“That’s the best way to learn,” Jonas declared.
“I agree. So a few years ago, I decided to refurbish the brewery equipment in the barn and try my hand at some of my own formulas. And I think I’m starting to make some pretty good beers.”
“She’s being modest,” Jake said, winking at her. “She’s been kicking our asses lately at every contest she enters.”
Maggie was stunned, no, flabbergasted by Jake’s compliment. She didn’t know if it meant that he’d changed his opinion of her, or if he was just playing nice for Jonas’s sake. She decided to take it as a true compliment and bask in the sweetness of the moment.
Under the table, Connor’s hand found hers and squeezed gently, sending shivers up her arm and down her back. She glanced up at him and he flashed her a wicked grin.
She wondered if her desire for him was written all over her face. Did she dare to hope he felt the same way about her? Could she risk losing her heart only to find out he wasn’t willing to trust her again? She wanted to believe herself ready to take a big risk, but this one might leave her devastated.
Jonas chuckled, interrupting her fantasy. “Competition is good for all of us. I always say a rising tide lifts all boats.”
“True enough,” Ian said, nodding in agreement.
“What’s your father’s name, young lady?” Jonas asked.
“His name was Eli Jameson,” she said. “He died when I was thirteen.”
“Eli?” Jonas’s eyes widened. “You’re Eli Jameson’s little girl?”
Maggie blinked. “Did you know him?”
“Know him?” He chuckled. “Hell, yes. We were great friends back in the day. We first met at a gathering similar to this one, only not nearly as large or as boisterous. Back then, we were a fairly sedate crowd.”
“Dad’s always talking about the good old days,” Christy said, patting her father’s arm fondly.
“I loved those days, too,” Maggie said. “I always felt so close to my dad when we were working to accomplish something together.”
“Your dad and I were competitors,” Jonas said, “but it never seemed to matter which one of us won a medal or a ribbon. We hit it off the first time we met and we stayed friends like that until he died.”
“That’s so nice,” Dana murmured.
Jonas grabbed a bread stick and bit off a small chunk. “Your father was a fine man, Maggie. Quite an athlete, too. I went sailing with him a few times, but I couldn’t keep up with him. I don’t mind saying he scared the hell out of me a few times. I paid him back by dragging him out to the golf course once or twice, but that wasn’t his thing. Too slow moving for him. He was what you might call an adventurer. Always looking for the next big challenge. I was sorry to hear about his death.”
“Thank you, Jonas,” Maggie said, smiling softly at the older man. “Your words brought him back to life for a few minutes.”
“It was my pleasure,” he said with a firm nod. “They’re good memories.”
Maggie gazed up at the wrought-iron light fixture and blinked back tears. “You know, I’ve always thought of my father as a larger-than-life character. But then I would wonder if that was just my own skewed perspective of a little girl in love with her great big father.”