Thomas smiled a little as he looked forward, gaze resting on the sprawling acreage framed by snow-dusted woods. An owl hooted in the distance. “Glad to hear it.”
That seemed a good sign, right? Nick’s shoulders inched away from his ears. He must still be in the running for consideration. But before they talked about that, Thomashadto know about Olivia’s assumptions. He couldn’t keep standing by while Holly’s siblings assumed their mother was deathly ill at the holidays.
Best to get it over with. Nick leaned back in the chair, hooking one ankle over the other. “I should’ve told you this sooner, but I think Holly and her sisters—especially Olivia—are convinced something is wrong with Grace’s health.”
Thomas chuckled, his eyes crinkling. “Grace sure isn’t helping stop that idea, is she? All these little spells she’s been having.”
There was definitely that. “Yeah, everyone thinksthat’swhy Grace wanted all the siblings to come home this year in particular—because she’s sick and wants to tell everyone together after Christmas.”
Thomas shook his head. “It’s just her hypoglycemia acting up. She’s been too busy to manage it like she usually does.”
“Makes sense.”
“Olivia has always been a little mama hen. But there’s nothing to cluck about, I promise.”
“There are a few details you might not realize, though.” Nick filled Thomas in on the events leading up to Olivia’s “diagnosis” of her mother last week, how she assumed the worst after hearing part of the Sinclairs’ conversation in the kitchen.
“I knew her assumption wasn’t true, because I know about your plans for Florida. But I couldn’t say anything.” Nick paused. “I started to feel guilty, going along with letting them think something that intense right around Christmas.”
“That’s big of you. And I’m sorry we put you in that position.” Thomas nodded slowly. “Honestly, my Grace has missed her girls so much lately—especially with all this moving talk—I think she’s playing into it. She’d deny it, but she loves when Olivia walks with her, or when Kat and Chloe cater to her. Help her bake, bring her stuff.” He winked before taking a sip of coffee. “But you didn’t hear that from me.”
“Yes, sir.” Nick nodded. “I just wanted you to be aware.”
“I appreciate that and will make sure Grace knows too. If she wants to keep up all the attention after that, it’ll be on her.” He chuckled.
Good. Nick sighed. His part was over, with no harm done.
He relaxed fully into the chair, closing his eyes as the owl struck up another nighttime chorus. Rocking on a country porch, listening to the sounds of winter, recovering from a full day of mentoring teenagers…“I could get used to this.”
Oops. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud. He didn’t want Thomas to think he was dropping a hint or being pushy.
Thankfully, the older man didn’t seem to take it that way. “Itisnice out here. One of the things I’ll miss.” Thomas eyed Nick, his gaze thoughtful. “Why don’t we finish that conversation we started the other night by the court? Tell me more about this dream of yours. Why it’s important.”
Nick nodded slowly. This moment felt…big. Important, like a job interview. He couldn’t screw it up. And yet, he couldn’t be anything but honest.
Ironically.
“I got in some trouble as a teenager. Made some really bad decisions and got sent to a youth camp like the one I want to start.” He swallowed, appreciating the lack of judgment on Thomas’s face. “There was a worker there named Red.” Nick’s gaze drifted back to the sprawling land stretching beyond the Sinclair home. “He saved my life.”
“How so?” Thomas continued rocking.
“He was there, you know? Made me feel heard. He showed me how to shoot midnight three-pointers on the court, gave me extra responsibilities because he saw how I thrived when I had more to do.”
Even now, Nick’s fingers itched to catch the ball Red endlessly bounced to him, shot after shot. Hour after hour. Teaching Nick how to stay calm. “He showed me how to channel my stress and anger into the proper release. But more importantly, he showed me how to fail and not think of myself as a failure.”
Thomas nodded thoughtfully. “Sounds like a good man.”
“He’d love this place.”
“That’s why you were so happy to see the court.” Thomas smiled. “I get it.”
“I know the work will be exhausting, but I imagine it’s a different kind of tired than when I come home from work now.” Nick shrugged. “It’s got to be more of a fulfilling, productive type of tired.”
Thomas nodded again. “The kind that comes when you know you’ve spent your day doing what you were called to do.”
“Exactly.” Andnotjust doing what you assumed would make others proud.
“That’s good to hear. Really good. I’m glad we finally got to cover that.” Thomas cleared his throat. “And speaking of things we maybe should’ve said sooner…” Nick raised his eyebrows. He slowed the motion of his rocker. “Look, I’m not sure how this whole thing with you and Holly started, but I want you to know…”
