Page 48 of Rocky Mountain Devil

Gabe laid a hand on his shoulder before they both headed out without another word. Too many shared wishes that would probably never come true closed off Rafe’s throat and made him need a dose of happiness.

Luckily, he had a date that night with his own personal prescription for feeling better, and it couldn’t come soon enough.

Chapter Eleven

It wasn’t as if Laurel had never been to Traders, but she’d never been there on a date. And just to mock her, fate arranged it so she had to come straight from work.

Rafe was waiting for her on the steps, uncoiling himself from where he’d been leaning on the railing. He stepped down toward her, all long legs and lazy movement.

Dark jeans stretched over firm leg muscles, the edge of a grey T-shirt visible at his neckline under the open collar of his checkered flannel shirt. Cowboy casual, handsome enough to make her mouth water.

“When I got your text, I thought you were canceling on me.” Rafe met her at the bottom of the stairs, tucking his fingers under her chin to tilt her head and press a quick kiss on her lips.

“Wendy wasn’t feeling well, so I had to stay on until closing. Sorry I made you wait.”

He kissed her again as if he couldn’t stop himself, before wrapping an arm around her and guiding her up the steps. “No worries. I’m looking forward to showing you off.”

“Are we meeting anyone? Because I’m not dressed up, or anything.”

Rafe looked her over with approval. “You look like a naughty librarian. Want to help me check out a book later?”

She rolled her eyes, and he grinned.

“A couple of my cousins are bound to be here. It’s Friday night, and this is the easiest place to find us.” He pushed open the door and gestured her in. “Less now than before since a bunch of them need babysitters to get away and have fun.”

He brought her into the drinking section of the pub. There were tables to sit at to shoot the breeze, with dartboards and pool tables at the far end of the room for playing games. A quick glance through the crowd proved the Colemans were gathered in the back corner.

Rafe caught her fingers in his and led her across the floor, weaving between tables. He smiled over his shoulder at her. “I think you know them all. You’re not scared, are you?”

Laurel laughed. “Scared? Who you think you’re talking to, Coleman? I ain’t scared of anything,” she said, drawling out the last sentence, imitating his voice the best she could.

Masculine laughter broke out on her left. “I could’ve sworn that was Rafe talking.” Jesse Coleman came forward, his lips twisted into a cocky grin.

“I heard that line enough times during school,” Laurel offered. “It echoes in my brain at times.”

“What she’s not telling you is I would usually utter it a couple seconds after she taunted me into doing something that would get us in trouble.” Rafe stepped beside her and waved a hand over the crowd. “Laurel, meet…everybody. Let me know if you need introductions.”

“I’m good,” Laurel insisted. “Honestly, I know your family.”

“Bet you can’t name them all,” Jesse dared her.

“I’ll take that bet,” Rafe interrupted.

Jesse raised a brow. “I wasn’t talking to you, I was talking to the beautiful lady.”

Laurel fought to keep from snickering. The man was as much trouble as the rumour mill said. Also, just because she’d only spent time around the Coleman family in passing, it didn’t mean she was clueless.

“What’s the wager?” she asked.

“You name everyone, I’ll buy your drinks tonight.”

“And if she makes a mistake?” Rafe demanded.

Jesse looked her over with approval. “I get a dance. A slow one.”

Rafe stiffened, disapproval written on his entire body, but Laurel laid a hand on his arm and patted it reassuringly.

“Trust me,” she said before turning to Jesse and raising a brow. “My drinksandRafe’s.”