Page 105 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
Not one of them even thought to tease her about being trapped alone with the guy they clearly knew she was smitten over. If only they knew how much her feelings had grown in such a short time.
The fact that they weren’t saying anything about it told her how worried they’d been.
She forced a smile as they all pulled back to check her over for injuries, but her throat was still much too tight.
Tears had already been so close, and this sudden realization that even her newfound sisters might actually care about her…
She sniffled, tears hovering on her lashes.
Her sisters watched her in horror.
“Are you okay?” Lizzy asked. “JJ called earlier to say you’d been hurt. Are you in pain right now?”
“Dex is on his way,” Rose quickly added.
“I’m fine,” she managed. “It was just…”
She had no idea how to finish.
Emma winced, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and squeezing her like she was a child. “It must have been quite an ordeal. Let’s get you inside.”
“I’ll make some tea.” Lizzy was already leading the way.
Dahlia nodded, letting Emma guide her inside as Rose took her hand and squeezed.
The tears were abating, thank heavens. But she didn’t offer up an explanation. Let them think it was because of her ankle.
Let them believe being stranded had truly been an ordeal… and not the best time of her life. It would be easier if she didn’t have to explain.
The next twenty minutes passed in a blur as her sisters fussed around her in the kitchen. Emma insisted on cooking her a hot meal while Lizzy brought her a warm sweater and Rose poured her tea.
“I appreciate the concern,” she finally said with a laugh, “but I swear I’m not an invalid. JJ and I did just fine.”
We did better than fine.
Kit and Nash showed up to welcome her back, but JJ didn’t appear in the kitchen with them.
Dahlia tried not to feel the disappointment that swelled.
What did she expect? She’d shot him down. And she’d do it again if she had to. She tried to convince herself of this as she snuck another glance toward the back door.
He was probably at the bunkhouse, or maybe he’d leapt straight into work.
For the best, really. It would be better for everyone if she left here without another run-in with JJ.
There was no changing her mind. She’d watched what’d happened when her mother based her life on a man. It had destroyed her.
And besides, New York was her home.
“I’m so relieved you’re here.” Rose interrupted her thoughts when she rested her head on Dahlia’s shoulder. “I’d better text Daisy. She was worried too.”
Dahlia couldn’t help her snort of disbelief.
Rose straightened with a frown. “She was worried. You know she loves you.”
Dahlia nodded as guilt swelled. “I know she does. And you’re right, she cares about us in her own way.”
Rose smiled, shifting out of her seat. “I’m not kidding that she was worried.” She paused and widened her eyes. “Sheactually calledmeto check in on how you were doing.”
