Page 23 of Delivered to My Fury

It wasn’t until I went back into the production area and saw the fury working together over a tank that I remembered I didn’t live here. I was visiting, and I had only known them in person a day. What was I thinking?

Shay looked up just then and caught my eye. He said something to the others in a low voice, and they nodded and continued their conversation. What did this mean? He didn’t think I was being pushy like those women, did he?

No. He understood I was trying to help.

Right?

Maybe?

I was so in over my head with this whole situation.

But a few moments later, Shay called me over and asked me a question related to basic chemistry, and I was spouting information, relieved to be able to help with something I did understand. Even while standing so close to three males who made me dizzy just being in their presence.

Chapter Twenty

Zyon

We headed for home just after six, much earlier than usual, but we wanted to spend some alone time with Opal. Hard to believe she had just arrived the day before. She fit into the brewery like she was born to it. Mabel told Eero and me what happened in the tasting room, how she’d gone in there and “chased those women off Shay” while also selling them a big order.

Seemed she liked us, or him at least. When we pulled into the driveway, she snapped her fingers. “I don’t want to forget your present.” She dug in her purse. “It’s in my car.”

“That’s right.” I reached for her keys. “I’ll get it and bring it in, Opal.”

She beamed at me. “Thank you, Zyon. I think it might be a little heavy.”

After retrieving the box, I carried it into the house and met everyone in the kitchen. Shay was getting some steaks ready for the grill, Eero was peeling potatoes, and Opal was making a tossed green salad. Just seeing them like this together made me so happy, I wanted to shout my joy to the Goddess in gratitude. And of course Fate.

“Oh, there you are.” Opal dried her hands on a dish towel tucked into her waistband and came over to me. “I stopped at this little roadside stand where the nicest lady told me all about her ancestors’ recipes. I was so thirsty and sat and had a drink for a little bit then I ended up buying a case of it. It was so good.” She opened the box and took out a jar. “See. It’s…wait. Why is it clear?”

Shay and Eero joined us, pulling out more jars and holding them up to the light. “What did you think you bought?”

“Root beer that her grandfather used to make. She said they had recipes older than that in the family, too. But it looks like she just sold me water.”

Eero twisted the cap off the quart mason jar and took a sniff. “This isn’t water.” He lifted the jar to his lips and sipped. “Nope. Try it, guys.”

Shay took a gulp and choked. I was more cautious, but a little drink told me all I needed to know. “Opal, how much did she charge you for a full case of root beer moonshine?”

Her jaw dropped and she ran for her purse and rummaged inside. “I don’t know. Her price for the root beer was so reasonable I didn’t ask, just gave her my card. Oh no!” She held up the piece of paper and shook her head. “It was not water prices or root beer prices.”

Eero glanced at it. “No, but fair for moonshine. And it’s very good with that hint of root beer flavor. Thank you for our gift. Have some.”

“Oh no.” Opal backed away, waving her hands. “Hard liquor gets me in trouble every time, and you three are already enough of a temptation stone-cold sober.”

I took that as the compliment she likely intended, but I set the jar down nonetheless. “Good to know. But you’re fine with beer?”

“Or wine, yes. I just need to avoid the hard stuff. That’s so funny. As I think of it now, she seemed to change when I asked about buying a case. And when I left, she mentioned thanking the person who referred me.”

“Ah.” Shay shook his head. “I wondered how you even got her to sell it to you. Moonshiners are careful about avoiding law enforcement. Somehow she got the impression you were sent by another customer. She’ll probably ask every one of them and maybe worry a little.”

“I hope not.” Opal sank into a chair at the table. “She was very nice and sold me what she thought I wanted for what you guys say is a fair price.”

She looked so distressed I didn’t have the heart to tease her. Besides, it was a great gift. Unlike her, we didn’t have to avoid alcohol. Shifters and monsters didn’t get drunk easily and this was a fine drink.

We got back to cooking, and a half hour later were seated at the picnic table on the back patio. It was a little early in the year for a cookout but warm enough nonetheless. Opal seemed to enjoy everything we’d made, and her salad was much nicer than what we usually threw together. As they said on the food channels, her knife cuts were excellent. And she’d gone to the trouble to cut up all the veggies, making it interesting as well.

“What a pretty sunset,” she said. “I usually spend so much time inside I don’t get to see them.”

“We work a lot, too,” Eero commiserated, “but our animals need to be let out from time to time to run. So, thanks to them, we get to be in nature at least a few times a week.”

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