Chapter 26
Kyle
There was a bounce in his step as Kyle left Hawthorne Bluff Bank and Trust and practically skipped down the street toward Cuppa Joe’s to meet Jon and Wyatt.
The interview with Win Tomlinson had gone extremely well.
Win had extended an offer to Kyle for a position in the financial services division, understanding that it would be a few months before Kyle would actually be able to start.
“While we’re ready to expand now,” Win had told him, “I’m more interested in hiring an extremely well-qualified person for the position even if it means waiting a bit longer. I think you’ll be a great asset to this department.”
When Kyle reached the coffee shop, he was surprised to see that Neil and Matthew had already arrived. He joined the group after ordering a cappuccino and a celebratory pastry.
“Hi, guys,” Kyle greeted them happily.
“By the look on your face, I’m guessing the interview went well,” Jon said, kissing Kyle on the cheek when he sat down.
“It did. In fact, you’re looking at the new financial services manager,” Kyle said. “If I accept the position, that is. Which I fully intend to do.” They congratulated Kyle, raising their coffee cups in a toast. Even Wyatt lifted his small cup of milk, mimicking them all.
“They know you can’t start immediately, right?” Jon asked.
“Yeah. Win said he’d rather wait and hire the most qualified person for the job. I guess he likes me.”
“Of course, he does,” Neil said. “He knew he had the best candidate sitting in front of him.”
“I stopped by Finn’s office after the interview and told him the good news,” Kyle told them. “He’s really glad that it worked out.”
When they were done, Jon suggested a walk through town so they could show Neil and Matthew around. As they passed the Bees Knees, Matthew stopped.
“Um, you guys didn’t plan this, right?” he asked.
“Plan what?” Kyle was confused.
Matthew pointed to an empty storefront between the Bees Knees and the Leaf and Petal. “This.”
“Do you remember what was here the last time we visited?” Kyle asked his husband.
“Hmmm.” Jon thought a moment. “I don’t. Whatever it was, it couldn’t have made much of an impression.” He turned to Matthew. “Sorry, I don’t remember ever seeing an empty store on Main Street.”
“Oh my God!” Kyle practically shouted. “Are you really thinking of expanding?”
“It’s not like you haven’t suggested that on more than one occasion, smarta—, um, my friend.” Matthew smirked, barely catching himself. They’d all been careful of their language now that Wyatt was talking more, as he had an uncanny habit of repeating what he heard at the worst possible moments.
“Well, the sign says the lease is being handled by Connolly Realty. You can ask Sarah about it tomorrow when we meet her to look at the house.”
It was a beautiful, typical fall day—sunny but crisp—as they exited the SUV on a small residential street on the north side of Hawthorne Bluff.
With Wyatt’s car seat installed, it wasn’t easy to fit four adult men in the SUV.
But since the ride from the B and B to this neighborhood was only a few minutes, they risked it, and Matthew sat on Neil’s lap next to Wyatt.
Sarah Connolly was waiting outside of a large sage-green and butter-yellow Craftsman-style home when they arrived.
Once introductions had been made, Sarah said, “I really think you’re going to love this house, guys.
It recently came on the market when the owners decided to downsize after their last child got married and moved out.
They realized that it was just too much house for them at this point.
C’mon.” She dangled keys. “Let me show you around.”
After touring the home for almost an hour, Sarah excused herself so the guys could talk in private, telling them to meet her at her car when they were ready.
“I think this is the one!” Kyle said excitedly.
“Yeah, it definitely feels right,” Jon agreed.
“It’s a great house for sure,” Matthew added.
“And the neighborhood seems wonderful.” Neil nodded.
“I’m gonna text Sarah and see if my dad and Rob could look at the place later today,” Kyle explained as he typed on his phone. After a moment, he nodded and then placed a call.
“Hey, Dad. Yeah, we just saw the house. We all really like it.” He’d already called Ben the day before about his job, so they didn’t need to go over that again.
“We were wondering if you and Rob might be available to come look at the house today. We’d appreciate your opinion,” he explained.
“You can? Great. Okay, see you in about an hour and a half.”
After ending the call, Kyle said, “Okay, let’s go talk to Sarah.”
Jon explained to her that yes, they were very interested in the house, and Ben and Rob were on their way to look at it as well. Sarah checked her appointment schedule and reserved another hour later that day.
“Do you want to just meet back here in a couple of hours?” Sarah asked.
“Actually,” Matthew said, “I’d like to talk to you about the empty store on Main Street next to the Bees Knees.”
Neil grinned, and Kyle felt another cog slip into place.
By the time Ben and Rob got to town, the guys had all looked at the empty retail space, Neil and Matthew had gone for a short walk down Main Street, and they’d all returned to Sarah’s office for Matthew to discuss the lease agreement for the space.
It seemed that the Artistic Alchemist was expanding to Hawthorne Bluff.
Then they all took another tour of the house, with Ben and Rob agreeing it was the home where Kyle and Jon should raise Wyatt.
Neil and Matthew offered to show Wyatt the spacious backyard while the rest of them discussed making an offer on the house.
After a brief discussion, hands were shaken, and Sarah told them she would contact the sellers with their offer.
“Let’s go to the Gray Whale for dinner,” Rob suggested to the group. “My treat. After all, we’ve got a few things to celebrate today.”
“I know you’re not supposed to toast with water,” Ben said, raising his glass and gazing at the smiling men around the table.
“But since I’m driving home tonight, it will have to do.
” Ben and Rob had offered to take Wyatt home with them so that the guys could enjoy their evening and the following day with Neil and Matthew.
Wyatt loved staying with his Pa and Papa, so he’d said yes when asked if he wanted to go home with them.
“To new beginnings,” Ben toasted. “I’m thankful that I’ll have my family closer in the near future.
And when I say ‘family,’ I mean Neil and Matthew too. ”
“Thanks, Dad and Rob,” Kyle said. “We really appreciate all your help.”
“Ben, Rob, is that you?” Clay asked, walking to their table with Finn. “It’s so great to see you again!”
Introductions were made, then Kyle said, “We have even more good news.”
“Oh, did you like the house Sarah was showing you today?” Finn asked.
“We did,” Kyle confirmed. “In fact, we made an offer on it this afternoon.”
“That’s great!” Clay said.
“And Matthew signed a lease on that empty store on Main Street,” Jon added.
“Congratulations, Matthew,” Finn said. “What type of shop are you opening?”
“Custom jewelry,” Matthew answered. “I’ve got a store in Westport called the Artistic Alchemist. I’ve decided to expand.”
“I’ve heard of your shop,” Finn said. “It’s got a great reputation for amazing designs. I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful addition to Hawthorne Bluff.”
“Thank you.”