Page 12 of Rocky Mountain Devil

Time away from Ben had been good as well. Didn’t matter that he knew his father was a bitter old man, it still took a lot of energy to avoid falling into doom-and-gloom mode after working around him.

And considering that imitating the man was the last thing on earth Rafe wanted—he refused to give the bastard the satisfaction—joining him in asshole-hood was out of the question.

He pulled into the yard at Gabe and Allison’s, admiring the additional changes they’d made over the summer.

His sister-in-law hurried out of the house, waving at him before adjusting his nephew who was balanced on her hip.

“Glad I caught you at home,” he called out the window.

“Been waiting for you. Gabe had to go into town, and he figured you’d like to know where to drop those animals.” Allison marched up to the window and offered a warm smile. “Good to have you back. We missed you.”

He reached out the window and rubbed a hand over Micah’s soft brown hair. “Of course you did. I’m charming, a hard worker, and the best babysitter you’ve ever had.”

“Modest, as well.”

“That goes without saying.”

She chuckled as she passed on the instructions.

He pulled the trailer around to the new barn, transferring the stock into the pens his brother had prepared. Their organic farm status was growing more viable every year, and all the Angel ranch gains were because of Gabe and his brilliant wife.

Rafe took a moment to lean on the fence and watch the load of breeders explore their new home.

“Sturdy-looking animals,” Allison said, joining him at the side of the rail. She wore a kid carrier—the type that let her carry Micah on her back and keep her hands free. The little guy had a thumb in his mouth, but his eyes were wide as he leaned to one side and reached his free hand toward the sheep.

“They cost enough. Hopefully they turn out to be worth it.” Rafe gave the backpack a wiggle. “That’s a neat contraption.”

“Micah loves it, which has made getting chores done a whole lot easier. Ten-month-olds don’t understand the concept of ‘in a while’.” Allison twisted beside him, staring up at his face. “You look tired.”

Rafe shrugged. “I got up early. I was done with being on the road and wanted to get home.”

She hesitated before asking, “You sure you want to go back to living over the garage at Ben and Dana’s?”

The concern in her eyes was there for a good reason. Yeah, he didn’t want to admit it, but his impulsive move out of the place he’d been renting with his cousin might not have been a good decision. “I’m pretty sure my old place is gone—Jesse’s probably found a new place or roommates. I don’t plan to stay at the apartment long term, but it’s good enough for a while.”

“You know our door is always open.”

Which would make things worse between him and his dad—bad enough he agreed with the changes Gabe and Allison had implemented. If he moved in with them, the gap between the generations would widen even further.

He offered Allison a quick hug, surprised again to discover he was now bigger than her. “You guys are awesome, but I need to figure out the next thing on my own.”

She nodded but offered a mild scolding. “You go ahead and figure it out, but you areneveron your own. Not in this family.”

“Because Angel Boy Coleman always has something to say?” he teased. If he’d been called a devil by his friends, Gabe had always been the opposite.

“Because your brother has two ears and he likes to listen even more than he likes to talk,” Allison answered. She walked with him back to the truck. “Come for supper if you’d like.”

“Later this week? I’m pretty sure Mom will insist that I—”

“Oh, shoot.” Allison put a hand on his shoulder and twisted him back toward the barn. “Can you load up a half dozen of the goats and take them to your mom’s? She asked if I’d bring them over, and I nearly forgot.”

Rafe didn’t bother to hide his smile as he headed out willingly. “You’re getting forgetful in your old age. And what the heck does my mom need goats for?”

Allison pulled to a complete stop and looked utterly confused. “You know, she didn’t say. Or I can’t remember if she did.”

“Definitely going senile.”

She stuck out her tongue. “Sleep deprivation. Just wait. Someday you’ll get to experience the joy of parenthood as well.”