Page 65 of River Wild

I envy that. But I’m glad for her.

“Yes. Can you help River’s friend, Carrie, pick out a Christmas tree?” Ellie tells her as Macy approaches us. “She doesn’t know what kind she wants, so if you could, explain the different types to her.”

“Of course,” she says. Her eyes pass straight over me and onto River. “Hi, River,” she says with that tone in her voice that only a woman with a major crush would use.

I feel a few things in this moment. And confusion is definitely at the top of the list.

River, of course, ignores her.

It makes me feel bad for her. But it’s also nice to know it’s not just me he ignores. I was starting to wonder, as he was being so nice to Ellie. Well, as nice as River can be.

I give Macy a sympathetic look. A look of solidarity. Letting her know she’s not alone in the rude and grouchy treatment from River. We are sisters together.

But … the look I get back from her is not one of sisterhood.

More like annoyance. And distaste.

Right. Okay then.

But still, he’s being rude, and that’s just not acceptable.

“River”—I nudge his arm with my elbow—“Macy said hi to you.”

“I heard,” he grunts.

“Aren’t you going to say hello back?”

His eyes flick to mine. His expression screams, Are you fudging kidding me? Although I’m sure he’s not thinking fudging. More like the F-word that ends in K.

I stare back at him, refusing to look away. “It’s the polite thing to do,” I say softly.

His brow lifts. “Have you met me?”

“Yes, quite a few times,” I say dryly. “And, although I do know you’re rude and impolite, I also know you can be nice when you want to be.”

I know the word nice irks him.

He scowls. Eyes narrow. And he continues to stare.

So, I stare right back. Refusing to give in. And I smile. Widely.

It annoys him. I know this because he pinches the bridge of his nose. His eyes close. His jaw clenches. He huffs out a breath through his teeth.

His hand drops. He stares at me. “Hi, Macy,” he grits out through that still-clenched jaw of his.

And I smile even wider. Not to be an ass. But because I’m proud of myself. I didn’t back down to his intense stare, and trust me, the guy has got a stare that could refreeze the melted polar caps in the Antarctic.

That’s a big thing for me. Not backing down.

A few months ago, I wouldn’t have dared to speak to another person the way I just spoke to River.

And I managed to make a grumpy bear like River be nice to someone.

Go, me.

I pat him on the arm and turn to Ellie, whose eyes are pinging between me and River like we’re a tennis match she’s watching.

“Sorry about that, Ellie. So, I’ll leave you guys to do your thing.” I gesture to the box that’s still sitting on the counter, unopened, River’s hand now sitting protectively on the top of it. “I’ll go outside with Macy and pick out my tree. Oh, and, Ellie, do you have any other tree ornaments than the ones you have in the window? I do love them a lot, but they’re a little out of my price range.”

Her warm eyes smile at me. “I have some right over there.” She points in the direction of the far corner of the store. “I’ll show you them when you come back in from picking your tree.”

I give Ellie one last smile, and then I follow Macy outside, leaving River where he stands.

And I feel his eyes on me the whole way out.