Page 109 of One Sweet Day I Found You

Twenty-Seven

“I was going to ask you that next,” said Kenneth.

“Oh, your brother is the apple of my eye, Kenny! Honestly.” She looked at Julia and Kenneth. “He takes great care of me. You’ve done a wonderful job raising that young man.”

Courtney narrowed her eyes. Were they talking about…?

“That’s good to hear,” said Kenny. “I’m glad he’s looking out for you.” He squeezed Gloria’s knee affectionately and she wrapped her arms around his wrist.

Kenneth and Julia gazed at Victoria gratefully. “Oh, we miss him so much. You havenoidea.”

“Is he coming over, too?” asked Victoria. She looked to Josie. “Didn’t Nicholas call this morning, Josie?”

Courtney’s eyes shot wide. She put a hand over her mouth. Josie glanced at her then answered Victoria.

“Yes, he called early today. Said he’ll stop in tonight for a couple of minutes after work.”

Nick’s family. Oh. My. Gosh.

She focused on Kenny for a second. That’s why Kenny seemed so familiar—he was the spitting image of Nick! A little taller and leaner compared to Nick’s rugged build, but undeniably, his older brother. Same hair color, same smile. She found herself gaping at him then quickly looked away.

“Well, that makes our surprise so much easier.” Julia looked delighted, if not relieved.

Obviously, they had no idea who Courtney was. Nick had told her that he hadn’t been in the best place with his parents, lately. Also, things had been so rocky between her and Nick until just recently—she didn’t blame him for not telling his mother about their relationship yet. She knew a lot of guys didn’t announce their romantic interests to their families in the early stages of a relationship, anyway.

Having his family here now sure was awkward, though! She sucked in a deep breath, wondering how long it would take Victoria to tie Courtney to their son in conversation. She felt her cheeks warming and she shot Josie another look. Josie returned a knowing glance, one eyebrow arched above the other.Now you see?

“We’re actually surprising him, too.” Julia crossed a leg. “He’s been letting on that he might finally move back to Chicago in the fall. Kenneth’s been trying to get him to go back to school. We don’t want him throwing away his future renting sports equipment to tourists. He’s done that long enough. I’m really hoping he comes around soon.”

Kenneth let out a heavy sigh.

Kenny broke in. “He didn’t say he’d go back to school, Mom. He said he was thinking about moving back. Let’s not push him. You know how that tactic goes over with Nick.” Apparently, Nick didn’t cave to familial pressure. Courtney felt the tension in the room rise.

So this was behind Nick’s announcement on the Fourth of July? This was why he’d taken her breath away and left her stomach in knots? They wanted him to go back to school.

She sighed, frustrated for Nick. He had told her very clearly that he no longer wanted to be a doctor. Why were they still pushing him on the matter? Weren’t two doctors in the family enough for them?

Courtney’s heart began to pound. Nick would not want her meeting his parents like this. If nothing else right now, she was sure of that. She ought to try to make an exit before things got really weird.

Victoria didn’t disguise her disappointment. “Oh, Julia, I hope he doesn’t leave us. He’s doing so well up here,” she crowed. “I thought he left medical school, Kenneth? He told me he has no interest in it anymore.”

Kenneth frowned. “Did he?” His shoulders sunk, although Courtney thought he looked as though he’d expected her to say that.

Would Nick be floored at their surprise visit or would he be thrilled? She really could not guess.

Victoria went on. “Plus, he’s been so busy with the search-and-rescue team when he’s not working. Josie just told us all about a rescue he did with the coast guard just recently. Josie, won’t you tell them? It’s a wonderful story.” She took a sip from her lemonade and sat back, obviously eager to hear it again.

“Oh, yes, sure, I’ll tell you.” Josie loved to tell a good story.

Courtney took the opportunity to rise quietly and excuse herself, making sure to grab her phone and keys, hoping to escape to the kitchen—and then maybe out the back door. Nick could show up any minute.

She made it to the kitchen without much ado and sighed with relief, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave. What else were they going to say about him?

She kept quiet and stepped behind the kitchen wall to listen. She had to hear this. He hadn’t told her any details about the coast guard rescue. That must’ve been the day the whole thing started to go downhill between them last week? Gosh, the man was modest about his achievements, beyond belief.

Josie sat up in her seat. “So, John—that’s my husband—” she explained, for Gloria’s sake, “John’s team had to rescue six people from the bay who had gone out in kayaks. They drifted out really far, where the big boats were rushing by, with huge wakes that could’ve capsized them. When John’s boat found them, they were exhausted and disoriented. So careless. These kids out on the water these days…” She shook her head and let out a frustrated sigh.

Nick’s family was quiet. Josie must’ve had them all on the edge of their seats. Courtney leaned in closer to hear.

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