Page 53 of Inherited Holiday

I jerked back.

“Don’t look so surprised. Of course I’m thrilled my son is home.”

“You’re not upset over what grandfather?—”

“No. I’m not.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Why is that?”

“You do remember the last time we were in this room?”

“Yes…” I never expected what he exclaimed next, “And I’ve lived with the regret of it ever since.”

CHAPTER 21

NICHOLAS: THEN

“Nicholas,” Dad warned. “How many times have I told you you’re going to start working for Mistletoe Town?”

“More than I care to remember,” I snapped.

The biggest problem with my old man and me was we were so different yet exactly alike.

His stubbornness.

His controlling ways.

His trait of always having to be right no matter what.

Though when he loved, he loved with everything inside him.

Yeah, I checked all those boxes too.

“Why must you fight me on everything?” he argued, tugging me away from my thoughts. “Why is it so hard for you to listen to me?”

He shook his head with disappointment spreading all over his face like a blazing wildfire. An expression you’d think I’d be used to by now.

Nothing I did was ever good enough. His high expectationsmade it nearly impossible to please him. Everything, and I mean everything, in life was black and white for him.

I was the only gray area in his world of right or wrong.

“How many times do I have to tell you I want to open my own business after I graduate in a month?”

“It’s not going to happen.”

“Why are you so against me having my own life?”

“Because I’m handing you one where you’ll immediately be successful! Why would you want to work from the ground up if you don’t have to? This is your legacy! Why can’t you just see that? You refuse to let me help you!”

“That isn’t saving me! That’s you not believing in me and what I’m capable of without your help!”

“Son,” Grandma intervened, saving my ass.

She did this often, having to come between her son and grandson.

Two of the men she loved more than anything constantly butted heads. It never mattered how much trouble I got in. She always loved me wholeheartedly. She was patient with me. Something my father clearly didn’t have when it came to me.

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