It had taken Emily two weeks to finally decide on a house in Seattle. Both Chloe and Jen had decided to get apartments on their own, so Emily had to decide on a place for herself. The realtor, seeming to be able to smell the money on her, had shown Emily a dozen palatial homes on the coast and in ritzy neighborhoods, but none felt right. Besides, for all intents and purposes, Emily was a single woman. She had no kids, no relations, so she couldn't see the need for seven bedrooms. It wasn't until she came across a notice in the paper for an auction that she knew she'd found her home. 

It was a vacation home that had been owned by a local artist. The home was situated halfway up a hill just outside of Ballard, a location known as Teverton Ridge. Uniquely, the home was circular instead of rectangular, giving stunning views from every room. 

Of course, some renovation had to be done. Emily had the property groomed and landscaped, and the interior was updated with new hard wood floors, a beatiful kitchen, and large decks were added off the living room and the master bedroom. It truly was a picturesque place, and Emily felt at peace the moment she walked into it. 

Three weeks after moving in, Emily was delighted with the news that Billy was coming to Seattle, and offered to meet him at the airport. It had been more than two months since she moved from Detroit, and the last time she'd seen Billy, he was recovering from a severe gunshot wound in the side. 

Eagerly, Emily stood in the terminal and waited. She was dressed in a simple, navy blue dress with a cream colored cardigan draped over her shoulders and matching blue pumps. Her hair, usually worn up, was down and hanging just below her shoulders. A pair of sunglasses were perched on the bridge of her nose. She knew the flight was supposed to have landed five minutes ago, do she craned her neck trying to see over the crowd. 

​​​​​​

Billy stepped off the plane and into the terminal. He was told Emily was going to meet him here, but rather than looking for her, he had come to realize that generally it was easier for people to find him. So he made his way toward the center of the terminal and waited, keeping an eye open, but not really looking too deeply. More people watching than anything else.

That's when he heard the sound of heels approaching him and he turned to see his friend Em. He smiled a broad smile and pulled her into a hug.

"Well if it isn't the savior doctor herself."

He laughed and picked up his bags.

"You know I still haven't booked a hotel yet. I figured I would come out and see a bunch of friends. It's been a very long time since I slept on someone else's couch or in their guest room. I think it might feel homely. So how have you been? And what kind of car have you got?"

Emily's grin was wide and nearly broke off her face when Billy hugged her. She only came to to his chest, but her hug was just as tight. 

She scoffed playfully at his mention of a hotel. 

"Nonsense, I insist you stay with me. I've got plenty of room, and a better view than any hotel you'll find around here. It's just so good to see you!" 

She led him from the busy terminal and out to the street where a '27 Cadillac LaSalle waited with a driver standing beside an open door. The weather was nice, so the top was down. 

​​​​​​"This is my current car, but not for much longer. Alucard has been teaching me to drive, and when I've mastered it, I'll get myself something newer, I think."

The driver put Billy's bags up front with him while Emily and Billy climbed into the back. 

Billy looked over the car and then nodded to the driver.

"A driver too huh? Well you've done pretty well for yourself I think. You mentioned Alucard? How do you know my brother?"

He got into the back seat and the driver closed the door behind him. Before he knew it they were on the road. Billy decided in that moment he needed to get himself a car that the top could come down from like this one.

"Hey, if you're thinking about getting rid of this one when you get something new let me know. I might be interested."

He winked at her and then looked up to the sky. They had a saying about Seattle. If you don't like the weather at the moment, just wait twenty minutes. He really hoped that wasn't true right now, it was nice here.

Emily laughed, ribbing him gently. 

"For brothers, you two don't talk much, do you?" 

The car picked up speed as they got away from the airport and onto the open road, heading north. 

"Back when I was still posing as Sister DiRossi, I found myself a job working as a nurse in a homeless shelter. It was Alucard's place. Sadly, I was only there for a while before I had to run again, but we became fast friends. When I made the decision to move to Seattle, he took me into his family without my even having to ask."

She pushed her sunglasses up her nose again. 

​​​​​​"Speaking of family, how is yours? The kids?" 

Billy nodded.

"Everyone is good, trying to finish the damned house before Brigitte's birthday. I know she wants a puppy, and I have a feeling my father-in-law is going to get it for her, but a dog in an apartment? I don't think so."

He looked back to Em then and sighed.

"You're right about me and Alucard though, ever since he came up to Seattle, and then Integra with him, it's been harder to reach out. Not that he's made it difficult, there's just always so damned much going on you know?"

He reached out and touched the temple of her sunglasses then.

These too big for your face? Or were you being stylish before wearing them so low?"

"Oh, I don't know if these things are too big for my face, or if my face is too thin for every pair of sunglasses in existence. I've lost three pair already."

Emily smiled a bit at the mention of his father in law. Gavin. There wasn't a day that passed that she didn't worry about him and wonder if he was safe and alive. If she thought too much about it, she could work herself into a panic, but remodeling the house and building the spa had been sufficient for keeping her busy. For the most part. The car took a slight right off the main road and began a gentle wind up a hill. 

"Have you and Aurora heard from him? From Gavin? I know he's deep in the mission, so to speak, but I was hoping you might have gotten word of anything if there was news."

Billy shook his head.

"Nothing yet, but from him? That's a pretty normal day for me. I love him, don't get me wrong, but we don't exactly talk a lot."

He looked out over the hill then, taking in the scenery.

"How about the girls? Are they all doing well? I know you were doing a spa sort of thing up here, they all going to help with that? I don't want to see any of them out of work you know. I still feel responsible."

"Jenny and Chloe are still with me, but after what happened in Vegas, most of them were pretty spooked. I can't blame them, and I gave them the option to stay with me or go their own way with sevence pay. I feel responsible for Jen and Chloe, and I appreciate their loyalty. They both have their own apartments in Seattle, and they are in training right now for European massage technique. They're going to be a big part of the spa. Oh, I can't way for you to see the progress on the building. But first, we'll get you settled in and have some lunch."

The car continued up the winding road, and the forest around them got thicker while the air got sweeter. Emily smiled as they pulled up to the circular home overlooking the valley below. She got out and took a deep, cleansing breath. 

​​​​​​"Welcome to Teverton Ridge. Just get a load of that view."

Billy whistled a loud whistle.

"This is gorgeous Em. How the hell did you find a place like this? I'm sure it wasn't in no want-ads."

He started to make his way toward the house.

"You did some work on the place too I see. The deck on either side is brand new huh?"

Billy was, after all, a developer. This is what he had been doing for quite some time now. He bought old buildings and re-purposed them into something new and pretty and useful. He could spot work, and generally how much it was going to cost, a mile away nowadays.

Looks good. Did you cut down any of the local trees to make the decking? That would have been pretty grand, open up the view just a tiny bit and use that wood to tie the house to the land around it. Damned good idea Em. Looks great."

He followed her up to the house so she could give him a bit of a tour.

Smiling proudly, Emily opened the door and let him inside first. She followed, letting him get the full grandeur of the view. 

"You're right, the wood for the decks came from trees we cleared cleared to provide this view. The house was up for auction, actually. Got it for pennies compared to the value of the land."

The front door opened directly into the massive, open-concept living room with a sweeping view of the valley, and a peek of the ocean beyond. Leather furniture dotted the floor, and natural wood side tables and coffee tables are arranged on beautiful rugs. Near the right of the window, there was a baby grand piano, and to the left, the living room led into a grand chefs kitchen. 

"The bedrooms are right this way."

She led Billy past the piano to a small hallway. Four generously sized guest rooms ran the length of the hall, two on each side and each uniquely decorated. Billy's bags were already sat inside the bedroom that was decorated like the captains quarters of a ship might be. A large bathroom on each side have the guest rooms access to the shower and toilet. At the end of the hallway, Emily pointed out the master suite. 

"Suzanne is getting lunch ready. Why don't you settle in and freshen up, and we'll have lunch on the deck?" 

Billy nodded.

"I'll meet you out there in a few minutes, we can discuss a few things then."

He did just that then, went inside, went through his things and allowed for the natural occurrence after a multi-hour flight and then car ride to run it's course. He then made his way out to the deck and easily found Emily again, sitting beside her.

"So, you think only a couple of guests at a time for your spa here? Or you going to expand once you get your feet wet?"

He pulled out a pair of cigars and offered one to Em.

Politely, Emily shook her head at the offered cigar and instead picked up a sketchbook, opening it a few pages in then sliding it over to Billy. A young woman, maybe of some Mediterranean descent, appeared with two glasses of wine and two glasses of water on a tray, setting one of each before them before heading back into the house. 

The sketch book contained architect quality pencil drawings of a large, rustic looking log cabin. Emily explained as he flipped through them. 

"Capacity should be just around 50 guests. The building itself is being built around a natural hot springs, so guests can relax inside with a massage, or in the saunas, have some lunch, and then go out to the court yard and soak in the hot springs. It's quite a modern concept, but built to blend in with the mountains natural look and feel. There will be private rooms for massages, and guests will be able to schedule this services as they like."

Billy put the cigars away and too the sketch book. He looked over the plans and nodded as Emily spoke. She sure had a vision here. Sometimes it's all it took, a vision and some money.

"So, how can I help then?"

He slid the drawings back over to her and took a sip of wine.

"I don't mean to impose myself of course, but you know me, I love expanding into everything I know a friend is up to. Besides, if nothing else I've got a wife and a cousin who I am sure would love to book some appointments."

He laughed at that and pointed out into the forest.

"Not to mention a father-in-law who would feel more comfortable out there than in here. Seem like you're just laying a trap for the whole family Em. Where's my trap? Next thing I know there will be dice tables in the basement."

He winked and sipped at the wine some more.

"This your personal stash, or you have a supplier?"

With a chuckle, Emily sat back and gave Billy a coy smile. 

"There can be if you want. You're 49% owner of the place. If you want, that is."

She took a leather folio from beside her and handed it over to him, open. Inside were documents naming Billy as a partner with a controlling interest in the business. 

​​​​​​"You have been such a help to me, my friend. You got me on my feet in Vegas, and I was able to profit very well. When I made the move to Seattle, I didn't want to break the partnership, but I wanted to give you a gift this time rather than lean on you for help."

She took the glass of wine in her hand, her watch loosely hanging from a slender wrist, and raised her eyebrows. 

​​​​​​"Still partners?" 

Billy grinned, broad and toothy as he had always been.

"Under one condition. I'm cooking tonight You look like you're all skin and bones lately, time to get a good Italian meal in you."

He raised his glass.

"To friendship."

Clinking her glass against his, she nodded.

"To friendship- and traps."

Giggling a bit at her joke, she took a small sip of wine and then sat the glass down.

"And your cooking? Goodness, I thought I was the one treating you! I can't say no to a good meal; especially if you dinners are as good as your pancakes."

Before she could say anything more, Suzanne returned with the tray; this time bearing a plate of fresh fruit, another plate of bruschetta with fresh mozzarella, a basket of good, crusty bread, and a bowl of olives. She also brought decanters of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Emily took a few grapes and a chunk of bread. 

"My appetite has been next to nothing lately. I think it's just nerves- you know, worrying about Gavin and trying to keep myself busy with the spa. Speaking of which, after lunch, if you like, we'll go out to the site and you can see how construction is going. My foreman is top notch. And if you think this view is lovely, just wait until you see the site for the spa." 

Billy nodded as he took a piece of bread and drizzled olive oil onto it.

"That sounds amazing. You know, I never realized before how much I really enjoy watching things as they get built or fixed. I'm a big guy, I'm meant to break things, and people, but I really like watching them get built up more than anything."

He took some of the cheese and and bruschetta next. This was an antipasti fit for a good Italian woman. Something occurred to him then.

"Renfroe. What exactly is that, because you seem less Italian and more, well if I'm being honest, American."

That gave Emily a good laugh. She popped a grape into her mouth and ate it before answering as vaguely as possible. 

"I'm a mutt, really. Full-blooded nothing at all. My father was of French and Scots decent, having grown up in Canada. My Mother was Italian. I don't really identify with any of them, truth be told. I do like to think of myself as an American woman; a little bit of everything, and a bag full of dreams."

Shortly, Suzanne returned with the main course; brazed beef medallions in a red wine reduction and roasted asparagus. After placing the plates on the table, Suzanne looked at Emily with her eyebrows raised. 

"Devi mangiare signorina, per favore?"

With a little stuff and a small nod, Emily replied.

"Cercherò, Suzanne. Gratzi."

The young woman nodded and walked away.

Billy gave Em a questioning look.

"I didn't know you spoke Italian. Also, since when have you not been eating? She's really concerned about you. Must mean it's been a while since you had something proper."

He reached out and popped an asparagus stalk into his mouth.

"Guess that means while I'm here, you're going to have to eat up."

He winked and finished off the stalk he had taken.