Chapter 56
There are two items in the envelope. A note, folded with a crisp crease, and a gold key that’s cool against my skin as I dump it into my palm.
“Why on earth is Jake leaving me a key?” My thumb fiddles with the metal object, rubbing along the jagged teeth.
There is a lock right in front me, despite the fact that he already gave me a key for his apartment door. I try it in vain and come up unsuccessful.
“Damnit.” I drop into the patio chair, my elbow propped up on the table and the key point straight up between my thumb and forefinger. Studying it for clues, I find nothing. That’s when I remember the note.
My fingers fumble with the envelope as I try to yank the paper out. When I finally manage, I unfold it to see a single sentence.
Find me where it all began.
“Where it all began?” I repeat into the quiet evening. “What does that mean?”
But even as the words leave my mouth, I see it in my mind. The shining chrome of the motorcycle. The red knit sweater. The strong arms pulling me to safety.
I jump up from the table and shove the note into my jacket pocket.
With the key clinched tight in my fist, I follow the path around to the front of the building.
Wide halos of light pepper the empty street as I look up and down it.
There are no signs of life, everyone else more than likely still at the trustees meeting.
The meeting we should be at. But if this key belongs to the place where it all began…
My boots echo as I pad across the street towards the darkened building. There’s no sign of life at the vacant brewery—maybe I’m wrong.
I slow my pace approaching the door. There’s a tremble in my hand as I slip the key back out, causing it to shimmer under the lamppost. Just a few more steps and I’m there, the waiting lock within an arm’s length.
My feet stop, planting firmly on the pavement inches before reaching my destination.
Maybe I’m wrong.
But what if I’m right?
If this key unlocks the brewery, it will mean that the building will soon be demolished, right along with the small-town charm of all locally owned rental homes. It will mean an influx of tourists, but probably not the kind to which Ellicottville is accustomed.
It will also mean that Jake gets to stay, even if just a little bit longer.
The idea of more time spurs me forward, even with my hands clammy and my heart lodged in my throat. I extend my arm, the key brandished before me like a sword. And I’m on guard.
I slot it in the lock and turn, a defining click sounding. My inhale is sharp at the confirmation. Carpenter Collection has won the bid.
The door creaks as I push it open, and I take a step into the dark room. “Jake?” I murmur over the echo of my steps.
I don’t see him, but then again, I can’t see anything in here. The street lamps shining through the windows are only bright enough to create vague outlines of tables and I take my time stepping around them the further along I go.
I’m nearing the center of the restaurant when I hear a click, and then the brilliant blue glow of a neon sign above the bar flashes to life. Its hum fills the silence left behind by my surprise as I read the words in curling script.
Serendipity Brewing Co.
“Serendipity,” I say into the emptiness.
Another light switch flips on, and the brewery comes to life, revealing Jake standing behind the bar.
“It seemed like a fitting name,” he says with a soft smile.
My heart threatens to slam right through my ribs, but my brain is struggling to keep up. Like my thoughts are wading through a thick syrup.
“A fitting name,” I repeat.
He moves around the counter between us and approaches me with outstretched arms. “For the new brewery,” he says, his hands cupping my elbows and pulling me to his chest.
“You weren’t at the meeting.”
His mouth twitches. “I couldn’t help myself; I wanted to get a little creative with my news.”
“Your news.” I tip my chin up to catch the spark in his eyes. Slowly, my brain is catching up. “Do you mean…”
“I was the second bidder. Well, along with Tad. This brewery is something special, it deserves a chance to shine.”
I blink up at him, and he lifts a hand to cradle my cheek. “You…”
His smile widens. “You inspire me, Luce. Putting yourself out there to try. You create such beautiful art and gift this world with an amazing piece of yourself. And you’ve gifted me with an answer I didn’t know I was searching for. You make me want to try too. And I want to do it here, with you.”
I feel my mouth pulling up in a smile as each wonderful word sinks in. They settle deep in my core, planting themselves there and taking hold.
“You’d do all of this, change your whole life, for me?”
His thumb brushes over my cheekbone in a gentle caress, and he lets out a satisfied hum.
Then his voice dips lower as he says, “I love you. And you don’t have to believe in fate, or chance, or serendipity.
But believe this, I fell in love with you during that first moment on the sidewalk just outside.
And then I fell in love with you again over a hundred little moments since.
I’d do anything for you, Lucy Hart. Anything to be with you. ”
I lift up on the toe of my boots and wrap my arm around his neck.
His body is sturdy as I sway against him, always so steady.
He makes it easy for me to admit, “I think to believe in love, you have to believe in fate a little too. And I guess I do, because God do I believe in how much I love you, Jake.”
“Lucy.” He tips his forehead to mine and kisses me, savoring and unhurried.
Because it can be. We don’t have to worry about a ticking clock anymore. I smile against his lips as a giddy, bubbly feeling rises within me.
“You really bought this brewery? It’s official?” I murmur, pulling back to meet his gaze.
He nods. “It’s official. As soon as I presented my bid, Carpenter Collection didn’t stand a chance. Not when I cited their little-known ordinance that mandate them to prioritize signature industries. Particularly, local craft.”
“Does your father know?”
“If he read my resignation email before heading to the trustee meeting, then he does. Although I suspect by now everyone knows.”
A laugh escapes me, and it’s a heady mixture of joy and disbelief. He leans in to absorb it with another kiss.
“You own the brewery. And have named it.”
“I have.” We turn together to look at the sign glowing above the bar.
“Then what happens now?”
Jake swivels back to face me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Now,” he starts softly, “I am going to take you home and make you dinner, and we’re going to spend the night together knowing there is no more end date between us.
And then I’m going to open Serendipity Brewing and stay here to run it for the next fifty years if I’m lucky. ”
It sounds like a perfect plan to me.