“Hey there,” Luke said. “Be easy on our princess. It’s tough being little.”
Nick avoided loudly sucking his teeth. Jade had already figured out how to wrap her Navy SEAL dad around her tiny little finger. And she hadn’t even turned one yet. This didn’t bode well for the future. Stella was definitely going to be playing the bad cop role.
“Jade, be a good girl and eat your dinner,” Stella crooned just as she was hit with another splash of food. She took a napkin and slowly wiped her face as Jade grinned.
“So, are the rumors about you and Harlow?” Luke asked with a smirk and a shrug. “I could have told you that weeks ago.”
“Not exactly,” Nick admitted, earning himself curious gazes from both Stella and Luke. “This is really messed up, but Harlow seems to be the topic of a nasty rumor. People are saying she’s not to be trusted as a vet and that she caused harm to one of the animals in her care.”
“That’s really awful,” Luke said, running his hand across his jaw. “I know Mistletoe loves to generate juicy stories, but that’s really toxic stuff. At least with me and Stella, it was fairly harmless.” Luke and Stella had engaged in a fake dating scenario in order to prevent town matchmakers from trying to fix them up on dates. Tongues had wagged all over town about their relationship, which had blossomed into a genuine love story.
“I, for one, know how painful gossip can be. When Rafe ended our engagement, the town rumor mill went into overdrive.” She lifted the baby out of her high chair. “People can be so cruel. They forget that living, breathing people get hurt in the process.”
“You hit the nail on the head, Stella. Harlow is really a mess over this,” Nick said, clenching his jaw. “She even made a passing reference to leaving town, although I think she was probably just venting. She’s got a lot to lose if she bails on her agreement with the state of Maine.”
Stella looked sheepish as she jiggled Jade on her hip. “Lucy and I did hear some chatter, but we shut it down really fast. We weren’t going to let anyone get away with spreading gossip around town about Harlow.” She rubbed noses with Jade. “Isn’t that right, little mama?”
“What were they saying?” Nick asked. He bit down on his back teeth, steeling himself against hearing petty rumors about someone he cared about. Harlow wasn’t the only one feeling pain about the situation. He’d always been proud of his hometown, but it was difficult under the current circumstances. No one had the right to smear someone’s name and jeopardize their career in the process.
“It was ridiculous!” Stella said, letting out a sound of disgust. “Honestly, I didn’t even think it was important enough to repeat to you or Harlow, because it’s so petty. Patsy was running her mouth and warning people not to make an appointment with the new veterinarian in town.”
“Did she say why?” Luke asked, taking the words right out of Nick’s mouth. Was she actually being accused of something or was it just random negativity?
“Something about an animal almost dying in her care,” Stella continued.
“That never happened.” Nick spit out the words. His frustration was threatening to boil over. Harlow had been right.
“Take it easy. We know that,” Luke said. “At this point, let’s focus on figuring out how to make things better for Harlow.”
“I don’t even know how to begin, guys. How do you put the genie back in the bottle?” He ran a weary hand over his face. “She’s already losing clients. It’s hitting right at the heart of who she is. She would never mistreat an animal, or anyone for that matter.”
Stella handed the baby over to Luke, then came to stand by Nick. She pulled him in for a hug, then placed her head against his chest. “I don’t know either, but Luke and I are both team Harlow, so we’re in this with you, Nick. Now I’m going to put my child to bed, so you two can brainstorm.”
“I know she’ll appreciate the support,” Nick said. “She doesn’t deserve this.”
Stella plucked Jade out of Luke’s arms and padded down the hall toward the nursery.
“So, is it official between the two of you?” Luke asked. “You seem…smitten.”
Nick let out a snort. “Smitten? You sound like somebody from the roaring twenties.”
Luke chuckled. “Don’t change the subject. I haven’t seen you like this since…well, you know. Since Kara.”
Nick nodded. His brother was right. He had never expected to find someone else who made him feel all the emotions he’d felt with his wife. Hope. Nervousness. Joy. Fear. Butterflies in his belly. He knew what it meant. Nick was in too deep now to find his way out.
“I’m happy with what we’re building. It’s all happening really fast, but it feels right. When we’re together, we vibe so well.”
“There’s no timetable on love,” Luke said in a singsong tone.
Nick reached over and punched his arm. “Will you quit it with the sappy sayings? You sound like a greeting card.”
“Seriously, Harlow seems to make you happy. And I haven’t seen that in a really long time, so congratulations. Are you falling in love, bro?” Luke leaned across the counter, waiting for Nick’s answer.
Nick tapped his fingers on the granite counter. He’d known for a while, but he had pushed it to the back of his mind. He was ready for it, had hoped for it over the past year when he knew he’d made it past the worst of his grief. But he wasn’t ready to share it with anyone but Harlow. She needed to know how he felt before anyone else.
“Let’s just say I’m catching feelings for her,” Nick said. He could feel a smile stretching across his face. This is how Harlow made him feel. As if his feet weren’t touching the ground. As if anything was possible.
“And now you sound like a Hallmark card,” Luke said, chuckling. Nick joined in along with him. Despite the heaviness of their discussion, he and Luke shared a camaraderie that soothed them even in difficult circumstances.
