Page 49 of Something’s Brewing

Because the next thing he knew, she was sprinting through the crowd, the red-checked shirt unknotted, the shirttails flapping in the breeze.

Madison leapt into his arms. Her legs wrapped around his waist.

He caught her without hesitation, instinctively wrapping his arms around her waist as she laughed, breathless and gleeful, against his ear.

“I won,” she whispered. “Garrett, I actually freaking won.”

He held her tight, aware of every single point of contact, of the way her hands rested on his shoulders, her nose nearly brushing his.

“I know,” he murmured, his voice low. “You kicked ass.”

Madison pulled back just enough to look at him, her smile softening. The chaos of the festival faded—there was only her face, close to his, her breath mixing with his.

It would be so easy to close the gap. So easy to⁠—

“CIDER QUEEN!” Chloe’s voice rang out, followed by whistles and applause as the girls descended, breaking the spell.

Madison laughed again and slid out of Garrett’s arms, cheeks flushed but eyes still locked on his for half a second longer than necessary.

As she turned back toward her booth, triumphant, Garrett stood frozen in place, heart pounding like he’d just sprinted a lap.

She’d won the trophy. But she’d also walked away with something far more dangerous.

A piece of him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

On the way back from her early morning run around the lake, Madison slowed to a walk, her lungs burning. She passed Cup and Cone and smiled at the thought of creamy chocolate ice cream—brownies, nuts, fudge, and marshmallows, the more mixed in the better. Maybe later.

She rounded the lodge, and Ruth burst through the front doors, waving her down. “Madison! Good morning. I’m glad I caught you. I was hoping you’d join us for family dinner this afternoon. All my children will be there, and Kate too.”

Madison shifted her feet, instantly wary. This wouldn’t have anything to do with her launching herself into Garrett’s arms at Brewfest, would it?

“Ruth . . . I’m not dating your son.”

Ruth reached out and squeezed her arm. “I know, sweetie, but we already think of you as family.”

The unexpected warmth in her voice caught Madison off guard. Touched, she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I’d love to. Thank you.”

“Wonderful! Three o’clock. We’ll see you and Garrett then.”

Ruth was already heading back inside before Madison could respond.

Madison circled toward the patio and nearly collided with Garrett jogging up the steps.

“Hey, how was your run?” he asked, grabbing his ankle to stretch.

“Good. Your mom stopped me and invited me to family dinner. I said yes. I hope that’s okay.”

He switched legs, completely unfazed. “Of course it’s okay. I intended to ask you after my run. Apparently, my mom didn’t trust me to get around to it.” He lifted his arms overhead, stretching his shoulders. His shirt rode up just enough to reveal dark hair arrowing down his lower abdomen. Madison swallowed and looked away. Too late.

His mouth curved into a slow, knowing smirk. “Let me guess,” he said. “Your apprehension is fallout from the now-famous Brewfest moment?”

She groaned. “I was excited. I didn’t think before I leapt. Literally.”

“I’m not complaining,” he said easily.

Her eyes snapped back to his. “You’re not?”