Page 311 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

“Yeah,” Jack said, “I know the feeling.”

Finn grimaced as he stopped in front of a metal bucket on the counter. “I guess you do. I forgot you were there too.” He gestured to the bucket, which was full of ice and bottles of beer.“Help yourself. There are some Big Catch bottles in there if you’re interested in checking out the competition.”

Jack pulled out a Big Catch IPA as he shot a look at River, who had shut the door and returned to the couch. “I thought some of River’s other friends were coming.”

“They’re coming tonight,” Finn said. “To the brewery tour. We’ll meet them at the first stop.”

An uncomfortable silence filled the air. River was staring at a blank TV screen, but his expression was fraught because of his nerves. Jack got it; he felt like River looked.

“So what movie are we watching?” he called out.

It seemed to take River a couple of seconds to register that the comment was directed toward him. “Uh…The Big Lebowski.”

“Ah,” Jack said with a nod. “A classic.”

Finn released a short laugh. “‘Yeah, well, you know…that’s just, like, your opinion, man.’”

Something about Finn’s response seemed familiar, and then it hit him and he grinned. “A movie quote. Nice one.”

Finn tipped his head to the side. “Something I picked up from your sister.” Then he added, “Addy.”

Jack laughed. “I figured. Doesn’t seem like a Georgie thing.”

He shot another look at River, who looked like a statue of some prey about to be devoured by a monster.

The doorbell rang, and Tyrion rushed over to Jack and began to howl.

Jack glanced down at the dog, surprised he’d come to him rather than Finn, but he leaned over and rubbed his head. “It’s okay, boy.”

River’s back stiffened, insinuating he might not agree. He approached the door and opened it, saying in a deep voice that held a note of challenge, “Lee.”

“River,” Lee said in an equally authoritative voice from the front porch.

“Great,” Finn mumbled. “It’s going to be a pissing match.” He glanced at Jack, raising his brow.

He shrugged and lifted his bottle to take a drink. “I peed before I left home.” He gave a nod to the dog still standing next to him. “Tyrion too.”

But he knew why Finn had given him that look. Everyone knew Lee refused to acknowledge him as a sibling. Hell, Lee might be one-fourth owner of the brewery, but he refused to acknowledge Jack as a business partner either.

River was still holding his ground in the doorway.

“Why don’t you invite him in?” Finn said.

River backed up. “Come on in. Thanks for coming.”

“Yeah,” Lee said as he walked in, his gaze scanning the house. His gaze lingered on Finn and Jack for a brief moment before returning to River. “Wouldn’t miss it.” But he sounded like hewouldhave missed it if he could have gotten away with it.

Tyrion released a low growl, but Finn grabbed his collar and bent down next to him, whispering something in his ear.

A wave of pain washed through Jack, catching him off guard. So the bastard still wasn’t going to say anything to him. So be it.

Lee took a few more steps into the house, casting a wary glance at Tyrion. The dog had stopped growling, but his tail wasn’t wagging. Which said plenty. He’d yet to meet a person he didn’t like.

“I take it your father’s not coming,” River said as he shut the door.

Lee looked reluctant to move, as though he wanted to stick close to the front door in case he changed his mind and wanted to make a quick retreat. “No. He had some work to do this afternoon, and he’s having dinner tonight with that eccentric woman from the will reading. Dottie Hendrickson.”

“Dottie’s my great-aunt,” River said with a hint of warning.

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