Chapter 5

 

While most people thought Mason got the brewery up and running in record speed, the truth of the matter was he had been planning it for quite a long time. From sketches he worked on at night when insomnia kicked in, to visiting all the local breweries, trying new recipes, messing up, and trying again, he had devoted a good portion of his adult life to this brewery.

So, as he looked around the tasting room, getting ready to open the doors to the public for the very first time, he couldn’t help but feel the satisfaction of watching his brewery go from dream to reality.

He stood at the doors, savoring the feeling and pinning it to his memory. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes lingering on the soft curves of Cassie’s face. She had gotten there early in case he needed help with any last-minute preparations, which meant more to him than he could say.

She placed a small bowl filled with pretzels on the bar top, her brown hair hanging in waves just below her shoulders. The bright red of her shirt pulled out her natural red highlights. He stared at her for a moment as she placed a few more bowls along the bar. She moved with an ease that showed a side of her he rarely saw—confident and comfortable. It was moments like these that she was absolutely radiant.

She turned in his direction, her golden eyes piercing right through him, causing an uncontrollable smile to form on his face. Her pretty lips curved at the edges when she caught his gaze.

“You ready?” she asked, her excitement clearly evident in her tone.

He looked at the doors then back at her. “I think so.”

“Then why aren’t you opening the doors?”

He wanted to. Man, he wanted to more than anything, but what if he forgot something? What if the beer wasn’t good? What if everyone told him it was, but on the inside, they were wondering what the hell he’d been thinking?

Cassie stepped out from behind the bar, moving close to him and resting her hand on his arm, instantly calming his mind.

He couldn’t believe it had only been a week since he’d found her walking on the side of the road. It felt like he had known her much longer.

“This place is amazing, Mason.”

“I know.”

She smiled at his words, and damn it if the slightest curve of her lips didn’t brighten up the whole room.

“Then what are you waiting for?”

He stared into the golden orbs of her eyes, resisting the urge to cup her face in the palm of his hand. He’d been thinking about it ever since that day in his bathroom. He couldn’t help but wonder if Cooper had never barged in if something would have happened.

His hand twitched at his side. His body was growing impatient and taking control for itself. She stared at him, probably waiting for him to answer her question, but he couldn’t form words right now… not when her bottom lip was shining and begging for attention.

“Mason, you okay?”

He wanted to laugh. Here she was, asking if he was okay when she was the one with the demons. He was a fool who was enamored by her natural beauty.

“Fine,” he finally managed.

“You sure?” Her hand moved up higher on his arm. It probably meant nothing, a simple reassuring gesture, but it sent electricity through his body, racing from head to toe before centralizing at his core.

“You need to understand that I have a very strict rule about mixing business and pleasure.”

Her hand dropped from his arm, and crimson filled her cheeks as she looked down. The urge to reach out and tuck her hair behind her ear, cup her cheek and stare into those beautiful eyes was strong. A part of him deep inside wanted to know how soft her hair was, and if it was softer than he imagined. But the other part mentally slapped himself, reminding him of the words he just spoke.

They were just words though and he could no longer deny the truth. “It’s a rule I have never broken, yet from the minute I found you soaking wet on the side of the road, I knew it was only a matter of time.”

“Why are you saying this?”

“I have no idea. I just wanted you to know in case my resolve breaks and I cross the line.”

There was confusion in her gaze as she stared at him. Her eyebrows pulled together above the bridge of her nose, creating cute wrinkles. “You don’t want me,” she said.

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

“No, trust me, you don’t. I’m damaged goods.”

“Imperfections are what make things unique and beautiful.”

“But my problem isn’t imperfections, it’s…”

Her words were cut short by the pounding on the door.

“We’re getting impatient out here,” Cooper’s voice came through the thick wood doors. Mason was going to kill his brother and his awful timing. It took so much for Cassie to open up to him, and just when she was giving him a little, she was cut off. Now he didn’t know if she’d ever tell him what she thought her problem was.

“You don’t want to keep your fans waiting,” she said, her arm coming up to his as if she was going to give it a reassuring squeeze, but must have thought better of it and let her hand drop back to her side.

“We’ll talk. Later.”

She nodded in response then headed back to the bar, getting in position.

“Let’s do this,” he said, giving her one last glance. Her smile was enough motivation to push open the doors.

With a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped outside into the crowd of familiar faces. The entire Hayes clan was there except for Daisy, who called that morning to wish him luck. His grandfather pushed his way to the front, and Mason was eager to let him be the first one to enter since it was his generous loan that even made this possible.

Terry and her husband, Walt, stood behind his grandparents. Terry’s big red hair stood out in the crowd, creating a focal point for him to concentrate on.

“Speech!” Terry exclaimed, smacking her hands together and causing the rest of the crowd to join in.

Mason knew he had to say something, but as one who preferred to stay quiet, he couldn’t seem to find the words.

He caught his oldest brother, Matt’s eyes in the crowd and Matt smiled. It was a simple smile, not the signature Hayes charming smile that Matt perfected over the year. No, this smile was genuine and real. This smile said more than words could ever convey. His older brother was proud of him.

Mason found the strength in that simple gesture to speak what was on his mind. He clapped his hands together to get the crowd’s attention.

“I want to thank you all for coming today. I especially want to thank you all for the support you have shown me throughout my life. I couldn’t have done it without my family, this town, and all the people who live here who I consider not only friends, but family as well. So, let’s drink some beer!”

Cheers erupted around him, and he stepped back, letting the flow of people file into his brewery. He couldn’t wait for Cassie to impress his family and friends with her extensive knowledge of the tasting menu. Her palate was impressive, detecting even the subtlest of flavors. She not only learned all the beers, but she also learned a great deal of the brewing process, silently watching as he worked, asking questions when she was curious as to what he was doing and why.

“Sweetie, we’re so proud,” his grandmother said. Both she and his mother kissed him on the cheek.

His brothers and dad offered pats on the back, and his sister, Kate, playfully punched him in the shoulder. “How do my growlers look?”

“Go see for yourself.” She all but skipped through the doors, not bothering to wait for her fiancé, Caleb, who stopped and shook Mason’s hand. “Congratulations, man.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll stop by tomorrow, and we can discuss final details for the bike ride and setting up the club.”

It had been Kate’s idea for them to team up, and so far, the partnership had been a success. Before Mason was up and running, Caleb let him hold a few tastings in his shop and together they were organizing the first ever Red Maple Falls bike ride sponsored by Five Leaf Brewery and the Chain and Spoke.

The ride would start at Caleb’s shop and go through town. For those more advanced in mountain biking, they would hit the trails with Caleb, who recently got a cast off his leg, but refused to be out of commission any longer. Everyone would finish at the brewery, and all participants would be given a complimentary pint. Shay, Mason’s sister-in-law, would be setting up a baked goods table where she’d give out complimentary cupcakes. Caleb would also have several bikes available for test rides while Kate had a table for one of a kind growlers and pint glasses that she had handblown herself.

It would be a family affair, and Mason was looking forward to it.

“I’ll be here,” he said to Caleb before Caleb disappeared inside.

The tasting room was packed with familiar faces all holding glasses filled with his beer. It was the culmination of all his hard work, and the sight was surreal. He did his best to take it all in, but every time he turned, someone else stopped to congratulate him. It was overwhelming as he stepped into the spotlight for the first time in his life.

He glanced around, his gaze landing on Cassie across the way. The happiness inside of him seemed to grow and expand when her eyes met his. She offered the slightest of smiles, not quite touching her eyes, but managing to light them up anyway.

He wanted to know everything about her. What her favorite movie was, her favorite song, if she preferred beer over wine. He wanted to know what it would feel like to tangle his fingers in her hair, feel her lips pressed hard against his and then soft as he slipped away and kissed a path down the long, sleek curve of her neck.

He gulped down the beer he was holding, hoping the alcohol would wash away the thoughts running rampant in his mind.

When he put the glass down, he spotted his grandma pushing her way to the front of the bar, her attention solely focused on Cassie.

She was either about to try and play matchmaker or ask Cassie how fertile she was. The woman’s quest to match up her grandkids and get them pregnant was out of control, and the last thing Mason needed was for her to pounce on Cassie.

He made his way to the bar to rescue the poor girl from Betty Hayes’ game of twenty questions when his grandfather stepped in his way.

“You did good,” he said, slapping a strong hand down on Mason’s shoulder, and damn it if Mason couldn’t walk away now.