| Chapter 1: Leaving It Behind |

Ryan Janko has done what was expected, after all, as the oldest she had to set an example for her younger sister and brother. She loved school even if the school was hellhole and cared more about the students that came from money or had a way to pad the pockets of the school.

Although her parents wanted their children to have a life better than they had, they never pushed her. They didn't care if she failed a class cause no one was perfect and failing is apart of life.

Coming from a family that struggled to make ends meet, both parents worked and even that wasn't enough. Ryan helped out where she could, mostly watching her brother and sister while their parents were out. Ryan didn't mind, if roles were reversed, her sister or brother would do the same or at least she hoped.

She couldn't wait to leave the town she grew up in rural Illinois. In her opinion, it was a dead in for her. If she wanted more out of her life, she had to go somewhere else and that is how she ended up in Texas.

Ryan knew that growing up wouldn't be easy but she didn't know how much work it takes to be on your own at eighteen. Of course, her parents helped as much as they could. Sending her money for food or gas.

Working a part time retail job which she loves at times and loathes at other times. Part of being an adult is learning how to work in a stressful environment and trying not to murder anyone or blow shit up.

••••

One day, Ryan wakes up and decides that enough is enough and it is time for a break. First asking for a leave of absence at work cause it is hard as hell to find a job even though every place in hiring but apparently, no one fits the criteria for what the job so...

Second is booking a plane ticket using miles she didn't even know existed. She hardly ever flies so how are there miles?

London here comes another American girl. Why London? Her old friend and coworker Monty Belleville lives in London. Monty Belleville moved to London for a girl. Tale as old as time right? Wrong. The relationship lasted for a month before ended completely. Turns out, Monty and the supposed love of his life worked better with distance, a lot of distance. And there was also the fact that her parents did not like the fact that their daughter was shacking up with American.

They didn't care that Monty was black, no, they cared that he was American. The color of his skin mattered less than what country he was from. They tried to make it work but in the end, they thought it would be easier to end things.

One would think that once the relationship was over, Monty would have simply gone home but he had fallen in love with Merry Old England.

As Ryan sat in the back of the cab looking down at her phone, trying to figure out how to respond to all the texts from her family before halting to a stop right in front of large manor. "'Ere you are miss." the driver said.

"This is the Pluto Inn?" Ryan asked as she opened the door.

"Yes miss it is. A couple of kids around yer age run it." the man said looking out the window. "'Ere's one of them nw." he said as he climbed out of the cab.

Ryan listened to the man, his accent made it hard to understand him but she did her best. When the driver climbed out of the car, her attention was diverted to the man standing a few feet from the cab.

Once she realized who it was, a smile appeared on her face as she climbed out of the cab. "Monty!" Ryan ran towards Monty and wrapping her arms around him.

"Wondered when you were going to get here girl." Monty smiled hugging the girl back. Pulling away from Monty, she saw the cab driver and remembered that she hasn't paid him. "How much do I owe?"

"Any friend of Sir Monty, is a friend of mine." the man smiled. "And he already paid." he said pointing and looking at Monty.

The comment made Ryan look at the man and then at Monty. "George and his wife have come to The Pluto for the past three years for their anniversary. He is our unofficial driver." Monty explained as he watched as George moved away from them and back to the car.

"It's true. I bring all the tourist here for a small fee and drink." George smiled. "Oh, your bags miss." George said behind Ryan moving her rolling suitcase in front of her before handing extending his arm out to her that had her duffle bag in it.

"Thank you, George." she told him grabbing the duffle bag as she placed money in his hand. She wanted to contribute a little bit of money, not wanting to leech off of her friend. George looked down at the money in his hands and smiled like a little boy on Christmas morning, before attacking Ryan with a hug, "Thank you, Miss Ryan."

Ryan gasped when George pulled her into a hug. "Y-You're welcome." she said. George pulled away from Ryan and back to the cab. Ryan and Monty watched as George drove off.

Ryan turned to look at Monty when she heard him laugh, "What's so funny?" she asked

"Oh, nothing..." Monty smirked taking the rolling suitcase and started to walk inside. "...except that you just tipped George 79 pounds."

"So George is about eighty dollars richer." Ryan commented as followed behind Monty.

"Actually 79 pounds is about 100 American dollars, Ry." Monty noted.

Ryan dropped the duffle bag, "What? Really?" she exclaimed. "Why does everything have to be so complicated over here?"

"Ah, don't worry. If it makes you feel better, I'll handle anything that involves money for you while you are here." Monty said stopping in what looks to be the main hall.

Ryan wanted to decline his offer but she thought that it would be helpful for her until she learns how the money works in the United Kingdom. "So you own an inn? Wow."

"Yeah, I know." Monty chuckled softly as he looked down at his feet before looking back up at Ryan. "After things ended with Maddy, I wound up here. Broke and drunk off my ass, the owner at the time, a little old lady by the name of May Bannon let me stay here for a couple of days until I got on my feet but I fell in love with this place. Next thing I know, I have a job working at the front desk."

"Wow, who would have thought that a break up would lead to you owning an inn." Ryan spoke. "George said that a couple of kids around my age, so who helps runs this place with you?"

"Oh uh, there's a William, he deals with the food for the inn. There's Georgie, who uh, deals with all the cleaning. Man is a nut when it comes to anything out of place or anything involving dirt. Genie is in charge of decor. Spenser is in charge of the bar and occasionally helps Will with the food. Olivia is in charge of entertainment and activities." Monty listed off.

Ryan nodded, "So what do you do here?"

"I'm in charge of hospitality and guest services." Monty smiled.

"Really?" Ryan smiled. "Let's see you do your thing."

Monty chuckled softly before clearing his throat as he stood up straight. "Welcome to the Pluto Inn, let me show you to your room. Since the others have gone into town, so you are going to have to make your own dinner or order out. We all pretty much live here. You'll be staying in the cottage out back. Olivia and Spenser already stay in there. You'll have the third room."

"So they don't care if I stay there?" Ryan asked as she fixed of the duffle bag as she walked.

"Nah, the third room is mostly used for storage. Spenser was upset about having to sharing the bathroom." Monty explained. "There is a kitchen so you can make your own food or you can ask Will to make you something. He won't care either way."

It wasn't long until Ryan and Monty were inside the cottage and in the room that she would be staying in. "It's a little small but I know you're okay with whatever." Monty said as he rolled the suitcase in front of the closet door.

Ryan looked around the room. The room was quaint little room, she liked it. Yes, she would like a bigger room but if she did have a bigger room then it would be chaos. A smaller room would help her keep everything organized. Plus, she was small so she didn't take up that much space.

"Help yourself to anything in the cottage and if you need anything, feel free to text me anytime except for at six to eight at night. That is my personal time. I will only answer if it is an emergency." Monty said.

Ryan nodded before letting out a small chuckle at Monty's comment about his personal time. "Oh you're serious. I promise not to bother you around that time."

Monty smiled as he nodded. "I was gonna order some food from the pub not too far from here if you are okay with that."

"Would it be bad if on my first night, I get fish and chips?" Ryan questioned. She loved fish and she loves fries but she has never had fish and fries the English way.

"Great choice. There's cocoa cola down in the fridge." Monty smiled before stepping over to her and pressed a kiss to her forehead before turning to leave. "Have fun unpacking." Monty said as he walked out of the room.

Ryan sighed as she walked over to the door and closed it softly before leaning against it. "Well, there's no turning back now." she sighed. Walking over to the bed, she set her phone down on the nightstand and set her laptop on the bed as she pulled the suitcase with her. Pushing the handle down before laying the suitcase on the ground before unzipping it. Once it was opened, she riffled through it for her pajamas. She found her Chicago Cubs shirt that was oversized on her and then a pair of black sweatpants.

It was only five in the afternoon Beaminster but she knew that the jet lag would catch up with her so she decided to watch movies on her laptop until she fell asleep. If she fell asleep before the food arrived, she didn't mind having it for breakfast. She didn't want to waste it.

Closing the suitcase and pushed it against the closet door before walking over to the bed. Pulling back the covers, she climbed onto the bed. She turned slightly as she fixed the pillows, once the pillows were to her liking, her legs slid under the covers. Ryan opened her laptop and soon put on a movie, it didn't take long for her fall sleep.

Author's Note:

First chapter is up. I had most of this written but it was having a problem saving so most of it got deleted and I had to remember what I had wrote. Hope you like it.

Gif by appetenxe