“How are you holding up?”
Kara jumped slightly and turned to see Nick leaning against the back wall of the house, in the shadows. His arms were crossed over his chest. He looked like he’d been there a while.
“Me?” She stood straight and ran her eyes over him. He was wearing a suit but had removed the tie he’d been wearing earlier that day at his father’s funeral. “How about you?”
“You look tired,” he said, not paying any attention to her words.
“I’m fine,” she said, worried about him. He looked… lost. “Have you eaten anything?”
His eyes closed for a moment. “I just got done meeting with my father’s lawyer.”
She wanted to go to him, but she just wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the chill that suddenly hit her. Even though she was wearing a black sweater dress, the sun’s rays suddenly weren’t enough to keep her warm.
“And?” she asked.
He stood up straight and moved to stand next to her. His eyes scanned the horizon.
“The will is to be read on Christmas Day.” He sighed before looking over at her.
She frowned. “Christmas?”
He took another deep breath. “You’re cold. Let’s go in.”
She stopped him from walking away by laying her hand on his arm. “Nick. Talk to me.” Her eyes scanned his but only found sadness there.
Suddenly the back door burst open, and Wilbert strolled through it, followed closely by Willy.
“There you are, my boy.” Wilbert smiled brightly and walked over to slap Nick on the shoulder.
The man’s attitude the entire day was that of pure joy, even though his brother had just died.
“Uncle,” Nick said with a strained tone.
“I think it’s time we did ourselves some business.” Wilbert glanced towards Kara. “Willy, why don’t you keep Miss Montgomery company while my nephew and I have ourselves a little chat.”
Willy smiled and moved over to throw an arm over Kara’s shoulders and pulled her in tight to his chest. Kara would have kneed the guy, but the entire town was standing on the other side of the windows, watching the show.
Nick dislodged his uncle’s hand from his shoulder and walked over to them. Willy removed his arm, and Kara stepped closer towards Nick.
“Any discussion we may need to have can wait until tomorrow,” Nick said firmly. He took Kara’s hand in his, and she followed him as he started to walk inside.
“Tomorrow then, boy. I’ll be knocking on the door bright and early,” Wilbert said loudly behind them.
“What was that all about?” Kara asked Nick when they stepped inside.
“Nothing,” he mumbled. “Let’s get you some food.”
Nick was surrounded by well-wishers while she shuffled off to get a plate of food with Liz.
“This is crazy,” Liz said when they’d found a place to sit down, each of them balancing a paper plate of food on their knees.
“What is?” Kara asked after taking a bite of a roll. Her stomach was still upset, and she didn’t want to push her luck eating something that might cause her to rush home and be sick.
“The fact that the entire town can fit in this house,” Liz answered as she motioned to the room with her drumstick before taking a bite out of it.
“I don’t think the entire town is here,” Kara said.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure they are. Everyone knew and loved Nicholas Howe. Did you know he donated money to pretty much every charity in town? Not to mention he helped build the new library.”