“No,” Cassie said, shaking her head. “You’ve proven yourself. Right, Dad? Nash is the hardest working groom we’ve ever had.”
Damon nodded, easing forward in his seat. “You’re more than welcome to keep working here, Nash. And, if you own any horses, feel free to house them here.”
Oh, the irony. Between the double families, the Barringtons, Lily and his baby, and the horse ownership, Nash was spinning in circles and feared he’d have a hard time keeping all of his lies straight before he could present them in a justifiable manner.
“I actually don’t have any right now,” he told Damon, which was partially true. Nash’s horses just weren’t here locally.
“The groom position is yours as long as you want it.” Damon came to his feet and Nash assumed that was his cue to do the same. “And if you get a horse, these stables are available to you anytime.”
Nash stood before his father, the same man he was trying to buy out, and held out his hand. “I appreciate that.”
Damon clasped Nash’s hand and pulled him into a one-armed man-hug before easing back. The sadness in his eyes matched his tone. “I’m sorry about your mother. If there’s anything I can do...”
“Thanks.” Absolutely no way would anyone else take care of his mother. Nash was a bit protective of her and right now he wasn’t ready to discuss her too much. “She’s doing really well, actually.”
Damon nodded and released Nash’s hand. “You’ve certainly dropped a bomb I hadn’t expected. I hope my stunned silence at times didn’t make you feel unwelcome, I’m just still so shocked.”
“I understand. I was shocked, too, but I’ve had several months to process this.” Nash glanced down to Lily who was toying with the hem of her dress lying against her tanned thighs. “I think Lily and I will go and let you all talk things over in private.”
He extended his hand to Lily and assisted her up. She presented a killer smile to Damon and patted his arm.
“You’ve really been blessed with this news,” she told him. “Shocking as it may be, your family has grown and you’ve gained a wonderful son.”
Damon embraced her and patted her back. “Rose would’ve loved you.”
Nash knew Damon and Lily had bonded pretty well during the filming of Damon’s life. Lily had played Damon’s late wife and the two had often discussed the late Mrs. Barrington. Damon was all too eager to share stories and memories of his wife.
Guilt and a new set of nerves settled deep in Nash’s gut. There was still one more piece of damning information he had to reveal. He’d grown beyond the man who initially settled in here to spy on his rival and to have a heated affair.
Now Nash wanted a family, both families, and he had no choice but to destroy any amount of progress he’d made. Once the truth revealed itself, any hope of having a relationship with the Barringtons or Lily would be gone.
“I just hope once the film is out, people will see how amazing this family truly is, and not just in the racing world.” Lily made her way around the room and hugged Tessa and Cassie. “I’ll be in town for a while,” she informed them. “Perhaps we could go to lunch or something?”
Cassie smiled. “I’d like that. I assume we can find you at Nash’s?”
Lily laughed. “Yes, but please don’t let that get out.”