Chapter Twenty-Seven

Text messages, February 8th, ten plus years ago

Dare: you guys on the road already?

Mom: heading out in five if your father and Walter can stop gossiping with the hotel owner

Dare: ha. Good luck on that

Mom: I know, but they’re having too much fun to interrupt. Anyway, we should be back by lunch. Don’t bother making anything in case we’re late

Dare: okay. I’ll see you when you get home

Mom: try to be dressed by then, k?

Dare: pyjamas are perfectly fine Saturday pants

Mom: lol. Sure they are. Love you, sweetie

Dare: love you too

…

Dare: you guys get lost or something?

…

Dare: Mom, where are you?

…

Dare: Mom?

 

Jesse cursed his lousy timing. Of all the days for him to be on horseback out in one of the more remote sections of the ranch. He glanced over his shoulder at the thick black clouds roiling in the sky like some over-the-top special effects in an apocalyptic movie.

He guided Danger a little farther from the trees, trying to judge the correct distance so the forest would act as a wind block, yet they’d be out of reach of the branches being torn free and hurled toward the open field.

The wind had grown stiff enough it whipped through the crown land beside him. Eerie sounds whistled through the branches as if there were monsters hiding nearby, waiting for their opportunity to jump out. Bitter chill carried on the air, and another swear escaped as Jesse noticed a growing layer of white clinging to the ground.

It was fucking snowing. Barely the beginning of October—it wasn’t supposed to snow yet.

He dragged his coat around him tighter, turning up the collar and hunching his shoulders to get out of the wind.

“Sorry, guys,” he apologized to his horse and dog. “This was supposed to be a nice relaxing job.”

Danger had his head down, tilted away from the wind as Jesse guided him on the safest route back to the horse trailer. Morgan wasn’t very happy about the weather, either. Instead of running ahead with joyous glee like he had at the start of the day, he was tucked in close, moving strategically to use Danger as a wind block.

By the time they made it back to where his truck was parked, Jesse was chilled to the core. Danger went willingly into the trailer, eager to hide from the stormy weather.

Jesse rubbed Morgan down before letting him into the cab of the truck instead of ordering him into the back of the truck. “Just this once,” he said. “It’s not fit out there for man or beast.”

With the heaters blasting, it still took thirty minutes for the inside of the cab to get warm enough that Jesse could take a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the road to make sure he didn’t end up in a ditch. Every gust of wind picked up snow and flung it across his windshield, damn near creating a whiteout.

What had taken an hour to drive that morning took three to get home.

The instant he stopped in the yard and opened the truck door, Morgan took off at a run for the protection of the porch. Jesse led Danger into the horse shelter at the rental house, offering soothing words as the wind threw itself at the building hard enough to rattle the roof.

He had the saddle off and was reaching for the blanket when the door opened behind him. The wind grabbed it, slamming it against the solid wood of the barn.

Then Dare was there, rushing forward to grab hold of his shirt and shake him. “You…”

She was vibrating, eyes wild. Jesse wrapped his fingers around her wrists and attempted to pull her free, but she clutched him tighter, pressing her face against his chest and clinging as if she would never let go.

“Dare, what’s wrong?” He laid a hand on the Buckaroo bump. “Everything okay?”

A second later she’d released him only to slide her icy cold hands up and link them around his neck. She pulled hard, jerking him toward her until she could catch his mouth with hers. Kissing him violently, fire and passion and fear in her movements.

She’d been scared—that much was clear.

Jesse reached down to pick her up, kissing her in return. Promising assurances even while stoking the fire that constantly burned between them. He walked to the side of the shelter where there were stacked hay bales, settling her on a blanket. Then he reached up and cupped her face in his hands, slowing the connection between them. Kissing deeper before pulling back to stare into her liquid-filled eyes. “Hey. I’m okay. Everything okay with you and Buckaroo?”

She nodded, then shook her head. “The baby’s fine.”

Her voice was ragged and pain-filled. He stroked her cheek. “But you’re not fine.”

Dare blinked, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. “The storm.”

That’s all she said, but her words were punctuated by a roar from nature, the walls of the barn shaking around them. She cringed, eyes closing tight as she hid herself against him again.

Something twisted inside Jesse. He pushed her knees apart so he could step in tighter, wrapping her in his arms until he could press their bodies together as close as possible with her belly.

He swore when he discovered she was nearly as icy as he was.

“What the hell have you been doing to get so cold?” he scolded, rubbing her back, trying to get heat into her torso.

Dare shook her head from side to side. “Waiting on the porch.”

“Jeez. I’m sorry I’m late. The roads were a mess.”

She shivered hard enough to nearly break them apart.

Then instead of clinging to him, she was touching him more intimately. Hands slipping around so she could scratch her nails down his back. Feet hooked around his thighs. He didn’t want to be getting turned on, but there was no way to resist the temptation of Dare in full seduction mode.

Because that’s what she was doing. With her fingers driven into the back of his hair, she tugged him toward her neck. Pulling apart her shirt until her bare breasts were visible. Their heavy weight pressed against him briefly before she rocked back and jerked his shirt free from his jeans.

“Dammit, Dare. Let’s go inside. You can ravish me there.”

She wasn’t listening. What she was doing was rubbing her palm over his dick with deliberate intention. He would’ve had to be dead to not react. When she popped open his zipper, he ignored the twinge of guilt that said they were fools for doing this in the cold air of the unheated barn. The rafters shook, wind whistling through the cracks as she all but ordered him to take her nipple into his mouth.

A sound escaped her, but this time it was sexual instead of fear, and that’s when he decided to hell with it. This was what she wanted. For whatever reason, here and now, she needed him?

Not a fucking problem.

Only he took control. Shifting her hands behind her so that she leaned back enough he could reach both her breasts more easily. Gazing down at her, his mouth watering. “Right here?”

“Yes.”

No hesitation, so he gave none either. Instead he moved in and nipped lightly, and she cursed.

Jesse licked an apology before murmuring against her skin. “Sensitive?”

“Yes. Now, shut up and fuck me already.”

He had his hands on the back of her pants, stripping the material away with great appreciation for the extra elastic in the waistline. Meant he didn’t have to move her far to drag everything off her and leave her bare from the waist down, her shirt hanging open.

She wanted this, and he had no intention of taking his time. It was too damn cold out to linger.

He slipped his fingers over her sex, going straight to her clit. Circling with increasing pressure as he moved up and kissed her, her breasts and belly in contact with him as he got her ready.

She stretched against him, lifting her lips from his. “I need you inside me.”

He tested her wetness, shocked to find she was ready. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

Dare shook her head as he backed off just far enough to release his cock. “Please.”

It was the work of a moment to line up with her opening and gently slide in. She’d replaced her hands on the blanket, leaning back so that the only connection between them was the intimate glide of his cock into her passage.

Jesse gripped her hips, watching as his length disappeared over and over. Slowly at first, but as she moaned her approval, something else took control from him. The storm mixed with their lovemaking to create another layer of sound and motion.

He glanced up at her face.

He’d expected to find her eyes closed as she concentrated on finding pleasure, but instead she was staring at him. Her lips were slightly in an O, but her eyes were fixed on his. The emotion written there—fear had been washed away by sexual pleasure leaving something less readable.

Whatever she felt, Jesse felt privileged to be a part of it. To witness it, and make it appear there. She was so damn beautiful.

He was turned on like crazy. Everything about this woman made him want more. He caressed her hips as he slowed the pace just enough to allow him room to touch her clit.

That’s all it took.

“Jesse.” A whispered benediction.

A second later he joined her. Stilling his hips against hers so he could enjoy the tight squeeze of her body around him. Mind-blowing pleasure.

He could’ve stayed there for longer except it was damn cold. “We’re going inside right now,” he ordered, as he pulled free then helped put her pants back into place.

Jesse wrapped her up in the blanket and guided her across the yard and up the porch stairs to the house. As they passed him, tucked into his protected spot out of the wind, Morgan’s tail thumped in greeting against the thick pillow that was his bed. He raised his head from the oversized bone he was gnawing on for long enough to bump his nose against Dare’s leg, and she bent to caress his head.

She was clearly in love with his dog, Jesse realized. Before rushing out to the barn she’d taken the time to give Morgan a welcome-home treat.

Now it was Jesse’s turn to take care of her. Inside the door he pointed down the hall. “Hot shower. I’ll be back after I take care of Danger. We’ll have a drink and talk.”

Dare nodded, not meeting his eyes.

“Hey.” He pressed his fingers over her cheek. “I’ll be right back. I promise.”

He worked quickly, needing to be with Dare, but refusing to leave his animal uncared for after the hellish ride Danger’d been through.

Soon as he could, though, Jesse was back in the house to discover Dare all wrapped up in an oversized robe, fuzzy slippers on her feet, making cups of tea for them.

The smile she offered this time was far more real. “I’m okay. Go have a shower and warm up yourself. Then we’ll talk.”

 

 

As much as the shower had helped, the water had only washed away the surface cold. Maybe it didn’t make any sense, but Dare knew exactly what had driven the ice from inside her heart.

Making love with Jesse.

She grabbed the fixings for grilled cheese sandwiches and got them cooking while Jesse showered and dressed. Putting food on the table was a nice distraction from letting her mind linger on what had been haunting her since the early afternoon.

From the moment the first snowflakes began to fall and the sky clouded over, an inkling of fear had strolled in like it owned her ass. It’d been a long time since the nightmares had been so real, but she’d been attempting to nap on the couch when the storm started in earnest, and somehow the wind and blowing had just been enough to take her back in time.

In spite of being warm through and through, another shiver struck.

Jesse was there, rubbing his hands down her arms and pressing a kiss to the side of her neck. “Let me take over. You go wrap yourself up again.”

She shook her head, “I’m okay, really I am. Get yourself a drink, and I’ll have the sandwiches ready in a minute.”

He kissed her again before taking off to follow her instructions, topping up her cup of tea before settling into a chair at the kitchen table.

She slid a full plate in front of him, then pulled her chair so she could sit beside him.

Jesse laughed softly. “Good thing I know how to eat one-handed.”

He squeezed her fingers.

She hadn’t even been aware she’d grabbed hold of him. Whatever. She wasn’t going to apologize for it. “I’m glad you made it back safe.”

“It wasn’t that bad,” he insisted. “I just didn’t want to take any chances.”

Oh boy. “That’s good. No chances is goodness.”

He leaned forward and looked up into her face. “What happened? I didn’t know you were scared of storms.”

“I’m not,” she insisted. “It’s stupid, because it’s not even like there’s any real connection…”

“Oh.” He held her hand a little tighter, stroking his thumb against the back of her knuckles. “Your family.”

A deep sigh escaped her.

Jesse hesitated. “You know, you never did tell me what happened. You don’t have to, but if it would help, I’m here for you.”

“I know. And I’m glad.” She examined his face.

It truly wasn’t the storm’s fault. It was all about suddenly feeling very alone—and that sensation she wasn’t strong enough to take.

“Ginny and I had a science fair in Calgary. Provincial finals, and everyone drove out to cheer us on. At the end of the day Ginny and I went home with our classmates on the school bus—legal liability and all that stuff. My family and her parents drove home together, but outside of Calgary a storm came rolling in, so they stopped in a motel. It was the responsible thing to do. Avoid winter driving conditions because who knows what could’ve happened, right?”

He didn’t speak, just put his arm around her and pressed his lips to her temple.

“We got home on the bus fine. The next morning, they checked out of the hotel to head home and some asshole who’d been out all night drinking swerved into their lane. I waited and I waited, but they never came home.”

“Jesus, Dare. I’m so fucking sorry.” He pulled her body against him, holding the back of her neck. The two of them tangled together. “I’m sorry you were scared today. I’m sorry being late reminded you of what you lost.”

She’d been more than scared, she’d been terrified, but she didn’t want to admit that.

As time had passed, as she tried to contact him and got no response, the less she’d been able to control her fear. Yes, it was because she’d been reminded of what she’d lost—the people who she loved the most.

That’s when it had hit her like a clap of thunder echoing against the roof. As she alternated between staring out the living room window and standing on the porch, peering in vain down the lane in the hopes she’d see his truck returning…

She loved him.

There was no denying it anymore. Yes, she admired him, and enjoyed his company. She loved how compatible they were when it came to sex, but all of those things together weren’t just friendship, and weren’t just because of Buckaroo.

When they came out to Rocky, she’d warned herself she wasn’t supposed to fall in love with the Colemans. The truth was she’d probably been in love with him already back then.

Love. That was what had scared her so much. The thought of having lost the man she loved.

Now she faced a completely different dilemma. What did she do with this discovery? Was he ready for her to up and announce what she felt inside?

It was going to take a little more deliberation before she came to a conclusion. All she knew right now was that being together was exactly what she needed.

She let him read the sincerity there in her expression. “Sorry for jumping you in the barn, but totally not sorry.”

“I get it.” He leaned in closer, his voice a caress. “It’s not my place to tell you how you should feel, but I think sometimes the best response to high emotion is high-test, wild sex.”

His grin widened.

Dare had to fight to keep from grinning in return. “Only some times, though?”

Jesse nodded, his expression suddenly all respectable and correct. Like a professor delivering a lecture or a preacher from the pulpit—only a whole lot more irreverent. “Definitely. Other times call for blow jobs, doggie-style, or even anal.”

A laugh burst from her that was more like a donkey bray than a genteel lady, and Jesse joined in.

They ended up in the living room, covered with blankets as they cuddled together and watched lighthearted movies until the storm blew over. Buckaroo went to town, the surface of her belly moving like some alien infestation, and she caught Jesse watching her stomach more than the TV screen.

It was cozy. It was comfortable, and it was exactly how Dare had imagined two people in love would spend an evening.

By the next morning the weather had returned to more typical October temperatures. The snow melted and left behind puddles in the yard. Jesse kissed her goodbye, and kissed her belly, and she leaned against the doorframe and watched him leave, and wondered how on earth she was going to manage to stop from letting her love burst free.

Because that’s how she felt. As if she were bursting at the seams with the need to shout how much she loved him.

She did a little work on the blog, but it was no use. The itching drive to discuss her discovery wouldn’t let her concentrate. She absolutely needed to talk to someone about this.

Her text to Ginny went unanswered. She wasn’t about to talk to her brothers. Good thing she had somebody else she trusted who was a lot closer at hand.

Vicki was working that week at the golf course, putting together a long line of desserts for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. When she saw Dare come in, she stopped what she was doing, washed her hands and handed over a hot-from-the-oven cookie. “Perfect timing. Next batch is already in the oven, and I need a break.”

“Gingersnaps. Yummy.” Dare took a big bite of the warm cookie, washing it down with some tea while she gathered her courage.

Vicki raised an eyebrow. “You look far too serious considering you’re demolishing a cookie.”

“I need some advice,” Dare admitted.

Her friend smiled. “I’ll give it a shot.”

“How do I make Jesse happy?”

Vicki coughed, leaning forward as if the cookie piece she’d just swallowed went down the wrong tube. By the time she cleared her throat, her cheeks were bright and her eyes a little on the wild side. “Girl, if that’s what you need advice on, I’m the last person you should talk to.”

Dare paused. She wasn’t going near Jesse’s secret, but this one was hers to share. “When we got here, I thought he was in love with you.”

Vicki’s jaw dropped. “I’m pretty sure he hated my guts.”

Dare shook her head. “It didn’t look like hate to me.” She paused. “You don’t think that way now, do you?”

Vicki frowned. “No. Actually, I was telling Joel that the other day, how different it is now with Jesse. So much more comfortable…” She panicked for a moment. “Not in a way like I’m hot for him, or anything. You know I’m head over heels in love with Joel, right?”

“Of course you are.” Dare sucked in her courage. “I don’t know how to be head over heels. But I want to be.”

“With Jesse?”

“It would be convenient, seeing as he’ll be in my life, and all.”

“Oh, honey, there’s nothing convenient about Jesse Coleman. Or about love, when it comes down to it.” Vicki shook her head. “But I don’t get it. Why are you acting as if you just figured out you’re in love?”

Dare fidgeted for a minute before confessing. “He offered to marry me because I was pregnant. He was doing the right thing.”

The confusion on Vicki’s face grew thicker. “Okay, you’re not making any sense whatsoever. You think Jesse is just doing the right thing?”

“Of course he is.”

Vicki flustered for a minute before waving a hand. “I mean, I agree he’s doing the right thing by being there for you and the baby, but…”

Dare waited, impatience rising by the second.

Her friend stopped fussing and a look of complete satisfaction replaced the earlier frustration. “Oh, this is good. This is really good.”

“What?” Dare didn’t attempt to keep her irritation out of her voice. “I will do something evil to you if you don’t stop looking at me like I’m the most interesting science experiment you’ve seen in a long time.”

Vicki relented, a smile blooming across her face. “It’s just that it’s pretty clear to me that you’re in love.”

Dare swallowed hard. My God, she hoped wearing her heart on her sleeve didn’t end up embarrassing Jesse. “You can tell?”

Her friend nodded. “Unless you’re up for Academy-nominee-level acting awards, everything since you showed up on Jaxi and Blake’s doorstep has said you were a couple. A real couple.”

Dare did a double take. “Wait. You think Jesse’s in love with me?”

“That’s what I just said.” Vicki raised a brow. “You didn’t know that part either? What have you two been doing? And that was a rhetorical question because obviously…”

She gestured toward Buckaroo.

“Hey, you’re in the same condition,” Dare pointed out.

“Well, it’s pretty damn hard to say no to a Coleman when they’re being all sexy and whatnot, but this isn’t about the babies.” She leaned back in her chair, a gloating expression on her face. “So. What do you do with this newfound knowledge? Or more specifically, how can I blackmail you with it?”

“I’m not too pregnant to put a hurt on you,” Dare warned, but she was smiling because maybe it wasn’t a terrible thing. Maybe if Vicki thought she and Jesse were already a real couple, then it wasn’t too far of a stretch for it to be real.

Still, she was cognizant of the fact Jesse was still finding his way back home. He had enough things he was working on.

She met Vicki’s gaze. “I think what I need is for you to just be happy for me, and let me figure out when and where it’s right to let Jesse know how I feel.”

Vicki caught her fingers in a squeeze. “I am happy for you. I’m actually really happy, because I didn’t expect this.”

“For me to fall in love with Jesse?”

Her friend shifted uncomfortably for a moment. “It’s a little more selfish than that. I didn’t expect Jesse to have such good taste when he fell in love. I always thought he’d pick someone who was a bit of an asshole, but you’re not.”

“I’m a lot of an asshole?” Dare teased, glowing inside from the phrase Jesse falling in love.

Vicki laughed. “What you are is a wonderful person, and I’m glad he brought you into my life.”

“I’m glad too.” It wasn’t just family for Buckaroo that she’d discovered. It was family for her as well, and she shuffled out of the chair and offered Vicki a close hug, and it was nothing like that first day when they’d met, almost reluctant to discover they enjoyed each other’s company.

It was real.

Dare shook a finger at Vicki. “Don’t you say anything, and I mean not to Joel either.”

Vicki made a face. “Really?”

Dammit, she couldn’t make that kind of demand. “Okay, if you have to talk about what a fool I am, you have to make Joel promise not to tell Jesse. I swear I’ll get around to it as quickly as I can.”

Her friend drew an X over her chest. “I solemnly swear I will make sure Joel doesn’t tell Jesse that you are already head-over-heels in love with him.”

Dare snickered. “That will have to do, I guess.”

Vicki loaded up a half-dozen cookies, and Dare headed home, holding tight to a bag that contained a warm gift of friendship.

It was nearly as sweet as the warm glow of love in her heart.