During my visit to Ashton's house, I already had a feeling Alice had told him everything.

"If you like it there, maybe in the future…" Ashton started, then trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.

I smiled, curious. "What about the future?"

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly before he responded, "You could retire there one day."

"Just me?" The words slipped out before I had a chance to stop them.

"I could join you, if ...