“He’s growing like a weed,” Nick said. “I have to take him to get some new jeans this weekend. He’s already outgrowing the ones we got him to start school.”

“Just wait,” Graham said. “Boys grow the most in their teens. It’s about to get crazy.”

“I wish we’d had more time with him when he was younger. I feel like we missed so much.”

“You’ll have plenty of time with him—all the time that matters as he becomes a man.”

“True.”

“Enough with the small talk,” Terry said. “Cut to the chase, Nick. Tell him why we’re here.”

Terry’s impatience made Nick and Graham laugh.

“Ease up, son,” Graham said. “That’s no way to talk to your boss.”

“He’s not my boss right now. He’s my friend, and he’s got the biggest decision of his life to make.”

“What decision?” Graham asked.

Nick appreciated hearing Terry refer to him as a friend. Because Terry was so impatient, Nick gestured at him, giving him the go-ahead to bring his dad up to speed on what was going on.

“I thought you’d said no to him,” Graham said when Terry had finished.

“So did I.”

“Well... This is quite something, isn’t it?”

“I guess you could say that.”

“Nick...”

“I know what you’re going to say.”

“If that’s the case, why’d you come all the way out here to talk to me?”

Nick laughed at the older man’s comeback, thrilled by the sparkle of excitement he saw in his eyes. That sparkle had been dimmed over the last year since he lost his beloved son, so it was always a relief to see it return. His snow-white hair was disheveled, probably from a day spent riding horses. “Because I wanted to give you the chance to say it. I wouldn’t dream of denying you that.”

Graham’s smile lit up his weathered face. “You know me far too well, my friend. Is there anything I can tell you that you don’t already know? Such as the fact that my good friend David Nelson is handing you the nomination in four years on an engraved silver platter?”

“That thought may have crossed my mind.” Nick put down the drink Graham had poured for him and propped his elbows on his knees. “But that’s what I need to decide before I agree to anything. Is it what I really want?”

“Only you know the answer to that question, Nick. I certainly can’t tell you what’s in your heart. I can tell you what’s in mine...” Graham said with a cheeky grin.

Nick laughed and shook his head. “This I’ve got to hear.”