Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Eagle’s Nest buzzed with post-meeting chatter, a mix of laughter and the clink of glasses cutting through the soft classic rock playing overhead. Madison slid into the booth beside Paige, who was already sipping something tall and citrusy. “Sorry I’m late, Elsie wanted to talk.”
Chloe and Alexis sat across from them, both with half-finished cocktails and knowing smiles. “No worries,” Alexis said.
A server, a young man, came by to take her drink order. Madison guessed he was college age, and she thought her daughter would appreciate the stylish way his wavy blond hair fell over his eyes.
She quickly perused the drink menu. “A sauvignon blanc, thanks.”
Chloe rested her elbow on the table. “So, Madison, what do you think of our small town?”
Chloe asked the question lightly, like she was making conversation, but something about the way she phrased it, the timing, made Madison pause.
What did she think of Deer Creek Falls?
It wasn’t lost on her that Chloe was Garrett’s sister.
And maybe Madison was reading too much into it, but the question felt more like reconnaissance than small talk.
Friendly, sure. But strategic. As if Chloe were gauging the terrain.
Or trying to figure out if Madison was passing through or planning to stay.
Madison leaned back as her drink was placed in front of her.
“Can I get you ladies anything else?” the server asked.
There were murmured nos and no thank yous.
When the server left, Madison phrased her words carefully.
“It’s quieter than I’m used to. Slower. But there’s a rhythm to it that’s kind of addictive.
People know your name here. They wave when they drive by.
And somehow, even when they don’t know your business, they do.
” She laughed. “I didn’t think I’d like the vibe. But it’s starting to grow on me.”
“Garrett seems a little more relaxed since you’ve arrived,” Chloe said.
“I’m guessing that’s not how he reacted when he found out I was coming to help?”
Chloe laughed. “I don’t think he knew you’d show up. He wasn’t pleased that Mason was sending anyone.”
Alexis leaned in and spoke softly. “You mentioned meeting with the mayor. What exactly was your take? You were a little vague in the meeting. It’s only us now, so please don’t hold back.”
“He said all the right things, but the whole interaction felt . . . off.”
“How so?” Chloe asked.
“He was too polished,” Madison said. “He deflected when I asked for a list of inspectors. He was trying to appear helpful without saying anything helpful.”
“Typical Morty,” Alexis said. “There is definitely something up.”
“I ran into Nick on my way out,” Madison added. “He didn’t say much—just that he was aware of what was going on. But the way he said it . . .”
“Like he’s quietly looking into things?” Paige guessed.
Madison nodded. “Exactly.”
“Well,” Alexis said, twirling her straw. “Elsie’s been saying for months we need someone to run against Morty in the fall. But so far, no takers.”
“That’s true,” Chloe added. “He’s up for reelection, and nobody’s stepping up. People are tired of him, but it’s not like we have a line of eager candidates.”
Madison took a sip of her drink, letting their words hang in the air. She tucked the idea away. A flicker of something sparked in the back of her mind.
“Oh,” Paige said suddenly. “Maggie texted—she’s coming to the soft opening. You’ll love her.”
“She’s Roman’s sister, right?” Madison asked.
“Paige’s sister-in-law too,” Chloe chimed in.
“She’s our designer, and she owns the Lucky Lure Resort.” Alexis said. “You’ll meet her next Saturday.”
Chloe took a sip of her drink and leaned forward slightly. “I heard about your little deal with Garrett.”
Madison blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, don’t worry. Small town, remember?” Chloe said, grinning. “Word gets around. Town Talk’s been buzzing.”
Alexis laughed. “I saw the ‘Cider Queen vs. Brewery King’ post this morning. Someone made a meme.” Alexis held up her phone.
“Town Talk?” Madison asked.
“It’s an app for residents,” Alexis said. “News, updates, whatever’s going on. But it’s monitored. You don’t play nice, you’re banned.”
Madison huffed a quiet laugh. “Even the gossip comes with rules here.”
“Well,” Paige said, raising her glass, “you’ve got our full support. Whatever you need at Brewfest, just say the word.”
“Thank you,” Madison said sincerely. “I’ve got most of the logistics covered, but I’ll take you up on that for sure.”
She gave them a quick overview of the event—vendor setup, the tasting competition—but left out her strategy. No need to give everything away just yet.
“I plan to win,” she said with a playful but serious glint in her eyes.
“You would make a great mayor, you know,” Paige said.
“Seriously,” Alexis agreed. “You’ve got the backbone for it.”
“Hmm.” Chloe took another sip, watching her closely. “I can already see the campaign slogan . . .”
Madison rolled her eyes with a laugh, waving them off. “Let’s get through the opening and Brewfest first.”
But the flicker of interest . . . now it was glowing a little bit brighter.
The sun had dipped just low enough to cast a soft lavender glow over the rooftops of Deer Creek Falls. Streetlamps blinked on one by one as Madison walked home, music still echoing faintly behind her from the bar. Couples walked hand in hand.
She pulled in a slow breath of the warm summer air, laced with the scent of pine and the last wisps of charcoal from someone’s grill.
She should’ve felt like an outsider here. She had, at first. Everyone seemed to know everything—everyone—in this town. Who was dating who, who’d bought a new lawnmower, who’d kissed whom under the Fourth of July fireworks. It was enough to make her want to retreat.
But lately, the fish-out-of-water feeling had started to fade.
Chloe, Paige, Alexis. They’d welcomed her like she’d always belonged. Not in a fake, polite kind of way, but with sincerity. With offers of help that didn’t come with strings attached.
But this town, it was starting to grow on her. Helping with the last touches at the brewery and entering the Brewfest competition, and now having something to focus on as she dug into what was going on with the mayor.
It was community. It was belonging. It was a life she didn’t know she wanted until she started living it.
She passed Lakeside Realty—dark now, closed for the night—and slowed to look over the listings taped to the window.
Could she live here? Run this town?
She’d led teams. Handled budgets larger than the town’s yearly tax income. Made decisions that had life-or-death consequences. And yet the idea of running for mayor felt oddly intimate. Close. Like stepping into the very heart of something.
She wasn’t alone. Elsie would help. The committee women had her back. And the town? The town wanted someone to step up. Someone to care.
A purpose. A direction.
Maybe this was the door she should walk through.
The idea settled in her chest.
She thought of her new niece or nephew, who would be born any day now. Could she be four hours away? She’d been farther for years.
But Deer Creek Falls felt closer than anywhere she’d been in a long time.
She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring—maybe another awkward almost-moment with the man who was both maddening and oh-so magnetic.
But for tonight, she was home. And maybe, just maybe, she’d found where she was meant to be.
And Garrett . . .
She glanced toward the lake as it came into view, the surface still and glassy. His condo lights were off—he wasn’t home yet. She wasn’t sure what to make of him. He looked at her like he wanted something more, then pulled away like he didn’t trust himself to want it.
She stepped onto the patio, the lake stretching wide and peaceful beyond. The sky above was darkening, revealing the stars.
“You know, I’ve been called a lot of things—but Brewery King is a new one.”
Madison’s heart jumped into her throat. She spun toward the voice, hand clutched to her chest. “You scared the crap out of me.”
Garrett was stretched out in an Adirondack chair on his darkened patio, only the glow from his phone lighting his face. “Sorry,” he said, not sounding sorry at all. “Didn’t think you’d be this jumpy after your drink with Chloe and Paige. Rough crowd?”
She rolled her eyes and lowered herself into her own chair. “Not rough. Just . . . lively. And for the record, you can blame Chloe for that ridiculous meme.”
“You mean the one with you holding an imaginary crown and me looking completely baffled?” His mouth curved. “Cider Queen and Brewery King—not the worst PR we’ve had.”
“Speak for yourself. My crown looked like a dinner roll.”
He laughed, warm and low. “Still looked good on you.”
Madison went quiet at that, caught for a second by the ease in his voice. There was something intimate about this, talking in the dark, the lake stretching silently in front of them.
He cleared his throat. “So, the committee meeting? Did Paige, Chloe, and Alexis behave?”
“Define behave,” Madison said dryly. “But yes. It was productive. I’m actually happy you asked me to take your place. Are you sure it’s okay?”
“By all means,” he said. “You’re better at that stuff anyway. I only ever showed up for the free donuts.”
She smiled. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
A pause stretched between them. Then Garrett asked, “You ready for Brewfest?”
Madison leaned her head back against the wooden slats of her chair, a slow, confident smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, I’m not just ready. I plan on winning.”
Across the patio, Garrett chuckled. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
She laughed. “I heard there’s a hockey practice in Silver Pines tomorrow. Any chance Maverick Monroe will be there?”
“Why? Don’t tell me you’re fan-girling over Mav?”
She snort-laughed, covering her mouth quickly. “Who, me?”
“You trying to invite yourself along?”
“Maybe.”
“I was going to ask if you wanted to come,” he said. “You beat me to it. Did you bring anything warm?”
“I saw Eve has some winter stuff in the hall closet.”
“Perfect. We’ll head out after we check in at the brewery tomorrow morning.”
They sat in companionable silence after that, the serenade of frogs filling the quiet between them. Madison closed her eyes for a moment, letting the breeze drift over her skin. She was getting used to relaxing; it felt . . . right.
When she finally pushed herself up to head inside, she paused before opening the patio door and glanced over. “Good night, Brewery King.”
His voice came soft and low. “Good night, Cider Queen.”
Her smile lingered long after she closed the door behind her.
She didn’t understand him. Not really.
Garrett Reid was calm and steady on the surface—confident, quiet, good with a joke when he wanted to be. But beneath that, he was a puzzle she hadn’t figured out. And she hated not being able to figure someone out.