“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 theydidn’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 timeBen 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 knowyou’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.”
Epilogue
Four months later
Jon
“Hurry up, son,” Jon called out to Wyatt. “Breakfast is ready.”
“K, Daddy!” Wyatt said, jogging down the stairs of Ben and Rob’s home.
Kyle, Jon, and Wyatt had been living with them in Westport for the past two weeks, commuting back and forth to Hawthorne Bluff while they put the final touches on their new home. It was Saturday, and they were officially moving in today. As soon as they all finished breakfast.
“Sowry.” Wyatt sat next to his grandpa. “Hadta pee.”
