Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Jesus, Lulu. Never. Thank you.” Colby pulled Lulu into a hug. Was everyone in Harmony nice or what? Vince had never seen anything like it.
“You have good taste in guys.” She smiled as they pulled away, and Vince could see why Colby had liked her so much, even if he hadn’t been able to love her.
“He’s the best,” Colby said.
They talked for a little while before going their separate ways. Vince saw Roe dancing with his mom and Holden with Evie from Mama Adaline’s. The two of them were close friends.
At one point, when Holden and Roe came over, Roe said, “Sure wish we could have made it work to have a keg of your beer here.” Roe had asked about it, but there hadn’t been enough time for Colby to get it done. Plus, he was nervous about making that much for an occasion like this until he had more experience.
“Next time,” Colby said.
“Not sure how many times you think I plan on getting married. I waited this long to get it right.” Roe winked.
“I meant for your birthday or something. Geez.”
Roe squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “You know you didn’t have to put off the California trip until November, right?”
No, they hadn’t, but he and Colby had talked, and they both wanted to get through apple season. Charles was still recovering, and though Colby had hoped for years for some freedom from Covington Acres, he’d told Vince how much he still cared about the apples and enjoyed that part of it. His family meant too much to him to leave them high and dry, and Vince had agreed.
“I know. It works better this way. We’d be stressed the whole time we were there. Plus, it will be nice to have nice weather in November.”
“Let’s also not pretend you’re not looking forward to taking some of the apples to make your beer.”
“Shh!” Colby said playfully.
“I like that,” Roe said. “Beer from Covington Acres apples. It’s perfect.”
Yeah, it was perfect. This farm, this town, these people, they were all the best Vince had ever known. He was happier than he’d ever been.
EPILOGUE
Colby
Four years later
“Jesus. This is incredible,” Roe said as he walked up to the counter at New Beginnings, Colby’s brewery in Harmony. Roe had seen the building, of course, considering remodeling had been a family affair. Holden helped a lot, and Roe did when he was off from the shop, and of course, Vince was with Colby every moment he wasn’t at the farm.
But today was the grand opening, and they were packed. There was hardly enough room to walk around, it was so busy.
Colby’s chest swelled with pride as Vince put an arm around him.
“Thanks. I can’t believe it’s finally happening,” Colby told his brother. Holden was with him, of course. Their parents were here as well, along with Colby and Roe’s siblings and partners.
“I’m so happy for you, man,” Clint said just as August approached them with Deke and Grady.
“What do you suggest we get?” Grady asked.
Colby took the time to pick out something different for each of them, going by what he thought they would like best. They’d all tasted a thousand samples of his beer over the years. Colby had taken the time to study his craft, to come up with new flavors and ways to stand out. He’d been lucky to be as supported by his family as he had been. Once everyone knew about his dream, they had never treated it like a hobby, giving Colby the space and freedom he needed to follow his heart. He was so damn lucky to have them all.
“Damn, this is good,” Holden said.
“I like the sweet taste of mine,” Deacon added.
It hadn’t been easy. There were many times when he’d wondered if this was silly, and all the paperwork, permits, and legal hoops he’d had to jump through weren’t his favorite part, but as he stood there, serving beer to his friends and family, he knew every moment of it had been worth it.
“My baby comes up with that good shit,” Vince said, nuzzling his throat.
Holden rolled his eyes. Roe pretended to be grossed out, and Colby just ate up the moment. He was even more in love with Vince now than he’d been four years ago. It had taken some work, but he understood now that he’d never been broken. There had never been anything wrong with him, and there wouldn’t be even if he didn’t love Vince. But he was glad he did. Vince made his life richer every day. He was so damn grateful for his man.
“Be good. George and Marin just got here,” Colby said, noticing Vince’s aunt and uncle arrive. They’d come to Harmony for the grand opening. Vince and his family were trying to make it a point to see each other more, to keep in contact better. Colby adored them both, and his family loved them too.