Chapter 7
SAWYER
M onday came hard and fast and I was desperate for more caffeine if I was going to survive the day. Last night was our weekly family dinner at my parents’ house and it went much later than I wanted it to. Since the clouds promised rain, I took my truck and pulled up in front of Bean Haven for a cup of coffee before heading into the office. Hopping out of my truck, I round the front and spot Ms. Nettie sitting outside with her tiny dog in her lap, as usual.
Nettie Haven is an older woman in her seventies who owns the only coffee shop and bakery in town. She opened it with her husband forty-something years ago and it’s been a town staple ever since. Her granddaughter, Hannah, has been taking things over and has worked hard to liven the place up. Ms. Nettie is a busybody through and through and she has been sitting outside watching the comings and goings of the town on Main Street for as long as I can remember.
As I get closer, the dog jumps out of her lap and runs up to my ankles, yapping and growling the entire way. It looks more like a rat than a dog. This is the last thing I want to deal with this morning. Hate me all you want, but I can’t stand tiny dogs. They’re ballsy little shits with bad attitudes.
“Good morning, Ms. Nettie,” I greet her, irritation leaking into my tone. “You really need to put your ankle biter on a leash so she doesn’t run away from you.” I swoop up the pup by her stomach and drop it back in Ms. Nettie’s lap as it rears back and attempts to bite at my hands, making vicious sounds and baring her teeth. Jesus. This is normal behavior for this little pest. I’ve never seen a large dog act this way unless provoked.
“Morning, Sawyer. Winnie doesn’t like a leash, it irritates her skin.”
“Ahh. Yes. I remember now. Hannah inside?”
“Who else would be in there runnin’ the place if I’m out here?”
“Alright. Thanks, Ms. Nettie. Nice chat.”
I open the shop door and the bell chimes above my head. A few people are having coffee and pastries at the tables that line the wall across from the display case. Hannah leans over the counter as she chats up my brother, Liam. The two of them have been best friends since grade school and are still inseparable. The entire town always thought they’d end up together, but three years ago Hannah got pregnant and has been trying to work things out with her daughter’s father since. Even though the asshole is never around. He’s my age and the two of us never got along. He bailed on Hannah the moment she found out she was expecting, and he’s been in and out since. Liam never left her side and has been in Charlotte’s life since the day she was born. Still leaves me wondering, but I’m not one to push.
“Hey, asshat, don’t you have work to do?” I say as I pat my brother on the back.
“I could say the same to you.”
“Yeah, but didn’t you hear? I’m the boss.” I give him a wink and he punches my arm. “Hey, Hannah. How are you?”
“Hey, punk. I’m good. You here for coffee? I have extra apple cinnamon muffins in the back if you want one.”
My order’s been the same for a decade. Black coffee and an apple cinnamon muffin. Truth be told, I fucking hate the muffins. Can’t stand apples. Or cinnamon. They were Ivy’s favorite, and I would surprise her with them any time she was having a bad day. Or a good day. Or just anytime I wanted to see her smile.
I started ordering them shortly after she left and it just stuck. No one knows but me.
“Same as always, Han. All to-go. Unlike this jerk, I’ve got things to do this morning.”
“I’ll get it all packed up for you. No worries.”
Hannah leaves us to pour my coffee in a to-go cup and pack up the breakfast I’ll force myself to choke down later.
“I expected your face to look worse after that beating you and Dallas gave each other. Haven’t seen Dallas all weekend so I don’t know how he fared.”
“My face is fine, it’s my ribs that took the beating. You hanging out with Hannah and Charlie tonight?”
“Nah. Levi is supposed to be coming in for a few days to see Charlie so she’s going to be with him,” he says reluctantly. Liam does what he needs to do to keep the peace between him and Charlotte’s dad, but I know deep down he hates the fucker more than I do.
“Alright. You okay?”
“Yep. All good.”
Hannah walks back up to the counter and hands me my coffee and muffin.
“Alright, Sawyer! Here you go.”
“Thanks, Han. Rickhouse later today?” I ask my brother.
“Yep. I’ll text you.”
“Sounds good.”
I grab my things and head outside, where I’m immediately attacked by the tiny, sorry excuse of a dog, again. I shake my leg gently to get her to let go of my pants, but she keeps a death grip on them with her sharp little teeth.
“Ms. Nettie. C’mon,” I say, exasperated. “Control your animal. I’ve got places to be and preferably with my pants not ripped to shreds.”
“Oh get over yourself, Sawyer. Maybe if you weren’t such a grump she’d actually like you and then she wouldn’t come atcha.”
“I’m sure that’s exactly it. Now please grab her so I can go to work. Or I can call Mr. Hopkins down at the station and have him come talk to you about the leash law?”
“Sawyer Hayes, don’t you dare threaten me or I will call your mother right now.”
“My apologies, Ms. Nettie. I am limited on time and need to get to work. Could you please pick up Minnie so I can go?”
“It’s Winnie.”
“Yes, Winnie. Could you please pick up Winnie? I’d like to get to work,” I say through gritted teeth and a fake smile.
Finally, she leans down and picks up the little rat and I’m able to head to my truck.
Aspen Ridge Distillery supplies traditional American whiskey to Washington and Oregon, and all operations take place here. Our main building is a large warehouse that looks more like a log barndominium than it does an office space. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the length of the front of the building with large, wide glass doors that open up the space to a huge deck. Inside, is a massive open floor plan with two sets of stairs on either side of the room leading to a U-shaped loft, which flows around the perimeter and hosts our offices. The ceiling boasts exposed logs and industrial pipes, the floor, a smooth poured cement. My mother’s touch is everywhere. There’s a coffee bar on the bottom floor and potted plants scattered throughout. Large, framed photos of my family through the generations line the walls, and it reminds me of the hard work that paved the way before me.
I pull open the door to my office, revealing a stark contrast from the rest of the furnished building. My office is bare and sterile. I take a seat at my desk, dropping my food down and booting up my computer. Windows line both sides of the room, the side behind me giving views of the rolling mountains, the other, a straight vantage point of the hallway and stairs, allowing me to see who’s coming my way when the privacy smart film is off. I sip my coffee and choke down the muffin as I go through my morning routine: check my calendar, email, and make plans for the day ahead. A little before lunch I decide to make my rounds and check on things with Dallas, before meeting with Liam and Carter to tour one of the rickhouses. I jog down the stairs where I hear Dallas and Blaire in a heated argument. Rounding the corner, I find the two of them standing in front of a wall that houses shelves with various bottles of whiskey. I lean against the wall and cross my arms, hoping to witness Dallas being owned by this fiery woman.
Blaire has a hand on her hip and her other is whipping around animatedly as she snaps at my brother. While I know I shouldn’t condone this kind of behavior in the workplace, it’s a family business, and I know my brother is more than difficult to work with. I’d bet my savings he deserves everything she throws his way.
“You’re being ridiculously unreasonable and making doing my job impossible, Dallas.”
“Need I remind you that you work for me? You can’t make changes like this. You can request them. And then I can veto them. Then you deal with it and move on. It’s not happening. Figure something else out, princess.”
“ With you. Your brother was pretty clear and concise about that. We’re supposed to be working together and you’re being stubborn. Why are you so against this?”
“It’s unnecessary. You’re unnecessary. This is a sham and a waste of time. What even is an event planner? Do you honestly think that’s a job?”
“Coordinator. There’s a difference, but I don’t expect a thick-headed, pompous overlord like yourself to know that. And it got me hired here, Dallas , so whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me.”
Well damn. She’s fierce and can definitely hold her own against him. Good. She’s going to need thick skin if she’s going to survive working with my dickhead brother. Having enough eavesdropping, I walk up to them.
“Hey, Dallas. Blaire. Problem here? Maybe I can help.”
Blaire shifts to face me and does her best to mask her irritation. My brother on the other hand, sees me and gets more worked up. That old saying, “pick your battles,” yeah, Dallas picks every single one.
“There’s no problem here. I’ve got it handled. We just happen to have a difficult employee who is insistent on making changes without my consent,” Dallas says, not holding back.
“Ahh. I can see how that would frustrate a control freak like yourself,” I retort, and he shoots daggers at me with his eyes. Blaire covers a chuckle behind a fake cough. “Blaire, what seems to be the issue?”
“We need a place to begin and end tours. We also need a place for tasting menus and for people to gather and order flights. I suggested we put a bar in. Here,” she says as she motions to the wall in front of us. I can see her point and the potential of the area she chose. “The wall already holds shelves and the space in front of it is empty and close to the large bay doors and that gorgeous wraparound porch, which gives plenty of room for extra seating.”
It makes sense and I see the value in it. It’s a good suggestion. I don’t understand why Dallas wouldn’t go for it. Other than the simple fact that he likes to make things as difficult as possible.
“You have the proposal?” I ask her.
“Of course. I sent it to Dallas over the weekend. He ‘vetoed’ it.” She makes air quotes with her fingers while looking directly at him.
Of course he did.
“Send it to me and I’ll look it over this afternoon. I like the idea and think it could work. Good work, Blaire.”
“Thank you, Sawyer. I’m happy to see one of you is logical.”
“You aren’t serious right now?” my brother says to me, turning away from Blaire.
My phone chimes in my hand with an incoming text.
Liam: Rickhouse B
“We need to meet with Liam and Carter before lunch. Walk with me, Dallas.” I nod at my brother.
Dallas and I walk in silence until we get outside and round the corner to head to the other side of our property that hosts our rickhouses.
“She’s the fucking devil, Sawyer. What were you thinking hiring her?”
“She’s overqualified, dickhead.”
“Wrong.”
“Thought she’d be a good fit for the team.”
“Fucking wrong again.”
“She’s sweet.”
“Abso-fucking-lutely wrong.”
“I knew she’d get under your skin and drive you crazy.”
“And there the fuck it is. You asshole.”
“Dallas you just gotta work with her, man. She’s going to do a good job here. Did you learn nothing from Dad? An ounce of decorum and professionalism maybe?”
“Have you met me?”
We reach the front of the building where Liam and Carter are waiting for us. Our rickhouses are enormous buildings that hold all of our barrels through the aging process. Each row and place of the barrel changes the outcome of the spirit. We’re entering Liam’s wheelhouse now, the part that he lives for.
We enter the building and I’m engulfed in the smell of oak and charred sugar. I love it. Today we’re checking on a few barrels of the same mash bill that have been aging for different amounts of time. While all of us grew up here and love different parts of the whiskey business, Liam is the only one of us who has a love for the recipes and the process. He’s passionate about it in a way that the rest of us only appreciate it. We spend the next hour talking and tasting from two barrels before closing up for lunch, knowing we’re running slightly behind to meet our sister. Her school is closed today for a waiver day, and we promised we’d have lunch with her at her favorite place. Like clockwork, all of our phones go off with an incoming text alert as we walk the long gravel drive to the staff parking lot.
“Kins?” I ask, not bothering to pull my phone from my pocket since Carter is already holding his.
“Yep. She says, ‘where are you fools? I swear to God you had better not be ditching me or I will murder you all in your sleep,’” he reads in his best Kinsey impression.
We all laugh. Our sister is a tiny pixie of a thing, but tough as nails. I guess she’d have to be after growing up with four older brothers. We didn’t take it easy on her just because she’s a girl, and she certainly doesn’t have a princess complex because of it. She can handle herself on the worst of days and we’re all proud of her for making her own way in the world.
“We had better hurry up in case she wants to see her threat through,” Carter says as he fakes a fearful shiver. We all pile into my truck. Since I only sipped enough to taste today, I drive by default, which is our normal now that I think about it. When I drink, I typically only do so in the comfort of my own home. I like to be in constant control and when I give that up, I need to know I’m not going to fuck things up.
We arrive ten minutes later at Barrel House to see our smiling sister waiting for us at a table.
“Miss us?” Carter asks as he plants a kiss on our sister’s cheek. Liam, Dallas, and I follow suit. She may not be a princess, but we’ll be damned if she doesn’t feel an equal amount of our love with all the shit we give her.
“Never. But god, were you guys in a freaking rickhouse? You smell so good! Tasting without me?”
“Hey now, don’t be mad. Business has gotta run while you’re out there wiping noses and singing the ABCs.”
As expected, Kinsey reaches out and smacks Dallas right in the chest.
“That’s not all I do and you know it!” She looks at me before continuing, “Dickhead Dallas was a perfect new nickname by the way. We’re keeping this one for a while.”
We all laugh in agreement.
“Alright! Fill me in! What is going on with you all?” she says.
We make small talk before the waitress comes over to take our orders.
“Hey, Hayes bunch. I just want to let you know that our menu is actually really small at the moment. Hendrix had a family emergency in Utah, and we aren’t sure when he’ll be back. Our line cooks are fantastic, but we had to shorten the menu and take off the more complex items.”
“No worries, Luna. I hope everything is okay with his family,” I reassure her.
“I’ll pass that along when I talk to him. Can I get you all something to drink?”
We place our orders and spend the next hour talking and eating burgers and fries before saying goodbye to Kinsey and loading back up in my truck to head back to the distillery.
After separating from my brothers, I settle back in at my office. Already having the plans from Blaire in my inbox, I spend some time reviewing the proposal and decide to call them both to come see me in an hour. I make some phone calls to potential buyers and review production costs for this quarter, with just enough time to down a protein shake before my meeting.
I only just sit back in my chair when Dallas walks in.
“Haven’t you seen enough of me today?” he says.
“Have a seat. Try not to be a dickhead.”
Blaire knocks on my door and Dallas whips his head around in her direction. He groans dramatically, loud enough for her to hear, and I shoot him a warning glance that he ignores.
“Thanks for coming, Blaire. Have a seat.”
“Of course, Sawyer. What can I do for you?” she says, all smiles, bright eyes, and cheerful. I hold back a laugh. She’s all sunshine and roses while my brother is storm clouds and weeds. But man does she rise to each one of his challenges.
“I looked over your proposal, Blaire. I’d like to move forward with the plans. I think it will add value and it makes sense. If you could have some design mock-ups made and send that over with the financials to Dallas we’ll get it in the works.”
Blaire smiles brightly while Dallas crosses his arms and shakes his head slowly. I feel his tension and I know he’s ready to pop.
“Thank you. I’ll get right on that.”
“One more thing. It seems that you two are having issues working together. Is this something HR needs to get involved in?”
Dallas’ head snaps up and he gives me one of his “you aren’t fucking serious” looks.
I’m not. But he doesn’t need to know that.
“I’ll be honest. It’s been a difficult first week,” she states flatly. Dallas rolls his eyes, but I feel the tension coming off of him in waves. His fists clench and unclench on the armrests, and he sits up taller in his seat. “But I really want this job and I would love nothing more than to make it work here,” she pauses and shifts in her seat before continuing, “I just have one stipulation, if that’s okay, Sawyer?”
Aaand POP.
Dallas cocks his head to the side and begins to turn in her direction in a move that reminds me of one of those horror movie dolls whose heads slowly rotate all the way around. It’s eerie as fuck and I have to hold back a shiver. Blaire is undeterred and holds her ground.
“And you feel that during your first week of work, you’re in a position to put stipulations in place for your employment? Who do you think you are?” Dallas’ voice is calm and controlled, but the deep, menacing way he delivers it matches his creepy as fuck facial expression.
I’m debating excusing Blaire from the room for her protection while I get an exorcism performed on my twin before she replies to him. I sit back and cross my arms over my chest deciding I’d rather see how this plays out.
“I do. Because the CEO thinks I’m a worthy member of this team and I was hired to fill a need. I’m good at what I do and I know I can add value to this place, but I also need this job. It seems to me like we both need each other. So, yes. I think I am in a position where I can put a stipulation for me to stay since you are creating a toxic work environment.”
“Dallas,” I warn. I watch my brother closely as he shuts his eyes and inhales. His hands white knuckle the armrests as he struggles for composure. He slowly opens his eyes and looks at Blaire.
“Fine. What’s your one stipulation?” The coldness of his voice is replaced with condescension.
“Honestly, it’s nothing major, but I think it’s important so that we clear up any lingering confusion. I want you to admit that we work together and move forward as a team .” Quick and straight to the point. Dallas delivers a short-lived, menacing laugh.
“No can do, princess. Just stay out of my way.”
He stands and then storms out of my office like a toddler who was told no.
“I don’t make it a habit of apologizing for my brother’s behavior, but I am sorry in this case. I’ll talk to him. It’ll be fine and I’ll make sure moving forward that he isn’t disrespectful. Get the proposals to him and cc me on everything.”
“Thank you, Sawyer. I promise I’m not a difficult person to work with. He brings out a side of me I don’t recognize. I’m not sure why he dislikes me so much. People usually love me.”
“I’m not worried about it, Blaire, and you shouldn’t be either. It’ll be okay and he’ll come around.”
She nods before grabbing her notebook and leaving me to my empty office.
Maybe I should reconsider sending his ass to HR.