Chapter Nine

He’d limited himself to one cup of scalding hot coffee after crawling out from under the covers, but hours later Jesse’s heart rate still hadn’t dropped to normal, proving it wasn’t the caffeine that had sent his pulse racing.

Sweet old doctors with grey hair and kind eyes could just go to hell.

He bet that evil Dr. Martins had done it on purpose. Between the damn stirrups and the inch-thick package of reading material on what disasters could happen during pregnancy, Jesse’s usual rock-solid sleeps had vanished into a series of midnight apocalypses all populated by ghostly versions of Dare screaming as she begged him to help her, and he could do nothing but stand by helplessly.

To top it off, he was stuck here in the south, and she was there at Silver Stone ranch, and how the hell was he supposed to protect her when they were in different counties?

Yes, he knew his sisters-in-law had safely delivered kids, one of them on a regular basis, but hell, that was Jaxi. She was ballsy enough that if the Grim Reaper ever did come for her, she’d probably slap the scythe from his bony hand and demand he sharpen it before crossing the threshold of her house.

Dare was kickass too, but she’d never done this baby thing before. She didn’t have a mom, or older sisters—

Fuck. There went his heart racing again.

Sweat dripped from his brow, and he wiped it away angrily. He’d decided he couldn’t let things carry on the way they were. He and Dare hadn’t even discussed it, so quitting his job and making the move closer to Silver Stone ranch seemed to be jumping the gun. But if he meant to do everything possible to be there for her, something had to change.

The sleepless nights had contributed to one good thing. He gathered up the paperwork he’d completed for Bar M and headed to the foreman’s office. He checked his phone for messages, but Dare hadn’t contacted him since the previous night.

Damn it all, now he was being needy and clingy, but he couldn’t shove away the concerns that reared over and over.

Damn Dr. Martins and her faux cheerful paperwork of doom and gloom. Even though he’d been back to visit only a few days after that first doctor’s visit, and Dare had insisted everything was fine, Jesse couldn’t stop worrying.

What if something happened? What if she needed him and he was somewhere out of reach, and a three-hour drive away on top of it?

This was bullshit, and there was only one thing he could do that would make things better. He should have done it in the first place.

The foreman rose to his feet as Jesse walked into the office. “Just the man I wanted to see.”

Jesse somehow didn’t think so, not after Tony found out what he had to say.

Jesse dropped the pile of papers onto the desk. “I’ve got about six months worth of projections ready for you, and I’ve added the data to the ranch computer.”

Tony frowned. “How the hell did you get that much done so quickly? We only needed two months.”

“I’ve been working late the past few nights. I figured it was only right because I need to give my two-week notice, and this way I’m not leaving you in the lurch as badly.”

The foreman leaned his hip against the desk, arms folded across his chest, disapproval in every line of his body. “You’re leaving already?”

Jesse didn’t care what the man thought of him at this point. Maybe he could’ve made an excuse to make himself look better, but it was time to stop making excuses and face facts. “I’m moving closer to my girl. She’s expecting.”

Disapproval turned to disappointment. “Sorry to see you go.”

“You’ve been good to work for, and if the next man you hire wants to talk, I don’t mind getting him up to speed on what I was doing.”

“Appreciate that.” Tony looked him over. “You have a job lined up already?”

Jesse shook his head. He hoped—but he’d been reluctant to ask Caleb straight-up the last time he was there.

Tony grunted. “Well, you’re welcome to stay on as long as you like. Just let me know when you’re officially off the clock, and if you need it, I’ll give you a letter of recommendation.”

The schedule said Jesse was off until the following afternoon, so he hightailed it out, making it to Silver Stone ranch shortly after lunch. He and Dare had a lot to talk about.

Not to mention the paperwork she’d demanded was burning a hole in his pocket.

Only when he parked by the cottage, her truck wasn’t there. A quick peek around the small house proved she wasn’t hiding in the woodwork anywhere.

He pinned his medical report to the refrigerator with brightly coloured magnets then went looking for her.

What he found instead was a group gathered by the large arena. Cowboys stood in small groups talking easily as they waited by the railing. Luke Stone appeared along with another couple of familiar faces—people he’d seen around the ranch when he’d been walking with Dare. One was a woman with dark hair that hung in long braids down her chest, and the other an older man with a grizzled grey beard.

Jesse made his way toward the head of the arena, stopping as Luke and his horse exploded out the box, chasing after a steer. Luke’s arm moved in an easy sweep that sent the lariat over his head spinning in deceptively lazy circles before he cast it out. The loop wrapped around the animal’s head like magic.

His horse had already stopped, keeping the rope tight as Luke slid off into a run, catching the steer and bringing it to the ground. He had one of the beast’s feet looped with a smaller rope, and then three, before shooting his hands into the air to stop the timer on the clock.

It was a pretty piece of roping, and Jesse cheered with the rest of the crew, continuing his way to where he’d finally located the other Stone brothers.

Dustin spotted him first, his face falling into a scowl. He elbowed Caleb who barely moved, just angled his head and spoke sharply to his younger brother. “I’m not a punching bag.”

Jesse joined them, looking for a way to smooth the situation. These men would be in his life from now on, and damn if he wasn’t having the devil of a time reading them.

Well, Dustin was easy—he hated Jesse’s guts.

“Afternoon. Nice bit of riding,” he said to Luke who was dusting his hands on his thighs as he joined the group.

Luke shrugged. “Good horse.”

“Bet you can’t do it,” Dustin taunted, all piss and vinegar.

“Since I don’t have a horse, you’re probably right,” Jesse agreed, forcing himself to not take up the punk’s implicit challenge. “Any of you know where I might find Dare?”

“She and Ginny took the girls to Calgary,” Caleb informed him.

“You’re stuck with us.” Luke offered a grin. “Want a go? I can lend you a ride—that’s no problem.”

Out in the arena the old-timer swung and missed, the rope skittering on the ground as the steer escaped. The crowd jeered wildly.

“Poor Ashton. He’s going to get razzed all night.” Caleb lifted his stony gaze to Jesse’s. “Our foreman. He doesn’t often miss.”

“We all have bad moments.”

“Not me,” Dustin snapped.

Luke gave his brother a slap on the shoulder. “Sure, you do. We just don’t rub it in because we don’t want you crying all over us.”

“Fuck off.”

Luke chuckled. “Grow up, Dusty. Or put your money where your mouth is.”

“Bet I can out rope him.” Dustin turned on Jesse. “Best two out of three, if you’re not chicken.”

Jesse took the coil of rope from Luke, testing the weight. “I’d love to accept your invitation, Luke.” He glanced at Dustin. “I haven’t taken on a challenge because someone called me a chicken since I was twelve years old. When you grow up a little, we can talk.”

Maybe it was pushing it a bit—he was a stranger, they were family, but being a part of his own big family growing up had taught him a few lessons, and he wasn’t about to ignore them all.

A momentary flash of his father hit. Mike speaking firmly to him and his brother after he’d caught them egging each other on into trouble. Or more accurately, if he was honest, Jesse egging Joel into trouble.

You want to test your limits, you go right ahead, but do it to prove to yourself it can be done, not to prove anything to others.

Jesse forced away the memories as Luke led him into the barn where a number of horses waited in clean, fresh stalls. “Dusty’s not quite sure what to make of you.”

“He’s got time to figure it out because I’m not going anywhere. Dare and I are in this together, and unless she tells me to get the hell out, I’m not about to be scared off by some teenager.”

“I’m not quite sure what to make of you, myself,” Luke admitted. “If Dare did tell you to get the hell out, would you?”

“No.”

Luke nodded approvingly, then he changed the subject altogether, pointing to the animals. “Samson here is a bit taller and broader than the rest, but he’s good with a rope. Or you can try Thunder. She’s been on the circuit.”

Ha. That was a good warning to get. “Three swings before she shuts it down?”

Luke’s grin said it all.

Interesting. “I’d love to try her sometime, but today I’ll stick with Samson.”

He went in and said hello to the horse, patting the solid neck and letting Samson take a good sniff of him before leading him out of the stall to be saddled.

“I’ve got to get back out there, but I’ll get Kelli to come help you find things.”

Luke took off one direction, and moments later the cowgirl with long braids appeared, carrying a massive saddle.

Jesse hurried over to take it from her.

“I got it,” she insisted, placing the heavy leather on the rail made for that purpose. She held out a hand. “Hey. I’m Kelli. Luke sent me to help get you set up.”

She showed him where the tack room was, grabbing a horse blanket and the rest of the gear they needed to saddle Samson.

Jesse took over, and she watched, curiosity in her expression. He waited for her to break down and ask who he was, but she surprised him and kept pretty close-mouthed.

“Come out this side.” Kelli coaxed Samson forward, swinging open a door onto an empty arena. It was on the opposite side of the barn, the noises from the crowd watching the roping muted by distance and the solid wooden structure between them.

Kelli climbed on the railing, out of the way but sticking close at hand if she was needed. Jesse ignored her and concentrated on learning the feel of Samson.

Every horse had a different personality, and riding another man’s horse was never as comfortable as using his own, but if the skills were there, any duo could accomplish a day-to-day task like roping.

Jesse put Samson through the paces around the arena a time or two before riding up to Kelli’s spot on the rail.

She held out a coiled rope. “He pulls softer than you’d expect, considering he’s a big brute.”

Jesse nodded. “I know his type. He’s a soft marshmallow inside for all he tries to look like a bully.”

Kelli smiled from ear to ear, like sunshine beaming down on him. “Exactly. That’s exactly what I told Luke.”

“You obviously know your horses.”

She sniffed. “Feel free to tell that to Luke anytime. I’d appreciate the backup confirmation.”

Jesse wasn’t looking to get in the middle of what seemed to be a long-standing feud. Besides he had a challenge to face. He took a couple practice swings, getting used to the horse under him.

Then he followed Kelli around to the opposite side where Dustin was waiting on a red gelding.

“Ready to fall on your face, loser?”

Jesse resisted rolling his eyes. “You need to work on your insults.”

Dustin pulled his horse into position in the box. Jesse had to admit the kid had the moves when it came to roping. From the moment he broke the timer and started the clock, to when the calf was lying on its back, trussed up neat and clean, only seconds had passed.

Dustin glanced back at Jesse cockily before mounting his horse and riding out of the arena.

It was a potentially embarrassing moment, but if there was one thing Jesse could do in his sleep, it was rope. Dustin was good.

Jesse was better.

He moved Samson into position as the familiar edge of anticipation and excitement bubbled in his blood. He took a deep breath, focus narrowing. The sound of voices and laughter becoming fainter as he gripped the rope, positioned Sampson and gave the signal to open the chute.

Samson moved forward the instant Jesse shifted his weight, man and beast working together, chasing after the steer as Jesse twisted his raised wrist once, twice, three times—

He barely remembered getting off the horse, the motion familiar and smooth as he tied the calf and stepped back.

Appreciative cheers reached him as Jesse returned to Samson, giving him a firm pat as a thank-you.

They returned to the gate, watching as others took their turns, setting up and going for it another few times. In the end, Jesse wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his sleeve then didn’t bother to hide his grin as he tied Samson to the railing, patting him happily. “We might have to do that again, sometime.”

Samson seemed pleased with the idea as well.

When Jesse caught up with the Stone brothers, Luke was grinning, Dustin frowning and Caleb somewhere in the middle.

“You do know which end of the horse is which.” Luke hit him on the back. Jesse held himself vertical with great difficulty, hiding a grimace.

Dustin grudgingly offered a nod. “You did okay.”

Jesse hadn’t expected vows of eternal friendship, so he took it. “Thanks.”

Caleb was the one who threw everything into the air. His expression unreadable, he was eyeing Jesse a lot closer than he had to date.

He sighed. “Were you planning on staying the night?”

Jesse nodded. “You know when the girls will be back?”

“Late.” The gathering of hands was breaking up, horses and men disappearing into the barn and far corners of the paddock. “Join us at the house for dinner.”

Wonderful. Caleb appeared less than delighted while issuing the invite, and Dustin looked as if he’d swallowed a frog.

Which was reason enough for Jesse to grin and pretend he was thrilled. “Appreciate it.”

Jesse took Samson back into the barn, removed the horse’s saddle and put everything away. Kelli joined him, moving comfortably around the big horse.

“You like working at Silver Stone?”

Kelli shrugged. “It’s my home. I’ve been here for nearly eight years.”

She didn’t seem old enough to make that claim, but Jesse put aside his curiosity and headed back toward Dare’s cottage. He took a shortcut through the paddocks, lost in thought.

Dinner with Dare’s brothers wasn’t what he’d planned. He and Dare needed time together, and he was more than ready to put their physical relationship back on track. But since he had no choice in the matter, he’d put on a good face and hope it might—

Between one moment and the next Jesse found himself airborne, strong arms lifting him from the ground. He struck out in an attempt to free himself, a sharp curse escaping his lips.

“Let me go.” He caught a glimpse of hats flying, and dark hair as he struggled, then suddenly he was free and headed for the ground.

Or maybe not, as cold wetness wrapped itself around him. He landed with a splash, barely closing his mouth in time as water washed over his head. He scrambled to sit up, catching hold of the solid edges of the watering trough he’d been unceremoniously dumped into.

Two highly amused faces peered back at him. Dustin laughed as he scooped up his fallen hat and jammed it on his head, walking away without a second glance.

Jesse sat there for a moment, shocked, angry and yet somewhat amused. Everything he wore was soaking wet, from head to toe, including his boots. He hadn’t seen it coming.

It was better than a shotgun. Or a fist, for that matter.

Luke stepped forward and held out his hand.

Jesse eyed it with suspicion. “You have a buzzer on your palm that’s going to shock me?”

The other man chuckled. “No such luck.”

Jesse gripped Luke’s wrist, pulling hard to make it to vertical. He stepped out of the metal tank, dripping over the hay-strewn ground. “You plan on baptizing me on a regular basis?”

“Nah. You just looked like you needed a little cooling off before dinner, since Dare’s not here and all.” Luke straightened his hat. “Consider it my welcome to the family gift.”

“And what’s Dustin going to give me? A shotgun in the back?”

“Ah, he’s all talk. He’ll settle down.” Luke slapped Jesse on the shoulder and walked him toward the cottage. “See, the thing you need to understand is she’s been ours to take care of for a long time, and in some ways, we feel as if we screwed up.”

“You don’t need to protect her from me,” Jesse promised.

“Well, glad to hear you say it, but you see, I don’t know that for sure. You mean well, offering to marry her and all, but she’s our sister. We want what’s best for her, and…” Luke shrugged. “Go on. Get changed. I didn’t mean to talk your ear off. We’ll take it as it comes.”

Jesse wasn’t sure what that meant. Not then, and not when, after he’d retreated to Dare’s place and showered up, he made his way to the main homestead.

The barbecue was going, smoke rising from the back deck of the house. Jesse rounded the corner cautiously, checking to be sure Dustin wasn’t preparing another surprise.

It looked safe enough. Caleb was turning over thick steaks, and Luke grinned as he walked out the door with long necks dangling between his fingers.

“Look who’s here, boys.”

Which was when Jesse noticed there were no longer three of them, but four.

 

 

A day of herding her nieces through more than a dozen stores had left Dare exhausted. Heck, forget Emma and Sasha—Ginny was worse than both of them, constantly wandering off in a new direction, distracted by window displays.

What Dare wanted was to go home and crawl into the tub for a long soak. She’d stopped at the main house to help Ginny get the girls headed to bed, only to find music blaring and lights on everywhere.

Her friend rolled her eyes then ushered Sasha toward the back of the house, Emma draped over her shoulder, fast asleep. “I’ll take care of these guys. You go convince the wild animals to turn the music down.”

“If they don’t agree fast enough, I’m shutting off the power to the house,” Dare warned.

“Works for me. I’m tossing the girls in bed then I’ll be asleep the instant my head hits the pillow.”

“Me too. No more marathon shopping trips.” Although it had been necessary—Dare’s expanding waistline wasn’t going to put up with her regular jeans for much longer.

Ginny was already out of sight, so Dare made her way to the sliding doors off the kitchen, flipping off light switches as she went.

What the heck had Caleb been doing? This wasn’t like him—the entire place was lit up like a Christmas display.

She paused in the doorway wondering if she was hallucinating.

Hallucinations would explain so much.

But no, in spite of a second harder glance, the scene didn’t change. Her brothers were all gathered around the outdoor picnic table on the deck, a mess of bottles lining the edges of the table’s surface as Luke dealt the cards. All of the guys looked a little rough around the edges, and bags of chips and empty plates were piled haphazardly on the counter beside the barbecue.

It was a classic men’s-poker-night setting, but the guys themselves—

Caleb had a glittering tiara on his head, the sparkling silver princess gear looted from his daughters’ dress-up trunk. Luke wore a matching gold one, a purple robe draped over his shoulders.

Dustin wore a set of rabbit ears, a red cowboy bandanna pulled over his nose as if he were in the middle of a stickup.

Dare stepped onto the deck, squinting to see if the weirdness vanished. “I swear I haven’t had a drink in months.”

Five faces turned toward her, Walker and Jesse both rising to their feet.

Walker was on the same side of the table as her so he made it to her side first, scooping her up and giving her a tight hug. “Good to see you, baby girl.”

“I didn’t think you’d be home for a while yet.” She offered a quick squeeze in return, but pushed him away rapidly so she could stare up in horror. “Can you even see me through that monstrosity?”

He’d had a gorilla mask shoved up on his forehead, and now he pulled it into place before lifting his arms and pounding on his chest as he made obnoxious noises.

Dare snickered. She was too tired for this. Any moment now she might start laughing hysterically.

Jesse stepped around Walker and pulled Dare into his arms. “Glad you made it home safe.”

Then right there in front of her brothers he kissed her. Not a simple peck, either, but with a whole lot of heat and possessiveness. At this point she wasn’t sure what was going on, but who was she to tell him no?

The man obviously had a death wish.

Then again, as she kissed him back enthusiastically, she realized Jesse was the only one of the lot of them not wearing something out of the girls’ dress-up stash.

She gave a tug on the back of his shirt, and he slowed and let her up for air, full-fledged Coleman grin in place.

She looked him over carefully. “How come you’re the only normal one?”

“I object,” Luke spouted from the table.

“You’re wearing a tiara,” Dare pointed out, leaning into Jesse’s body as she took another peek around the table. “Oh, you’re right, there’s absolutely nothing unusual about you.”

Luke cracked a grin briefly before picking up his cards and staring at them.

“Not that I want to interrupt what looks to be a scintillating evening, but can we turn down the volume? Ginny’s putting the girls to bed.”

Caleb stood, nodding slowly. “I’ll go tuck them in. You have a good day shopping?”

“Not as much fun as I think you’ve had,” Dare offered to his retreating back before turning her confusion on Jesse. “Explain.”

Inside the house, Caleb hit the master volume and the music went down to normal levels. Dustin had laid his head on the table, and one of his ears had gotten twisted, the long pink-and-white faux fur standing upright like a broken TV antenna.

Walker was finishing his beer, drinking from the bottle through the opening in the monkey mask and looking like a King Kong wannabe. Luke was looking at the cards Caleb had left on the table in front of him…

She raised a brow at Jesse.

He lifted his hands innocently. “Just getting to know your brothers.”

He had another cut on his face, and she brushed her fingers over it. “Dustin?”

“Walker.”

“He had it coming,” her brother announced hotly.

It was too late for this type of conversation. Dare planted her fists on her hips and glared at the only two Stone boys within earshot sober enough to bitch to. “I would like all of you to stop beating on my boyfriend. He seems a decent guy, but I’m never going to find out for sure if you keep damaging him.”

Walker peeled off the mask so he could exchange a confused glance with Luke.

Exactly how drunk were they? “You do understand boyfriend, yes?”

“Fiancé,” Jesse whispered. “Remember?”

“Right. Fiancé,” Luke agreed with a flourish.

“Jeez, Dare, I didn’t hit him because of what he did with you.” Walker made a face. “You already told us to mind our own business about that.”

“Then why were you two fighting?”

Jesse caught her fingers in his and pulled her toward the table. “He didn’t like the first forfeit he had to pay. I think you looked good with the pig snout,” he offered casually to Walker.

Walker flashed him the finger. “Are we playing anymore?”

“I’m done for the night. Time to make sure Dare gets her rest.” Jesse folded his cards and tossed them in the middle of the table. One of them landed on the side of Dustin’s face.

A loud snore shook the table, the upright bunny ear quivering as Dustin’s head rolled.

Enough. Dare kept a tight grip on Jesse and guided him down the steps, ignoring the good-natured bickering in the background between Luke and Walker.

Jesse’s grip on her fingers was warm, and damn if he didn’t start whistling happily as they approached the cottage.

Dare fought a yawn, her curiosity getting the better of her. “I hate to ask for an explanation, but if you can tell me in a minute or less what was going on, I might not have nightmares.”

“Like I said, a bit of brotherly bonding. It was mostly Dustin’s fault. He was getting cocky, and after the steaks were done, one thing led to another, and instead of playing poker for money, winner got to pick a costume for the others to wear.”

He opened the door for her, following close on her heels as Dare attempted to get her sleepy brain to work through his words.

“Dress-up. You seriously convinced my brothers to use dress-up costumes instead of gambling.”

He shrugged, taking her coat and hanging it on the hook by the front door. “I’m cheap. What can I say?”

It suddenly registered that he had really been there, with all four of her male family members, and other than some out-of-sight scuffling, none of her brothers had offered death or dismemberment when he kissed her. “Does this mean they’ve accepted you?”

“Oh, I’m sure they’ll find reasons to not like me in the future, and I’m never turning my back on Dustin, but so far, so good.”

Yeah, Dustin wasn’t going to be an easy case. But the others? She was surprised it had gone as well as it had. “Far too charming for your own good.”

He pulled her back into his arms. “Enough about your brothers. I take it you’re pretty tired.”

“Riding herd on three overexcited shoppers is exhausting, even when I’m not pregnant.”

He hummed in sympathy, rubbing a hand up her arms and over her shoulders, the gentle motion pulling their bodies into tighter contact. “I guess that’s my cue to get you into bed.”