Nick sucked in his breath. Here it was—the condition about the property.
“I’m pretty happy with it.”
Nick released all the air in his body with a single breath. “You are?”
“Of course.” Thomas’s chair squeaked as he shifted to set his thermos on the porch. “I realize I’m the old guy around here, but I know how these things develop. Once you got here, and I heard about the Christmas party date, I thought,how nice.”
So Thomas didn’t consider Nick in the same boat as Axel when it came to his daughters. That was a relief. Still…
“AndthenI heard how serious things were between you and Holly and figured that meant it had to have been going on before you ever got here—maybe that’s even part ofwhyyou came here at all.”
Oh no. Nick shook his head. He didn’t want Thomas thinking he was here for Holly and not for his dream. His priorities were still very much laser-focused. “Sir—”
“Now don’t worry.” Thomas held up both hands as he sat up, the rocker stopping under his planted feet. “I understand why you wouldn’t want to tell me any of that right out of the gate.”
Because it wasn’t true.
“We liked you right away. But with your being a friend of Ryan’sandnow a friend of Holly’s, and hearing what a great ministry you want to start here, well.” A satisfied smile landed on Thomas’s face. “Funny how things have a way of working out, isn’t it?’
Hilarious. Nick swallowed. He couldn’t in good conscience let Thomas keep believing this misconception. What if they gave him the property because he was “dating” Holly? He couldn’t risk that. “Sir—”
The screen door creaked. Ryan appeared in the frame, carrying a cup of punch. “There you two are. Dad, Mom wants to see you in the kitchen.”
“Uh-oh. Am I in trouble?” Thomas grinned as he rose from the chair. “Take my seat, son.”
Double uh-oh. Nick swallowed. He really needed to touch base with Holly before he talked to her brother. What was he supposed to say? Not say?
Ryan kept his eyes on the porch as he traded spots. The door closed behind Thomas as Ryan lowered himself into the rocking chair. He took a sip from his drink. “So…my sister.”
Nick shoved his hand through his hair, stomach tight. “Yeah…”
“You two sure, uh, fell for each other fast.” Ryan stared straight ahead, his profile an identical, younger version of his father’s. “I thought it was just a holiday date.”
“It was pretty fast.” Nick licked his lips, still tasting Holly’s lingering lip gloss. He stopped rocking and leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “Listen, Ryan. Before you go off on me, there’s something you need to know.” Oh boy. Holly was going to kill him. But helikedher.
And this wasn’t fair anymore.
He blew out a breath. “Holly found out about our agreement.”
Ryan’s brows hiked up his forehead. “She did? When?”
“Like, right away. That’s why she went all crazy Cindy Lou Who on me. She was getting revenge because she thought I was only here as a favor to you, and not because I wanted to be.”
Ryan’s rocker stilled. “Yikes.”
“Yeah. It all came to a sort of chaotic head, and well, she finally confessed to me the other night.” Nick hesitated. He hated this part. Hated how he went along with it. And also hated how much hehadn’thated living it out. “And then asked me to help get revenge on you.”
“What?” Ryan jerked to face Nick. The contents of his cup sloshed onto the porch.
“She wanted to teach you a lesson about matchmaking and meddling. She saw how you were acting about Axel and figured the best revenge would be to make you think we’d fallen madly in love.” Nick shook his head. “I couldn’t tell her no, man. I felt so guilty for hurting her.”
“What a mess.” Ryan scrubbed his hands down his jaw. “Let me get this straight. You twoaren’ttogether?”
“No. It’s just been a show for your sake.” Nick snorted. “And the funniest part is, you haven’t even gotten mad about it. I think her plan sort of flopped.”
“Of course I’m not mad.” Ryan let out a laugh as he resumed rocking. “I was kind of thrilled, honestly.”
“What?” Now it was Nick’s turn to be shocked.
