“I’m too short!” Max said, but before the words had completely come out, Nick had scooped him up into his arms, lifting him to the top of the tree. It was a small tree, only a little over five feet tall, and it was dwarfed by the large space. With a giggle, Max draped the garland on the top branches as Nick walked around the tree to allow him to cover every bit of the top with the popcorn. Abbey watched how Nick handled Max now with ease, how gentle he was with him, and how relaxed he seemed around him. He’d changed so much since that day they’d had their sock races. Max draped the last bit of his garland around the tree, and before Nick put him down, Max wrapped his arms around Nick’s neck and gave him a hug. She couldn’t imagine anything better.
* * *
The builders she’d hired were buzzing through the wall in the hallway while the kids played outside in the snow. Abbey came in to check their progress. She was putting in a built-in shelving unit like the old telephone coves, but she was planning to fill it with antique books she’d found at the second-hand store. She had two more built-ins she wanted to do, and she was hoping that, given his relaxed demeanor lately, Nick would actually take a look at her plans this time.
“He’s not here,” Richard said from behind as Abbey peeked her head into Nick’s office. She hadn’t seen him since this morning when they’d decorated the tree. “He’s gone to look at a possible acquisition in Chicago.”
“He just up and left? In the middle of the day? He’s supposed to be taking time off for Christmas! His sister and her family are in from out of town and Christmas is only a couple of weeks away.”
Richard said nothing. She knew he wouldn’t. It wasn’t his place, and she felt bad for even voicing her concerns. It put him in an odd spot.
“Sorry,” she said, and he smiled a knowing smile.
“He did tell me that you’ll have one more bedroom to complete. It’s the fourth bedroom upstairs.”
Abbey stared at Richard paralyzed, trying to figure out what he meant by “decorate.” That room was finished. She started toward the hallway leading to the staircase and Richard followed as she went upstairs. The buzzing of the saws had ended, leaving her in complete silence as she got to the bedroom. Abbey opened the door and gasped, every emotion she had draining right out of her.
“He had us clear the furniture early this morning and donate it to a halfway house.”
The nursery was empty.
Was this some sort of grand gesture to put a point on the end of his sentence that he wasn’t the guy for her? Was he telling her that in no way did he want children? Was he telling her that he’d never want Max, let alone a child of his own? She felt sick, staring at the empty walls, the bare wooden floor, the naked windows. But then, she got herself together. Nick was probably going to put the house up for sale. Perhaps he needed the room to be more neutral to help the home sell faster.
“Did you see what Nick did with the nursery?” she heard Caroline’s voice float up over the balcony from the entranceway. “What a shame.”
“I was coming over to your room in a little while,” Abbey said, looking down at her. She looked so small standing at the bottom of the first floor.
“I was taking a walk. It’s a nice place to be when it isn’t just Nick clicking away on his computer at one end of the house.”
“Why did he dismantle the nursery?”
She met Caroline at the bottom of the steps. “He claimed it would be nice to give away the furniture at this time of year because the donation would spread some Christmas cheer.” Caroline pursed her lips in disapproval. “It was such a lovely room.”
“I’m going to text him. Do you mind if I excuse myself?”
“Go right ahead,” Caroline said with a wink.
Abbey went into the ballroom, sat down on the floor in front of the fireplace, and leaned against the bottom of the couch, her legs crisscrossed. She pulled her phone from her pocket, brought up Nick’s number, and typed: Why are you in Chicago when you said you were taking time off for Christmas? When are you coming home?
He must have checked it immediately and began typing. She waited for the little bubble on her phone to show his words. Finally they appeared: I’m sorry, Abbey. I got an email about an interest in one of the properties I’m selling. It’s a huge offer. I’ll be home probably Wednesday of next week.
She thought things were better. She thought she could make him see… She texted back: Why so long?
Nick: I’m in negotiations for the sale of the corporation here in Chicago and it takes some time to get them to meet me somewhere in the middle. They’re playing hardball but I know they’ll offer more. Why? What’s wrong?