She shrugs. “I research and write news articles for papers and websites all around the world on a bunch of different topics. And I also have my own social media page where I post important news about McBride Mountain since we lost the only real source of information for everyone.”
Willow elbows me. “What she means is, it’s a gossip column.”
Raven gapes at her. “It is not!”
“Tell that to the McBrides.” Willow laughs, turning to me with an exasperated look. “My husband and his brothers aren’t too keen on some of the things Raven posts.”
My throat starts to tighten as some of what they’ve just told me starts to fall into place in my head. “What sort of things does she post?”
Raven sighs. “Only information everybody in town needs to know.”
Willow rolls her eyes. “She has definitely posted some very unflattering articles about Killian and Connor over the years.”
Well, that’s better than what I was imagining…
For someone worried about staying under the radar and anonymous, hanging out with the small-town gossip columnist who is likely constantly looking for juicy, sordid details to post isn’t the smartest idea.
Right now, any excuse to move the potential topic of conversation away from me is one I want to latch onto. Plus, being able to learn anything about the man I’m losing my heart to and his family is too good an opportunity to pass up.
“Really?” I haven’t really spent much time with them other than pulling the gun on Connor and the awkward breakfast, but there wasn’t anything that would have caused me any concern during our brief interactions. “They seem nice.”
Raven barks out a laugh, her green eyes flashing with humor. “Yeah, you don’t know the McBrides.” Her gaze cuts to Willow. “Killian can be a real asshole…and a grump and a half.” Annoyance hardens her gaze. “And don’t even get me started on Connor…”
Willow grabs my wrist. “Please don’t get her started on Connor, or we’ll have to hear it for hours, literally an all-day dissertation, about what a dick he is.”
I sit back on my haunches, considering them. “I…have a really hard time believing that.”
Liam has been nothing but sweet and kind to me. I can’t imagine his brothers are much different people. Plus, I gave Connor the ultimate reason to show the negative side of his nature this morning, but instead, he cracked a joke and appeared to be more concerned than angry, even with a gun pointed at him. Killian obviously knew what happened during breakfast, but he only seemed to be worried, not mad.
Willow grins at me. “That’s only because you’ve been spending time with Liam, and the youngest McBride is a completely different story.”
“How so?”
She keeps digging through boxes, arranging the candles in piles for me to price while we talk. “I’ve known the McBrides since I was a child, and Liam has always been the most level-headed, the calmest, and the one who pushes his brothers and everyone else to do the right thing and to think logically. He’s always lifting everyone’s spirits and in a good mood.” Her smile falters. “Or, at least, he was…”
“Willow…” Raven issues the admonishment, giving her best friend a look that tells her to shut up. “Stop.”
“What do you mean he was?”
Willow swallows thickly and pushes to her feet, walking over to the shelves, and toys with the candles already set there nervously. “Oh, forget I said anything.”
“No, please.”
Whatever it is seems serious—serious enough that Raven doesn’t want Willow to say anything.
They seem to know the McBrides better than anyone on the mountain, and if there is something I need to know about Liam, these are the people to tell me.
Willow glances over her shoulder at me and then looks at her best friend. Her lips twist slightly as she considers my request. “Are you and he…you know…”
Shit.
It shouldn’t be awkward—discussing my situation with Liam McBride—since we’re all adults here. But they both seem unnerved by whatever we’re not talking about, and whether I’m involved with Liam may or may not be the dealbreaker in getting this information.
I clear my throat. “Umm, I don’t really know what we are right now, but I guess, yeah?”
We are something.
Last night wasn’t just about sex. Liam said things and made promises that lead me to believe that he wants something more. But I also know I can’t give him that, which leaves me in a very precarious position, especially talking to his sister-in-law.
