Merry with a Brewmaster (The Love Beach Holiday Collection)

22. Wells

22

WELLS

V ienna and I take the world’s fastest shower, kissing and touching in between soaping and rinsing, then hurrying downstairs. We’d come up with a game plan both for the day and for us.

Even if we both believe Haven will be excited about us being together, today isn’t the day to spring it on her. Undoubtedly, she’ll need to decompress from seeing Kim, and that will be our focus.

Vienna busies herself at the stove making snowman-shaped chocolate chip pancakes while I watch the driveway and pace the front entryway, practically jumping and ripping open the door when Kim’s car comes into view.

She’s barely parked before Haven is out of the car and racing up the steps, her backpack slung over her shoulder and her pillow clutched in her arms. My daughter won’t meet my gaze as she ducks past me and goes into the house. Kim watches her with an expression I can’t read, but I don’t care. My blood is boiling as I close the door behind me with a snick and walk toward her driver’s side window.

Her lips purse as she rolls down her window.

“She’s fine,” she says automatically—dismissively. And I’ve let her get away with it for far too long.

“She’s not fine, and I’ve given you enough chances to show up and be a parent. I’ll be contacting my lawyer to set a court date to revise our custody agreement.”

“Wells—”

“It’s not okay for you to walk into her life whenever it’s convenient for you and turn her world upside down. You don’t know who her friends are or that she really loved playing soccer or that she was an alicorn for Halloween.”

“A what?”

“Exactly.” I drag my hand through my hair as I look out at the street before returning my gaze to my ex-wife. “When you’re ready to be a part of Haven’s life, a real part, I’ll do everything I can to help facilitate that. But until then, this stops.” I wave my hand between her and the house. “That’s the last time you break our daughter’s heart because you think there’s something more important than her.”

I don’t wait for her reply, just turn on my heels and stalk back up to the house. The door is barely closed before the sound of screeching tires can be heard on the pavement.

Christmas music plays in the kitchen, and when I round the corner, Haven is up on her stool with her unicorn apron on as Vienna squirts whipped cream into my daughter’s mouth. Haven’s cheeks are splotchy, and my heart aches at the thought that she’s been crying. Crossing the room, I wrap her in a hug, and she squeezes me tight.

“I don’t want to go back,” she murmurs into my neck, and I watch over Haven’s shoulder as Vienna brushes a tear away.

“I told your mom that we need a new schedule and that we need to figure something out that works for you.”

“Really?” she says as she lifts her head and meets my gaze. Her eyes are watery but bright, and a tentative smile settles on her lips.

“Really.”

The sound of the whipped cream container has us turning toward Vienna who has piled each plate with a mountain of the fluffy white topping. “Who’s ready for pancakes? And putting up Christmas decorations and making cookies!”

Haven leans against me and giggles. “I guess we better eat up,” I say, throwing Vienna a wink, and she blushes like I knew she would because while pancakes might be for breakfast, there’s no doubt I’ll steal her away and make her dessert.

VIENNA

SAIGE: the PERFECT place just went on the market

SAIGE: Can you meet me today?

VIENNA: Really?! Let me talk to Isaac and I’ll get back to you!

My heart races as I walk down the sidewalk to where Saige is standing. She looks beautiful in a sort of business meets rockstar chic that I’ll never pull off. But that’s okay because I could never give up my Tennessee roots or my cowboy boots.

Garland and wreaths line the light posts on Main Street, the whole town getting ready for the winter festival this weekend.

“Hey, I got here as fast as I could,” I say, leaning in to give her a quick hug, our relationship so much different than when I first reached out to her about helping me find a property. Saige beams at me, her black hair tied back in a sleek ponytail that somehow defies the South Carolina humidity.

“No problem. Are you ready to see it?” she asks.

“Definitely.”

The outside needs a new coat of paint, but I’m already in love with the huge single-pane windows that frame the door. Saige punches in the code and then holds the door open for me, letting me have the first look.

And what a look it is.

The white painted brick walls are bright with recessed lighting and a beautiful wood counter. Shelves line the walls, and I can picture every stand and display as I spin slowly in a circle.

“Let me show you the back. I think it would be the perfect place to put a cooler in, and there’s already a huge workbench there.”

“I can’t remember what this place was,” I say, following her as I try to rack my brain.

“It was a gift shop—knickknacks and other touristy things. She closed it up not long ago and is moving to Florida with her husband.”

“Trading one beach for another?”

“Something like that.”

The room is spacious, sunlight pouring in through the windows along the back wall. A large, stained table sits in the middle, and I run my hand over the surface, my heart soaring as the rightness of this moment washes over me.

“It’s good, right?” Saige asks with a sly grin that says she’s good at her job and she knows it.

“So good.” Unable to hold back my smile a minute longer, I nod. “Let’s do it.”

She lets out a whoop, and I chuckle as I pull out my phone and type out a text in my group message.

VIENNA: I need a favor

MONTANA: What kind of favor?

VIENNA: Will you ask Case Thayer if he’ll design a greenhouse for me?

MONTANA: Does this mean you found a shop?!

VIENNA: Yes! And it’s perfect.

MONTANA: I’m so damn proud of you!

MONTANA: But also Case Thayer doesn’t design greenhouses for people

Case Thayer lives in the town next to mine and had constructed a couple of greenhouses on his family’s land. Word around town was that he’d patented the design but so far had refused to sell it.

Which means I’ll shamelessly use my brother to make the ask. The greenhouse would allow me to grow certain flowers year-round and provide some flexibility and cut overhead costs.

And it would be a piece of home right here in Love Beach.

VIENNA: Hence the favor

MONTANA: I don’t know

VIENNA: But I’m your favorite sister!

VIENNA: Just get the tractor stuck and ask him when he comes to help

MONTANA: Very funny

VIENNA: I’m only half kidding

MONTANA: That’s why it’s funny

VIENNA: Please?

MONTANA: Fine

VIENNA: That’s why you’re my favorite brother!

MONTANA: I’m your only brother

VIENNA: Semantics (kiss face emoji)