8. Nick
Chapter eight
Nick
“This is the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had!” Jack declared, taking a hearty bite. “I was hungry.”
“Climbing trees builds up an appetite, doesn’t it?” Nick asked wryly, tapping his hand on the table to get Jack’s attention. “Don’t do that again. We stay on the ground, unless an adult is with you.”
Jack nodded, his eyes growing wide as he looked at Nick. “Mom made me promise that, too. I won’t do it by myself again.”
Nick chuckled and pushed some fries toward the boy. They’d gone to Scoops and Cones for dinner and dessert. It was one of the few local restaurants that stayed open in the winter. “Glad to hear it. These burgers are good, but you’ve got to try The Cove’s food this summer. They’ve got great milkshakes, too.”
“I haven’t had a Cove milkshake in years,” Jessica said, snagging some fries for herself. “Are they as delicious as I remember?”
“They’re even better,” he promised. “Especially when you share them.”
“I like to share,” Jack piped up. “What’s a milkshake?”
The adults laughed. Nick smiled at mother and son as Jessica explained why The Cove’s milkshakes were the best. Please let me be part of this family, he prayed. I want to spend every day with this kid and his mom.
He imagined what life might be like if they stayed together. Nick would put that tire swing in the tree, and find other ways to keep Jack busy and safe. He’d teach Jack how to surf once he was older, too. They could start with swimming lessons this summer. Every beach-town kid should know how to swim.
If things went well, they could give Jack a brother or sister to play with.
Nick might be moving too fast, but his mind was already years into the future. He was ready for it. All they needed was to pick out that two-person swing for the porch. They’d tuck the kids into bed at night, then spend long, lazy summer nights outside, talking about their day and watching the sunset.
Nick reached for Jessica’s hand. “What do you say? Can we share dinner again tomorrow? And every night after that? I’m thinking long term here.”
Jessica blushed and nodded. “I’d like that. We won’t let you spoil us, though. I’ll cook tomorrow night.”
“And I’ll take a turn the next night,” Nick promised. “I make a great grilled cheese.”
“I love grilled cheese!” Jack crowed, his face lighting up with a grin.
That’s good, because I don’t know how to cook anything else , Nick thought, holding back a laugh. “You can help me butter the bread,” he promised the boy.
Jack puffed out his chest proudly. “Mom says I’m a big help. They’ll be the best grilled cheese sandwiches in the world.”
Nick turned to grin at Jessica, watching as her face slowly became more serious.
“Are we moving too fast?” she asked.
Nick gave her hand a squeeze. “Life moves fast. When you’re on the right path, you just know. This feels right, doesn’t it?”
Jessica smiled shyly and nodded. “It feels exactly right. Thanks for making us feel so welcome in town. Your cards helped, too. They were really sweet.” She paused, glancing out the shop’s window at their quiet hometown. “They felt like notes from the past, reminding me that these were our roots.”
Nick leaned forward, pausing for a moment to hand Jack some fresh napkins. “I’m glad you liked the cards. But I have to admit, they weren’t entirely my idea.”
“What do you mean?”
Nick explained the story from the beginning—the rotten windowsill, the hidden letters, and an injured soldier’s love for his wife and unborn child. “I’ll share them when we get home.”
“A soldier’s letters from home,” she sighed. “How romantic. I wonder how their story ended.”
Nick grinned and picked up his phone. “We can probably find them through the town’s historical society. But I like to think Jimmy and Barbara lived a long life in Sunset Cove. They grew old in the house you own now, passing it on to their child. That house feels like it’s seen lots of happy memories and love.”
Jessica nodded, but took the phone from Nick’s hands and set it on the table. “We’ll find their story one day. But today, let’s focus on us. We’ve got our own happy ending to write.”