Page 313 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

“No, she did that on her own,” Jack said. “I would have suggested loans.”

“How much haveyouput into the business?” Lee asked.

“You know I don’t have much money,” Jack said, his voice cold. “I’m sure you had me investigated, if not before our grandfather’s death, then definitely afterward.”

Guilt flickered in Lee’s eyes, but his expression quickly shifted back to anger. “Are you saying that surprises you?”

“No,” Jack said, holding his gaze. “Not one bit. You learned at our father’s feet, after all.”

Lee started to say something, then stopped.

“Lee,” Finn said, sounding less enthusiastic than before. “I’ve known River for six years. Iknowhim. He has never loved a woman like he loves your sister. He would do anything to make her happy. Don’t you want that for your sister?”

Lee gave River a hard stare. “I’m supposed to forget that you win the brewery if it fails to rank in the competition? Even after all the hard work my sisters have done?”

“I’m doing everything I can to ensure we place in the top five,” River said. “And besides, if Georgie and I are married, she’ll still be an owner. She won’t lose in this, Lee, no matter what happens.”

“But we might,” Jack said, voicing a fear that had been simmering below the surface since he’d heard about Georgie and River’s engagement. “Addy, me, and Lee…we’re no longer part owners if we lose. We’ll have done all this for nothing, especially since I’ve only just started to draw a fraction of my salary.”

River started to say something, then stopped, swallowing.

Tyrion didn’t budge from his spot at Jack’s feet, but he glanced over his shoulder as if to check in with him.

“That’s right,” Lee said, perking up. “And who’s to say you aren’t marrying Georgie to hedge your bets? Win or lose, you still own part of it.”

River ignored the comment and swung his gaze to Jack. “I’m not trying to screw you out of anything, Jack. I swear.”

“Oh, yeah?” Lee said. “Then prove it.”

River’s body seemed to throb with anger. “I’m marrying your sister, Lee. I won’t cancel the wedding to prove myself to you.OrJack.”

Jack sat up straighter and Tyrion did the same. “I never asked you to cancel anything. From what I’ve seen, you make Georgie happy. I would never take that from her.”

He shot a glare at his half-brother.

Lee pushed out a breath, his brow furrowed, then held his hands out at his sides. “Finn’s right. We all want Georgie to be happy. There’s no disputing that.” He narrowed his gaze at River. “But you seem to want my blessing.”

“I don’t give two shits about you or what you think,” River said through clenched teeth, “but for some reason, Georgie does. Your approval matters to her.” Then he added, “She’s going to marry me regardless of what you say, but yes, she wants your blessing.”

Suddenly, Jack realized why River had been so nervous. Not because he wanted to impress Lee, but because he knew his good opinion mattered to Georgie. It made Jack think more of River.

“Okay,” Lee said with a hint of a smile. “I think we can work out an agreement.”

“I’m listening.”

“If you want to marry Georgie with my blessing, then all you have to do is relinquish your claim on the brewery. Whether it places in the top five at Brewfest or not, it stays with the Buchanan siblings. Even after you two are married. You can have Buchanan Breweryormy sister, but you can’t claim ownership of both.”

Finn got to his feet. “Now wait a minute.”

River’s eyes narrowed. “No one owns Georgie.”

“Fair point,” Lee conceded, lifting a hand. “Poor choice of words.”

River swallowed again. “Georgie means more to me than whether my name is on the ownership papers. I’ll be happy as long as I can work there with her. But you have toswearthat you’re one hundred percent on board with this marriage, because like I said, your blessing is important to her, and I’ll do whatever it takes to give that to her.”

Lee shifted his weight with an air of confidence that reminded Jack of their father. “So, just to be clear, you’re willingto give up any claim of ownership to Buchanan Brewery to marry my sister?”

River lifted his chin. “I’d give up everything and anything to marry her.”

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