A group home?
Like an orphanage. But smaller and less, you know, Oliver Twist.
Oh, Zach. She blinked a couple of times.
Its fine. He gave her an encouraging grin. This conversation isnt about me.
It is now.
No, its not. Im all grown up. Everythings good.
But you have no family.
I have Alex. And I have my company.
But-
Its okay, Doll-Face. Now stop looking at me like that.
Im sad for you.
He rolled his eyes. You should be sad about mucking out stalls, not about my misbegotten childhood.
We have hands who muck out the stalls.
Thats good to hear. Zach turned to start back to the castle again, thinking Abigails feet must be getting cold, and Ozzy was probably getting hungry.
They walked a few yards in silence, Ozzy snuggled contentedly against Zachs chest, watching the nighttime world go by.
My cousin was adopted, said Abigail.
Thats nice.
I only just met her tonight. I mean, well, Id met her lots of times before. She was involved in Seths campaign. But I only just found out tonight that she is my cousin.
While you were down in Lyndon?
Uh-uh. We got to talking. Abigail paused. We were talking about her and about Seth, and she blurted it out. She came here looking for us a couple of months back. We never even knew about her. Did you ever look for your family, Zach?
Nobody to look for.
Did you ever think about trying?
The state of Texas had no wish to pay for my education and upbringing. Believe me, if thered been long-lost relatives to foist me upon, theyd have found them.
Abigail fell silent at that. And they made their way to the castle and mounted the stairs, heading back inside. Though thered been a few moments in Zachs childhood when hed fantasized about finding some long-lost relatives, he was a realist. Even if there was somebody out there with a tenuous genetic connection to him, what would be the point in finding them? His life was what it was, and he fully intended to live it.
Abigail blinked open her eyes to bright sunlight. It took a couple of seconds to realize she was on Zachs couch. The laptop was on the coffee table in front of her, and she was covered in a soft quilt, a throw pillow tucked under her head.
Shed reviewed the annual reports from Zachs six breweries until her eyes blurred and her head began to pound. As near as she could remember, she must have dozed off around five. She wasnt sure how long shed slept, but it wasnt nearly long enough. Her eyes were scratchy, and a painful pulse throbbed at the base of her neck.
The suite was completely quiet.
She pulled into a sitting position, checking her watch and discovering it was nearly 10:00 a.m. She threw back the quilt then staggered her way to the bathroom, washing her face and scrubbing toothpaste across her teeth with her finger. She combed her hair and did the best she could to straighten her clothes. The small window provided a view of the front grounds and the parking lot. Several dozen vehicles were parked, and a number of people wandered the area. They looked more like tourists than employees, but she knew thered be employees working both in the castle and the brewery by now. There would definitely be people down there who might recognize her. She suddenly felt like a princess imprisoned in a tower.
Ozzys little nails clattered on the living-area floor, and she opened the bathroom door.
Morning, Zach intoned, setting a tray down on the small corner table.
You let me sleep, she accused, slipping out of the bathroom.
You were exhausted. I slept, too.
I should have gone back to Lyndon.
Delicious aromas rose as Zach removed the silver covers from the tray. You were way too tired to drive.
But its daytime and Im not supposed to be here.
Nobodyll see you up here.
So, Im your prisoner?
He lifted a silver pot and began to pour coffee. You do have a flare for the dramatic.
She was drawn to the coffee, and moved across the room. Can I leave?
Not in the daylight.
There you go. Im not being dramatic, Im simply stating the facts at hand.
He grinned in response to her indignation. You need anything?
Coffee. She lifted one of the cups and took a grateful sip. I dont do well on five hours sleep.
Cream or sugar?
Straight up is fine with me.
Like a cowboy? he joked.
I can do it over a campfire if necessary.
Not necessary this morning. He gestured to the fine china and silver. It was quite beautiful.
Whered you get this stuff?
I think it might be antique. He pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit down. It seemed pointless to argue, so she sat.
Lucas is lobbying to open a small restaurant here at the brewery, Zach continued, taking the chair across from her. He says people like touring the castle as much as they like touring the brewery, and this would help make Craig Mountain a destination.
Seems like a good idea to me. Abigail helped herself to a small pot of strawberry jam and spread it on a slice of toast.
Id only consider it if it helped to market the beer.
You dont want to diversify?
Were not a bed-and-breakfast.
Couldve fooled me. She bit down on the toast.
Zach chuckled. These are extraordinary circumstances.
Abigail contemplated while she chewed and swallowed. Zach, how many people do you think you could reasonably employ in a new restaurant?
He raised his brows. Are you thinking about the employment exemption?
Were definitely not going to get anyone to declare a state of emergency. And well never sell you as a strategic industry.
I can ask Lucas. But Im guessing, maybe twenty.
She knew it wouldnt be enough. Even combined with the additional brewery staff, I dont think thatll work. Youd need to be adding a couple hundred new jobs at least.
Thats definitely not going to happen, said Zach, cutting into the omelet on his plate.
Then were back to the committee presentation.
What about job losses if we close?
Those dont count.
Why not?
She shrugged. I guess because every business in the valley that wanted a change to their license would threaten to close.
How long do you think the committee process will take?
Weeks, at least. The application will take a while to write, and theres no guessing how long the committee will take to review it. The process was going to be longer than shed hoped, that was for sure.
Zach set down his fork. The bulldozers show up tomorrow.
What bulldozers?
First thing we need to do here is dig the foundation for the expansion.
She sat up straight. Youre starting already?
Ive got no choice. If were not up and running by November, and into increased production by January, we wont make our spring orders.
But-
Theres no point in me sitting on my hands while you fill out the paperwork.
But what if you dont get the license?
He lifted his coffee cup in a mock salute. Im counting on you, Abigail.
Her stomach instantly hollowed out. Hed already told her DFB was in financial trouble. He was about to spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars on what might be useless renovations.
Dont count on me, she begged. Then she reflexively reached for his hand. Seriously, Zach. This a long shot. She could fill out the paperwork for him, but many had tried this route. So far nobody had been successful.
His steel gaze moved from her hand to her face. I dont have a choice.
She squeezed. Of course you have a choice. You can wait to spend your money until we know for sure whether youre getting the variance.
The clocks ticking.
This is a mistake.
Its a risk, not a mistake.
She swallowed, letting go of his hand and pushing back from her breakfast. Then she closed her eyes for a long second, knowing she had to be honest with him. Youre not going to get it, Zach. Theyre not going to grant you license variation.
They will if you help me.
She shook her head. Im not magic. Im trying because youre forcing me to try, but its not going to work.
We dont know that yet.
She rose to her feet, pacing to the window. Lucky, youre living in denial. Dont do it. Call off the bulldozers. Its too big a risk.
He rose more slowly. Everything Ive ever done in life has been a risk.
Not like this.
Exactly like this. If I wait any longer, therell be no point in even getting the license, because well lose the spring orders and the company will go under.
She advanced on him. The Craig Mountain expansion will tie a brick to the entire company and drag it straight down to the bottom.
His dark eyes seemed to pin her in place. You can do this, Abby.
She slowly shook her head.
He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. I know you can.
Dont put this on me. Its too much. I cant be responsible-
Im only asking you to do your best.
For some reason, her eyes stung. My best wont be good enough.
He stepped forward, gathering her in his arms and holding her in a comforting embrace. He spoke against the top of her head. Itll be good enough.
Her voice was muffled against his chest. The thought of having that much riding on her work was overwhelming. Let me quit. Let me go home.
I cant do that.
He continued to hold her, and the warmth of his body seeped into hers. She breathed in his scent and fisted her hands against the overwhelming rush of desire that swarmed her. She wanted to hug him back, to hold him close, to kiss him hard and deep and bury her emotions in the passion she knew theyd find all over again.
He drew back, gazing down at her, palms rubbing circles against her shoulders.
She told herself to step away. She had about five seconds to make the right choice. His eyes darkened, and his lips parted. She knew that expression, could feel the pulse of his thoughts. She held her breath as he bent forward.
She forced herself to jerk back. No.
The word stopped him cold. His jaw clenched, and his hands convulsed, squeezing her shoulders for a second longer.
We cant, she managed to say.
He dropped his hands and stepped back, voice clipped. Sorry.
She turned her head, afraid to look at him while she gave a short nod. Ill get back to work.
Yeah.
She forced herself to jerk back. No.
The word stopped him cold. His jaw clenched, and his hands convulsed, squeezing her shoulders for a second longer.
We cant, she managed to say.
He dropped his hands and stepped back, voice clipped. Sorry.