Steam (Homecoming Hearts #4)(76)

“It is a ludicrous amount of money,” Ashby said with a sigh, shaking his head.

Both the Texans had already signed the contract. The big one pushed the papers in front of Kiefer and raised his eyebrows.

The vein on the side of Kiefer’s head was visibly popping out. He ground his teeth and glowered at Ashby and Trent. “Fuck it,” he snarled, snatching up the pen and scrawling down his signature. “I hope it makes you bankrupt.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Ashby as he reached over and pulled the papers back to him. “I am obscenely rich and I’m not an idiot.” He batted his eyelashes at Kiefer as he downed the last of his whiskey. “Or an arsehole. I’m prepared to actually do some work and make this place flourish. It was a pleasure doing business with you. Now, please leave my resort. We have certain standards to maintain.”

Without another word, Kiefer rose to his feet, buttoned up his blazer, and stormed out of the conference room. The other two Texans seemed to pick up that the insult wasn’t directed at them, as they took the time to come around and shake Ashby’s hand before they left. Bob watched them go with an open mouth.

“Right, Bob,” Ashby said, catching his attention. “Would you like to go over some more of the proposal? I’ve got so many ideas that I’m very excited about discussing with you. I’ll give Darnell a call and see about having some refreshments brought over. We’re celebrating after all.”

Bob looked at him, then giggled, like a child. He clapped his hand over his mouth, but it didn’t stop the mirth from shining out of his eyes. “I can’t believe you saved us,” he said once he found some of his composure. He looked like the weight that had been sitting on his shoulders had finally lifted, and he appeared years younger for it.

Trent took Ashby’s hand and smiled at him. “That’s what he does,” he said. Ashby saw the pride in his eyes and could have died from happiness there and then. “He’s a hero.” Trent leaned over and kissed Ashby softly on the cheek. “I’ll leave you guys to discuss business. I’ll see you at home.”

Because of course Ashby had bought Trent’s cabin for them as part of the agreement. He had plans to expand on it and make it a real home.

“Bye,” he said softly, watching his boyfriend leave and close the door. He couldn’t stop smiling.

Finally, he’d done something of real value with his life. And he had the man he loved by his side as he did it.





32





Trent





Trent stood on the side of the mountain and looked down at the spectacular view below. Snow-dusted pine trees rose out from the pristine white landscape that glowed in the midday sunshine. The sky was a clear cobalt blue, the air fresh and cold. Down below, he could see all of the Grand Resort in all its glory.

The new construction work was already coming along nicely. The interiors were all getting makeovers, but Ashby and Bob had already given the go-ahead for the new gym being built and a children’s play area. It was like the resort was coming to life after a long time in hibernation.

“It’s perfect,” his dad said beside him.

Trent turned and looked at his dad as he stared out over the vista. They had been hunting for a quiet spot on the resort grounds, the perfect place to put a memorial bench.

“Your mom would be very proud of you,” his dad said, still looking out at the view. “She knew you loved her. I know she did.”

Trent swallowed and looked down at Merlin, who was being a very good boy for once at their feet. His tongue lolled out and he wagged his tail as Trent leaned down to scratch between his ears. He’d calmed down a fair bit since his adventure in the pool. Or, Trent privately suspected, since he and his dad had stopped fighting.

“Thank you,” he said around the lump in his throat. “I…I miss her.”

“I know, son. Me too,” his dad said with a sigh. “But sometimes things don’t go as planned. I’m just so grateful for the time we had together. She was my one in a million. But…she’s still with us.” He turned to Trent, his smudged glasses glinting in the sunshine. “She would want us to be friends again. To be a family. I know she would bend my ear for everything I put you through.”

Trent shook his head and clasped his dad’s shoulder. “I’m still sorry for the way I acted,” he said, dropping his hand.

His dad shrugged. “Me too,” he said heavily. “Grief makes us do dumb things, I think.”

Trent nodded in agreement. “I needed someone smarter than me to help me get my head out of my ass,” he said.

His dad chuckled. “That Ashby is a great boy,” he said. Trent loved his dad so much for not once batting an eyelid at the fact Trent was dating another guy. One who didn’t always look very much like a guy. He just seemed so happy that Trent had settled down. “Love looks good on you, son,” he said.

Trent smiled and tried not to blush. “He’s my one in a million,” he said. He’d forgotten when he’d told Ashby those words that it had been his parents’ saying.

“And that’s how you treat him,” his dad said sagely. “Everything else falls into place if you make sure to remember that, every day.”

“You sound like Maeve,” Trent told him with a chuckle. It had not escaped his notice that every time he saw his dad now, Maeve always seemed to be by his side. Either telling him off for not doing his books properly or fussing that he wasn’t eating enough. She told anyone who would listen, loudly, that she was just looking after Merlin. But Trent saw how his dad was dressing a bit smarter these days.