“That wasn’t necessary,” Grandpa muttered, but Maggie could tell his grumbling was just for show. He and Deidre MacLaren, Connor’s mother, were lifelong friends and would have a great time visiting. More important, Mrs. MacLaren was a retired nurse so she would be able to tell in an instant if anything was wrong with Grandpa.
Maggie thought the rest of the week would drag on forever, but almost before she knew it, Sunday morning arrived and so did Connor MacLaren. She met him outside as he pulled up to the house in a shiny black pickup truck. Ignoring the sudden rush of heat she felt as she watched him approach, she carried her overstuffed suitcase awkwardly down the porch steps. He met her halfway, took the bag and easily lifted it into the back of his truck.
“I hope you have room for my kegs,” Maggie said.
“That’s why I brought the truck,” he said, and followed her to the beer house. They made several trips back and forth, carrying the heavy kegs and securing them in the truck bed.
“Just one more thing,” Maggie said, running back to the beer house. She emerged a minute later with a dolly loaded with three cases of bottled beer for the official judging.
“I guess I don’t have to ask if you’ve entered the competition yourself,” he said dryly.
“I honestly wasn’t sure I would until the last minute,” she admitted. “But the festival is so important I had to give it a try. But don’t worry, I’m only entered in the small brewery category so I won’t be competing with MacLaren.”
“Good,” he muttered. “You beat our asses off last time.”
“I did, didn’t I?” She smiled broadly.
As he loaded the cases, he noticed the markings on the box tops. “You’ve entered under your real name?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “I decided it was time to come out of the shadows.”
“Good. People should know who they’re dealing with.”
Was he talking about himself being deceived by her false name? Maggie kept silent, figuring the less said about that, the better.
He opened the passenger door and held her arm as she climbed up into the cab. Maggie almost groaned as her arm warmed to his touch.
“Should be an interesting contest,” Connor said lightly, and slammed her door shut.
Something about his tone aroused Maggie’s suspicions and they grew as she watched him circle the truck and jump into the driver’s seat.
“Let me guess,” she said, her heart beginning to sink. “You’re one of the judges.”
It was his turn to smile as he slipped the key into the ignition and started up the truck. “Yeah. Problem?”
“Oh no,” she said glumly. “What could possibly go wrong?”
“No need to worry, Maggie. It’s a blind tasting.”
“Then why are you wearing such an evil grin?”
As Connor chuckled, she settled in for the ride.
Four
As soon as they arrived at the convention center hotel, they stowed their belongings with the bellhop, who would hold everything until their room was ready. One of the festival handlers took her kegs and assured her that they would be delivered to the beer garden, where many of the brewers served their latest beers to the festival goers all week long. Maggie took personal custody of the dolly that held the three cases she’d designated for the competition. Then Maggie and Connor went their separate ways.