Page 23 of Guarding Bristol

When TJ didn’t answer right away, Beckett folded his arms, looking every inch the team leader he’d once been.“Is there anything else we need to know about you?”

“No,” TJ said.Nothing that would affect them or his performance on the job.Information about his name change was available if they wanted to check it.Which he was sure they would.

“I spoke to two of your foremen in Portland.They had nothing but good things to say about you.Good work ethic, you show up on time, and don’t cause any problems.But I need to know—are there any substance abuse issues?”

“No.”

That dark stare continued to measure him for a long moment.Then Beckett nodded once, and TJ felt like he’d passed muster.“Okay.Good.We’re currently looking to hire two more people in the next few weeks, as we’re heavy into our busy season.And I’m not sure if Bristol told you, but we can provide housing if you take a full-time position.”

TJ raised his eyebrows.“Are you offering me the job?”Just like that?Even with the potential red flag about assuming a new identity and no work history?

“Bristol’s vouched for you.That, your Ranger tab, and your honorable discharge are enough for me.”

Wow.He hadn’t expected this.And as for Bristol vouching for him, that was crazy.As crazy as her coming to Portland alone the other night and tracking him down in the roughest part of the city.She had no reason to believe in him just because he’d served with her brother.What if he was a shitty person?She’d repeatedly gone above and beyond to help him, and it made no sense.

“Do you want it?”Beckett asked, dragging him out of his thoughts.

He hid his surprise, refused to acknowledge the rush of pride he felt at the offer.Since he’d been on the street, not many people had trusted him enough to give him the benefit of the doubt, or believed him worthy of a chance.Most had assumed that since he was homeless, he was therefore also lazy, useless, as well as being a drunk or an addict, batshit cray, or a combination thereof.

This show of faith by a former A-team leader made him feel more human than he had in almost a year.“Yes, I do.”

“Good.Glad to hear it.”

“Here’s an employment contract for you to look at.”Mac slid some papers across the table to him.

Beckett raised an arm to flag down a server.“Let’s order first.Lunch’s on the company.”

Mac ordered fish and chips.TJ and Beckett ordered bacon cheeseburgers with fries, and TJ read over the contract while they waited.The terms were fair and more than generous.Benefits kicked in after just one month of full-time work, and they covered everything from medical to dental, medications, counseling, physical therapy, even a certain dollar amount of massage therapy coverage each year.

He had no idea how long he’d stick around.It depended on how things went.

“You don’t have to sign it now,” Beckett told him.“Take it with you and read it later if you want.But it’s pretty up front.We’re not trying to take advantage of anyone.”

No, the exact opposite.“I’ll sign it now.”He took the pen Mac handed him, signed and dated the few places necessary, and slid the contract back.

“Welcome aboard, mate.I’ll give you a copy,” Mac said, signing the corresponding lines before passing it to Beckett to do the same.

“You start Monday, oh-eight-hundred,” Beckett said as he finished the final signature.“It’s a two-story Victorian we’re starting on up the hill east of here toward the coastal highway.Mac will be your onsite foreman, and you’ll meet our business partner Jase too.He handles all the accounting and finances.In the meantime, we’ll get you squared away.”

“There’s a wee, one-bed bungalow we’ve nearly finished on the north side of town, up on the bluff,” Mac said.“The main construction is done.Plumbing, wiring, tiling, fixtures and paint are all sorted, and it’s furnished for staging, but some of the finishing work still needs to be done.If you don’t mind that and handling some grouting, sealing, cleaning and landscaping in your free time, you can move in as soon as this afternoon.If you want.”

TJ stared at him, then glanced at Beckett, too stunned to speak.They were just going to give him a newly finished house to live in?Without even knowing him or having much background on him?That was a hell of a lot of trust to put in a complete stranger who’d been living on the streets for a long time now.How did they know he wouldn’t trash it or strip the copper wiring and pipes out of the walls to sell, and take off one night?

“I don’t mind doing the finishing,” he said.

“Excellent.Do you need to go back to Portland for anything?”Mac asked.

“No.”He was done with that place.For now.Everything he had left in this life was in his ruck.

“All right.I’ll take you up to the house after we finish up here.But take your time eating.The scran here’s amazing.And don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like you could use a second serving of chips.”

It was true, he didn’t have much fat on him now.“I might be open to a second helping of fries.”

The food arrived.Maybe it was because it felt like he’d just fallen out of the lucky tree and hit every branch on the way down, but it was the best burger and fries TJ had ever tasted.He still couldn’t believe everything that was happening, or how fast.

A niggle of guilt pricked him about his ulterior motive for coming out here to the coast.He smothered it.Things were turning out even better than he could ever have imagined.He wondered what Bristol would think of it all.He had her number programmed into his phone.Not that he would call her.But maybe he’d message her at some point to let her know he’d taken the job.Get her off his back for good.

“Welcome aboard, TJ.See you Monday,” Beckett said after they ate.TJ stood with him, shook his hand again.“Message or call if you need anything before then.”

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