Page 35 of Return to Rosewood Beach

“I guess that’s even more motivation to get this whole Judd McCormick nonsense resolved,” Hazel said. She took a bite out of her bear claw and munched on it thoughtfully. “I mean honestly, who does that guy think he is? Why is he so dang set on building a brewery right where our pub is?”

Julia shook her head. “He thinks he’s someone important, that’s for sure. But I have no idea why he’s so determined. And I think he’s wrong about the location being what makes our pub so popular. It’s popular because it’s a great restaurant. Mom and Dad built that reputation with hard work. That’s not something he can buy.”

“So true!” Hazel nodded emphatically. “And I don’t know why he thinks that having a brewery take the place of the pubwould really fly in Rosewood. People love The Lighthouse Grill, and they’re going to be upset if it closes.”

Julia’s lips parted and she stared into space for a few heartbeats. She’d suddenly been struck by an idea, and she wanted to turn it over in her mind a few times before voicing it to her sister.

“What?” Hazel asked curiously, noticing Julia’s expression.

“I just had an idea.” Julia turned toward her sister, excitement blooming across her face. “What if we took a look around the existing branch of the brewery? Maybe that would give us a chance to see what all of the fuss is about.”

Hazel’s eyes widened. “I… yeah, I think that’s a good idea.” She grinned. “When should we go?”

“From what I’ve heard, they have multiple tours every day. How about we go right now?”

“Right now?” Hazel echoed in surprise. “But I have to get back to work soon.”

“Oh, come on!” Julia tugged on her hand. “They won’t even know you’re gone.”

Hazel wrinkled her nose. “Julia. I’m an administrative assistant at the doctor’s office, they’re definitely going to know if I’m gone. But…” She glanced at her watch, biting her lip. “I do still have some time. If we’re quick, I can pull it off.”

“That’s the spirit!” Julia grinned, standing up and pulling Hazel to her feet. “Let’s go to this brewery and check it out. Maybe then we’ll have a better sense of what this is all about.”

They hurried to Julia’s car and climbed inside. The brewery was only a short drive from the town square, and they squinted at it in the afternoon sunlight as they approached.

“Mm. Pretty ugly.” Hazel gazed up at the big cement building with raised eyebrows. “No wonder he wants our property.”

Julia laughed as she parked. “Look, that sign says there’s a tour starting right now. Perfect.”

They hopped out of the car and made their way toward the entrance to the brewery.

“What if Judd is in here?” Hazel whispered as they slipped inside the front door. “We don’t exactly want him to know we’re spying on him.”

“Hmm, very true. Here. I’ll pull up the hood of my jacket, and you pull up the hood of your hoodie. That’ll keep our faces fairly hidden.”

“I feel like a spy.” Hazel laughed as she tugged up the hood of her comfortable light blue sweatshirt.

“We’ll just have to do our best to blend in with the crowd and look inconspicuous.”

The brewery was cool and echoed slightly. They slipped up to the back of the tour, which was just starting at the entrance to a long hallway. Julia peered around curiously, wondering if Judd was anywhere in sight. Then she realized with a jolt that Judd was the man leading the tour. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise—although she wasn’t surprised by the extremely puffed-up attitude he clearly had about the brewery.

“Judd,” she mouthed at Hazel, pointing toward the front of the tour.

Hazel nodded, mouthing back, “Ew.”

Julia had to repress a giggle. They continued to follow the tour, staying at the back of the crowd, and gazing around the brewery with interest. They passed large silver vats as they walked, and the air was filled with a yeasty smell.

“No wonder they want our place if theirs smells like this,” Hazel whispered, amusement in her tone.

“And it’s so sparsely decorated,” Julia whispered back. “White walls. All modern and without any kind of personality.”

“If they take our spot by the ocean, they’re going to have to make it another sit-down place. They’ll have to serve food there, and I don’t think they’re up for that.”

“I hope they don’t think our chefs would be willing to work for them.” Julia grinned. “We have the best chefs in town, but they would never agree to work for the enemy.”

Both of them couldn’t help giggling a little, but at that moment, Julia caught Judd frowning at them curiously, as if he was starting to recognize them. She froze, but in the next moment a tourist raised her hand with a question, unknowingly saving the day.

Julia glanced at Hazel and saw that she had also noticed Judd watching them.

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