Page 347 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

Jack was too. “He and I discussed something important this morning, and I’d hoped he’d talk to you and Georgie about it before the party. But obviously it would have been impossible for him to get a hold of you.”

She cast a glance at Victoria and frowned. “Ol’ Vicky was losing her mind this morning. I can’t decide if she was actually worried, or just pissed she wasn’t controlling Lee’s every move.”

“Probably a combination of both,” Jack said dryly, watching Maisie and Blue as they left River and Georgie and joined the line at the bar. “Only not how you think.”

“What’s that mean?”

He pushed out a sigh. “I’ll tell you and Georgie everything, but not until later. I don’t want to ruin her night.”

“You mean Georgie and River’s night.”

He made a face.

“She wantsyou, Jack. I’ve seen it for months.” She paused, then lowered her voice. “I think she loves you.”

He loved her too, but he still felt unsettled, as if he’d been given the gift of his dreams on Christmas morning, only to find someone else’s name crossed out on the tag. But he knew that was his own insecurities talking. He would get over them, but he wouldn’t get over losing her. He couldn’t let that happen.

Adalia put a hand on his arm. “You should talk to her.”

“But the party—”

“We’ll hold down the fort,” she said. “Trust me, Georgie would rather see you happy than have the perfect party.” She smiled up at him, and for a second he flashed back to the will reading. To the way Adalia had spoken about him and not tohim. They’d come such a long way, and he couldn’t believe how he’d lucked out in the sister department.

“Okay.” He squared his shoulders and started toward Maisie, still unsure of what to say. He only knew he didn’t want to be at odds with her a second longer.

But as he started across the room, Lee walked in wearing the same clothes he’d worn the night before. His hair looked like he’d repeatedly run his hands through it.

Oh shit. This did not bode well.

Prescott’s back stiffened when he saw him, and he shot a dark, accusatory glare at Jack.

The asshole could go stuff himself. Jack was more concerned about Georgie.

Lee headed over to Georgie and grabbed her shoulders. “I love you, Georgie. You marry the man you love, you hear me?”

Her eyes narrowed in confusion. “Thank you…?”

Then she waved her hand in front of her face.

Lee turned to face River. “But I still want you to sign those damn papers, because it’s not just about Georgie here. It’s about protecting Addy and Jack too.”

River turned serious. “I would never hurt Addy or Jack. I have no problem signing.”

Jack was stunned, both because River had been so quick to accept the request, and because Lee had expressed concern for him for the first time.

“Have you beendrinking?” Georgie asked, then threw a panicked look toward her sister. “Why don’t you go sit down with Addy and we’ll talk later, okay?”

As much as Jack wanted to talk to Maisie, he needed to deal with this situation first. He hurried over and grabbed Lee’s right arm, nearly keeling over from the alcohol stench, and tried to steer him toward a high top table in the back of the room.

A server walked by, and Jack snagged her as she passed. “Chelsea, bring us a cup of coffee as soon as you can get to it.” He shot a glance at the wobbling Lee. “Actually, make it a carafe.”

Chelsea took one look at Lee, then rushed out of the room.

“Oh, my God,” Addy said, taking Lee’s arm on the other side. “Are youdrunk? I’ve never seen you like this.”

“You’re just the person I need to talk to,” Lee said, craning his neck to face her and nearly falling from the abrupt motion. “Georgie too, but she’s busy.”

“Now isn’t a good time,” Jack said, tightening his grip. “Let’s wait until later.”

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