“I want to keep my couch.”
Addy frowned. “Oh—okay. I thought you meant—”
Nick grinned. “You can still help me pick something out for them, but I like my furniture. It’s just the right mixture of soft and firm when I want to sprawl out and watch a University of Kentucky Wildcats game or take an afternoon nap.”
Addy punched him in the arm and grinned. “You knew I thought you were going to give away your furniture.”
He laughed as he feigned being hurt from her punch. “I know. But I do want to see if we can find a couch for them.”
She clicked her tongue as she pulled the paint samples off the tray on the wall again. “I’ll need to take these to your house to be sure we pick the right color, but I’m leaning toward this one.”
She held out a swatch of a light taupe color that held just the slightest hint of green. With his dark brown leather recliner and brown-and-taupe-colored couch and love seat, she felt sure that a deep green accent color would go nicely in his farmhouse. “What do you think?”
Nick nodded as he picked a bright purple sample from the wall. “I figured you’d like this one.”
Addy laughed as she took it from his hand and put it back in its place. “Raspberry is my favorite color, but I think that’s a bit much.”
She picked up the color she adored, a deep cream color with just a slight lavender hue, so slight she would have to use purple accents on the walls or floral arrangements for the color to even be detected. “This is my favorite.”
Nick pretended to inspect it. “I guess it’s pretty.”
“It’s definitely pretty.” She took the sample and put it back in the tray. She scooped up the ones she wanted to place against his wall and slipped them into her purse. “Let’s go look for some furniture. I’ll need to go pick up my stuff at Val’s apartment then stop by your house to get some ideas before I can head home.”
“Sounds good.” He scratched his jaw. “I suppose that means we’ll be getting back around five.”
“I can drive myself, Nick.”
“You don’t have a car.”
Addy opened her mouth to disagree when she remembered she’d been so upset at the fairgrounds that she’d ridden back with Val. She clamped it shut and scrunched her nose. “You’re right.”
He put his arm around her shoulder. “I’ll get you home.”
❧
Nick dug his hand down in his front jeans pocket and touched the color sample he’d picked up at the shop. A terrific idea formed in his head when he and Addy walked into that shop. It would take a lot of work to get the cabin fixed up right, but Addy was worth it. He’d built it to be his own special hideaway, but as soon as he earned Addy’s trust again, it would be transformed into their special hideaway.
He’d have to get some help from his buddies. Drew knew quite a bit about electrical wiring, and Mike had put a septic system in for the house he was building on his folks’ land. He’d be able to order the parts he needed through Wyatt without anyone else knowing about it. In a month’s time or less, he’d have the place fixed up for her.
He pulled into the parking lot for Val’s apartment. He shut off the engine and opened the door.
Addy put her hand on his arm. “You don’t have to go with me. I only have a bag.” She opened the truck door and hopped out. “I’ll be right back.”
Nick watched as Addy scaled the steps leading to the apartment. So this is where Addy’s lived the last few years. A smile formed on his lips as she made her way up the stairs. It was a nice enough place, but it didn’t suit his Addy. She had an eye for fashion and design, but she was a country girl at heart. If he had his way, she’d truly be his country girl before too long.
He pulled the sample out of his pocket and looked at the color. He’d drive back up tomorrow morning after he took care of a few chores and pick up the paint. The lady who worked there could help him pick out a few things to put around the cabin. He’d want to get a nicer bed.
His cheeks warmed as another idea came to his mind. It was the perfect place for them to spend their wedding night. Addy might want to travel somewhere different for their actual honeymoon, and even though he didn’t like to go far from home, he’d be willing to do it for her. But the cabin would be the perfect place for their wedding night. It was the place he realized he was falling in love with her—even if he hadn’t put exact words to what he was feeling at the time.
Addy opened the door to the apartment and headed down the steps. Nick slipped the sample back into his pocket. He could hardly wait to get home and call the guys. He knew they would help him. They’d probably hit him up to fish in his pond a few mornings a week as well.
She opened the door and stepped into the truck. He grinned at her. “Ya ready?”
“Yeah.”
She smiled at him, but Nick knew the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. She was still hurt by the way he’d treated her. He couldn’t blame her. He’d have to prove how he felt about her. For now, he’d just be content knowing he would see her while she fixed up his house. He’d try to make it take as long as he could so he could show her how he felt.
She could paint his walls pink and hang flamingos from the ceiling for all he cared. After pulling onto the interstate, he sneaked a quick peek at her. Her gaze was fixed out the windshield.
He cleared his throat, trying to think of something to say. With the city quickly fading behind him and a lot of land in front of him, Nick sighed a breath of relief. “Whew. It sure is good to see a little bit of country.”
He rolled down his window and sucked in a long breath. “Smells a lot better, too.”
Addy giggled. “I was definitely surprised when you showed up at the deli.”
“Well, you wouldn’t answer my calls.”
She turned and flicked the bill of his cap with her fingertips. “I’m talking about seeing you, you big overgrown country boy, in the city. You were like a fish out of water.”
Nick’s heart warmed at the endearing tone in her voice. He tapped the top of the steering wheel. “I suppose I don’t exactly fit in the city. Makes me feel like I’m suffocating.”
Addy’s tone became somber. “It’s so funny you’d use those words. Just today, at my interview, I thought the same thing. Like I was suffocating.”
He tapped her hand, fighting the urge to wrap his hand around hers. “That’s because you don’t belong there any more than I do.”
Addy looked out the passenger window. “You’re exactly right. I just wish I knew what God wants for me. I’m twenty-three, living with my parents, and only doing odd jobs.” She twisted the strap of her purse between her fingers. “But I trust God. He knows what He’s doing with me.”
Nick bit his tongue. Every bone in his body wanted to scream that he knew what he wanted her to be doing. He wanted her to be marrying him, living on his farm, and designing houses or whatever she so chose from River Run. But he didn’t say anything. Not yet.
She had to trust him again. He wanted her to look at him with that slight glint of adoration she’d shown up until she heard about the bet. He didn’t want her to idolize him or fawn over him, but he needed her to respect him—to look at him like he was the only man for her. He didn’t realize how much he needed that until he saw the hurt in her eyes when he’d let her down.
Lord, I’m sorry it took me acting like a fool to see what You wanted for my life. Help me show her how valuable and precious she is.
Thirteen
It took three days to get the necessary legal papers to be able to install a septic tank and put in a cistern for his cabin. Only three days. Nick knew God had performed a small miracle on his behalf. Now, if He would work an even bigger one.
Addy had already picked out a paint color for his farmhouse’s living room and was working on different shades of what he thought she said was sage for the kitchen. He was as attentive as he could possibly be when she talked to him about it, but really all he wanted was for her to be there wi
th him. She could do whatever she liked, and if it made her happy, he was fine with it.
Nick flipped open his phone and pushed Drew’s number. When Drew’s voice sounded over the line, Nick said, “I’ve got the permits. You ready?”
“Yep. Wyatt got the materials in yesterday. Dad and I can go pick up one load, and Wyatt will bring another, if you can go get the backhoe.”
Excitement welled in Nick’s heart. “Well, of course I can. I’ll have Mike drive it over. He’s been waiting for me to call.”
He closed the phone and shoved it into his pocket. Jingling his keys in his hand, he made his way to the pickup. God, it’s happening. We’re going to get that cabin so dolled up Addy won’t know what to think.
He hopped into the cab, turned the ignition, and the engine roared to life. I’d do anything for her, Lord.
He picked up Mike then drove to the supply store, paid for the backhoe rental, and within half an hour he was headed back to the farm. He’d spent the last three days, while he waited for the permit, mowing out a road of sorts to his cabin so they could get the equipment back there. With Wyatt’s help, he’d picked out a simple sink and toilet and a fancier Jacuzzi tub.
After the first day, he’d realized he’d need more help than just the guys, so he told his parents and Addy’s parents of the plan. Any concern he may have had about them not liking the idea of the match was squelched when he saw the elation on their faces.
By the time Nick got back to the cabin, Drew, his dad, Bryan, Wyatt, and Nick’s dad were already there, putting the walls in the bathroom addition to the cabin.
“It’s about time.” Bryan walked toward him. Mike hopped out of the backhoe, and Bryan jumped inside. “I’ve been getting anxious to dig a couple of holes.”
Nick walked to the addition and helped his friends finish putting up the drywall. With mounds of piping laid out in a certain order on tarps all around the cabin, Nick wanted Bryan to hurry up so they could fix the septic tank and cistern.
Thankfulness swelled within his heart as he watched his family and friends tackle the project. He was fortunate to have friends and family who knew so much about construction. But then they’d built his parents’ home together as well as Mike’s home. It would just be a matter of time before Drew would be ready to build his own place. They’d always helped each other out, no matter what the need.
Mike wiped sweat from his brow then patted Nick’s shoulder. “It’s gonna look nice, Nick.”
Wyatt stood and arched his back. “Yep. It sure will. I can’t believe you built this place out here and didn’t tell anybody about it.”
Nick shrugged. “I’d have gotten around to it. I just had this notion to put a pond back here, to have a place to kinda get away. This was always my favorite spot on the farm when I was a kid.”
His dad walked up beside him. He pointed to a wooded section on the other side of the pond. “Yeah. I remember. You had a little deer stand just over there. I used to have a time getting you to come down from that thing, even when it was so cold I thought my toes would freeze off.”
Nick smiled at the memory. “And you didn’t even mind the cold, Dad.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“I didn’t either.” Nostalgia wrapped itself around him as he remembered being a preteen boy sitting in his deer stand, practically swaddled in hunting clothes with hand warmers in his gloves and foot warmers in his boots. Several acorn trees dotted the bank of where his pond now stood. Does and their fawns used to venture onto the field to nibble on the treat. Of course, he wasn’t interested in shooting the does and their babies, so he’d watched them glide through the natural dips of the field. He often thought it would be the perfect place for a pond. Looking out at the man-made pool, he knew he’d been right.
“Well, you’re going to have to let us fish out here now, ya know.” Drew’s voice broke him from his reverie.
Nick laughed. “I know. I know. If y’all want to come out early tomorrow, we could fish then.”
“Wouldn’t I love to.” Drew smacked his hands against his pants. “But I’m thinking we’ll have to get a few things done on our farms before we head out here.”
Wyatt nodded. “I don’t have a farm to worry about, but I will need to check inventory before I head out here.”
Nick scratched his jaw. His project was causing a lot of extra work for his friends. He needed them to know just how much he appreciated them. “Guys, listen, I can’t thank you enough—”
Drew raised his hand to stop him. “Don’t even say it. You’d do it for every one of us in a heartbeat.”
Nick nodded. He would. He’d help his friends in any way he could.
“Besides, this is my sister we’re talking about.” Drew pointed to his chest. “And I expect the very best for her.”
Nick peered into Drew’s eyes. “I can promise you this. That’s what I intend to give her.”
❧
Addy put the paint roller back in the pan. She’d finally finished Nick’s kitchen. Taking a quick break, she walked into the living room and plopped onto the couch.
The room looked very nice. She’d rearranged the furniture so that the focal point of the room was the original brick fireplace. Since Nick was adamant about keeping a television in the room, she’d persuaded him to purchase a plasma one to place above the fireplace. It was her least favorite thing about the room, especially since she wasn’t a big TV watcher, but it was much better than it had been before.
The back door opened, and Addy hopped off the couch. She looked at her watch. It was already lunchtime. She hadn’t realized it was so late. “If Mom hadn’t made me help her get the curtains down this morning,” she muttered under her breath, “I would have been here much earlier.”
She swiped strands of hair away from her eyes with the back of her hand as she walked into the kitchen. The place was a complete wreck, as she hadn’t even begun to clean up the paint.
Nick’s gaze scanned the room. “Looks like you’ve been working hard.”
“Yeah.” Addy fought back the embarrassment she felt. Nick had hired her to do a job, and she’d never had anyone walk in on her lounging on a couch while there was a mess in the kitchen. “I got here a little later than I’d planned. Mom decided she wanted me to help her get down the curtains so she could clean them.”
She smacked her hand to her hip. “Even though Aunt Becky was right there, she just had to have my help.”
A mischievous grin spread across his lips, the same grin he’d sported the time he stuck a lizard inside her dollhouse. If she had a dime for all the times Nick and her brother had tried to scare the life out of her—she blew out a breath. “I’m sorry this place is such a mess.”
“No problem. You’ll get it done.” He swatted the air then pointed to a paper bag on the counter. “I brought some lunch from the diner. Lacy picked out your food, so I hope you like it.”
Addy’s stomach growled at the mention of food. She patted it and chuckled. “I guess I am a little hungry.”
“Then let’s eat.” Nick moved the paint pan and brushes off the plastic-covered table then put the hot plates of food on the table.
The heavenly smell of fried chicken wafted through the room. Addy grabbed water out of the refrigerator and some silverware from the drawer. “I noticed you’re running low on water bottles.”
Nick cleared his throat. “It’s been pretty hot out. I’ve been thirsty.”
Addy pulled off paper towels from the roll and handed one to Nick. “There’s like four whole containers missing.” She looked at the ceiling, trying to do the math in her head. “That’s close to a hundred bottles, Nick.”
Nick shrugged, but Addy could tell he was keeping something from her. Not that missing water bottles meant anything to her. They were his, for him to do with as he pleased. He’d just been acting weird the last week.
They sat across from each other, and without asking, Nick grabbed her hands in his and started to pray.
A
longing for this to be her norm assailed Addy’s heart. She wanted this lunch, this prayer, this room, this man to be part of her daily life. He’d been kind and considerate to her like he’d never been before since she started fixing up his house. He’d been gracious when she needed to work on the hotel, and at moments, too many moments, she’d thought she detected love for her in his gaze.
But he never said it. And it made her crazy.
God, I’ve promised to let You guide my life. I feel at peace with You being in control, but I’m dying when it comes to Nick. I told him I love him. I told him straight to his face. He hasn’t pushed me away like he did when I was a kid. In fact, sometimes I think he feels the same way. Do I just finish his house and then leave him alone? I don’t want to keep torturing myself with friendly lunches and shopping trips if he doesn’t love me.
She looked up from her plate and saw that Nick had been staring at her. His face reddened, and he peered down at his food, stabbing his potatoes with the fork.
Ugh, Lord. I don’t know how much longer I can take this.
❧
“I don’t know how much longer I can take this.” Nick leaned against the outside of the cabin. The sun was especially hot, even for July, and he took off his cap and wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “I wanted to tell her the truth at lunch today.”
“Hang in there, buddy.” Wyatt patted his shoulder then took a long swig from his water bottle. “When I’d decided I wanted to ask Gracie to be my wife, I thought I would have to scream it over the mountains before I could get that ring to come in. I—”
“Ring? I haven’t even thought about a ring.” Nick wiped his hand down his face. “I think I’m trying to do too much.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll get you through it. The cistern and the septic tank will be finished in less than a week, then we’ll start on the wiring.” Wyatt pushed away from the cabin. “Didn’t you say you need to go pick up the bed frame and mattresses?”
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