Page 355 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

Lee released a bitter laugh. “After this, it no longer exists. There’s no way any of our clients would ever trust us again.”

“Well, I’m sure Addy has already told you, but I feel like I should too. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like,” Jack said. “I mean,of courseyou can stay. It’s your house too. I’m just saying, if you decide to hang out here while you figure things out, you’ll be welcomed.”

Lee gave him a long, hard stare. “Why are you being so nice to me after I’ve been nothing but a dick?”

“Because I respect Georgie and Addy’s opinion. If they see good in you, it must be there.” He grinned. “It’s just buried under a pile of shit.”

Lee’s laugh turned into a groan again.

“Here,” Jack said, shoving the glass toward him. “Drink this.”

He took it, making a face as he lifted it to his lips. “So you came out here to poison me?”

“It’s one of Dottie’s miracle hangover cures. It smells disgusting and tastes even worse, but you’ll be hangover-free within the hour.”

“How is that possible?”

“Didn’t you hear? She’s a witch,” Adalia said as she came out the back door. “Why didn’t you give it to him when you first came out, Jack?”

He shrugged. “I had to butter him up first.”

“Drink it,” Addy said, placing a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Trust me. I’m living proof it works.”

He gave her a dubious look, then chugged it down, looking like he was about to barf.

“When the feeling passes, come inside,” Addy said. “We’re dying to open presents after we eat.” She glanced down at Jack. “And you need to get back to Maisie. She’s about to give your food to Tyrion.”

Jack hadn’t even made a plate yet, so he knew it wasn’t true, but he appreciated Adalia coming out to check on him. He went inside and scooped food onto his plate, then poured himself a generous mimosa. Iris and Maisie had saved him a spot between them, and for a moment he just stood there, holding his plate and cup, and watched them talking and laughing, savoring the knowledge that they were both in his life. That they werefriends. Then he walked over and joined them, setting his things down on the table. He planted a kiss on top of his sister’s head, then sat down and gave Maisie a quick kiss on the lips.

Adalia wolf-whistled as she stepped into the dining room, and Georgie beamed. Finn reached out for a fist bump from Maisie, and she rolled her eyes as she reciprocated. River just gave them a single nod of approval.

“All right, all right,” Maisie said. “You have five seconds to get it out of your system, and then it all stops. Forever.”

The whole table erupted in applause, Iris joining in. Maisie turned to her with a mock glare. “I expected better from you.”

“What can I say?” Iris said. “I’m a hopeless romantic.”

“You two are perfect for each other,” Dottie said quietly. “Beau would be so happy.”

The table grew quiet, and Jack lifted his glass. Although he’d never met Beau, the man had changed his life. Without his meddling, Jack would never have met Maisie or found a place among his half-siblings. “To Beau.”

Everyone lifted their own glasses, repeating Jack’s toast with a quiet reverence. “To Beau.”

Dottie’s eyes glittered with unshed tears. “I wish he could be here to see how happy you all are.”

“Notallof us,” Lee said bitterly from the kitchen doorway.

“Give it time,” Dottie said.

Disgust filled Lee’s eyes, followed by a rush of something like panic, and he raced up the stairs.

“He doesn’t mean to be rude,” Georgie said.

“Of course he doesn’t,” Dottie assured her. “Our Lee needs love and support. He needs time.”

Georgie reached over and squeezed the elderly woman’s hand. “And we’ll give him plenty of it.”

Adalia lifted her fork. “Speaking from my personal experience with Dottie’s cure and the way he ran up the stairs, his most immediate need is a bathroom.”

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