Page 34 of Summer with the Single Dad

“She does,” Bennett confirmed, helping Cameron locate the outlet in the hallway in a closet so they could position the next de-hum facing the bathroom.

The last two were positioned in the bedroom, and the living-room-slash-hallway.

Then Cameron went around with his pad of paper and a pen and took an inventory of the damage. He had a moisture meter in his truck which he grabbed, but it was easy enough to tell just by sight and touch what was wet and what survived the flood.

Over time though, the water would travel up the drywall and into anything made of MDF. So they needed to get the de-hums running ASAP.

Justine had finished loading up her SUV and was just waiting outside by the time Bennett and Cameron exited the cabin. They turned the de-hums on before they closed the door.

“We’re busy at the distillery, but I’m happy to pitch in and help if you’re looking to cut costs and avoid a claim,” Cam said. “I can do up an estimate tonight and email it to you by morning.”

Bennett stuck out his hand and shook Cameron’s again. “Really appreciate it, man. You saved our bacon.”

“Just upholding the island way. Community and sticking together.” He flashed a big, almost corny, smile. “You guys aren’t really in the running for Bonn Remmen’s land, are you?” He glanced around, implying the vast acreage the brothers already had. “I mean, do you need it?”

The hair on the back of Bennett’s neck stood up. “Granted we have a considerable amount of land already, we would greatly like to expand. Build more cabins, grow our own hops, and build a bigger brewery space. Much like you guys, we’re outgrowing the space we have now due to demand.”

Cameron pressed his lips together into a less than friendly smile, but nodded in understanding. “I get it. We want what you guys have. A family-style homestead. Right now, we’re all on separate corners of the island with our warehouse in another location entirely. Living where you work would be so much easier, especially with young kids.”

“Well, I wish you the best of luck with your proposal. Hopefully, even though we’re rivals in this regard, we can remain friends in every other aspect?” Bennett lifted a brow.

Cameron’s big smile returned and he chuckled. They were still shaking hands. He increased his squeeze just a touch, which prompted Bennett to laugh, then they released their grips. “Of course. Besides, we wouldn’t want you guys to stop carrying our spirits.” Then he winked and headed to his truck just as Clint came back down the lane with two cases in his hands.

“I already put three cases in your cab, but here’s two more to tide you over. Thanks again, Cam. We really appreciate it.”

Cameron waved at Clint and nodded. “I’m excited to sit on my deck tonight and crack a bottle of the peach. Thank you.” Then he drove away, leaving Clint, Justine, and Bennett standing out front of the cabin staring at each other.

“Okay, uh, just give me like twenty minutes to run home and change the sheets and clean the bathroom and stuff, okay?” Adrenaline surged through him at the idea of Justine not only coming to his house, but living there.

“Why don’t you run up and hide your blow-up dolls, and I’ll drive up with Justine and let her in through the gate,” Clint offered, laughing at Bennett’s obvious panic.

Bennett flipped his brother the bird, which just prompted Clint and Justine to start laughing.

“Okay, I’ll see you up there.”

“O-okay,” Justine stammered. “Really, Bennett, it’s okay. I’m okay finding somewhere else.”

“Oh, there’s no changing his mind now,” Clint said, just as Bennett got out of earshot.

No, there wasn’t.

Bennett was determined to give Justine the vacation of her dreams.

He was determined to keep her on the island.

He was determined to keep her.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Everything happened so fast she could scarcely believe that she’d agreed to do it.

She was driving up the hill, with Clint McEvoy in her passenger seat, and she was preparing to move into Bennett’s house with him and his daughters, for the next five days.

She should have said ‘no.’

In fact, she did say ‘no.’

But Bennett refused to accept her ‘no.’

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