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"Of course," Beau said. "What time?"
"Five," Max said.
"Sure," Beau agreed with no hesitation.
He picked up a towel and began drying his hair. He was in the middle of this when Max got him in a headlock and rubbed the top of his head in a nuggie-like-motion before letting him go. "I’m messing with you, nephew. You flew in from Japan today. I'm not going to ask you to get up before dawn to work with me." He paused and pointed at Eric. "You, on the other hand…"
"I'll be here with bells on," Eric promised. "Night, y'all," he added, waving at all of us as he walked inside.
We told Eric goodnight as he followed the others inside.
Max stayed out there with us.
Chapter 20
Beau
Beau glanced at Max after everyone else went inside. "I don't mind getting up to help you out, Uncle Max. You were right, it'll go faster with more hands."
"No, Beau. I'll have Paul, Eric, and Casey out there. I was just messing with you since you came from the other side of the earth today. Thank you, though. I'm proud of you for being willing."
"Anytime," he said.
"I know. You've helped me before, and I'm thankful. Hey, speaking of helping me out… I need to ask you something. Do you think I could ask you a quick question about some architecture?" Max looked around, hesitating before he went inside. He wanted to talk to Beau privately, and Holland picked up on the hint. Max was like that. He was kind and loving, but he had work stuff going on, and he got down to business when he needed to get something done.
"I'm going inside to get changed," Holland said to Beau. "I'll meet you back in the kitchen in a little bit." She waved at Max. "Night, in case I don't see you again, Max. Thanks for everything today. That food was really good."
"Yeah, that was good," Beau agreed. "I'm about to eat some more."
"There's plenty," Max said. "And night, sweetheart. See you tomorrow."
Beau dried off and watched Holland gather her things. Ralphie had enough running around and he was lying on the ledge. Holland made a little clicking noise that brought him instantly to his feet.
"I'll meet you in the kitchen in a bit," she said to Beau who gave her a nod and smile.
He watched her walk inside. Maybe he should have looked away, but he couldn’t, he loved the way she looked, even from the back. Especially from the back. He stared for a second too long before glancing at his uncle.
Max let out a defeated sigh.
"What?"
"Well, I can tell by the way you're looking at her that my idea is not going to… wait… she could… okay… this could still work, maybe," Max spoke slowly. He was looking straight at Beau whose face was a mask of confusion. "Let me back up," Max said, explaining. "I was talking to Casey and your dad earlier, and we were discussing your work. Your dad said you like that firm in Chicago, but you're notdead seton working there. I didn't know you weren't dead set."
"What's that mean? Do you want me to go to work with you and Casey?"
It was a running joke in their family they all wanted to "work" with Max and Casey. The two of them were into trading, but they also traveled a lot. Ever since Max had bought this place in Arkansas, he spent roughly a third of his life there, a third of his life in Florida, and a third traveling. There was some mystery and speculation about what he and Casey did while they were traveling, and the family teased them about it but never asked questions. Casey's brother, Caleb, was in the FBI, and it wasn't a secret, so everyone was pretty certain that they weren't members of that organization. Either way, there was an air of mystery regarding the way Max and Casey spent their time at work. It didn't matter in regards to their home life since neither of them was married.
"Actually, I do want you to work with us," Max said, taking Beau completely by surprise. "Not officially. But, yes, I have a project on this property. You know I have a small house in the west woods. But I have another project I want to do on an adjacent lot, and I need someone I can trust to design it. I'd also need you to oversee construction when I'm not here. I trust Paul, but he's not a designer, and I'd like to have you here if there's a problem. I have specific plans that I want to see come to life, and I could imagine that something of this scale would take a year or two to complete. I could hire other people to do it, but your dad and I were talking earlier about your work, and I thought you'd be perfect. I could have you on full-time if you're willing to help out with some other things. I can match what the patio place in Chicago was going to pay you. I was thinking you could hold off on that job and come live out here for a year or two. Your parents and AJ and Rose will come visit, and you'd get to see all of us. I thought it'd be good timing after college. But I didn't consider Holland. She wouldn't be here. I thought all the pieces were there, but Holland's going back to Chicago." He sighed like he was disappointed and patted Beau's shoulder. "I see you with her, and I can tell there's just no way you're staying here while she goes back."
"Yeah, I don't think so…" Beau hesitated, shaking his head and thinking about how he felt in Japan.
Max went deep in thought, messing with the dry shirt which he had just picked up from the table. "I would say she's just a girl and you should take me up on this offer while you're still young and unattached, but I do believe Holland is different."
"I know she is. But why do you say that?"
Max shrugged. "I don't know. I love her. I'd probably make her marry Casey or Caleb if you don't snatch her up."
"Oh, I'm snatching her up," Beau assured his uncle easily, causing Max to laugh.
