Page 7 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
“No reason at all,” Finn drawled. “But maybe we can discuss this over some food. If you don’t mind us helping ourselves to the kitchen.”
“I’ll grab the food out of the truck,” Zach offered.
In the end all three of them helped get the supplies, then Josiah offered a quick tour of where all the important appliances were, like the coffee maker and the frying pan.
They had a simple supper on the table in less than thirty minutes. They loaded their plates then fell silent, concentrating more on shoveling in food than chatting.
Josiah hadn’t realized how huge the empty pit in his stomach had been. He’d forgone dinner until after stopping at Silver Stone, but getting caught on the wall had knocked everything else from his brain.
They all finished around the same time, sliding back in their chairs and refilling their cups as they settled in for more conversation.
“I know you said you bought property, but I’m not clear what you’ve got planned in Heart Falls. It’s a pretty small place for new ventures to take off.” Josiah focused on Finn. “And I can’t figure out why your name sounds so familiar.”
“I bought land at the north boundary of town. There’s a few old buildings and a ranch house that’s ready to fall apart, but the views are amazing, and I don’t mind putting money into a new structure,” Finn said.
“Finn is the money man,” Zach said. “Likes to invest in all sorts of things and see what sticks. Property, dude ranches, oil and gas—”
That was it. “You’rethe one doing the oil exploration on my friend’s ranch. Now I remember.”
Finn glanced up from where he was repetitively rotating a fork on the table. “Been disappointing not to be able to give Caleb better news, but sometimes that’s how it goes. If you’re interested, we can do some testing at your place as well, but you’re not in the right geological zone.”
Josiah waved off the suggestion. “I knew when I bought the place there were no mineral rights to utilize. But it’s interesting you’ve decided to come out here. To Heart Falls, I mean. Seems as if you’ve got your choice of locations to settle.”
“Not really settling down,” Finn said. “It’s always good to have more than one pot on the stove. Gives you lots of options.”
A chair scratched against the tile floor as Zach pushed back from the table to grab the coffee pot, lifting it in the air in question.
Josiah shook his head. Zach refilled Finn’s cup and his own then sat. “Speaking of options, what can you tell me about downtown? I understand it’s small, but do you know anything about the old Brewster building?”
“The old bank? I’d guess it’s one step away from a historic site. It’s been empty for as long as I’ve lived in the area.”
For some reason that answer brought a pleased smile to Zach’s face. “You know who owns it?”
Josiah thought for a moment. “I could ask around. What do you need a building downtown for?”
“Zach is the idea man,” Finn offered quietly. “Of course, all his ideas seem to require some of my money…”
“You’re not required to participate in any of them. You just know a good investment when you hear one,” Zach tossed back.
Josiah laughed. It was going to be good to have these two around for the next while. Caleb had been right—it was too big of a house to be rambling around in by himself. While he fought to figure out what to do about the Lisa situation, getting to know these two would help pass the time.
“What’s your idea?” he asked Zach.
“Microbrewery. I did some research, and there’re none in the immediate area. Depending on how we market it, something like Heart Falls Hops could end up being a lot of fun.”
“And funishis middle name,” Finn drawled.
“Nothing wrong with that,” Josiah said with a nod. “You might do just fine setting up a brewery. Honestly, the only business I wouldn’t suggest is another coffee shop, because supporters of the Fields family would find some way to bury you.”
For a second Zach looked as if he wouldn’t mind a challenge. Then he shrugged. He gathered their plates and headed to the counter to start washing up. “I’m not looking to make trouble. At least not at first. I need a little time to discover the lay of the land and figure out exactly what I want to do. In the meanwhile, I’ll be swinging a hammer and using a crowbar over at the money pit Finn bought.”
“You need time swinging a hammer to come up with a better name than Heart Falls Hops. That sounds like a grade two jump rope team.” Finn stood and offered Josiah a brief grin. “Zach’s got his usual twenty-four-seven energy, but I need to hit the sack before I fall over. Thanks for opening your home.”
“My pleasure.”
As Josiah helped them clean up and put things away then showed them their rooms, he realized it was the truth.
Helikedhaving people around. He’d grown up in a big family and being on his own was no longer what he wanted. It was far better to have conversation to occupy his mind rather than cold, empty walls echoing back nonsense when he spoke out loud.
