Page 74 of Small Town Firsts
I dropped a fork on his plate. “I see some things never change.”
His laugh was contagious as he picked up the fork and stabbed at the potato salad. “Pretty good for the middle of nowhere. How the hell did you find this place?”
“Chicken or Turnbull?”
“Both,” he said around a bite of coleslaw.
“You know me, I like looking for the good eats. Chicken is from a nearby small town that looks like it should be on a postcard. As for this?” I dropped in my own chair and dug in. “Beckett Manning cornered me at a wine festival in the Catskills.I don’t know how he found me. I wasn’t even on a panel. Wine isn’t really my specialty—more your thing.”
“Whiskey is more my thing,” he corrected.
“Speaking of, I have a few things for you to try.” I nodded toward the cooler.
“You don’t cool down whiskey, idiot.”
“Not whiskey first of all. But don’t worry there’s a separate compartment.”
Kain reached down and opened the soft sided flap. He went right for the clear bottle. He set his plate on his lap. “No way.”
I grinned. “Yes way.”
“Shit. I haven’t had any shine since…hell, from back home. Gasoline, but it’ll get you fucked up.” His eyes crinkled as he cracked the top on the moonshine. I was surprised he actually checked the bag for a cup before shrugging and taking a swig.
I tipped my head back with a laugh when his eyes bulged. I couldn’t tell if it was disgust or lust.
He swallowed and smiled hugely. “That’s dangerous.”
“I know. Tastes like mile high apple pie in liquid form.”
“Yes, that’s it!” He read the label with a shake of his head. “Where was it?” He took another swig before blowing out a breath. “That hole in Pismo Beach?”
I pointed at him. “Yes. I didn’t know what it was, but that’s it. Bet the apple pie from the bakery here will be even better. I’ve never seen so many damn apples in one place.”
He took another long swallow and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before setting it beside his chair. “When you gonna show me the orchard?”
“We can take a walk around after I check in at the taproom tomorrow. We’re interviewing chefs and I can’t leave everything to my—well, the manager.” I wasn’t sure how to bring up Kira, but I knew once I did Kain would give me nothing but shit. “Besides, I want you to see what I’ve been up to.”
“I’m intrigued. Mad scientistBoa.” He switched to another cider from the bag, draining it between bites of chicken.
“You should see the barn. It’s nearly analog, for fuck’s sake, but I love it.”
“Nothing wrong with low tech.”
“Says the best modern architect of the twenty-twenties.”
“Bah.” He flicked another cap into the fire pit. “I don’t want to talk about that shit.” He opened another, setting the plate on the wide arm of the chair. “I like how secluded this is. The trees are nice and you have a bit of privacy, not to mention it mutes some of the road sounds.” He gave a long belch before grinning like an idiot. “Behind me needs to be scrapped.”
“It just needs a little love.”
Kain threw a look over his shoulder. “A whole lot of love.” But his eyes went from dismissive to speculative.
“Ah, shit. Don’t get that look.”
“If I tore out some walls and put in some truly excellent glass it would be a stunner.” He twirled his finger. “Especially this monstrosity of a front.”
I sighed. “It’s not terrible. Just needs finessing.”
“With a bulldozer.”
