Page 36 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

What exactly had Ben told him? My history with CB Rice? The timing of my departure coinciding with my pregnancy? A chill ran through me at the possibilities.

Flynn’s voice broke through my thoughts as she returned with Luna, who was bundled head to toe in a pink-and-purple snowsuit, her cheeks already flushed with excitement.

“Look, Mommy! I’m a snow princess!” Luna twirled, nearly losing her balance in the bulky outfit.

“You sure are, baby,” I said, forcing a smile despite the storm of emotions churning inside me.

Flynn held out a bundle of winter clothes. “I brought these for you, Keltie. They should fit. Can’t have you miss out on all the fun.”

“Thank you,” I said, taking the offered items, a strange sense of inevitability settling over me.

“I guess I should put this stuff on,” I said to Holt, clutching the winter gear in front of me like a shield.

He surprised me a second time when he cupped my cheek. “Listen, I get why you didn’t say anything. I was confused at first, but I’m not anymore.”

I felt sick. Did that mean he’d figured out the one thing I didn’t want him to?

“Keltie, look at me.”

I raised my chin and met his gaze.

“Remi Gilbert is an asshole. I know it, you probably know it, and even Ben knows it. Let’s not waste the rest of what’s been a pretty spectacular day, thinking about someone who isn’t worth our time or energy.”

“Okay,” I murmured, biting my lip. “But you should know that Luna’s never done this before. I’m not sure she should be out in the cold for too long, with everything…”

“Looking pretty stylish there, Luna,” Holt said, walking over to her and tugging a knit cap over her curls.

Her giggles sounded like music to me. “It’s so fluffy. I can hardly move my arms!”

“That’s the idea.” He winked. “The snow monsters can’t get you if you’re all puffy.”

“Snow monsters?” she gasped, her eyes wide.

“Oh yeah,” he said seriously. “But don’t worry. They only eat grown-ups. Kids are completely safe.”

When she rolled her eyes at him, I couldn’t contain my smile.

Once we were outside,Holt pointed to the run Buck had set up on the slope that led from the main house down toward the horse barn. The path looked gentle enough, and he’d strategically placed hay bales to prevent any wayward sledders from careening off course.

“UncaHolt!” Buckaroo called, waving frantically from where he stood with TJ. “We go fast!”

“Hang on, buddy. I promised Luna the first run.” Holt knelt down beside her, pointing to where Irish was getting the twins settled onto a sled.

“See? It’s not too steep. And your mommy and I will be right there with you the whole time.”

“Promise?” she asked, looking up at me, her small face so serious it nearly broke my heart.

“Promise.” I held out my pinky finger, and she wrapped hers around it solemnly.

“First run’s with all three of us,” said Holt, grabbing one of the larger sleds. “That way, I can show you all my expert sledding techniques.”

Luna giggled, and we followed him up to the top of the rise, where Cord was helping Juni position herself on another sled.

“Expert, huh?” Cord smirked. “Should I tell them about the time you sledded straight into the manure pile?”

“That was strategic,” he countered, arranging the sled. “I was doing important scientific research.”

“On what? How bad you’d smell?”

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