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The sense of camaraderie, the food, the... the family.

But it scared her too. How could it not? This was nothing like her life. Nothing like the life she had known previously. Her own family treated her like she was disposable, and Daughtry was giving her something real. It wasn’t a handout. He was actually giving her job experience.

If she stayed here long enough she would be able to get work elsewhere. And he was right; if she stayed and saved enough money then she could go to college. She could probably start online classes.

She would be able to buy a computer. And they had Wi-Fi on the ranch.

Her heart was pounding, but she was smart. She knew how to survive.

She wasn’t sure she knew how to do this, though. It felt like something bigger than survival. Somethingmore. And that was something she didn’t have any experience with. Not beyond the last month.

“So what’s the plan? We have to present him with information?”

“Yes. We need to get together some information on projected costs.”

“Well, I’m familiar with all the supplies. For brewing, bottling and distribution. I imagine you’re going to want real labels, and there are companies that can do that for cheap, and there are companies that can do it good. My recommendation would be to do it good.”

He chuckled. “Okay. Whatever you think. You give me some ideas, and we’ll work them into a proposal for Denver.”

The absolute terror of the hope that was rioting through her was better than any cigarette. It was intoxicating, and she was worried that it might be addicting. Just like he was.

Her feelings for him were anything but straightforward. And she had a feeling she was a special project to him. She was going to prove that she was worth the investment.

She would make sure that Daughtry King was not sorry that he believed in her.

Because he was the only person on this green earth who ever had.

And that was worth more than whatever strange sensation she got in her stomach whenever she looked at him. This was worth everything.

“I’m going to get something together tonight. And... I can give it to Denver in the morning.”

He nodded. “Great.”

She wrapped her arms around herself, and they looked at each other for maybe a minute longer than necessary. Not a whole minute. Just a heartbeat. A breath.

She cleared her throat. “I’ll see you.”

“Yeah,” he said.

She went back to her room and closed the door, leaning against it, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. He was giving her a chance to make something of herself. He was giving her a chance to plan for her future. That was worth more than anything else ever could be. It wasn’t stardust. It was something more concrete than that; it was what she needed.

It was a brick. And she would be damned if she was going to waste it.

Chapter Eleven

Early the next morning, Bix presented her plan to Denver. “This looks good,” he said.

He passed the paper to Justice, who looked it over. “Damn good.”

Arizona grabbed a page and skimmed it quickly. “This is great.”

Landry took it last. “I’m in,” he said. “What’s your time frame?”

“Well, we need to determine a formula. So we’re going to have to consider what we think the signature should be for King’s Crest. Assuming that’s how you want to go. A beer for each ranch.”

“Let’s start with King’s. I think we’ll wait and see if anybody else wants to invest,” said Denver.

She nodded. “Seems fair. So, what do you all like to drink?”