“Merry Christmas,” he said with a wide smile.

She wished him the same and led Tater into the resort. They entered the kitchen, where Jayne was icing cinnamon rolls while Pete drank his coffee at the large mahogany table. Bella knew Heidi and Marla, along with their husbands and kids, would be joining them later that morning, once they’d all had their private family Santa gift exchanges.

She hugged Jayne and waved at Sam’s dad, who wished her a Merry Christmas, then turned his attention back to the sports section of the local newspaper.

“Sam’s still asleep,” Kyle told her when he noticed her glancing around.

“He’ll be up once the kids get here,” Pete said, flipping a page and taking a long swig of coffee. “Have some coffee, Bella,” he suggested. “We’re all going to need stamina for the pint-size tornado that will hit once the rug rats get here.”

Bella grinned and headed for the pot on the counter. She got a kick out of Pete’s gruff attitude when it was clear he was a pushover for any and all of his grandkids.

“It wouldn’t be Christmas without Sam indulging in some random holiday hookup,” Kyle observed.

Bella’s hand stilled on the coffeepot.

“No need to be rude,” Jayne told her stepson. “Sam is obviously maturing. He’s different than usual this year.”

“Sam might be more discreet,” Kyle muttered, “but he’s the same as he ever was.” He gave Bella a pointed look when she turned with her mug. “Trust me.”

“Well, Merry Christmas to you, too, big brother.”

They all turned as Sam entered the kitchen, hair tousled and wearing baggy sweats and a faded UNC T-shirt.

“It’s true.” Kyle placed his hands on his hips. “It’s the same little Sammy show we’ve all seen for years. You might know how to have fun, but you’re not a good long-term bet.”

“What the hell do you care what kind of bet I am?” Sam demanded.

Kyle turned to face Sam, and the way they stared at each other made Bella think of some old-time Western standoff. She didn’t like it one bit—or the worry crawling over her skin that she might have something to do with the animosity radiating between the two of them.

“She’s different,” Kyle said through clenched teeth. “She deserves better than you.”

“Agreed on both counts,” Sam answered without hesitation.

Bella sucked in a small gasp of air and felt Jayne shift closer to her. “It’s okay,” the older woman whispered.

“You’re using her,” Kyle spit out, his tone disgusted. “Probably because you knew it would piss me off.”

Bella waited for Sam to argue. Of course what had happened between them had nothing to do with his brother.

He only smirked. “You must think a lot of yourself, Kyle. More than I would have guessed. Especially when we both know all I have to do is breathe wrong in your hallowed vicinity and it would make your blood boil. Getting under your skin isn’t even a challenge.”