alone?”
Bryce laughed. “Now that you mention it, maybe kill two birds—so to speak.” Once inside Bryce found the light switch. “Were you in here when it was actively in use?”
“A long time ago. Not in the past few years when I was in Edinburgh.” This certainly was mysterious. “Why?”
“Just an idea right now.” Bryce wandered in wide circles. “One of my contacts from Dufftown lost his lease at a small distillery. He has a good product, but it needs more time to age.” She stopped. “After listening to the guys talk, I wondered if your dad might consider renting him some space.”
“It’s certainly worth discussing. Do you think he’d come over to meet with us?” Fiona liked the idea, but wasn’t sure about her dad. He’d been awfully agreeable since he got hom
e from the hospital, but the new plan was gradually moving into his long-held realm.
Bryce joined her. “I haven’t spoken to him since he stopped by a few days ago. They may have figured out something or found a place. But it’s worth a call. Your dad might enjoy talking to a young fella on the way up.”
Fiona looked around and slid her arms around Bryce. “Can you guess what his daughter might enjoy?”
“Hmm…don’t tell me. Would it be dinner? Ouch! Why’d you pinch me?”
Fiona pulled her closer. “Too much talk about business. I feel left out.”
Bryce caressed her cheek gently then kissed her. The sweet lingering taste of lemonade and fragrant scent on her skin caused a shiver. Her knees felt like jelly, and she was a little short of breath. Being held so close helped, and their lips fit together perfectly as if they always had. Her lips parted, and Bryce took the invitation.
The screen door on the kitchen banged shut, and they both pulled back.
Fiona laughed. “I guess this is the pattern now: catch and release.”
“I’ll get the lights.” Bryce jogged over to the spot near the door. “At least I’ll be in my own place in a few days…” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Right. Let’s go in.”
“Okay. You talk to your dad and I’ll call Brian when I get home to see if they want to meet.” She pulled the creaky overhead door and Fiona helped.
As they walked toward the house, Fiona asked, “Do you think this is really going to work out? Are we really going to get the place back to being profitable?”
Bryce stopped and looked at her seriously as the sun moved toward the horizon. “I do. With everyone’s cooperation, I believe it will. Plus, I think Leo is invested enough in the product that he’s willing to allow Tom and Liam some leeway.”
When they got to the kitchen, it was empty. “I guess the old guys are tired from all this work.”
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