All four of them faced him then. They loved their sister deeply. Up until now, it had been their job to protect her. But now?
“You want to marry her?” Hunter asked.
He cleared his throat. “Yes. Very much.” Admitting the truth felt good.
The brothers exchanged a meaningful look. But he couldn’t tell if it was a good look or a bad look.
“Dammit,” Ryder bit out the curse. “We’re going to need more beer for this.”
“You have no idea what you’re attempting.” Archer crossed his arms over his chest. “Our sister is a force of nature.”
Ash nodded. He knew. Oh, he knew. It was one of the things he liked best. Damn. Since he was telling the truth, maybe it was time to accept that his feelings for Renata were turning into something...more.
“Let’s get to work,” Hunter said, his jaw set with determination.
This would soon be his family—Curtis and the babies’ family. Maybe, with her brothers’ help, he’d stand a chance at convincing Renata how good it could be between them. To do that, there needed to be less space between them and more time spent together. Preferably alone.
Chapter 11
Renata took the last bite of her gingerbread cookie and sat back in her chair, staring into the dying embers of the fire. It was after midnight and she was sneaking milk and cookies like a little girl. She smiled, wrapping the embroidered blanket tighter around her legs and relaxing against the side of the high wingback leather chair.
It was nice to pretend, for a little while longer, that all the fuss and fervor that had become her life didn’t exist. The Lodge library was her personal oasis. The book-lined room was deserted and quiet, both things she craved at the moment. The Christmas tree, all lit up and decorated, was an added bonus.
Her eyes had popped open to a new day—a day full of choices. Choosing to let a tow truck repair her truck. Choosing to stay here versus escaping to Fire Gorge. Choosing to call in sick so she could delay the several dozen interrogations she’d have to suffer through when she went to work. And choosing to stay in her room no matter how hard her father or Clara tried to change her mind. It wouldn’t last forever, she knew that. But she deserved twenty-four hours.
Once the nausea and vomiting stopped, life would be easier. She hoped. “Growing babies is hard work, guys.” She’d played the digital recording of her babies’ heartbeats several times through. The sound was oddly soothing. And the little blips on the screen? They were real. They were hers. They were pure goodness. And she was beyond excited to meet them. “Not too early though, okay?” She’d been reading her pregnancy book. When she wasn’t freaking out over all the things that could go wrong, she was amazed at what was happening inside her body. No wonder she was so tired all the time.
“We have the parade and the Gingerbread Festival soon. It’s our job to make sure everything goes off without a hitch, okay?” She looked down at her stomach. “Your momma knows her way around an event, don’t you worry. And when it’s all over, we’ll slow down, take naps and relax.”
“Renata?” Ash’s voice startled her.
She pressed herself into the corner of the chair and froze. Ash was the last person she wanted to see. If she stayed super quiet, he’d go away. That was what she wanted, wasn’t it?
The door slid open.
Dammit. She tensed, far too excited that he was here. What about the whole wanting space thing? Not that she actually wanted space. The door shut. Had he left? Disappointment welled.
The thump of boot heels crossing the wooden floor had her smiling. Widely. The sound was muffled now—because he was beside her, on the thick hand-braided carpet.
“You’re still here.” His voice was low. Deep. Enticing.
She bit her lip to fight her smile. But that didn’t stop her heart from thumping.
“No Fi
re Gorge?” he asked.
She shook her head, worried her voice would give her away.
“I’m glad.” It was almost a whisper.
She glanced at him. Even in the dim lighting, his smile managed to knock the air from her lungs. “You are?”
He stared down at her just long enough for her bones to begin to melt, then crossed to pull the leather settee in close and sit. “Talking to the babies?”
She blinked, nodding—willing her thoughts and her body to behave. She should tell him to leave, remind him of the whole space request thing... Why did he have to look like that? All manly and desirable and capable. Her dreams reminded her regularly of just how capable he was. In great detail.
His grin was a thing of beauty.