Page 108 of Whiskey Proposal

“Don’t you have to work?”

“Yep, but it can wait, and we’ll get back before the tasting room opens.”

She twists her fingers together. “You don’t mind? I figured I’d at least go and see if they really are tame. I don’t want mean turkeys around Hillary, and she’s going to be all over them.”

“I’m your tom.”

She grimaces. “Not as fun as the cock jokes. Not sure how it’ll look on a pillow.”

“Get stuffed?”

She dissolves into laughter. “That’s a little morbid.” She starts for my bathroom. My gaze is plastered to her ass when she shoots a flirty look over her shoulder. “Want to get breakfast ready?”

My dick twitches. “Can it be you?”

“Not if we’re going to get you back in time.” She wiggles her butt and disappears into the bathroom.

Grinning, I roll up, grab some clean clothes, and run through the guest bathroom. If I see a wet Emerson, I’ll make us both late. While I’m digging out ingredients for pancakes and eggs, there’s a knock on the door.

I might live out of town, but I lock my doors. Ditching my ingredients, I answer the door to Brooks. Hillary’s behind him, letting the chickens out.

“Thank you,” I call to her. “Add it to our tab.”

She squints back at me as the chickens run past her to freedom. “What’s a tab?”

Brooks sucks his lips against his teeth. “Fuck, it makes you feel old, doesn’t it?”

“More than a little bit.” I step back. “Come on in. You two eat yet?”

“No, I want to talk to Emerson before she leaves for Nye.” He enters and diligently wipes his boots on the entry mat. “She just texted me.”

“Have a seat at the table.” I follow him into the kitchen. “I wanted to talk to you anyway. Have you thought more about driving for us?”

He nods. “Yeah, if you still need a driver.”

“Cruz worked out some deals for delivery. It’s part-time, and it won’t take you more than three hours from here in any direction. Every once in a while, there’ll be a longer trip, and of course, our winters might strand you somewhere.”

“As long as I can make arrangements for Hillary.”

Emerson enters the dining room. “I’ll help as much as I can.”

Brooks shakes his head. “You’re going to be in Denver by next week.”

Emerson aims an almost shy look my way. “Maybe not.”

Fuck yes. I’m damn near euphoric. If she’s telling her brother that, then she wasn’t floating on a high last night, saying things she didn’t mean. Because I sure as hell meant every word.

“You two a thing?” he asks, surprised.

“We’ve always been a thing.” I measure the pancake mix, trying to act casual. “I think she’s finally figured it out.”

She rolls her eyes and joins me in the kitchen. “So the house closing is still on?”

“Next Tuesday,” Brooks says. “I’ll bring Hillary, and we’ll be back Wednesday.”

“Then we can do our deal Thursday.” Emerson nudges me. “Do I just let Zack know?”

“Yeah, he’ll have some papers for us to fill out, and he might need to be there for the handoff. I’ll call him Monday.”