Page 22 of Snowed Inn For Christmas

Thirteen

Julie

Icovered my mouthwith my hand to keep from spitting food across the table as I struggled to control my laughter.Patrick’s eyes lit up as he told Daisy the story about the time we came to the inn for Christmas one year, and I was so hungry that I ate all of the popcorn from the strands we had made to decorate the tree.

“In all fairness, your mom was about your age, if not a little younger,” Dad said with a dimpled smile as he looked down at Daisy, who was nestled between him and my mother.

I loved how much she loved her grandparents and hated how long it had been since we’d seen them.While they came to visit us whenever they could, things had been different after Mike died.

“No one told me we couldn’t eat it,” I replied, holding my hands up.

“It’s partly why I didn’t offer to make popcorn earlier,” Gage teased, giving me a wink that sent a jolt straight between my thighs.“I wasn’t sure I could trust your mom not to eat it again.”

“Mommy,” Daisy said with a sigh as she pressed her little hand dramatically to her forehead.“You were so silly!”

I shrugged, loving how happy she was.

She grinned, but it was quickly erased as a big yawn pulled across her face instead.

“Looks like it will be an early night tonight,” I said softly, watching her as she fought the tiredness that was washing over her.We had been up early, and it was a busy day filled with fun and unexpected surprises.

“I’m not tired,” she objected, looking nervously up at my mother.

“I was thinking that maybe we could watch a movie in our bedroom tonight,” my mom said softly to her.We all knew that a few minutes into the movie, Daisy would be out cold.“I saw a TV in there.We could cuddle up together and watch a Christmas one.”

“Yeah!Let’s do that!”Daisy’s sudden burst of excitement temporarily disturbed Duke as he lifted his head to see what was happening before returning it to the floor as he went back to sleep.Glitter had covered the majority of the house, not even sparing Duke, as the top of his head glistened in the light.

“Well, if you guys want to go start getting everything set up for your movie night, I’ll get the table cleared and then come say goodnight,” I said, pushing away from the table.

“I’ll help you clean up,” Gage offered, not looking the least bit bothered by the look my brother gave him.

“Thanks,” I replied as I started collecting the dishes from the table and ignored the tension building in the room as my parents took Daisy to their room, leaving Patrick alone with us.

“I don’t like whatever this is,” Patrick said, his voice turning into the one I hated when I was a kid.

“You don’t likewhatexactly?”I asked, turning to face him with a hand on my hip.

“Don’t act like I’m stupid, Jules.Everyone can see something is going on between the two of you.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”I felt Gage step beside me and knew that no matter what happened with my brother, I had his support.“Nothing is happening between us other than he’s keeping me and your niece safe from some asshole who is stalking me.Get your shit together, Patrick, or I swear to God...”

“You swear to God what, Jules?”

“I’ve gone a long time doing this on my own, so don’t think for a second that I won’t help you pack your shit and kick you out.Whatever this crap is between you and Gage is between you and Gage.Leave me the hell out of it and mind your own business.If you came down here to fight with him or accuse us of something, then you can leave.”

“I came because I was worried about you.I wanted to help.And I wasn’t lying when I said that it would be great to spend Christmas together as a family,” Patrick said, his tone softening some.

“Then act like it,” I bit out, letting my emotions from the past few days get the better of me.“I don’t need any additional stress right now, Pat.I have enough on my plate as it is, so if you’re here to make things harder for me—”

“That’s not my intention.I’m sorry.I just thought I saw something between the two of you, and I guess I just...I don’t know.It triggered something inside of me.”Pat held his hands up and gave me an apologetic look.

“So what if there is something between us?”Gage asked, leaning against the counter with his ankles crossed and his arms folded over his chest.

Why did he not know when to shut up?I didn’t need them fighting over anything right now.

“Are you saying there is?”Patrick pushed, mimicking Gage’s rigid pose.