Page 64 of Love Is Brewing

“No reason to drive far to pick up food when I can come here,” she said. She didn’t care about going to a supercenter to save a few dollars. Time was more important to her.

“We appreciate the growth that has been happening around here lately. Hope it continues.”

Oh lord. Did they expect her to comment on that?

“Well, since I can be considered part of the growth and it would help my business, I’m right there with you.”

Chief Morrison laughed and walked away.

She went through the store picking up the rest of her food and something to cook at Elias’s tonight.

When she was checking out, the woman said, “Tell Elias my granddaughter appreciated the Christmas gifts.”

She lifted her head from where she was loading her food onto the belt to see if it was her that got addressed.

This was unbelievable. In just one month, people on the street recognized her and knew about her dating life. It was crazy.

No one else was in line at the moment though so it had to be her. “Are you talking to me?” she asked, just to clarify things.

“Yes,” the woman said. Her nametag said Dottie on it. “Elias. He helped my daughter out this year for Christmas. Well, secret Santa did. My daughter, she’s had a rough year and the brewery raised funds to help families for the holiday.”

“That was nice,” she said. “I’ll pass it along.”

There was no reason to ask how this woman was aware she was dating Elias or even knew her.

She honestly didn’twantto know.

She paid for her groceries, put the bags in her cart, and walked to her car.

The minute she got home, she debated for about five minutes whether to call her mother.

“Phoebe,” her mother said, answering the phone. “I didn’t think I’d hear from you until the weekend. Everything okay with work?”

She normally called her mother on Sundays.

“Work is going well, as I’m sure you and Dad know. I snuck out a few hours early today to pick up some food and work from home.”

“Good for you,” her mother said. “I’m sure you’re burning the candle at both ends. How are things with Elias?”

“I think they are going great. I’m going to his house tonight to cook and then stay. It’s better as there are fewer eyes on us that way.”

“I hear the sarcasm in your voice,” her mother said. “What’s going on?”

“I’m not used to this small-town living. The fact that everyone knows Elias and now they are putting us together and I’m not sure how.”

“Tell me what happened,” her mother said.

She explained the three conversations in the grocery store. “It’s not the first time it’s happened either. We almost can never go out without someone stopping him to comment on his beer or knowing him, or something about the community that he plays a part in.”

Her mother was laughing. “You need to make yourself a part of the community too.”

“I am,” she said. “I didn’t think it’d be by dating Elias though.”

“Ahhhh,” her mother said. “That is what annoys you. You think people are going to think you’re trying to make a name for yourself by dating him.”

“No,” she said.Why hadn’t I thought of that?“Do you think people would think that?”

Which was a stupid question considering her interactions with the locals.

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