“No.” I scowled. “Do you really think I’m keeping tabs on my ex-husband’s love life?”
“I would.” She shot a glance at Mac that lingered a moment too long.
That I didn’t doubt.
“No, think young love.” I nodded toward Kat. I knew she wouldn’t mind me breaking the news that she and Jack had recently become an item. Neither Garrett nor I were surprised when Jack had asked her out. They’d been nearly inseparable ever since.
“Ohhh.” April clapped. “I absolutely adore young love. I’ll have to cozy up to the new couple and get the scoop. Die Zeitung could use a good puff piece. They’ll make for a wonderful cover story for the next issue. We can do a photo shoot at Nitro. The place where it all began. I can see it now, an adorable Bavarian couple—lederhosen, the dress I loaned Kat, overflowing beer steins. It’s perfection!” She scurried over to talk to them.
I mouthed “sorry” to Kat, who leaned against Jack’s shoulder. She shot me a teasing glare.
Mac jumped onto the top of a table. His signature move. “Who’s ready to tap this beauty?”
Everyone cheered.
“Okay, let’s do it. We named this beer the Brewin’ Reuben, and we can’t wait for you to try it!” He nodded to Garrett. “Go ahead and do the honors, my friend.”
Garrett tapped the keg and poured the flowing beer into huge pewter steins for him and Mac. Then he raised his stein and said, “To collaborations and bright futures.”
He caught my eye, letting his gaze lock with mine for a moment before smiling and turning to Mac.
“To collaborations and bright futures,” Mac repeated. They clinked glasses and then poured pints for the crowd.
I found myself overcome with emotion. Collaborations and bright futures sounded like exactly what I needed. Scratch that. Collaborations and bright futures were exactly what lay ahead for me. I could definitely raise a glass to that.
I took a pint from one of the waitstaff, held it high, and said a silent thanks to the universe for my friends, my family, and my beloved village.
Garrett worked his way over to me after frothy pints were passed around the room. “Hey, brew partner, be honest. What do you think?” He studied me as I tasted the beer.
“A Reuben, really? Are you sure Mac didn’t talk you into this? It’s more his style.” I teased.
His eyes twinkled. “Nah, I wanted to push the envelope. That’s science, right? And if it’s terrible, Der Keller can take the blame.”
I anticipated the beer would have a punch-you-in-the-face sour quality. To my surprise, it had a touch of sourness, but a delicate level of fruitiness that balanced out the sauerkraut, much like a traditional Gose, which was known for its lemon sourness. The style originated in Goslar, Germany, where it was fermented with salt and coriander.
“It’s amazing.” I took another sip, letting the flavors settle on my tongue. “You know, this actually makes sense. The saltiness of the sauerkraut really works.”
Garrett beamed. “Thanks. That’s good to hear. I was hoping to impress you.” He leaned closer and whispered in my ear. “You’re hard to impress, you know.”
“Am I?” I clutched the pint glass in an attempt to gain control of the tingling sensation flooding my body.
“You are, Sloan Krause, you are. But I’m going to make it my mission to keep finding ways to impress you.” He moved back slightly but held my gaze, staring at me as if we were the only people in the room. “For starters, what do you say we take a road trip to Wenatchee later this week? There’s a brewery doing farm-to-table dinners. Five courses, beer pairings, you and me under the stars. What do you say?”
“Strictly for research purposes, of course?” I tilted my head to the side.
“I don’t think I said anything about this being a research dinner. That is, unless you want to keep things strictly professional.” He gave me a half grin.
“Dinner sounds nice.” I left it at that as he got caught up in a conversation with an admirer who had already fallen for his beer.
I wasn’t sure where things were headed with us, but these last few weeks had taught me a valuable lesson on keeping my heart open. I’d learned so much about my own shortcomings from my breakup with Mac. I wasn’t ready to dive headfirst into a new relationship with Garrett yet, but I was ready to dip my feet into the pool, and I felt confident that our friendship and mutual trust would provide a stable foundation for whatever came next.
Later that night, I strolled home to my cottage, feeling contented and more at peace than I’d been in years. Spring had given way to the early days of summer. Sunlight lingered as solstice loomed nearer. The cobblestone sidewalks were packed with people waiting in line for fudge and marzipans at the chocolate shop and clapping along to oompah music on bar balconies. I grinned as I passed by. These halcyon days were meant to be savored. I had learned that in almost losing Alex. It was time to live in the now. My past was my past, and whatever the future held, I knew I could handle it.
A small white envelope was taped to my front door. My name was written on the front, but there was no return address or other identifying information. I yanked the envelope free and went inside.
Since the evening was still warm, I took the envelope outside and flicked on the Edison-style lights strung around my back porch. I sat in the latest addition to my ever-expanding outdoor area—a wooden rocking chair that Hans had delivered the other day. It creaked ever so slightly as I rocked back and forth, and still held the faintest aroma of wood stain.
I opened the envelope to find a handwritten note addressed to me. I recognized the cursive writing.
My dearest Sloan,
It is with great sadness that I write this. I’m sure you have questions. I have some answers, but not all.
Before I get to that, please let me apologize for taking Alex. I never intended to harm him. I thought it was the only way to get through to you. I realize now that I probably did more damage than good. However, he is your son, which means he’s strong and resilient, and while he might carry a scar or two, he will recover.
Forest is dead. He won’t be bothering you or anyone you love ever again. I’ve made sure of that. When I realized that he was already in Leavenworth, I had to act fast. I could tell that you weren’t going to budge. You weren’t going to run. I understand. I don’t blame you, but that’s why I had to use Alex. It pulled attention away from me and gave me a chance to get Forest out of town—far, far from you and your family.
I’m sure you’ve seen the police files and the footage from the hotel. I went willingly with Forest, promising to deliver Alex to him. A friend on the force helped me plot my escape. Once I knew Forest was nowhere within reach of you, I was able to convince him that I had Alex hidden in an abandoned train depot. I’ll let you fill in any details from there.
You might not approve of my tactics, but I promise you that everything I’ve done over the years has been for you and for Claire. My greatest regret is not getting to be a part of your life. I had hoped maybe that could change, but now it can’t. You won’t hear from me again. You’re probably happy to know that. I just wish I could have shared more about Claire with you. She would be so proud of you. Of who you’ve become. Of how you’ve raised your son. You are your mother exemplified. Even getting to spend a few days with you has brought me more joy than you’ll ever know. You gave me the gift of seeing my sister again through your eyes. It’s a memory I’ll cherish and carry with me wherever I go.
On that note, I’m going away. Not that that’s anything new for you. I’ve watched you from afar, and now I must let you go for good. You are the daughter I never had, Sloan. I wish so many things. I wish I could have been with you to braid your hair when you were young. I wish I could have stood next to you when you married Mac or held your hand when you delivered Alex, but fate had other plans. You may not believe it, but I have loved you from before you were born. I will love you until the day you die. The love that Claire had for you ties us together. I see how loved you
are by your family in Leavenworth. This brings me comfort. Embrace that love, Sloan. You have so much more to offer the world.
With deepest love and affection,
Your aunt, Marianne
I clasped the letter to my chest when I finished reading. Tears didn’t flow, rather a profound sense of warmth and comfort flooded my body. Everything Marianne had told me was true. I had been and was loved by her and my mother. She had made the greatest sacrifice for me, her own happiness for mine. I wasn’t sure if or how I could ever repay her for that. But I knew one thing—I would spend the rest of my life trying to live up to her legacy of love, with Alex and surrounded by my family and friends in my own Bavaria.
ALSO BY ELLIE ALEXANDER
THE SLOAN KRAUSE MYSTERIES
Death on Tap
The Pint of No Return
Beyond a Reasonable Stout
Without a Brew
THE BAKESHOP MYSTERIES
Meet Your Baker
A Batter of Life and Death
On Thin Icing
Caught Bread Handed
Fudge and Jury
A Crime of Passion Fruit
Another One Bites the Crust
Till Death Do Us Tart
Live and Let Pie
A Cup of Holiday Fear
Nothing Bundt Trouble
Chilled to the Cone
Mocha, She Wrote
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELLIE ALEXANDER is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of “research.” She is also the author of the Bakeshop Mysteries, which began with Meet Your Baker. Find her on Facebook to learn more!. You can sign up for email updates here.
facebook.com/elliealexanderauthor
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Also by Ellie Alexander
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
First published in the United States by Minotaur Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
THE CURE FOR WHAT ALES YOU. Copyright © 2021 by Kate Dyer-Seeley. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
www.minotaurbooks.com
Cover design by Rowen Davis
Cover illustration by Mary Ann Lasher
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Alexander, Ellie, author.
Title: The cure for what ales you / Ellie Alexander.
Description: First Edition. | New York: Minotaur Books, 2021. | Series: A Sloan Krause mystery; 5
Identifiers: LCCN 2021016065 | ISBN 9781250781451 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781250781468 (ebook)
Subjects: GSAFD: Mystery fiction.
Classification: LCC PS3601.L353755 C87 2021 | DDC 813/.6—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021016065
eISBN 9781250781468
Our ebooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
First Edition: 2021