“You… didn’t want to come and check up on things at the ranch?” she asked.
He smiled over his shoulder at her. “No, I just came to ask you out on a date.” He kicked Bolt into a trot.
He smiled the entire way back home. He took his time making sure Bolt was cooled off. He brushed him, then saw to it that all the animals were safely tucked into the barn for the cold night.
He stopped by Lady Di’s pen. She was there waiting for him and the carrot she knew he’d brought her.
“How are you doing tonight, my lady?” he asked, snuggling up to the goat’s neck as she munched on the carrot. She let out a happy bleat, then nudged his shoulder. “Okay, okay,” he said, pulling out the sugar cube. “Your dessert.” He handed it to her, and he could have sworn she smiled at him.
When he walked into the house, his father was sitting at the kitchen table, talking to Stephen McKinney. The man had been his father’s lawyer for as long as Nick could remember.
“Evening,” he said, running his eyes over his father’s face. He was pale, but not as white as before.
“Evening.” Stephen stood up and shook Nick’s hand. “It looks like we’ll get more of the white stuff tonight.”
“Yes,” Nick answered and motioned to the table. “What’s all this?”
“Well,” Stephen started.
“I’m updating my will,” his father broke in.
“I didn’t know you had one,” Nick said, walking over and pouring himself a hot cup of coffee. Then he leaned on the counter and waited, knowing his father had something he wanted to say. A point he was making by this show.
“Course I do.” His father coughed.
They both waited until his father settled down again.
“Are you sure about these changes?” Stephen asked his dad.
“Sure am.” His father glanced over to him. “Go ahead and file it. I think it’s what’s needed at this point.”
Stephen nodded and then stood up again to gather the paperwork. “I’ll file it first thing in the morning.”
Nick waited until Stephen left before sitting down across from his father.
“You’ve made your point,” he said, looking into his coffee.
“Have I?” his father asked, coughing. “Tell me you’ve at least asked the girl out.”
Nick thought about the bet and realized that if Lady Di lost tomorrow, he’d not only lose his chance to go out with her, but he’d also have to stop going over to the ranch as an excuse each day.
“See.” His father thumped the table. “That is exactly why I’m forced to make the next move for you.” He pointed towards the door where Stephen had just left.
“How did you know Mom was the one?” he asked, deciding to change tactics.
His father softened, then let out a loud breath. “The moment I first saw your ma, I knew,” he answered. “My heart jumped in my chest, my palms got so sweaty I swore I was going to drop my tools.” He smiled. “Then she looked up at me and our eyes met.” His father closed his eyes and Nick watched a tear slide down his cheek. “I waited too damn long to ask her out. Too damn long before I asked her to marry me. And too damn long to have you.” He opened his eyes and pointed at him. “Don’t make the same mistakes I made.” His father started to stand up and Nick moved to help, but his father held up his hand. “Stay. I’m going to lie down for a bit before supper. Think about what I’ve said. I’d sure hate for Wilbert and his boy to get their grubby hands on this place.”
“Then don’t change your will.”
A strange look crossed his father’s eyes just before he turned around and walked out of the room without saying anything further.
Nick sat at the table and nursed the coffee before getting up to make them dinner.
He went to bed that night thinking over what he would do if Lady Di lost. By morning, he’d come up with a backup plan. If his goat lost, he’d have to beg Kara to go out on a date with him.
ChapterSeven
Kara leaned on the edge of the paddock and watched in amazement as the pure white goat navigated the snow-covered grassy area and obeyed each and every one of Nick’s commands.