Page 84 of From Grumpy to Forever
I’d begged her for forgiveness and done my best to explain why the whole situation was necessary in a way that a twelve-year-old might understand. I needn’t have worried, though. Quinn had only shrugged, told me she thought Avery was great and made me swear that she wouldn’t interfere with our ice cream dates, and that was the end of it.
“What news?” I asked when I finally had her in front of me.
“Dad’s opening an official brewery,” she said excitedly. “It’s going to have tables and chairs and everything like a proper bar but it’s not a bar,” she added quickly, looking at her dad. “Because Dad said I won’t be able to go into a bar. But a brewery is different, so even though it will be full of beer, it’s cool for me to hang out there.”
I waited until my niece had stopped spewing words at me before looking at Ethan. “A brewery? Like a real one?”
He laughed. “Yup. Turns out that even with all your woodworking crap out of there, the shed still isn’t big enough. I decided to go for it and give it a shot. Why not?”
“Why not?” I grinned and raised my glass. “I’ll cheers to that. Especially with this very drinkable, manly beer.”
He laughed. “Thanks, brother. It’s not as exciting as your news, but I’m pretty thrilled about it.”
“I’d say. And it’s very exciting. I can’t believe you didn’t say anything sooner.”
Ethan shrugged.
It was Quinn who offered more details. “Dad said you had enough going on that we shouldn’t bother you with?—”
“It’s not a bother.”
“That’s not how I meant it.” Ethan shot his daughter a look.
I chuckled and shook my head. Quinn was the truth-teller in the family, for sure. She definitely kept us all on our toes. “Okay, fill me in.”
Happily, Ethan spent the next few minutes filling me in, and I couldn’t have been happier for my brother. It had been his dream for years to have his own business in Trickle Creek and a brewery was a perfect fit.
“Now that you have your own shop, I want you to make the bar tops for the brewery. I want to show off your talent.”
“I’d really like that, brother.” The warm glow of pride filled me. “Thank you. Really. It means a lot that you’d ask.”
“Of course.” He grinned. “I know you’re busy with the inn, so you have some time. But not too much.”
I got the sense I didn’t have much time at all. “When are you opening exactly, Ethan?”
“Well…”
“Ethan.”
My brother laughed, and once again, it was his daughter who gave him up. “Dad already got the space.”
“Is that right? Where is it?”
“In the old Chinese food spot next to the bookstore at the west end of the plaza.”
“Really?” I was genuinely surprised. “I actually don’t think I’ve been in there.” The property was often referred to as the old Chinese restaurant, but it had been vacant for almost ten years. “Next to the bookstore?”
“Isn't it great?” Quinn piped up. “I love that store. I could live there.”
“Yeah.” Ethan lowered his voice. “Except I don’t actually think the owner feels the same way.”
I gave my brother a look. “About Quinn living in her shop, or the fact that you’re moving in next door?”
He raised his eyebrows, and I laughed.
“I’m sure that Delaney will be fine with it. I’ve met her a few times, and she seems like a reasonable person. And I get the impression she’s pretty quiet, but I’m sure she’ll be a good neighbor.”
“Delaney’s great!” Quinn offered. “She knows so much about books and she lets me read as many as I want.”
