Page 94 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
And for the most part, she’d been utterly honest in her responses. But right now…
Well, she didn’t want to bring him down by talking about how this magical moment would have to end. But she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him either. So she smiled as she spoke a version of the truth. “I’m thinking about fairy tales.”
His brows shot up. “Fairy tales, huh?” A smile tugged at his lips.
It seemed neither of them could go more than a few seconds without grinning like lovesick fools.
He shifted in his seat, tilting his head as if to study her from a different angle. “You don’t strike me as the fairy-tale type.”
She gave a snort of amusement at that. “That’s because I’m not. But that doesn’t mean I’m not well versed in all things Disney princess.” She pointed her spoon in his direction with an arched brow. “Two sisters, remember?”
“I bet Rose was a big fan ofBeauty and the Beast. What with the library and all.”
Dahlia’s lips parted, a huff of delighted amusement slipping out.
JJ pointed his spoon in her direction. “Two sisters, remember?”
She burst out laughing. “I bet you were a great older brother.”
He shrugged, his smile growing a touch sad. Just enough regret evident in his gaze that she felt it like it was her own. “Iwas, I guess. But these days a phone call every now and again is the best I can do.”
She nodded, swallowing hard.
Maybe it was because Dahlia was so reticent to open up to others, but she was realizing here with JJ that no one ever really opened up to her either. She was never the first person Daisy or Rose turned to with heartaches and hurt feelings. She was the one they came to for Band-Aids and advice on student loans.
She set her spoon down carefully, the weight of responsibility settling over her. There was no being sarcastic or flippant when someone shared something real like JJ had.
Like she had.
He was gentle with her, and she wanted to be the same for him.
“I bet you’re doing all you can,” she said finally. “And no one can ask for more than that.”
His gaze was uncharacteristically serious for a moment before he gave her a small smile of gratitude that made her heart clench. “Thanks, Lia.”
Her answering smile felt watery. She cleared her throat and forced a bright tone. “To answer your question, no. Rose was always more into reading books than watching movies. She liked the Disney movies well enough as a kid, but it was Daisy who was obsessed.” She rolled her eyes at the memory, and JJ laughed.
“What was her favorite?”
She gave another huff of amusement. “What wasn’t? So long as it had music, and a princess, and a happily ever after, she was into it. And Rose and I would hear her rendition of every song over and over and over….” She trailed off when JJ started to laugh a little louder.
“That’s right, she’s the musician, isn’t she?”
Dahlia nodded, a little annoyed with herself for bringing up her twin. She didn’t want any more family drama tainting the joyful afternoon they’d been having.
“I hope I get to meet her someday.” JJ’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
She nodded. “I hope so too.”
But I doubt it.
That would require Daisy to come to Aspire. And while Daisy loved to travel, she was a pro when it came to avoiding messy emotions. And a newfound family? An estranged father’s inheritance? The ranch and its inhabitants were about as messy as it got.
JJ seemed to be waiting for her to say more, so she added, “You’ll love her.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Everyone loves Daisy.”
