by Vivian Arend
He nodded. “Luke Stone. I’m the sound, rational one in the family.”
“I thought Caleb was pretty sane.”
Luke grinned. “Yeah, but I’m level-headed without acting like I have a stick up my ass.” He looked Jesse up and down once quickly then sighed heavily. “You’re trouble. I can see why Dare would like you.”
“Thanks?”
The other man chuckled then tilted his head toward the open yard. “I’m headed to a meeting. Walk with me.”
Jesse pulled on his shirt then ran a hand through his hair to straighten himself up as much as possible before joining Luke. “Appreciate you not killing me, and all.”
“No problem. It’s not off the books yet, by the way. Killing you. But Dare told us what happened—her version, no details. I’m actually shocked to see you show up. How’d you find her?”
“Her blog.”
“Huh.” Luke pulled a face. “You didn’t know she was pregnant.”
“You’re quick.”
“Yup. Going to be blunt with you. If you’re not planning on doing the decent thing and being around long term, do the next decent thing and leave sooner than later. Dare deserves more than some guy who’s maybe there. You’re in, or you’re out.”
“We’re getting engaged,” Jesse snapped.
Luke’s feet tangled for a moment before he hit a smooth stride again. “You are a brave man.”
“It’s the right thing to do.”
“It is,” Luke agreed. “Course, it’s nice to actually know the woman you’re marrying, or so my fiancée says.”
“You’re getting married?”
“Yup. Penny Talisman. You’ll meet her sometime if you’re sticking around.”
“She work for the ranch?” They were narrowing in on a group of cowboys—and a cowgirl or two.
“Nah, but her family breeds horses too, so she likes to hit the barns when she comes to visit.” Luke jerked to a stop a good twenty feet from the gathering. “Look, it comes down to this. Dare is very special to me, and if you fuck up, I will hurt you, then I’ll kill you and hide your body so thoroughly it’ll be as if you never existed.”
A man after his own heart. “We’re good.”
Luke touched his fingers to the brim of his hat then turned, leaving Jesse grinning until he thought of something.
“Hey,” he shouted after Luke. “There’s one more of you around somewhere. Should I expect death threats from him as well?”
Luke pivoted on a heel and walked backward as he kept moving. “Nah. Walker’s not around right now—just make sure Ginny doesn’t get it in her head to poison you. She’s the one with the creative mind, and she holds a grudge.”
“Good to know.”
Luke left, and Jesse strolled slowly, rambling along the edge of the lake. The Stone place was familiar and new all at the same time. It was also somewhere he might be spending a lot of time in the future. That changed things. A lot.
How the hell had this happened? He’d been looking for another roll in the hay, not defending a woman’s honour and playing get to know you with her family. Control had been swept out his hands.
He needed a little more air.
Dare was putting the finishing touches on her next four scheduled posts when the door to the cottage opened and Ginny strolled in.
“Hello, the house. Is it safe? Jesse, don’t bother dressing for my sake—it’s always clothing optional for non-family cowboys around the Silver Stone ranch.”
“You’re a regular comedian,” Dare drawled. “I’m in the office.”
“You’re out of bed.”
“Master of the obvious, too. What do you do for an encore, lady? Pretend to read my future in the dirty sink water?” Dare spun her chair toward where Ginny had thrown herself on the guest bed.
Her friend eyed her closely. “Hmmm.”
“What?”
Ginny wrinkled her nose, then tipped over and buried her face in the pillow, sniffing loudly.
Dare flushed. “You are not sniffing the sheets to try to figure out if we slept together.”
“I’m not? I could have sworn I was. I like his soap, by the way. Ivory? Irish Spring?”
God. The only thing worse than a best friend was a best friend who was close enough to be family. “He slept in here, and I slept in my bed. Now go away and stop doing your bloodhound imitation.”
“Why’d he sleep way over here, Dare? It’s not like you could get pregnant, or anything.” Her friend wiggled off the bed and pressed a hand to Dare’s forehead. “You’re not feverish, are you?”
“He proposed.”
The words slipped out, and instantly Dare wished she could take them back, although she wasn’t sure why. This was Ginny—of course she was going to tell her everything.
Only when her friend sat back down on the bed without offering a teasing joke, Dare was glad. It seemed too big of a thing to joke about.
“That’s…good, isn’t it?” Ginny asked.
“We can’t get married,” Dare snapped. “We don’t know each other.”
“Biblically speaking, you do.”
Dare resisted rolling her eyes. “Well, that moment of seriousness lasted all of three seconds.”
“Carnal knowledge is very serious business,” Ginny insisted, “but I mean it. I’m glad to hear the dude’s got more going for him than a magic penis.”
“Magic—ha. Super-powered sperm is all we know for sure. Able to power through condoms like kryptonite.” Although it had been a very nice penis, Dare reflected, and she was kind of counting the days until she got to make a more thorough reacquaintance with it.
With him. Attached to said penis, and all.
A loud clatter drew her gaze upward.
Ginny was clapping her hands to get her attention. “You’re welcome for the awesome daydreams, but on to other matters. Since you avoided meeting everyone at dinner last night, you two coming over for lunch?”
“I don’t think so. That’s too much family, too soon.”
“They have to get to know him. He proposed, and he’s too yummy to ignore.”
Oh brother. “Lunch with the hoard can wait, and a relationship isn’t built on yummy, Ginny.”
“Don’t knock the yum factor, that’s all I’m saying.” Ginny slipped across and hugged her tight before whispering in her ear. “You know I’m here for you. Truth or dare, forever.”
Dare’s throat tightened at the quick reminder of their childish slogan. “Truth or dare, forever.”
They linked little fingers for a moment, sharing a smile.
Boot falls on the outside deck warned them of a cowboy’s approach, and they were in the living room when the door swung open.
Jesse peeked in. His eyes lit up when he spotted Dare, some of his enthusiasm fading as he noticed Ginny was also in the room.
Still he came in the rest of the way and sauntered over to Dare’s side. “Morning.”
Fully focused on her, he ignored the extra person in the room and leaned toward her, his intent clear.
Dare held up a hand before he could kiss her, touching the side of his face. “That’s what was missing. I don’t know how I recognized you without your war paint.”
“Your brothers were kind enough to help me reapply it. Brother—Dustin isn’t a fan. Caleb and Luke don’t seem too put out.”
“They’re just biding their time,” Ginny warned, bouncing down on the couch. She glanced back and forth between them, anticipation in her expression.
Dare folded her arms and glared at her friend. “You have things to do.”
“Isn’t that supposed to be a question?”
“No.”
Jesse laughed softly. “I can tell you two have been together for a long time.”
“Besties,” Ginny informed him. “Which is why if I ever find out you do anything—”
“—to hurt Dare, you’ll poison me?” Jesse offered.
Ginny looked affronted. “Damn that Luke. I accidentally give t
Dare bit her lip to stop from laughing out loud.
Jesse stood next to her, slipping his fingers over her nape and playing with her hair as he answered Ginny. “Very unfair. I’m sure you’re a great cook.”
“I totally am. But I’m an even better shot, so…”
She stood and marched closer, peeking up at Jesse with deadly intent. “Hurt Dare and you’ll end up with buckshot where the sun don’t shine. Then while you’re picking lead out of your nether regions I’ll—”
Jesse turned away from Ginny to focus on Dare again. “And on that note, breakfast? Want me to cook?”
Dare motioned toward the kitchen. “Be my guest.”
“I like my eggs scrambled,” Ginny announced as she slipped into the kitchen ahead of them, like an annoying mosquito they had no chance of removing from the room before it drew blood.
“I bet you do.” Jesse turned to Dare. “Your house, your rules, but I was hoping for talk time before I leave. Alone talking.”
“Goodbye, Ginny,” Dare announced.
Her friend sighed good-naturedly before turning for the door. “Next time come for dinner. I mean it.”
“Awesome.” He sounded sincere. “I look forward to it, and you can go now.”
“I need to see you kiss her,” Ginny announced.
“You do not—”
The rest of Dare’s words were lost under Jesse’s lips as she found herself pressed against his long, hard body and kissed senseless. Every inch of her was tingling before he let her up for air.
His grin was both cocky and satisfied.
“I heard your toes curl from here,” Ginny announced.
“Shut up.”
Ginny finally left, and Jesse proved his expertise in making fried eggs and toast. It was tasty, but she was distracted by the abuse her family had inflicted on him.
“I’m sorry you got hit. I told the guys not to go off half-cocked.”
Jesse smirked. “Half-cocked is the defining characteristic of all teenage guys. Dustin’s what, eighteen?”
She nodded. “Old enough to know better.”
“Give them time.” Jesse pushed his eggs around on the plate for a moment before offering a wry smile. “I’m wrapping my brain around it myself, so I hardly expect them to be thrilled with me.”
They finished the meal, Dare considering his words. The fact he hadn’t run the instant he’d heard her news impressed her.
She still wasn’t marrying the man.
“I should hit the road,” Jesse said finally. “Where’s your calendar? I’ll do some juggling so I can be here for your doctor’s appointment, but if I catch my foreman before he sets the schedule for the week, it’ll be easier.”
She scrambled on the computer for the details, and he added it to his phone along with her number.
Which reminded her. “I should send a response to Jaxi. Or did you want to get in touch with her?”
He made a face. “Can I get back to you on that one? I mean, I’m just not sure…”
She wasn’t about to push, since she didn’t really know his family history. “No problem.”
Jesse met her gaze full on. “I’ll be back in a few days. We’ll figure it out then, okay?”
Dare nodded her agreement, even though the email was going to burn a hole in her account until she responded. “I can wait.”
He touched her cheek gently, gaze drifting over her face as if he were considering hard, but then he turned and left without another word.
Morgan unfolded himself from where he’d been curled up on the porch. He bumped her legs then headed out after Jesse.
The two of them left as silently as they had arrived, but with their coming, her world had totally changed again.
Or had it?
Dare stared after his truck until it vanished in the distance. People left. They always left.
She turned and went inside the cottage, suddenly cold.
Chapter Six
Blog post: A Day in the Life
It’s definitely the start of summer here on Little Ranch on the Prairie. We get the four seasons with a vengeance in this territory, which I love. Means I appreciate the green growing things that keep popping up all over after the icy cold days of winter let go. By the time I don’t appreciate them anymore (weeds!) the fall days have arrived and temperatures drop.
Right now in our latitude, the sun is up early, and sets late, and we’re not quite at the longest day of the year. After feeling as if I hibernated for a lot of the winter, the bright mornings are a nice change to wake up to. Early chores are a lot easier when they’re done with the sun watching. Also, going out after dinner means you can visit with friends for hours and drive home while it’s light.
Those of you who get sunup and sunset around the same time every day, all year—what’s that like? Do you still feel as if summer is a fresh, bright experience?
It was nearly eight in the evening four days later when Jesse dropped his bag outside the door to Dare’s cottage. He’d called to let her know he was going to be late, but now he hurried as he slipped back to his truck to grab Morgan’s dog bed and bowls.
He tucked the flannel blanket into the corner of the porch where it would be out of the weather. He filled the water bowl from the outdoor tap then whistled for his dog who was exploring the flowerbed beside the house.
Morgan came running, and Jesse knelt to pat him on the head, pointing to all his necessities, including filled food bowl. “There you go, boy. Home sweet home while we’re here.”
Morgan took an opportunist lick at Jesse’s hand before examining both bowls then dropping into the bed. His tail thumped a couple of times before he settled his nose on his paws.
“Guard.”
Satisfied that Morgan would stick within his allotted distance, Jesse slid into the cottage.
Dare was in the tiny kitchen, mucking about with some pots. He watched her for a moment before clearing his throat.
She glanced up. “Oh. You’re here.”
“I am.” He was suddenly aware of the dirt he’d dragged into her clean house. “I’ll grab a shower.”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
She got busy, as if something was waving from the bottom of the pot.
He slipped into the second bedroom/her office, stripping to nothing but his underwear. She kept her back firmly toward him as he marched the short hallway to the bathroom, glancing around the tiny space.
The entire room was filled with her presence. Her robe hung on the back of the door. A pale orange towel was arranged neatly on the towel rack to dry, but she’d put out a dark brown facecloth and towels for him.
Stepping into the shower was like being surrounded by her as the scent of her shampoo and soap got stronger. He unwrapped a new bar of his own soap, attempting to combat the lingering fragrance filling his nostrils and sending all sorts of urgent messages to his body.
Demands he couldn’t answer right now, although, damn, he wanted to.
By the time he got out of the shower, he was more determined than ever to make her remember how good they’d been together. Yes, he’d put into play what he needed to get the medical proof she’d asked for, but while he was suffering, maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing for her to be itching for him as well.
Going without sex was rough on a guy—
Okay, fine, he was sure it was equally tough on a woman. Heck, for a woman in her condition there had to be some sort of positive hormones released during orgasm that would help deal with the whole creature growing inside her.
Of course, he should try to find a way to phrase that more diplomatically than suggesting she was possessed by aliens or parasites, and wouldn’t she’d like to come?
He joined her in the kitchen. “What can I do?”
“How are you at cooking green things? We could use a salad.”
“Salads. Oh, those things you don’t put ketchup on?”
Her lips curled. “I’ve seen one of the old-timers down at the Copper Kettle douse his entire plate, lettuce and all.”
“A man only does that if he’s desperate,” Jesse assured her. “I can make a salad.”
They ended up at the dinner table with a surprising array of food. Fried pork chops, a green-bean casserole, mashed potatoes that Dare made him do the honours and smash thoroughly, and the salad.
His mouth watered as he scooped food onto his plate. “You like to cook.”
“I like to eat. Cooking seemed a logical step in putting food on the table that wasn’t grilled or ready to serve out of the box.” She tugged the mashed potato bowl from him, serving herself a hefty amount. “My mom was a good cook, and I used to help, so it wasn’t as if I was starting from scratch. Between me and Ginny, we kept the table full enough to satisfy the guys.”
He thought back to the little girls. “What about Caleb’s wife? Didn’t she help?”
Dare made a face. “Wendy and Caleb didn’t get married until I was twenty. Neither Ginny nor I enjoyed the idea of an extended diet of the bachelor cooking my brothers considered acceptable.”
Jesse wanted to ask about Wendy. Why she wasn’t in the picture anymore, but like Dare had said during that first visit to the falls, it wasn’t as if they had to know everything about each other this instant.
Instead they talked about TV shows and movies. Music and their favourite sports teams. Small talk, yes, but slowly filling in empty gaps in information.
When Dare yawned on for the third time, though, Jesse rose to his feet. “I’ve been up since four a.m., and you’re ready to hit the hay too.”
She nodded, moving to place her empty teacup in the dishwasher before taking his as well. “I have much more energy now than I did before.”
When she would’ve slipped away, Jesse caught her by the wrist and pulled her back into his arms. It might be too soon for him to have her the way he wanted, but damn if he was going to let her leave without at least holding her in his arms for a moment.
She was warm against him, her spine stiff and body tight for about fifteen seconds before she softened. Pressing herself closer and accepting his embrace. He didn’t try to notch up the tension, just held her and rubbed her back as what felt like a genuine connection grew.
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