Trouble Brewing (In Ashwood Book 2) Read online

  Table of Contents

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  TWENTY-SIX

  [JS1]

  [JS2]

  [JS3]

  TROUBLE BREWING

  In Ashwood

  Kinney Scott

  Trouble Brewing

  In Ashwood

  Copyright © 2017

  Kindle Edition

  Mosquito Creek Publishing

  No part of this book may be used without prior written permission from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents in this book are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons living or dead is completely coincidental.

  The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and explicit sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers only.

  Cover by Paper and Sage Design

  Table of Contents

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  TWENTY-SIX

  ONE

  Kelsey felt the buzz of her phone and pulled it from her back pocket, a smile spreading across her face. She’d been expecting Ben’s message. - We are about to hit the road. Leaving Portland soon. The tank is low - I’ll gas up to kill time.

  Immediately Kels typed her reply. - Everything here is nearly in place for the engagement party. Half the town will arrive by 6:30. Can you stall ‘til seven?

  She read his almost instant answer, - No problem. Gotta go. They’re coming.

  Glancing up from her phone, her eyes darted, scanning the room. She shouted loudly over the excited chatter of friends and family, as all eyes spun towards her. “Hey! Ben just texted. He’s trying to stall. Seth and Natalie, are about to get back on the road. Let’s wrap things up in case they all arrive early!”

  At the helm of the planning, Ben, the brother of the bride, and Kelsey, Natalie’s best friend took on coordinating this engagement party, but everyone who loved the couple eagerly pitched in. This night would surpass any party Ashwood ever celebrated.

  Her update had Wade picking up his pace, pushing a dolly loaded with a tall silver keg through wide bay doors. Standing just inside the large entry, leaning his muscled forearm over the steel handle of the dolly, he scanned the layout and nodded with satisfaction at the changes.

  Transforming the large shop that usually housed Whitewater Homes had been no small feat. Seth’s employees worked tirelessly to clear the equipment, and move a half completed tiny-home from the large industrial space.

  In place of tools and hardware stood Mosquito Creek Brewing’s portable bar, several tables, a dance floor and a sound system loud enough to shake the ancient timbers of the old lumber mill. Wade pushed his popular flagship IPA, Double Deet, to join a keg of Buzz at Dusk, a chocolatey porter behind the bar. Stretching the expanse of a long rustic wall, the bar also housed champagne, soda and a wide assortment of high-octane choices for those wanting mixed drinks.

  Confident he could handle more than the hundred-plus invited guests could dish out, Wade turned to check on Iris. Her easy grin assured him her half of the space was nearly ready. Iris closed the lid on a cooler holding ice and stretched to ease tired muscles.

  “I tried to kill myself with yoga this morning,” she added as she lost herself in a distracting feline stretch. Wade tried not to get caught looking at the lean muscle running down the length of her thigh. He couldn’t remember a time when Iris had worn a skirt. She looked different, and distractingly nice.

  “Yoga? I thought it was about relaxing and meditation.” He said with a grin.

  “Not if you do it right.” She laughed, a wicked gleam flickering across her face.

  He attempted to shake off the passing flirtation, reminding himself that Iris was a good friend, and valued business connection. But damn - his body wouldn’t get on board with his logic. “Thanks for shutting down Northside Grill for this event. I have no idea how we could have pulled this off without you.

  Wade knew Iris well. Her grill supported Mosquito each time he launched a new beer, and she let him use her bar as a testing ground for some of his risky, more creative brews.

  She shrugged off the compliment, “This event is more play than work for me. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love Natalie! When she arrived here in Ashwood the town instantly felt a little more like home.” Iris observed with a smile, that Wade could not help reflecting back. He liked the way her smile lit up the striking hue of her pale green eyes.

  “I’ve about wrapped up my prep, do you need any help?” he asked.

  She took a quick look over the bar. “Almost finished. Do you want to slice a little more fruit?”

  “Got it,” he said finding a paring knife and cutting board. He sliced more limes and lemons, as she chilled a few more bottles of champagne. Together they finished prep behind the bar, promising tonight’s guests a proper drink, and if they wished, a proper buzz.

  Amanda, Seth’s sister, called together her friends from the sandwich shop. They worked to put final touches on centerpiece decorations and ready the buffet. Later they promised to help serve up an eclectic spread of chicken, smoked salmon, salads, and desserts. The food might not impress a more discerning list of attendees, but here in Ashwood everyone pitched in like family. The fare would be delicious, the beer and wine plentiful, and the happiness surrounding the couple genuine.

  A late July wedding already held a spot on Seth and Natalie’s summer calendar, the date chosen when family and friends from out of town could plan a leisurely visit to the rugged Northwest. Seth had already booked a secluded honeymoon on The Big Island of Hawaii. He kept the details of this romantic getaway from his bride. Spoiling her and having his woman entirely to himself for three glorious weeks was a responsibility he took seriously, and intended to enjoy.

  ***

  Ben racked his brain. How can I kill an extra hour between here and Ashwood?

  “Thanks for letting me use the lake house this weekend.” He said as he worried about arriving with the engaged couple too early, perhaps before the guests.

  An idea hit him. He leaned up from his spot in the back seat, “Could we stop before we head up the highway into Ashwood? I need to grab a few supplies for this weekend.”

  “Sure, what did you have in mind,” his sister wondered. She always kept her tiny house that sat on the shore of Lake Osprey well stocked.

  “I’d like to stop at the sporting supply in Hood River, by the time we get back the one in town might be closed.”

  Seth’s eyebrows lifted, wondering what Ben could possibly
be after. His soon to be brother in law usually preferred to read, or take an easy hike when he spent a weekend on the lake. Instead of asking for more details, Seth decided to keep quiet, and see what Ben was after.

  Once they arrived in Hood River, Ben twitched with nervous energy. Seth had driven so fast that Ben secretly hoped their car would fly through a speed trap just to eat up time. On second thought, a ticket would have put Seth in one hell of a dark mood.

  Only 5:00, damn. Ben needed to find a way to kill at least an hour! Wandering slowly into the sporting goods store, he fished through three carts before choosing one. “I can’t seem to find one that doesn’t have a wobble in the wheel. I just hate a cart that pulls to the right.” His lie sounded ridiculous, even to his own ears.

  Out of his element, Ben looked around nervously. The aisles were every bit as confusing as they were long. His first plan, to grab things from the end of the aisles, hoping these featured items might make sense for the current sporting season.

  Ben slowly pushed his cart down each row. Wool socks. Yes, good. Everyone needs wool socks. Waders? No, that would mean buying fishing gear that he knew nothing about.

  Natalie peered into his cart, puzzled. “Ben, if you just need wool socks, we have extras at the lake.” Natalie shared, beginning to wonder what her brother was after. “Are you planning to hike this weekend? The conditions might be soggy and cold. Did you know we still have snow at the higher elevations? Ashwood doesn’t break out of winter as fast as Portland.”

  Suddenly he had an epiphany, thanks to Nate, “Yes, hiking! I need waterproof boots to go with these wool socks. Maybe new gloves too. I lost mine in the move from North Carolina.”

  Standing in front of the wall of boots, he sighed in relief. Who knew there could be so many choices? Ben pointed out five different pairs of boots and asked the clerk to bring size thirteens back for him to try.

  “Well, sir, it’s the end of the season. We may not have many thirteens left in winter gear,” mumbled the kid as he ducked through a darkened door behind the shoe display.

  Ben grimaced. “When did I get old enough to look like a sir?”

  Seth laughed, “The moment you were able to afford three hundred dollar hiking boots. Ben, seriously, do you need these?”

  This party is getting more expensive by the minute Ben thought, but kept up the ruse. “I live in the Northwest now. I can even wear these to work, right?”

  His sister shrugged, “If you have to ask - Nope, you can’t pull it off.”

  The young clerk came back with three different size thirteens, all waterproof. Slipping on his wool socks first, Natalie watched in dazed amusement as her brother re-laced the first boots three separate times. Now that he was on his feet, Ben spent an excessive amount of time testing the tread, pacing the floor, and hopping up and down. Natalie finally gave up waiting for her brother and wandered off to the canoe section to dream about this summer at the lake.

  Her mother, stepfather and two younger brothers would arrive a week before the wedding. The wedding planning felt like it was taking over her life. Kelsey, Elsa and Sandy, Seth’s mom, had accompanied her on a weekend trip to Seattle, just after the New Year. With their help, she had selected a simply beautiful dress, covered in delicate lace.

  Now that March was nearly here, time was moving quickly. She had to choose flowers, food, and a band. Amanda’s high school journalism advisor agreed to shoot the wedding photos. Maggie, from Goldfinch Bakery looked forward to sharing samples of her delicious cakes. Natalie already felt the town rally around her, a welcome she never anticipated, but appreciated more than she could express.

  Seth walked up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her narrow waist. “Your brother…” he whispered.

  A wrinkle of worry rested between her eyes, “I’ve got no idea what he’s doing. Could he be lonely after his move to Portland? I’ve spent so much time focused on our wedding. This weekend I’ll hang out with Ben, and make him my priority.”

  “If you think it would help, I’ll go fishing with him, or endure a hike in melting snow… He doesn’t know what he’s getting into. The conditions will be terrible.”

  A stomping sound echoed in trudging thuds through the aisles, causing both their heads to swivel Ben’s way. Clad in the second pair of boots, he waved at their frozen stares, “almost got it!” he shouted enthusiastically from far across the store. Nate cringed as several customers stared with raised eyebrows following Ben’s puzzling path.

  Sitting down to unlace the boots, he sent a quick text. Now that he had killed almost enough time, it was Kent’s job to get Seth to stop by Whitewater. Kent worked at the tiny home construction business Seth owned. His task was to contrive an emergency at work, prompting Seth to stop at Whitewater Homes on their way into town.

  Ben slid into the third pair of waterproof boots. Beginning his path around the store, he nodded, pleased with the comfort and look of this pair. Two hundred eighty, the cost alone would motivate him to get out and explore the northwest. Some friends from work were putting together a two-day hike near Multnomah Falls. Now, he planned to join them.

  “What do you think of these, Nate? They are super comfortable,” he said as she wandered back into the shoe department.

  “Actually those look great, you should buy them,” She encouraged, anything to speed her brother’s decision.

  The store manager took note of the costly purchase. One look at Wade had him swooping in for an extra sale. He pointed out the need for sock liners and waterproofing wax. Ben opted for both. He smiled while peering into his bag of purchases. Silk sock liners! I never knew those existed.

  As they wandered to the car, Seth received a text from Kent. He wondered what the problem could possibly be at the shop on a Saturday. “Hey Natalie, can you drive back? I need to deal with some questions about a build Kent is firing my way. Ben, why don’t you go ahead and take shotgun.”

  Ben settled in, sighing with contentment. His portion of the deception complete, he dug through his bag to find the receipt. How did I just spend over $350 on boots and socks? He wondered shaking his head slightly.

  From the back seat Seth groaned, “Looks like we’re going to have to stop by Whitewater on our way in. Kent needs my help.”

  Natalie glanced at Seth in the rear view mirror, meeting his confused gaze. “At seven on a Saturday? That doesn’t sound at all like Kent.”

  “Yeah, I guess Carlos asked him to finish work on kitchen cabinets before Monday morning, but I don’t get it. We aren’t behind schedule. I don’t want to discourage Kent. Any sign of initiative from him is a positive.”

  ***

  Walking the lot at Whitewater Homes, Seth’s father, Bill, checked the parking lot with his brother Allen. The two took on the task of directing arriving guests as they parked their vehicles out of sight behind the massive buildings. An added benefit, escaping the clamor of activity inside the impromptu party venue.

  Allen eyed the work underway on the structure adjacent to Seth’s shop. Soon Wade’s brewery expansion would shift into high gear. An endeavor his son would not give up. By most standards, Mosquito Creek Brewing was successful, but Allen could not get behind his son’s business venture. What had started as a hobby took his son permanently away from their Yakima farm.

  As the brothers paced the parking area, Bill felt thankful for any opportunity he could find to restore a relationship that had eroded due to time and distance. The four-generation hop farm tied Bill to the land, and Allen was equally busy with his position as the District Ranger in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. “Thanks for coming over for Seth and Natalie’s engagement party. She is fantastic. I’m glad you will be able to meet her.”

  “Karleen wouldn’t have missed this. She couldn’t wait to help out and visit with Sandy. We always enjoy spending a weekend with you. This is the perfect time to get away from the farm.” Allen used the beam of his flashlight to direct a car to park in the back, and continued. “My girls spent a load o
f money on party dresses for this event. Did Amanda stick it to your pocketbook too?”

  “Not this time, she’s making decent money with her photography, and helping with Seth’s tiny home webpage.”

  Allen had always admired his nephew’s work ethic. “I had no idea how fast the tiny house business would explode. Seth saw that trend before anyone else.”

  “He is a perceptive business man. When he was young, I hoped he would join me at the National Park. But, he has found his niche. I’m happy for him.” Bill felt comfortable leaving life choices entirely in his children’s hands.

  Wandering back toward the brewery, Allen took a long look at the old structure, and sighed. He couldn’t shave the feeling that his son was wasting money on too many expensive improvements. “I hope Wade isn’t getting in over his head with the expansion. I worry that craft brewing has seen its peak.”

  Bill took his brother’s pessimism in stride, a trait Allen had learned from their cynical father. “Mosquito Creek Brewing doesn’t need a fad to stay afloat. Wade’s beer is damn good.”

  “True…at least if it doesn’t work out, he will have the farm to come back to.” Allen finally worked his way back around to what really bothered him. Bill remembered the pressure he got from his own father to stay on the land in Yakima. Allen was putting a similar burden on Wade, his only son.

  Tension continually simmered between Wade and his father. Not that long ago, Wade caused a serious family uproar as he chose to leave the farm for a place he purchased north of Ashwood. Allen hoped Wade would get brewing out of his system and return where he belonged, to the five-generation family hop farm. With this expansion in the works, the possibility that his son would never take over was becoming a tangible concern.

  The brothers walked in silence, both thankful escapees from the party-prep chaos in the warehouse. They had spent the entire morning moving equipment, stringing white lights, and setting up tables. Neither felt guilty as they made themselves scarce.