Page 14 of Reckless Kiss

“I know, but it’s the longest I’ve been away from you since University,” she replied with a pout.

“True,” Archer said. “Look, we can catch up later. But, first, I need to let you know what the deal is here.”

“Is she going to let us run the business?” Jason asked.

“She will,” Archer said, and cheers went up in all three windows. “But,” Archer added and raised a finger.

Like a set of dominos, they all slumped one after the other. “What are the conditions?” Daisy asked.

“She isn’t going to give us control of any land on Copper Island.”

“That’s okay. We don’t want the land until we inherit it,” Luke said. “Is that it?”

“Not exactly,” Archer said. “We’re not allowed to have anything to do with the running of Turner Hall.”

“So long as Maggie can cook for me, I don’t care about that,” Jason said.

“Maggie is excited you might be coming back. I’m sure she won’t have any trouble feeding you. Strangely she’s permitted use of the swimming pool, recently had it overhauled,” Archer said.

“Aww, she still has a soft spot for us,” Daisy replied.

“I don’t think she’s capable of such things,” Luke said.

“Still. Turner Hall is off-limits apart from sleeping. Edward Hall is still the hotel and venue for the business, plus the five cottages are with the deal.”

“They’re for the wedding parties, aren’t they?”

“As far as I can tell, they’re rented long term, rather than for the weekend. So I’m not too sure what’s going on there. The one I’m staying in is clean enough, but it hasn’t been used for a while. Plus, I nearly electrocuted myself on the shower electrics.”

“Good job you’re an electrician then,” Jason offered.

“That’s what Maggie said,” Archer replied.

“Amazing. What about Bailey?” Daisy asked.

“He’s still there, too, as well as Jennifer.”

“Christ,” Jason replied. “She must be eighty by now.”

“There is one more proviso to have the business,” Archer said.

Jason, Luke, and Daisy waited expectantly, staring at him and then looking at each other on the screen. Archer scrubbed his face with his hands and blinked away the blurring he’d caused.

“She thinks I am my father’s son and says we can only take over the business if I get married.”

Luke burst out laughing.

“Fuck,” Jason replied.

“No way,” Daisy said.

Archer let the news sink in for a few minutes as they talked over each other, arguing whether Archer should take the deal.

“You’re a catch. I’m sure you’ll find a wife,” Daisy said, bringing her phone into view.

“What are you doing, Daisy,” Luke asked.

“Setting up a profile for Archer on a dating app,” she said.

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