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“Are you sure about that?” Noelle asked. “You’ve always said it, but you could live anywhere. I’m sure interior decorators are in demand in Lexington.”
Charity was well aware of that fact, and she’d definitely thought about it. But she just wouldn’t be happy away from the mountains. Away from her family and friends.
“You’ll probably be moving back here soon enough,” Charity said with a shrug. “Even more reason for me to stick around. Someday I’ll meet someone who wants to live here, and we’ll be able to raise our children together.”
At that, Noelle made a face. It was an expression Charity couldn’t quite define. She stared off in the distance for a long moment, eyes still narrowed, frown still firmly in place.
“Are you sure Nic left town this morning?” Noelle asked.
Charity took a deep breath and let it out, looking down at her fruit bowl. Finally, she speared a strawberry and lifted it to her mouth.
“I wondered if maybe he stuck around a little longer,” Charity said. “But I can’t get my hopes up about that.”
“I think you can.”
Charity opened her mouth to ask her friend what she meant, but that was when she realized Noelle’s stare wasn’t thoughtful. She was looking specifically at something.
Finally, Charity couldn’t take the suspense. She turned and saw what had captured Noelle’s attention. Nic Winters was standing at the counter, talking to Jackie.
And that was when it stopped being a dream and started being a reality. Nic Winters was still in town.
12
Nic was overstaying his welcome in Misty Mountain. That was his fear, anyway. Nobody had specifically told him that.
His parents certainly didn’t feel that way. In fact, his mom would love to have him around for the rest of the year, if not longer.
His sister headed to Knoxville to catch a seven a.m. flight before the sun even came up. Nic, on the other hand, slept in, then slept in some more. Finally, he hopped on his laptop, worked for a couple of hours, and told his boss, the owner of the farm, that he’d be working remotely for a couple of days. His boss didn’t respond to the email, so he’d take that as the best “okay” he’d get from the guy.
“You’re living in Kentucky now, I hear,” Jackie said as Nic settled in at the counter. He wassolooking forward to the burger and onion rings, he’d made a beeline for the counter and grabbed a stool. “How’s that going?”
“Great,” Nic said.
It was a lie. Well, maybe not a lie as much as not completely honest. If he was honest, he’d say his marriage had fallen through, his job didn’t pay nearly as much as he’d hoped to be making right now, and he had to start over finding new friends after losing all of his in the divorce.
“We sure miss you here,” Jackie said. “Say, don’t you know those two young ladies over there?”
Jackie gestured, and Nic turned and saw both Noelle Yule and Charity Ardmore staring at him. Charity quickly turned back around once their eyes met.
“I sure do.” Nic turned back to Jackie. “I should at least go say ‘hi,’ right?”
“At least.” Jackie nodded. “I’ll keep an eye out, and if you stay over there, I’ll come get your order.”
There was something comforting about Jackie having his back. Something so very Misty Mountain about it. But he wasn’t going to crash his ex’s lunch. That would be rude. He’d just stop by for a quick greeting. Then he could come back and take his seat at the counter.
Nic didn’t even take off his coat as he walked over to the table. That would send a message he wasn’t intruding. Just stopping by to say…
“Hi,” Nic said as he approached.
Noelle’s gaze went straight to Charity. They were transmitting serious best friend energy. That was something he learned long ago. There was no substitute for the bond two female friends shared.
“I’m actually finishing up,” Noelle said. “I have to cut out. Why don’t you slide in here, and you can take over my side of the table?”
Yeah,realsubtle. He looked over at Charity to see if she was shooting her friend warning looks. Instead, she stared down at her now-empty plate.
“I really don’t want to interrupt…” he began.
“Sit.” Noelle pointed at the booth.
