Chapter Twenty-One #2
Lottie followed Jake into the kitchen, both of them returning their arms loaded with various dishes.
As they deposited bowls and platters on the table, Rachel heard her stomach rumble.
She would have been embarrassed, but hers wasn’t the only one.
The friends gave a collective laugh before diving in.
Jake made another trip to bring even more food out, while Rachel tried to sort out all the divine smells wafting out around her.
Jake had really outdone himself. It was a brunch menu made up of all Lisa’s favorites: stuffed french toast, candied bacon, cinnamon rolls and even cheddar rosemary biscuits. Talk around the table died as everyone focused on loading up their dishes and taking those first amazing bites.
After sampling everything on her plate, Rachel looked at Jake, who had settled across the table from her. “I don’t know how you do it, but I am so thankful you do,” she told him. Everyone echoed her words, and Rachel could see how pleased he was to hear it.
As they ate, Adam and Jake talked with Cal about local farms and distilleries.
She hadn’t realized Adam was so familiar with so many of the local breweries.
“How is it you’re just back in Connecticut and can name all these places?
” she finally asked. “And I’ve been here the whole time and don’t recognize even a fraction of them,” she laughed.
“Well,” Adam replied, looking at Lottie.
Catching her eye, his mouth slowly curved into a smile.
“With me staying in Connecticut, Lottie and I have been having tons of fun exploring the area. It’s nice to jump in the car with my girl and take a drive to someplace neither of us has ever been.
I enjoy experiencing something new with her. ”
“Amen, brother,” Jason replied, taking Alex’s hand in his. “Nothing beats a lazy Sunday drive and exploring little out of the way places with someone you love.”
When Jason gently lifted Alex’s hand to his lips, Rachel couldn’t stop the sigh that escaped her. Watching them made her ache to have that someone in her life.
Glancing at Cal, she watched as he continued talking with Adam, Jason and Jake comparing great driving routes through the state. She had to concede, spending time with Cal was a lot more fun than she expected. At times, it seemed like much more than a working relationship.
What if Cal was her person?
She sipped her drink, as her thoughts tumbled.
She had a wonderful career even if it was a little shaky right now, a supportive circle of friends, and a reasonably sized handbag collection.
What she didn’t have was someone to get in the car and explore with.
Someone to curl up on the couch and watch movies with. Someone to share moments like this.
Cal shifted next to her, engrossed in his conversation.
Subtly watching, she wondered if she actually had someone.
Cal hadn’t mentioned the kiss. Maybe he knew it had been a mistake, and that’s why he hadn’t mentioned it.
Although he wanted to see her again, so that probably meant he liked the kiss. Right? Isn’t that what it meant?
Before her thoughts could get carried away, Cal chuckled, drawing her attention.
“No, seriously,” Cal was saying. “It’s a thing.”
Rachel looked from Cal to Adam and Jake. “What’s a thing?”
Cal tossed his arm across her chair’s back, leaning toward her. “I was telling them about wild yeast.”
“Wild yeast? No,” she replied. “I’m with them. That’s not a thing.”
Cal shook his head, grinning. “I swear it is,” he raised his hand.
“What’s wild yeast?” Alex asked from further down the table.
He glanced at Rachel briefly before he replied. “One thing I hope to do with White Hall Estate is open a distillery. At first I’ll need to offer spirits that don’t require aging.”
“Like what?” Lottie asked.
“I’ll probably start with a flavored vodka and a gin. Eventually, I aim to distill a bourbon, but that requires time, so it will have to wait until the business is creating income before I tackle that.
“Wild yeast is just that. Yeast cultivated from the surrounding environment.” Cal glanced around and saw the same blank looks Rachel was seeing. Furrowing his brow, he said, “Okay, a little background on distilling. An important component in any distilling is yeast.”
“Like yeast as in what you use for bread?” Lisa asked.
“Different variety, but basically,” Cal answered. “Most distillers buy commercially available yeast. Nothing wrong with it. Solid choice. Dependable and consistent. It’s what I’d probably use for most everything.
“White Hall Estate has always been a special place. What I’d love to do is create a spirit that captures the flavor of White Hall using wild yeast. To do that, I’d need to work with a lab and experiment with local vegetation like grasses, fruits, bark, even the air from in and around the grounds to ascertain if there was anything we could use.
“The provenance of the spirit would capture the true flavor and reflect the place.”
“Kind of like with wine,” Jake said. “The soil, climate, and elevation influences the flavor to create a unique fingerprint of flavor.”
“Exactly,” Cal said. “Of course, what I laid out is a supremely simplistic overview, but yes, the resulting spirit would have a unique White Hall’s fingerprint.”
Rachel watched Cal’s eyes light up as he talked.
It was written all over his face that this is what he was meant to do.
How could Cal’s parents refuse him? Did they not see how invested and animated he was every time he talked about it?
She’d examined the numbers. Opening a distillery could be a solid part of a good financial plan.
Her heart broke at how difficult this entire consulting project must be for him. She wondered again at her role in what would be the ultimate demise of Cal’s dreams. Would he be capable of forgiving her for doing her job? Would she manage to forgive herself?
“That’s fascinating,” Lisa said. “I wasn’t aware of how much went into creating liquor.”
“Oh,” Cal laughed. “That’s just one tiny example of the complexity of distilling. But as I said, that’s a long way off, if ever.
“Even before I dive into wild yeast, I want to offer a bourbon which would need at least a two-year aging time. Add on to that the variables in the aging process which can get downright crazy.”
“How so?” Adam said.
“Well, bourbon is aged in oak barrels. The makeup of the wood, the char and even the how the barrel is made can all have an effect on the outcome. Not to mention the sheer location of the barrel in the rackhouse can dramatically affect the aging time, proof and taste.”
“A rackhouse?” Alex questioned.
“Sorry. Basically, a warehouse where they store the barrels,” he answered.
“Think of… like a three-floor house. Because of temperature and humidity, the barrels on the top floor age faster and have a higher proof than the ones on the first floor. The barrels toward the outside age differently from those toward the center of the building. Sun exposure and even air flow all affect the process.”
“That is intriguing,” Jake mumbled, his head tilted as if in thought.
“What are you thinking?” Lisa asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “He has that creative shenanigans look in his eye,” she explained to everyone else.
Jake smirked over at her, his look filled with mischief and no small amount of heat. “Not exactly shenanigans, but I was thinking,” he directed his attention to Cal. “My friend Joel is doing the catering for the gala at your estate next weekend.”
“Is he?” Cal asked. “I didn’t realize. I haven’t gotten a chance to meet him. My event planner, Trace has been handling most of the details.”
“I’m just wondering,” Jake continued. “Maybe Joel should add some local spirits into the gala’s food offerings.”
“Yum,” Lisa hummed appreciatively.
“Exactly,” Jake responded. “Since the event is so big, I’m helping him out.
The menu’s already done, but maybe there’s some wiggle room on an appetizer or something.
It would make such a good story for the food.
I bet the Historical Society folks would love that.
Good for the catering company and good for the local distillers too. ”
“That’s a great marketing approach,” Adam said. “Even if it’s only one dish or offering, that would still have an impact and reflect well on everyone evolved. Very farm to table, but even more than that, being keyed into the local industry of the state.”
“Oooh,” Lottie said. “Kind of like what Cal talked about with the wild yeast. Local distillers help bring the taste of the state to the event.”
“I’ll definitely bring it up with Joel. Maybe I’ll brainstorm some recipes,” Jake added, his eye shooting over to find Lisa’s. It didn’t leave anyone in the dark as to whose help he’d be seeking for that.
Rachel bit her lips to keep from smiling. If Lisa caught her, there would be hell to pay.
As if he knew he was treading on thin ice, Jake looked at Cal and said, “Joel mentioned going out to view the setup. He must be doing that this week. I’ll have to tag along. I’d love to see the place. At least more than the kitchen I’ll be tied to during the event.”
“Your friend hasn’t visited to look at the kitchen setup yet?” Cal asked pointedly.
Rachel sensed the anxiety in his voice. She doubted if it was noticeable to anyone else, but she’d been spending so much time with Cal, she could hear his concern.
“I’m jealous, Jake,” Lottie huffed. “I feel like we missed seeing so much of the place during Alex’s wedding.
All I can remember is the ballroom. Maybe,” she turned to Lisa.
“We should see if we can crash this gala thing. That way, we can check out the entire property. Rachel has been raving about it, I just have to see it,” she laughed.
Both Lisa and Alex nodded along, laughing when Rachel shot them dirty looks.
“What?” Lisa cried. “You’ve been working over there for a while and every happy hour is White Hall Estate story time.”
Rachel gave Lisa a dirty look, promising dire consequences later when they were alone.
“White Hall Estate story time,” Cal murmured, pulling her focus back to him.
She felt a blush climb up her cheeks. “Well,” she demurred. “I may have mentioned it once or twice.”
“In addition, your sister Jess had a full rundown before she got to go in person. At this point, you’re like a virtual tour guide,” Alex said, tossing Rachel entirely under the bus.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she promised retribution to all her friends after this. She was officially and completely embarrassed now. She heard Cal’s chuckle next to her.
Looking at him, she saw the merriment dancing in his eyes. She smiled, knowing it was a lost cause to try to salvage any sort of dignity at this point.
“I guess there’s only one thing to do,” Cal said, raising his voice to the whole table.
Rachel cocked her head, wondering where he was headed with this.
“You’re all invited to White Hall tomorrow,” he finished, laughing outright when he was met with a cheers and clapping. “But if you are looking for any food or drink, you’re out of luck. The kitchen is bare.”
“No worries,” Jake replied. “We’ll make it a potluck.”
“I am not bringing my blueberry buckle,” Lisa stated, which made everyone laugh.
“Don’t worry, sunshine,” Jake laughed. “I believe we all know better than to ask that of you. Especially on your birthday weekend.”
“Do you have a grill we can use?” he asked Cal. At Cal’s acknowledgment, he turned back toward the group and started planning. “I’ll bring everything for burgers. Does that work? Who can bring some things to drink?”
“Are you sure?” Rachel asked Cal quietly. “You have a lot going on.”
“It’ll be great, Rachel,” he assured her. “We don’t have any events tomorrow. And please, bring Jess along, if you’d like. I know she’s seen the estate, but I’d hate for her to miss out on the fun.”
“Thank you. She’d like that. I’ll see if she’s available. Um,” she looked over to where the others were talking amongst themselves, planning the visit. “You seemed surprised that the caterer hasn’t visited yet.”
Cal’s brows furrowed. “Yeah. That doesn’t sit well with me.
I’ll need to check in with Trace. Perhaps there was a scheduling conflict.
But you know, given that we have limitations with our kitchen size, we make it a practice to have chefs out for a visit well before the event.
The logistics of the kitchen sometimes impact the menu choices. ”
He sighed. “I just hope Trace has it under control, and we haven’t backed ourselves into a corner.
I had a discussion with her about job performance.
The meeting went well, and she seemed fired up about moving forward.
But hearing this makes me doubt her, and I hate that.
When I follow up with her, she says she’s on top of it. ”
Cal ran his fingers through his hair before dropping his hand down to the table heavily. “But we need this high-profile event to go flawlessly.”
Without a second thought, Rachel grabbed his hand. “It will be an exceptional event, Cal. I’m sure of it. As you said, it’s probably just a scheduling conflict. Trace understands the importance of this event to you and White Hall.”
Even as Rachel said the words, she had a twinge of doubt.
So far, that woman hadn’t shown herself to be on top of things.
But if he already talked to Trace about her performance issues, then this event should be a fresh start.
She gave Cal’s hand a squeeze. She’d think positive, and keep her fingers crossed.
Cal canted his body toward her and searched her eyes. Giving her hand a squeeze back, he said, “Thanks, Rachel. That means a lot. I’ll keep a positive attitude.” His eye danced as the corner of his mouth lifted. “Well, until I check with Trace and confirm everything is fine.”
Rachel smiled back, glad she could ease his concern, even if only briefly. But then she became aware of Cal’s thumb gliding over her skin in small circles. It was distracting as all hell. And she didn’t want him to stop.
In that instant, it was as if only they existed. The warmth from his hand flowed over her, growing as it cascaded through her body. His piercing green eyes scanned her face, the intensity like a physical caress.
There was something about being the sole focus of Cal’s gaze that left her feeling breathless and shaky but also emboldened and beautiful.
But underneath the swirl of emotion was a cold stark fear that she couldn’t completely push away.
She had to acknowledge that being with Cal made her feel things.
Brought her back to life in a way she hadn’t felt for years.
And as much as she wanted to curl up in the warmth of him, a small whisper in her mind kept coming back to one question.
What happened when it all went away?