“You said I’d meet a local, not another city guy. I could have just as easily met Finn on Tinder or at a bar. It doesn’t count.”

“Why not?”

“If history is any indication, hooking up with city-boy Finn is a one-way trip to nowhere.”

“You shouldn’t make assumptions. You’ve had bad luck, but not every guy is like Leo or the other losers you’ve dated. There are plenty of men in New York City who want to be in a serious relationship and just haven’t met the right girl yet.” She raised her voice. “You could be that girl for Finn.”

“Simmer down now. I’m A-OK with a fling.”

“He passed your test?”

“With flying colors.” A fling between me and Finn might not qualify for romcom status, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be fun.

Kate sniffled. “Hmm, banging the Big Bad Wolf from the city is not typical leading-lady behavior. But you have my blessing.”

“The Big Bad Wolf’s helper. And let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’re not at that scene yet.”

“What happens next?”

I smiled. “I create warmth and kinship in this cold, dead-end town, one community-building initiative at a time.”

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

My first stop was Brothers. Of all the ideas we’d brainstormed, Kate and I agreed Oktoberfest had the most potential as a far-reaching community event. What was more festive than beer, singing, and revelry?

“And why would we do that?” The younger cousin, Aaron, draped a dishtowel over his shoulder and leaned over the bar.

“Because it’ll be a fun way to get the town together,” I said.

“And day drinking. Hello!” Jennifer, who I’d brought along for local support, piped in.

Fortunately, there were only three Jennifers from Pleasant Hollow on Facebook, and her public profile picture confirmed her identity since you couldn’t count on running into someone on the street exactly when you needed to, even in a town as small as Pleasant Hollow. I had an entire speech prepared for our phone call, but she’d stopped me mid-sentence and said, “You had me at Oktoberfest.” She agreed to help me convince the cousins to get on board. I’d been certain the young brewery owners would share her enthusiasm.

I nodded my agreement and pointed at her. “What she said. Everyone loves an excuse to drink during the day.”

Aaron scrubbed down the bar. “Why do we need a formal Oktoberfest? It’ll be October. We’ll be open. Isn’t that enough?”

I glanced around the almost-empty space. “Think of all the money you’d make. You can advertise it as a special event, maybe even bring in customers from the neighboring towns.”

He stopped scrubbing and studied me as if considering.

“Cold Spring has a beer festival every summer. They charge twenty-five a head!”