Asher looked up at him while swinging their joined hands. “He’s the tree boss.”
“I like that job title better,” Colton said.
When they made their way to the pre-cut trees, it was easy enough to find employees. They wore green Tickle Tree sweatshirts and most were helping customers.
Bob, whom he’d met yesterday when his sister was giving him a tour, had dark, curly hair, a stocky build, and wore a Santa hat that matched his red flannel. “Morning, Asher. How’s it going, little man?”
“Hi, Bob. We’re doin’ a scavenger hunt,” Asher said proudly.
Nick’s lips quirked. “We’rewinninga scavenger hunt, buddy.”
Colton laughed while Bob continued helping the couple he was talking to about a tall tree that was wrapped to keep it together. If he looked close enough, Nick was pretty sure he’d see the tree typeonthe tie. So, that would make one item on the list easier.
Several people wandered the lot; couples, families. The business had a firm foundation before Ellie took over. She’d pored through paperwork, sent Nick about eight thousand questions, gently nudging him into the answer she wanted to hear. He’d offered to pay for the inspection, just to make sure everything checked out soundly, and he should have known something wasn’t right when she agreed. Ellie’s marriage was in trouble before the decision of the tree farm caused the final split. The guy she’d been counting on to do the inspection was a friend of her ex’s. She was able to go into the sale knowing what shape the place was in and since Nick couldn’t actually be by her side through it, he was glad she’d let him pitch in. Financially, at least.
Asher pulled Jacob over to where Bob was finishing his sale. Colton and Kyle walked behind them, chatting. Colton was happy. It felt good to see the people who mattered most to him settled in life. Content. Thriving. Nick’s gaze caught on Maisie across the way. Or maybe it just gravitated toward her because he was a human boomerang where she was concerned. He’d done well pushing thoughts ofher to the edges of his mind, but now that she was here, he couldn’t fight it anymore. He was worn out from all the other shit going on in his life and Maisie was like a beacon of fucking sunshine, lighting up the gloominess inside of him.
Something pinched in his chest at the sight of Ellie laughing at something Maisie said. Natalie and Dr. Smart, who seemed a little high-strung, were looking at Natalie’s phone.
“You okay, man?” Colton came to his side.
He looked to where Asher was chatting nonstop at Jacob. It made Nick happy that the kid seemed to have no attachment issues given that his own dad had walked out on him.And his uncle is barely around.His jaw clenched.That could change.
“I’m good. Knee gets better every day. I’m glad Maisie doesn’t have us running an obstacle course though.”
Colton laughed, following Nick’s gaze. “Don’t rule it out. The Smart siblings are a competitive bunch. That was a tough hit you took. I wanted to fly out and see you, be there for Ellie.”
Nick shoved his hands in his pockets. A few trucks started up and then rumbled down the drive with trees in the back.
“I appreciate it but I wasn’t really up for company. I didn’t even want Ellie to come. She had enough going on with all of this.”
Colton did what he’d done since they were kids; he waited Nick out.
Pressure built in his chest. “I can tell you rehab is a hell of a lot harder at thirty-four than when I injured the same knee at twenty-two.”
“I can imagine. I sneeze wrong and I’m in danger of pulling my back out.”
Nick laughed, the pressure easing. Colton was two years older than him. Nick clapped him on the back. “That’s probably not a good thing, man.”
He didn’t even realize they were still staring at Maisie, or Nickwas, until Colton whistled low under his breath and mentioned it. “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? One of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.”
Clearing his throat, Nick looked at his friend, trying to read his gaze. “Maisie? Yeah. She seems nice. The whole family does. Your husband’s a good guy, too.”
Colton held his gaze and Nick worried he’d see too much. “He’s a wonderful man. I love him. It’s a little scary falling for someone so hard it feels like they own a piece of you.”
Nick looked past his friend, gave a tight smile. “I wouldn’t know.”
The little “hmm” Colton gave did nothing to ease his worries that his friend was picking up on Nick’s feelings.
They started walking toward the others. Colton eyed him again, just a quick glance. “I’ve got to run into town and grab a few things tomorrow. You want to come?”
Probably a good idea not to crowd Maisie too much. “Sure.”
Asher hurried over and grabbed his hand. “Come on, Uncle Nick. Let’s get a picture then we win.”
“We need ten pictures total, but yeah, we’re definitely going to win.” He might want Maisie Smart to a degree he hadn’t let himself acknowledge but he had no intention of wearing a reindeer onesie for any woman.
They arranged themselves around a Douglas fir that Bob pointed out and Colton took a selfie. The women didn’t look like they were rushing but Nick was antsy to finish this up and remove the thought of animal pajamas from his future.
