It didn’t help that Chase had just provided him with evidence of how deep a hole he’d dug for himself by going along with Mrs. M’s plan. The last thing Nate needed was his best friend partnering with the matchmakers of Highland Falls. “There’s nothing between Ellie and me, and there never will be, so you might want to put out an alert to all your matchmaking buddies that we’re no longer fake-dating now that her parents are gone.”
“That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?”
“How is it harsh? I’m not actually breaking up with her. We were never together.”
Chase went to hold up his phone and then realized the incriminating photo was no longer there.
“We shared one little kiss, so what?” Nate said, addressing the photo anyway while also not acknowledging that what he and Ellie had shared was as far from a little kiss as you could get. “It didn’t mean anything. The whole point was to protect Ellie from her family, and obviously that didn’t work. Who knows, it probably made things worse. No one wants their daughter to bring home a guy like me.”
“You might want to keep your voice down. Sound travels on water,” Chase said with a pointed glance at Ellie, who was now sitting upright and paddling toward shore.
Nate couldn’t tell if she’d heard him. Then again, what would it matter if she did? Everything he’d said was true. Mostly.
She lifted her gaze to his as she reached the shore. Her smile didn’t quite reach her gorgeous violet eyes. She’d heard him, and for some reason, what he’d said must have bothered her. He wasn’t sure why. Unless she’d picked up on his anger. He had to make her understand it had nothing to do with her.
He shot a look at Chase. “Thanks a lot, bro,” he muttered as he headed for the shore.
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
Nate ignored Chase and focused on Ellie. “You okay?” he asked, holding out a hand to help her from the canoe. “Sadie told Chase that your mother wasn’t happy when they left the inn.”
“Unhappy I could have handled. Enraged and threatening were a little harder to deal with.” She placed her hand in his, stepping out of the canoe onto the rocky shore. “Thanks.”
“So it looks like Mrs. M was wrong. Me pretending to be your boyfriend didn’t do you any good.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” She let go of his hand. “Your phone call gave me an excuse to get out of the office and regroup, and my mother might have pushed harder for Joe to make an appearance if not for you. But I’m pretty sure Granny’s plan had more to do with matchmaking than protecting me from my mother. I should have known better. Actually, I did know better, but I guess I was desperate. I’m sorry if I’ve put you in an awkward position, Nate.”
He’d been right. She’d overheard him talking to Chase. “You haven’t. I know Mrs. M almost as well as you do and should have figured out what she was really up to. But honestly, it’s not a big deal, so don’t give it a second thought. Although from what Joe and the judge said, Agnes isn’t the only matchmaker you’ve had to contend with.” And why he’d brought that up he had no idea. The voice in his head called him a liar. He was curious about the men her grandfather and the judge had set her up with.
Ellie sighed. “You’d think Grandpa and Jonathan caught spring fever. They were worse than Granny. I swear they were giving out my photo and stats to every man they met under forty.”
“From what I heard, you might want to search online dating sites for your profile.” He laughed at her horrified expression.
“I can’t even…” She shook her head. “I’ll have to get Sadie to do it for me. I’m afraid to see what they put on my profile.”
“I doubt you have anything to worry about. It’s obvious how Joe and Jonathan feel about you.”
“You didn’t meet the men they set me up with,” she said, then smiled. “But I know they love me. That’s the problem. They were afraid I was moving back to New York. They seemed to think if I fell in love with someone from around here, I’d stay.”
He glanced at Chase, who was on the phone. His best friend was taking a page out of the old guys’ playbook. Chase figured Nate would stick around if he and Ellie got together. “You’re not moving back to New York?”
“No. I mean, I was thinking about it. Grandpa was doing well, and I had people in place to help out at the inn. But then I realized I really didn’t want to leave. I’m happy here, and I love my grandfather. Jonathan too. Even when they’re driving me crazy.” She glanced across the lake. “And I love the inn.”
“Your mother’s going to contest your power of attorney, isn’t she?”
She nodded. “She accused me of coercing my grandfather into making the changes to his will. She says he’s obviously not of sound mind if he chose me over her.”
“Right, her daughter who dropped everything to come look after her grandfather.”
“That’s not how she sees it.” She rubbed her face. “I knew this would happen, but I didn’t see any other way to stop her.”
Ellie looked like she needed a hug but instead he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I get how difficult this must be for you. But you’re just abiding by your grandfather’s wishes, and from what I heard, and saw, you don’t have to worry that Joe will be declared mentally incompetent.”
“He’s not the only one she’ll try to have—” She broke off. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be dumping this all on you.”
“Hey, just because we’re not actually a couple doesn’t mean I’m not here for you if you need me, Ellie. I am.”
She gave him a smile that had him rethinking his offer. Not because there was anything flirtatious about it or the slightest hint that she wanted something more from him than friendship. It was because Ellie was a beautiful woman, but when she smiled, she took his breath away. “Not here here, obviously. I’ll be heading out tomorrow. But feel free to call me anytime you need to vent or you need a sounding board.”
“Thanks, Nate. I just might take you up on your offer.”
Chase walked over. “Hey, Ellie. Sadie says not to worry about anything. They’ll handle the cleanup. Abby’s just about to tell everyone the party’s over.”
“No way. They’ve done too much as it is. I’ll take care of the cleanup when I get back. I just need to get Grandpa. He has to take his meds.”
“Let them help, Ellie. They don’t mind, and you’ve had a rough day.”
“I’m fine. Honestly, I am,” she added when Chase raised an eyebrow.
“Just for the record,” Nate said, “I have five older sisters, so I know when a woman says she’s fine, she’s not. Let them help, Ellie. You’ll have your hands full with Joe. No way you’re getting him out of there until he wins back his money.”
“Watch me,” she said, heading for the cabin.
“This I’ve got to see. Your dominatrix voice didn’t work on him last time, remember?” Nate winced. That wasn’t something he should say to a woman like Ellie. She probably had no idea what it even meant.