Page 50 of Rocky Mountain Devil

Across from them, Jesse snapped to attention, admiration drifting over his features. “I like you.”

Rafe growled. “Leave my girlfriend alone, asshole, or I won’t crate train you, I’ll take you over to the vet’s and get you fixed.”

Laurel joined in the laughter, but she noticed Becky had tucked herself a little tighter against Trevor for protection. On the other side, Rafe wrapped himself around her a little harder as well.

A change of topic was in order.

She glanced down the table to where the Whiskey Creek girls sat. They’d finished their serious discussion, and she didn’t think interrupting was a problem. “Hey, Lisa. You’re second up on the wait list for that book you wanted.”

Lisa came around the table, tapping Rafe on the shoulder. “Move it. I need that seat.”

“I’m sitting in it,” he pointed out.

“Which is why I told you to move.”

Rafe shifted into the empty chair to his left, but he dragged Laurel after him, keeping her by his side. It opened a space for Lisa to settle between Becky and Laurel.

The three of them talked quietly, the rest of the Coleman conversation swirling around them. They chatted about books for a while, Lisa and Laurel comparing favourites as Becky nodded—making notes about the ones she wanted to try. Becky was still learning how to use a computer, and when Laurel couldn’t answer a question off the top of her head, Lisa offered to help.

“You guys can use the computers at the library if that’s more convenient,” Laurel proposed. “I’ll let you into the classroom so you have some privacy.”

“I like the library,” Becky said.

“Works for me,” Lisa said. “Great idea.”

Rafe had been absently stroking his fingers over hers as he chatted with Karen and Lee, and he adjusted his chair to let her slide in closer as she and the girls rejoined the conversation at the main table.

“We’ve got to make plans. Snow is expected early this year—” Karen cut off as all the guys at the table groaned. She shrugged. “If you don’t like snow, you’re living in the wrong province.”

“It’s only September. We don’t want to talk about it until it happens. Besides, it’s not supposed to snow until after Halloween,” Rafe insisted.

“Awww, you gonna be sad because you have to wear a coat over your Halloween costume?” Jesse teased.

Rafe made a rude noise as he rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I’m totally bummed when that happens.”

“I bet Jesse’s the type to design his costume to have the coat included.” Laurel scratched at her chin as if she was thinking hard.

“You’re right.” Rafe grinned at her, figuring out where she was going. “He was a Stay Puft Marshmallow Man one year, wasn’t he? Loved that costume—it was so him.”

“The yeti was my favourite,” Laurel confessed.

“Not the year he went as a Teletubbie?”

“Very funny, guys,” Jesse offered with a smirk.

“We’re just trying to help,” Laurel insisted. “If you need an idea for this year, I hear you can get Pikachu onesies in your size.”

Jesse’s eyes flashed with amusement. “I’ll say it again, I like you.”

Another rumble of annoyance drifted from her side, and Laurel decided she’d better stop taking the bait Jesse was tossing before Rafe had kittens.

She turned to face him, placing her palms against his cheeks and looking him in the eye. “You know what happens when we go places together in public. It’s a free-for-all—it’s just for fun.”

“As long as my family isn’t getting in your face too much, and by family, I mean one annoying cousin.”

She slid her hands into Rafe’s hair and pulled him toward her so she could plant a deep, passionate kiss on his lips. An apology, and a claiming.

As anticipated, the Coleman crowd at her back let loose with wolf whistles and noises of encouragement. She pulled away to find Rafe staring at her hungrily.