“Girls.” Thomas’s voice left no room for argument, also probably a system established long ago. “We have guests.”
Kat and Chloe formed matching sheepish smiles. “Sorry.” Their voices chimed in rhythm, Chloe’s more singsongy to Kat’s grudging tone.
Grace smiled at Nick. “They always bickered the most growing up. Never a dull moment.”
Nick had a feeling that’d be the case regardless of ages.
“I’ll go find the air mattress.” Thomas reached for the back doorknob. “Axel? Why don’t you help me.” The sentence clearly ended with a period and not a question mark.
“Sure thing, Mr. Sinclair.” Axel good-naturedly started to follow, but Chloe clung to his arm.
“Watch out for blade sharpeners. And the hay baler.” She trotted after him, her fingers sliding down the length of his arm as he continued after Thomas. Her voice pitched. “And thepitchfork!”
Olivia wrapped her arm around Chloe’s shoulder and pulled her back as the door slammed after the men. “He’ll be fine, babe. If you bring a boy home for Christmas, you know Dad will grill him.”
“Like a hot dog.” Chloe’s eyes turned mournful as she craned her neck to see out the window.
Grace smiled at the remaining bunch, clearly ignoring her children’s dramatics. “I’m going to make a fresh pot of coffee. Anyone want a cup?”
Nick’s hand shot into the air before he could censor his elementary-aged reaction. “Yes, please.”
Grace chuckled. “Coming right up.” She ducked back into the kitchen.
“Everyone, come here.” Olivia gathered the group into a huddle.
Nick hesitated, holding back as two dark heads, one red head, and one lighter brown head huddled into a circle by the couch.
“You too.” Olivia waved him into the group of sisters. “I’ve figured it out.”
They were back to this. Nick’s heart sank as he squeezed into the space between Chloe and Holly. If the siblings knew that the Sinclairs were considering selling their property to him, would they try to change their parents’ minds? Would his dream die before it ever breathed? He could always buy another place, but he would never get the deal the Sinclairs had hinted toward.
On the other hand, having the secret out in the open would make things a lot less awkward. It could maybe even provide him the opportunity to go home, once the air was cleared.
One thing was certain—it had not even been twenty-four hours and these secrets were getting heavy.
“What are you talking about?” Chloe frowned.
Olivia quickly filled her in on the events of the last twenty-four hours. “Now think about it. On top of the fact Mom hasn’t decorated for Christmas and that weird convo we overheard in the kitchen a bit ago, she also called each of us and begged us to come home.”
“So?” Kat asked.
“So.” Olivia jutted her chin forward. “She’s never done that before. She’s always been chill about our different schedules and traveling over the holidays. Whythisyear in particular?”
“Good question.” Holly tossed her hair and the scent of vanilla and lavender shampoo filled Nick’s senses. He inhaled deeply before he caught himself. Holly shot him a curious look.
“Allergies, sorry.” He sniffed in exaggeration.
Holly offered him an overly sweet smile. “There are some Christmas tissues in the guest bath downstairs.”
Nick leaned back. “Now, what makes tissuesChristmas—”
“Guys, focus.” Olivia shook her head, her tangled hair swinging. “It’s so obvious. I can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner.”
“See what?” Holly leaned in closer, her arm brushing Nick’s. Her sweater was soft against his bare forearm.
“Yeah, see what?” Kat asked. “Because I’ve been with you this whole time and haven’t seen ‘it.’ Whatever ‘it’ is.”
Olivia sighed, and her gaze darted to Nick’s. “I hate to be the one to announce it this way…”
