Page 1 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
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Dahlia O’Sullivan did not do tears.
But when her sister Rose wrapped her in a hug in the kitchen of their deceased father’s Montana ranch home, her throat felt suspiciously tight.
Maybe pregnancy hormones were contagious.
“Thank you for coming,” Rose said in a high, watery voice.
Rose’s baby belly was a bumper between them, and Dahlia fought a fresh wave of emotion at the reminder that her little sister was going to be a mother.
Thatshewas going to be an aunt.
Dahlia squeezed her sister tighter. She still couldn’t quite believe it. Dahlia swallowed hard, but even so, her voice sounded too raspy when she answered, “Always.”
Rose’s arms tightened around her like she knew precisely what Dahlia meant.
No matter what, she’d be there for her and the baby…
Even if she was about to get on a plane back to New York City.
Emotions were trying to get the best of her, and Dahlia was keenly aware of their audience. Rose’s boyfriend, Dex, was hovering nearby, and their newfound half sister Emma and her fiancé, Nash, were right behind her, waiting their turn to say goodbye.
Oh, and JJ was here too.
Finally.
The ranch hand who was supposed to drive her to the airport had kept her waiting forever this morning.
All of them were watching, so Dahlia did what she’d always done best. She pulled it together. Chin coming up high, she took a step away from her baby sister.
Goodness. How could her baby sister be having a baby of her own? No, she wasn’t technically a child, but after having raised Rose for most of her life, Dahlia wasn’t sure she could ever see her as a grown-up either.
Rose’s lips wobbled with unshed tears. Dahlia had to glance away to keep her voice even. “Now…” She went for firm and businesslike. How else was she supposed to stay in control? “I expect updates on your health and the baby’s.”
“Of course.” Rose nodded.
Dahlia pointed at Dex. “And I expect you to look out for her.”
“Always.” Dex lightly squeezed the back of Rose’s neck, and she grinned up at him.
Ugh. That dreamy look they were sharing, it was like watching one of those sappy Hallmark movies.
Dahlia’s insides rebelled against a flash of yearning that tried to rise in her chest. As if! Romance was the last thing she was interested in. It was great that her baby sister had found the world’s sweetest man, but that kind of thing was not for her.
Dahlia had learned her lessons the hard way, and a love like Rose and Dex shared was simply not in the cards for her.
And she was absolutely fine with that.
Dex’s smile shifted from Rose to her, changing to a different kind of warmth as he stepped forward and surprised her with a hug.
And while her answering hug wasn’t exactly enthusiastic, she tried her best not to draw away too quickly.
She hadn’t exactly been the nicest to Dex when they’d first met, and if he was willing to move past that for Rose’s sake, then she supposed she ought to as well.
Still…
She didn’t really do hugs, just like she didn’t do tears.
