Page 100 of Finding Home with You

Beck gives me a sly smile as he leans against the bar, arms folded across his chest. “You quit, didn’t you?”

I chuckle. “It’s that obvious?”

Beck laughs as he shakes his head. “Nah,” he says. “I’ve just been there, got the t-shirt, remember?”

Now it’s me laughing. “This is true,” I admit. “You ever regret it?” I ask, knowing his answer will have nothing to do with Kelsey and only to do with missing the action and excitement that came with the job we did in Boston.

“Nope, not for a single day,” he immediately says and I can tell he means it. “I mean…Kelsey, she means the world to me,” he continues. “I nearly fucked it up once, there wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to do that a second time.”

I nod. “Yeah, I get that.”

“But,” he continues. “Even though I loved what we did in Boston, that it was a dream I’d had since childhood, sometimes you just reach a point when that dream doesn’t matter anymore. When the danger and risks start to far outweigh the excitement of it all.”

He pauses, reaching down to grab me another beer. I nod my thanks.

“There’s no shame in feeling that way,” he says.

“No, I get it,” I say, shaking my head because that’s not what my silence means. “You were shot, Beck,” I continue. “That’s a pretty big fucking deal.”

“Yeah,” he concedes. “And you were also shot,” he continues. “And you watched your girlfriend nearly get shot.”

“Ah, fuck,” I say, scratching my jaw. “Fucking kills me just thinking about it.”

“I know,” he says. “And that’s why I get that you want to walk away right now. And if it feels right, Ryan, don’t question it.”

“No, I’m not, seriously,” I say, waving a hand as though to dismiss what he’s saying. “I’m good with leaving, I promise you.”

“So what’s the plan then,” he asks. “Any thoughts on what you might do up here?”

“Not join the force,” I say quickly.

Beck laughs. “Yeah, you and Finn together, might be a bit too much testosterone for this town.”

I smile. “Yeah, so I was thinking…”

Beck watches me, not saying anything now. My eyes flick over to the kitchen and the idiot he currently has working back there, before roaming over the pub. Even though it’s quiet now, winter being the low season, this place has so much potential. So much room to grow.

“Ryan?” Beck prompts.

I take another sip of beer and a deep breath, before I open my mouth and go for it. “You ever thought about fixing this place up?” I ask, hoping to god I’m not about to insult the guy with my suggestions. “Maybe fix up the kitchen?”

Beck stares silently back at me for a second or two before giving me a small nod of the head, as though he wants me to continue. So I do, telling him about my ideas for the kitchen, a new menu and a possible refurbishment or extension. An outdoor eating area for the summer months and definitely a new chef.

Eventually I stop, take a deep breath and a long pull on my beer as I wait for his thoughts.

“So basically,” Beck eventually says. “You want to join up and become partners. But you’ll run the kitchen and I’ll run the pub.” I nod, still not sure how he feels about any of this. “And you’re prepared to put money into the whole thing?” he continues.

I nod. “I am,” I say. “I’m talking proper business partners here, Beck, no free ride or anything.”

Beck nods. “You know Finn’s a silent partner in this too, right?”

“Yeah, I know,” I say. “And of course he’d have to be involved in this as well. I’m not trying to shut him out or anything. And I know it’s a family business too, so the name sticks. I don’t want to change any of that. I’m just asking for a part, that’s all.”

Beck nods, but doesn’t say anything, his face unreadable. He turns and grabs a bottle of Jameson’s from a shelf behind him, putting two glasses onto the counter before giving both a generous pour.

“Well,” Beck says, looking up at me as he slides a glass in my direction. “I gotta say, Summers, those are some good ideas you have,” he says, his face still not giving anything away. “And I’m pretty sure we’ve already proven we can work together.”

“So…?” I ask, my heart pounding in my chest as I start to think he might go for it.

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