Page 61 of Rocky Mountain Devil

She turned as if to go, Mrs. Coleman caught her by the arm. “If you ever need help, you should probably head over there. Straight off,” she said with a perfectly expressionless face.

All the things Dana wasn’t saying rang through loud and clear. Laurel surmised far more than the other woman probably wanted her to, which is why even though she’d been longing for Rafe to pet her and listen to her complaints about Jeff, a change of plans was needed.

Talk about a saint. Dana Coleman had put up with that mean bastard as a husband for how many years, now?

“You know what? My throat is dry after the singing this morning. If you have time for me to stay for a while, I’d like that cup of tea very much.”

Mrs. Coleman’s lips curled upward, and a touch of Rafe’s familiar smile shone back. She glanced at the barn then stepped back to welcome Laurel in. “Let me take your coat. If you don’t mind sitting in the kitchen, I can get things started for lunch while we have a visit.”

Laurel passed over her jacket, but refused to sit and be served. “Let’s work together, then we can both relax.”

She picked up a knife from the counter and set to peeling the potatoes she found waiting in a pot by the sink. The other woman’s gaze rested on her for a moment, but Laurel ignored it, working without comment. Finally Dana moved to add water to the kettle before gathering the things needed for the meal.

By the time Mrs. Coleman put two cups and some baking on the table, lunch was simmering on the stove, and they sat together, all awkwardness forgotten as their easy conversation continued.

It wasn’t what Laurel had expected to find that morning, but the shared time with the gentle-hearted woman was exactly what she needed.

Chapter Fourteen

Rafe drove over the rise of the hill, coming to a sudden stop as he spotted the second of their ATVs waiting beside one of the small pole barns where they kept supplies.

He hadn’t expected Gabe to be in the area, not today. There was no sign of his brother as Rafe got off his ride, pulling off his gloves and leaving them on the seat.

“Gabe?”

It was most definitely not his brother’s head that popped around the corner post.

“Hey, you.” Laurel strode toward him, hands reaching forward as she offered a happy smile.

“Hey. I didn’t expect you.”

She curled into his arms, clasping him around the waist as she rested her head on his chest. “I tracked you down.”

He took a second before answering, enjoying the feel of her in his arms as he squeezed her tight. “I’m glad you did.”

Laurel wiggled free, catching hold of his hand and pulling him toward the far side of the building. “You haven’t had lunch yet, have you?”

“Was going to take a break in a while.” He eyed the food-covered blanket she’d guided him to. “Wow. A picnic?”

“Sort of. But don’t go giving me all the credit.” She sat on one corner of the blanket and patted the spot next to her. “Everybody else has been taking care of me today.”

From the looks of the spread before them, eating was going to take a while. “I don’t care who made it. I’m not going to complain.”

He reached for the thermos and opened it, taking a cautious sniff. The rich scent of strong coffee filled his senses.

“Sweet mercy, it’s not that nasty fancy pop.”

Laurel shook her finger at him. “I knew you didn’t really like it.”

He shrugged. “I like making you happy. If drinking weird fizzy drinks goes along with that, it’s not the worst thing ever. But I do love my coffee.” He glanced over at her, a moment of confusion hitting. Something was out of place. “How come you’re wearing Allison’s boots?”

“I’m also wearing her jeans and shirt,” she confessed. “I ended up out at your place without a change of clothes. She offered me stuff when I told her I wanted to bring out your lunch.”

“And Gabe popped you on the ATV and told you which direction to drive.”

“Something like that.” She took a bite of her sandwich then stared over the land as if she wasn’t really seeing it.

Rafe examined her for a moment more before putting down his drink and reaching for her. He caught her fingers and gave them a squeeze. “Hey. What’s up?”