~*~*~
Nate fought the frustration that dogged his steps as hewalked into the manor. He'd spent most the day in Sanford. First talking with the police and fire inspector there then meeting with his employees. He'd taken them all out for a late lunch and had to break the news to them that he wouldn't be rebuilding. It had been a difficult decision, but in the end he knew it was the right one.
The decision to expand had been his dad's. And though he knew that his dad would have rebuilt in a heartbeat, Nate's heart wasn't in it. He was content to just focus on the garage in Collingsworth. Besides, even if he did rebuild, he would have had to hire all new staff. The guys wouldn't be able to wait around for him to be able to pay them. After the meal, he'd given them each a bonus check. It hadn't been much, but he hoped that it would help them in some way.
But even though he knew it had been the right thing to do, it still weighed heavily on him. He wished he could just go back to working on cars. It was what he enjoyed the most. The administration side of things sucked the life out of him sometimes.
"Hey there, Nate."
Nate turned to see Will walking out of the kitchen toward him. "Hey, Will."
"Did you have supper?"
"Not yet." He supposed he should have stopped for something when he'd come through Collingsworth, but he wasn't really hungry.
"Well, come out back. We had a barbecue, and there's plenty of food left."
Nate wasn't sure he would be good company, but the thought of seeing Lily was enticing. "Okay. Just let me put this in the library." He took the laptop bag and set it on the desk before heading out the back door.
The shrieks of the children greeted him as he stepped onto the porch. The idyllic scene set off conflicting emotions within him. Though he was drawn to it, Nate finally acceptedthat he had no place there. He appreciated the effort the family made to include him, but he knew that he needed to move on soon. Having made the decision about the garage in Sanford, Nate knew he needed to make a few other ones, too.
He spotted Lily right away. She was reclined on a chaise lounge, legs bent with her bare feet planted on the cushion. Laurel's Rose was seated in a chair next to her, and they appeared to be in deep discussion. She didn't look his way, but he didn't know if that was because she was ignoring him or because she didn't know he was there.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"Here you go," Will said as he handed him a plate. "Fill 'er up."
"Thanks." Nate approached the table where the food was and helped himself to the potato salad and barbecued chicken. As he turned to find a place to sit, he saw that Lily was watching him. He gave her a quick smile before heading to the empty seat next to Will.
After bowing his head to say a prayer for his food, Nate turned to Will. "I'm wondering if you happen to have an empty apartment in that building of yours."
Will's brows rose. "You looking to rent a place? Or is it for someone else?"
"It's for me." Nate took a bite of the potato salad. "It looks like it's going to be a little bit before my house can be rebuilt, so I think I may just rent through the winter and tackle that in the spring."
Will didn't answer right away, and Nate didn't miss the way his gaze went in Lily's direction. "Well, I do have oneplace coming up. They just gave their notice last week. It's one of the studios though. Not much room."
"That's fine for me. It's not like I have much at the moment."
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay here at the manor?" Cami asked. "I'm sure Jessa and Lance wouldn't have a problem with that."
"Today is my day for making decisions," Nate said. "I decided to not rebuild the garage in Sanford, and now I think I need to get a place of my own. It would be for the best. I do appreciate your generosity though. Being able to stay here in the meantime has been a real blessing."
As Will asked the details of what the officials had told him in Sanford, Nate found himself relaxing. Focusing forward was what he needed to do. And though he hadn't given up hoping for a future with Lily, he knew he couldn't live at the manor indefinitely hoping she'd change her mind.
Once he was finished eating, he helped them clean up.
"Ice cream cones," Laurel called out to the kids as she set the ingredients down on the picnic table.
Nate watched the kids gather around the table, clamoring for their dessert. An ache grew in his stomach. One or more of his and Lily's children should have been joining them.
"You're not moving out because I'm here, are you?"
Nate turned to see Lily standing next to him. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a high ponytail and lay over one of her shoulders. For the first time since her arrival, she looked more rested. He also noticed that she seemed more steady on her feet than she had the day before.
Pondering her question, he debated what to tell her. "Partly. This is your home, not mine. If I had known you were on your way back when Lance offered me the place to stay, I would have turned it down. My being here with you is no easier for me than it is for you." She blinked at his comment, and her brows drew together, but she didn't sayanything. "Plus, it looks like I will be out of a home for a little longer than a few weeks, so I'd rather have my own place until the house is rebuilt."
"I'm sorry that it's not going to work to rebuild the garage in Sanford."
