Page 309 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

“This is perfect, Addy.”

Adalia nearly glowed with the compliment. And it was such a nice moment that Maisie felt a little choked up, which was ridiculous, really. It had clearly been too long since she’d seen her sisters. And maybe, just maybe, she was getting into the spirit of things a little. Because seeing Georgie and River together didn’t bother her anymore. She genuinely wanted them both to be happy, and she really, really wanted to be happy too. Maybe she was becoming a sap, because when she thought about being happy now, it was Jack she saw by her side. Stringing Christmas lights on her house with Iris shouting up instructions. Chaco and Einstein watching with wagging tails.

“Well, it’s not tea at the Plaza, but it’s about as good as can be expected, I suppose.” Victoria shot an accusatory glance at the uniformed server, who looked like she wanted to fade into the wallpaper. Instead, she started pouring out cups of tea, handing them around as everyone got settled. Adalia and Georgie sat on one of the two-person loveseats, Iris and Dottie on another, leaving Maisie to take one for the team and sit with Victoria.

Victoria squirmed beside her, letting out an aggrieved sigh as she tried to get comfortable on the admittedly uncomfortable piece of furniture.

Maisie had half a mind to ask her if the stick up her butt was chafing, but instead she took the tea she was given and took a hearty sip.

“Do you need anything else?” the server asked, posing the question to Georgie.

“Coffee,” Victoria said. “Three Splendas, no milk.”

Of course she was asking for coffee at a Victorian tea. But the server was so eager to get out of there she eagerly took the excuse.

“I’m watching my figure,” Victoria announced as Dottie pulled out one of her ever-present pieces of Tupperware and started adding delectable-looking treats to the serving tray.

“That’s wise,” Maisie said, serving herself a heaping plate of Dottie goodies, although she knew better than to take any of the red cakes. They were hot enough to get a five-chili-pepper rating at a Thai restaurant. “You’ll want to fit into that wedding dress you’ve probably already ordered.”

God help Lee Buchanan. This woman was a nightmare. Then again, Maisie maintained that it didn’t speak well of him that he’d chosen her and stuck by her side. She was sorry for that—Adalia and Georgie clearly cared about their brother, and from a few comments Jack had made, she knew he was hoping to get to know him better. But she couldn’t help feeling a little offended on Jack’s behalf. His brother had made zero effort to get to know him.

Victoria gave Maisie’s full plate a disapproving look as she selected a single cucumber sandwich and a piece of celery, something that looked like it had been intended as garnish. “Three of them, actually. I’m not ready to make up my mind.”

Adalia laughed, not attempting to disguise her humor this time. “Are you waiting until he proposes to make up your mind?”

Georgie nudged her a little, a concerned look on her face. She was a peacemaker, and she clearly worried about offending Victoria for fear of alienating Lee. Which, fine. It hardly mattered ifMaisieoffended Lee.

“I get it,” Georgie offered. “I still haven’t chosen a dress, and I’ve dragged poor Adalia out to six different stores.”

“I don’t mind,” Adalia said with a grin. “They give us free champagne.”

“Only six?” Victoria said, aghast. “And you’re trying to find a dress in this town? Oh no. You should get your father to send you to New York to take arealshopping trip.”

She said it like Georgie was a little girl who needed a big, strong man to buy her something shiny. Good lord.

“She built and sold one company, and now she’s running another,” Maisie snapped. “I doubt she needs her father to buy her anything, let alone supervise her on a shopping trip.”

Georgie’s eyes flew wide. She clearly hadn’t expected Maisie to stand up for her…and honestly, neither had Maisie. But she wasn’t about to let Victoria ruin everything.

Iris started coughing suddenly, her face red, and Dottie patted her on the back. “There, there, dear, you got one of the red ones.”

“Why…didn’t…anyone…warn me?” she choked out.

“They’re good for the constitution! They flush out all the bad energy. Everyone should have one.” She glanced around the room, looking for another taker. Her gaze lingered on Victoria. “You couldespeciallyuse one.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Victoria said, setting her plate down with a clink.

But the server arrived with her coffee just then. As she took it, she raised a brow and asked, “Three Splendas?”

“Yes, of course. Just the way you requested it.”

Victoria frowned in a way that somehow failed to wrinkle her forehead. Wasn’t she too young for Botox? Then again, Molly had interviewed a dermatologist who’d said women were coming in for treatments younger and younger. “Where’s the milk?”

“Um, didn’t you say you didn’t care for milk?” the server asked hesitantly.

“Notinthe coffee, but it should be served alongside it.” She lifted a hand as if at wit’s end. “Honestly.”

“There’s milk on the table,” Iris said slowly.

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