Saving Grapes - Madeline Kirby Page 0,65
an outdoor space here. You’d need to do a little rearranging inside, but I can make the configuration work. The division between the two spaces could be flexible, so you can expand or reduce as necessary. This also has the advantage that you could have just one office, if you don’t mind sharing, and that would save a little space. Alternatively, you could build a separate brewery beyond the house. It would be closer to the hop field, which could be picturesque, but it would cost more.”
Ben looked at Thom, trying to gauge his opinion, but wasn’t getting a read on it. “Tell you what, Ross. Let us talk about it, and we’ll let you know. If we decide to go with plan A, when do you need to know?”
Ross pulled out his tablet and checked the calendar and schedule. “It’s almost the weekend now. If you can let me know by Sunday night, that would be best. It would minimize any delays or rebuilding.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. What do you think, Thom?”
“Yeah. Okay. We’ll let you know this weekend. Thanks, Ross.”
Ben helped a quiet Thom back into the truck and handed him his cane. “Don’t think about it right now. Get a good night’s sleep and tomorrow morning we’ll sit down with Steve and Dad and Mindy and hash it out.”
“With everybody?”
“Well, Steve, obviously, because it’s his vision too. But Dad is helping bankroll my training, and Mindy is scary smart and organized and almost has her degree in civil engineering. So, unless you object, I’d like to include everybody.”
Ben watched, and waited, as Thom’s gaze drifted into the middle distance. “Okay,” Thom said after a minute. “Family meeting tomorrow morning.”
Ben leaned in and smacked a noisy kiss on Thom’s cheek. “Excellent decision. Now let’s get you home.”
“Stop hovering.”
“I’m not hovering. I’m two steps behind you, and Dr. Sterling said not to let you do the stairs alone.”
Thom growled under his breath and hauled himself up another step. Two more to go. The porch steps had been easy, but the stairs to the second floor were steeper and there were more of them. Climbing stairs was using his muscles in new and uncomfortable ways.
“Almost there,” Ben said when they both finally stood at the top of the stairs. Thom nodded, leaned on his cane, and started towards his bedroom.
“Before you go in, I should probably tell you—”
“You moved your stuff in, right?”
“Um, yeah. How did you know?”
“I know how many bedrooms are in my own house, and I didn’t think you’d be bunking with Mindy.”
“Of course. Sorry. I should have mentioned it before, but you know, priorities and all.”
Thom stopped and turned to face Ben. “Look, it’s okay. I mean, it made sense, what with everything that was going on.”
“So you’re not mad?”
“I’m not mad. I’m not… well, you know by now I’m not good with too much change too fast.”
“Do you want me to move my stuff out? I can move downstairs with Steve.”
“No! Hell, no. One of the reasons I wanted back upstairs so bad was that I missed sleeping with you.” Thom knew his face must be a raging shade of scarlet by now, but this had to be said.
“So, I can stay? My stuff can stay?”
Thom nodded. “Yeah, you can stay. But can I please go lie down now?”
Ben smiled and kissed Thom’s temple before helping him the rest of the way to bed.
“So,” Steve was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when Ben came down. “Looks like I’ve lost my roommate.”
“The doctor cleared him for the stairs as long as he doesn’t try to do them alone for a while.”
“I was wondering if you’d help me get online and arrange for a flight back to Tucson.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Son, I’ve been here almost two months. I need to get back.”
“I didn’t realize it had been so long.”
“Yep. If Thom can do the stairs now, he’s in better shape than I am and I need to clear out and let you boys get back to normal. And it’s started getting colder, and I’m ready to get back to the sunshine.”
“I’ve gotten so used to having everyone here, I guess that was starting to feel normal for me. I’ll miss you.” Ben turned and the two men started walking towards the office, Ben slowing his pace so Steve could keep up.
“I’ll miss you, too. All of you. Of course I’ll miss Thom. But we all need to lead our own lives. Don’t