“Hi, Fiona. We just had to come by and congratulate you on your success,” she drawled. “Bryce told me that the MacDougall Distillery was back in business.” She handed Fiona a bouquet of roses.
“I wasn’t expecting—”
“Oh, this was a surprise for me, too. Let me introduce my good friend Matt Takata. He’s with Suntory—BIG distributors.”
“How do you do.” He bowed and shook her hand.
“We’re awfully busy today…is there something I can do for you?
“We don’t want to keep you, but Matt asked if you might be interested in a proposition?”
Fiona felt completely blindsided. “A what?”
He took a step closer. “I have looked into your business and your remarkable product Highland Dew. I realize you have been working with Global Distillers and Distribution, and I am prepared to double their offer per barrel. Cash.”
Fiona staggered backwards and bumped into a porch step, where she promptly sat. “What are you saying?”
Reggie sat beside her and gently explained. “Suntory would like to represent you at twice the rate Global offered.”
“But…don’t you work for Global?”
Meanwhile a truck and a van pulled in delivering supplies for the party. Brian was directing the table and chair placement while Murray was busy moving chairs.
“Well, yes, but I’m acting as a kind of consultant.”
“We certainly don’t want to intrude, but once I discovered this treasure I did not want to wait, you understand,” Mr. Takata interjected.
Fiona spotted Bryce’s car in the distance. “Yes, I do. Why don’t you both come inside and I’ll find my father. He’s the one you need to talk to.” She ushered them both into the living room. “I’ll be right back.”
She hurried out the back door as Bryce drove up and stood staring at the red sports car. “Don’t tell me, your dad bought a new car.” She started to laugh.
Fiona shushed her and hustled her to the office. “I want you to remain calm and listen. That car belongs to Matt Takata, I think, from Suntory.”
“What?”
“Just listen. He was brought here by Reggie. And just offered me twice what GDD is offering.”
Bryce’s face turned crimson and she began to stammer.
“Stop. I have not said anything, yet. They are in the living room waiting to meet Dad so he can tell them about MacDougall Distilling.” She grinned. “I thought they might like to talk to Tom Hobart about their offer when he gets here.”
Bryce sat down in the office chair and whistled. “Boy, they might even be happy to talk to Ian. How do we keep them in there?”
“Leave it to me.” Fiona smiled and winked.
****
“Just set the chairs over there around the long table,” Fiona said.
She was lucky the town church had some extra tables and chairs. They didn’t charge, but Fiona put cash in an envelope as a donation. She waved as the volunteers finished setting them. There were enough seats for twenty people. She had figured fifteen or so, depending on how many Brian invited.
Gary arrived with the plates and utensils.
“Hi. I’m so glad you’re here.”
He set the box down. “Is there something else I can do??”
“Let’s put those on the table.” She took some of the plates and napkins. “Brian is holed up in the warehouse and won’t divulge your secret plans.”
“I’ll go see what he’s doing. Brian told me his family would ride over with mine in a little while.”
Bryce came out of the office just as a car pulled in, and she waved. “It’s the food.” She jogged over to help carry trays while Fiona cleared off the food table. Then she introduced her. “Fiona, this is Karen, who was kind enough to drive over. This is Fiona MacDougall, manager of the business.”
They took out several trays, all covered with plastic wrap. Everything looked delicious. All different small sandwiches, and other finger foods and pastries.
“These are all okay without refrigeration if it doesn’t get too warm. You might want to put towels over to be safe.”
“Thank you so much. We’ll get those trays back to you.” Bryce handed her a check and some cash.
They’d just waved goodbye when a van pulled up, and out jumped Billy. “Champagne delivery, ma’am.”
Brian and Gary came up just in time to help with the coolers. “Any beer in there?” Gary asked.
“Matter of fact, there is.” Billy clapped him on the back.
Bryce leaned over and whispered, “Are they still in there?”
“Yup, I asked Dad to explain the distillery history to them. Should take a while.” She smiled. “Besides, their car is blocked in.”
“So, what’s the big secret, Brian?” Bryce asked when he passed her.
“Oh, you’ll find out in a bit.”
In rapid succession, the families arrived, followed by two of the guys from their cleaning crew. Everyone gathered under the trees and introduced themselves.
“Fiona, I’d like you to meet Kurt Morgan and his wife Katie. They are the token American distillers around here.”
Fiona grinned. This was exactly what she hoped for. Family. She glanced over her shoulder to the front porch and spotted Gavin puffing on his pipe and gesturing to his bored guests, who looked a little shocked.
“Come over and meet everyone, Dad.”
“We will in a bit,” Gavin said.
Another van arrived, and Tom Hobart stepped out and waved. Bryce went to meet him. Fiona watched as they stood near the back of the van and whispered. A horn interrupted them and Bryce trotted off down the driveway.
“Hi, I’m Barbara Townsend, Brian’s wife. This is our daughter, Tabitha.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. I can’t tell you how much we enjoy working with Brian.” Fiona shook her hand.
Tom came over. “Hi, Fiona. So nice of you to invite us. Liam will be a little late—I made him work. Oh, there’s Gavin. Who is he talking to?”
“A surprise. That’s Matt Takata from Suntory, and GDD’s own Regina Ballard. We’re hoping Ian will be here soon. We thought all of you would enjoy hearing what Matt and Reggie have to say.”
Fiona uncovered the trays and encouraged everyone to grab a plate.
Bryce returned, breathless. “Whew. That was the sign installer…”
“I want to go see,” Fiona said.
“Hold on. I’d like to wait a little. I was hoping Ian could be here. Let’s wait till everyone has gotten something to eat and we’ll open the bubbly. Okay?”
“I suppose. I’m just so excited to see it.”
“Promise. You won’t be disappointed. Where’s Tom?”
“Up talking to Dad and our surprise guests.” She pointed. “Let’s open some of the Champagne.”
Billy had joined the men on the porch, so Fiona and Bryce started to open bottles. Another car pulled in and parked closer to the house.
“It’s Liam,” Bryce said and waved. “Let’s hand these out.” She took a few glasses to the guests and Fiona started with those at the tables. When everyone was served, Fiona handed one to Bryce. “Here’s to us. We actually pulled this off.”
Bryce smiled. “Yes.” She looked around. “What an adventure this has been.”
“I’ll say. I hope the ends definitely justified the means.” She winked.
They clinked glasses and drank.
A black Range Rover pulled in. With the tinted windows, Fiona couldn’t see who it was.
Chapter Fifty-two
“Here, hold this. I’ll check. Are you watching the company?” Bryce started for the car as Ian Smith emerged. “Ian, I’m so glad you came.”
Fiona joined her. She hadn’t met him, but had heard so much about him. He did look like a proper British squire.
“Hello, Bryce. I’ve brought you a surprise.” He pulled open the back door, and Leo Edelman stuck his head out and slowly stood.
“Oh, my God.”
Bryce stumbled. She walked over and embraced him. “How…when did you…I don’t—”
“When Ian called to tell me the good news, I had no choice. This is worth celebrating, so I came as a surprise.”
“How in the world…?” She hugged him tightly.
“Are we in time to help celebrate? Oh, this must be Fiona.” He took her hand.
Fiona stood with her mouth open. Bryce’s boss came all the way from the States for their little celebration. “I’m so glad to meet you. Bryce says such wonderful things about you.”
“She’s been a very special member of the family.” He took Fiona’s arm. “Do you think you might find me something to drink?”
“Of course, but we have another surprise.” She quickly explained the surprise visit and the offer, and steered them to the porch. From a distance, she could see the color drain from Reggie’s face as she whispered to Takata. Bryce was already there with some Champagne.
Leo climbed the steps slowly. “Ms. Ballard, this certainly is a surprise. Here to congratulate Bryce? And Matt, I haven’t seen you in years. But I guess a leopard seldom changes his spots. Hoping to cash in?”
“Leo, good to see you looking so well. I heard you had some medical issues.”
Leo turned to Tom Hobart and asked, “Do you remember the case law on…what was it, Ace Distribution VS Global in 2001?”
Tom recited the case like an experienced jurist. It was a similar incident where a company tried to poach a client and ended up losing their license and paying an enormous fine.
Leo smiled. “Mr. Takata, I hope my message is clear, because my understanding is that Ms. MacDougall and her father are not interested in your illegal offer.” He walked over to Reggie and put an arm on her shoulder. “Reggie, disappointed is not a strong enough word. I will expect your resignation on my desk in the morning.” He turned and walked down the steps. “Tom, I think we should have a chat.”
****
Bryce moved cars to let the unwanted guests depart. Reggie tried to talk. “Bryce, this was all a terrible misunderstanding. We’ve been close for so long, and I know I can explain if…”
“Leave. Now.”
Reggie grabbed her arm. “Bryce, please. We’ve known each other for a long time and you know how much I care about you. Can’t you please just listen? For all we’ve shared, you must know how jealous I get.”
Bryce shoved her behind the red convertible and grasped her shoulders. She took a deep breath to keep from screaming or striking Reggie. In a low voice, she growled, “Wasn’t it enough that you nearly derailed this whole deal and my relationship with Fiona? But, you had to fuck over the whole company including Leo? With Suntory? What the hell were you thinking?”
“I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Reggie mewled.
“Get out, and don’t ever contact me again.”
“Oh, Bryce, you are being so unfair when I all I’ve ever done is try to help you.”
Bryce opened the car door. “You need to get some help, Reggie. You’re a sick woman.’
Most of the guests had no idea what transpired, and Billy did a great job keeping plates and glasses full. Few even noticed the red sports car racing down the driveway.
For the next hour, Bryce poured Champagne and introduced Leo to all the players. He was especially delighted to see Billy again. He took some time talking to both Brian and Gary—who looked star-struck that he’d come over to them. Finally, she introduced him to Gavin. The two men connected immediately. Two seasoned whisky veterans.
At one point, Tom tapped his glass. “Could I have your attention? Before I forget, I’d like to introduce the new ad campaign for the Highland Dew.” Liam brought over a box, and Tom pulled out a bottle with the new label for McDougall Family’s Highland Dew. Everyone oohed and ahhed.
He then pulled out a bottle of the Distiller’s Edition 1989. Even Gavin was stunned. It was even more detailed, with gold lettering.
“How did you…?” Gavin asked.
Liam said, “Remember when I asked to test a cask from the older run? Well, since we had it, thought we may as well bottle it. So, we have three hundred bottles for a special advance release.” He opened the carton and pulled out four of the Distiller’s Edition and five of the 1998 batch.
Even Leo was flabbergasted. “Good work, fellas. I hope one of those is for me.” Bryce picked one up and took it to him.
Fiona followed suit and handed one to her father. “This is for you. Your living legacy.”
He wiped tears from his eyes with his handkerchief and sniffed. “I thought we were done for. That, all this”—he waved his arm—“was gone. The MacDougall family heritage would end on my watch.” He took Fiona’s hand. “You believed when I didn’t. You resurrected this place.” He motioned to Bryce. “Without you, Bryce…your support, your ideas, your many connections to all these people…it wouldn’t have happened.”
The tears fell freely for him and his extended family. He held up the bottle and everyone else hoisted a glass. “Slainté.”
Bryce wiped her face. “There’s one thing more. If you’ll all follow me down the driveway. Ian, would you take Gavin and Leo in that golf cart?”
When they were all gathered. Bryce took hold of a large drape covering the new sign. “This is the dawn of a new day.”
The bright white sign with dark green lettering read: MacDougall Family ~ Distillers of Fine Whisky, Est.1870.
And hanging below on brass chains and smaller sign which read: Townsend & McClure, Ltd.
Brian and Gary stood slack-jawed then high-fived each other and hugged. “This is awesome,” Brian said. “We have a little surprise, too. Since our whisky won’t be ready for some time, and it’s important to get the Dew up and running, we started a little enterprise in a small section of the cellar. We are aging some cider in small oak barrels and plan to sell it.”
A laugh rippled out. Then Gavin said, “Very enterprising and clever. I think you might have a great idea to help the young whisky.”
They all applauded and gradually moved back up to the house.
Bryce and Fiona lingered by the sign.
“It’s beautiful, Bryce. How did you get it so perfect? I love the green and white. And what a nice thing for Brian and Gary.”
“I worked with Tom’s designer so the sign and the label would match. He’s got a whole ad campaign ready for the whisky.”
“But when did you have time to do all this engineering?”
“Actually, I think Ian and Tom were in cahoots. I’m sure Ian dangled the idea in front of Leo, which made it irresistible.”
Fiona stopped and looked up at the crowd. “We have quite an extended family, don’t we?”
Bryce paused. “And a lot of responsibility.”
Fiona took her arm. “I think we’ll be okay. We have quite a team behind us. You know, Leo looks nothing like I imagined. Dad really likes him.”
“Good thing.” Bryce laughed. “He was the man behind this whole strange artisanal whisky thing. Bet he’ll want to showcase this for the trade show next year.”
“Bryce, will you be able to talk to him while he’s here about your future? I’d sure sleep better if I knew.”
“Let me see how long he’ll be staying. I could drive down to Glasgow to meet with him. Or wherever.”
Brian and crew drove down and stopped. “Thanks for everything. This was just mind-boggling. We’re so honored to be part of this legacy. We’ll see you Monday.”
“Thanks for your hard work. See you.”
Gary was right behind and waved. “Thanks, you guys.”
When Bryce and Fiona reached the porch, they noticed the Champagne had stopped flowing and the whisky bottles were open.
Leo was holding court. Tom, Liam, and Ian were seated at one of the tables. Billy was loading his van. Gavin and Murray were nowhere in sight.
“Let me thank Billy, and I’ll be back.” Bryce trotted to the van. “You were so great to come out here and bring this great Champ
agne. Please take the rest back with you.”
“Bryce, this was great. I’m so happy for you, and I was thrilled to see Leo again. Pressured him a little to come by the inn.”
“You know none of this would ever have happened if you had not blind-tasted the Highland Dew—our Cinderella whisky,” Bryce said.
He laughed. “That was only the beginning of your adventure. You made some solid connections and helped several people along the way. You should be proud of what you accomplished.”
She waved as he drove away. It was true—so much had happened in the past few months. But the job wasn’t quite done. She hoped Leo would see fit to let her stay. Not just for her sake, but for Fiona and her father.
The men were standing and ready to leave.
“Bryce, I’d like to meet with you, Tom, Liam, and Ian next week. Ian can call with specifics. I’m very proud of you and all you’ve done here for Global, as well as all the other people. The MacDougalls are exactly the people I want to represent. Now you get some rest.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you so much for coming all the way over. It means the world to me that you were here to share it.”
Leo nodded, and Ian patted her shoulder. “Well done, my dear. I think we’ll be talking soon.” She watched them as they disappeared in the dusk.
Fiona came over and put an arm around her waist. “What a day.”
Bryce draped an arm across her lover’s shoulders. “You said it.”
“Let’s go sit on the porch.” Fiona pulled her along.
When they got there, she noticed a glider. “Where did that come from?”
Fiona laughed. “Believe it or not, Murray found it out back and he fixed it, sanded it, and stained it. He brought it over earlier.”
Bryce sat. “And we can both sit together.”
“Shocking, I know.” Fiona sat and put her arm around Bryce.
“Is your dad…?”
“Oh, he’s in an excitement coma. I went in to check on him. He’s snoring. This day wore him out. But, Bryce, I’ve never seen my dad so happy.” She leaned over and kissed Bryce just below her ear, then her neck.
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