Page 37 of Snowy Secrets

We settle around the kitchen table.

Wyatt breaks the silence, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "So," he begins, his gaze shifting between River and me, "seems like someone had a good night."

River's jaw tightens, a flicker of possessiveness flashing in his eyes. "We reconnected, Marcus. It's…complicated."

I nod and set the cup down on the counter. "So, should we assume all is not lost?"

A chuckle escapes River's lips, the tension easing slightly. "Something like that."

A heavy silence falls over the room, the only sounds the crackling of the fire and the ticking of the grandfather clock.

Finally, River speaks, his voice a low growl. "I care about her, Marcus. More than I thought possible."

I meet his gaze. "I know you do."

A pause, and then, I decide to just spill it. "You're not the only one."

River's brows narrow a fraction. "You like Bella?"

Leaning against the counter, I cross my arms and dip my head in acknowledgment. "I do. And I'll wager a guess that Wyatt feels the same way."

River eyes Wyatt dubiously, and the man basically flounders for a second before mumbling, "You got me."

He stares at the both of us, his mouth hanging open slightly. "The fuck? Y'all eyeing my woman out here and telling me about it too?"

Wyatt looks alarmed. "She's a treasure, River?—"

"Treasure?" River scoffs defiantly, cutting him off. "Bella's not an object to be claimed, Wyatt."

"Easy there," Wyatt replies gently, extricating the cup of half-drunk tea from River's grasp so he doesn't toss it at either of us. "I meant it figuratively. We won't do anything unless you're on board. But I…"

He doesn't say it, but I see it in his gaze, in the way it drops to the ground. River does too.

"You've slept with Bella?" he asks in a disbelieving tone. "When?"

Wyatt clears his throat and shuffles his feet. "In Spokane. Look, we didn't know this would happen, y'know?" He waves an arm around the room. "And it was meant to be a one-time thing."

There's a long, very pregnant silence. "River?" I finally ask, unsure of what else to do. "Look. We don't need to move ahead with this."

He looks at me and then shrugs. "Nah. That's not it. I was processing all the information. Can't blame me for taking some time. Honestly, I'm not mad. If it had to be a sharing situation, I'm glad it's you two. But we gotta make sure she's on board."

I blink and decide the best step forward is to make sure I've heard him right. "Really? You're on board?"

He nods. "It's…not what I'd immediately want. But Bella has been through a lot, and so have I. I don't think conventionality is the way ahead for either of us. Just gotta make sure she wants this."

"Agreed," replies Wyatt in a relieved voice. "We need to approach her with respect and honesty. And if she's not interested, we back off. No pressure, no games."

The atmosphere lightens, the tension dissipating slowly as we all come to terms with one core reality.

"So," Wyatt says, clapping his hands together, "what say we make the most of this situation? Let's cook up a feast, break out the whiskey, and have ourselves a little fun."

I grin, the knots in my shoulders easing. "Sounds like a plan. How about a game of truth or dare? Might be a good way to break the ice…and maybe learn a few things about our lovely guest."

"I'm game," replies River. "You go get her."

My brows lift. "All okay there?"

He doesn't look at me. "Last night was pretty intense. I want to give her some time before I approach her again."

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