Page 109 of Rocky Mountain Home

He stopped off at A&W and grabbed burgers and fries, slipping up the back staircase and dodging nurses as he worked his way toward Dare’s room.

He’d almost made it when a hand landed on his shoulder, fingers digging in and stopping him in his tracks.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Tamara demanded.

Jesse employed his best sweet-talking voice. “Have a heart, cuz. There’s no way either of us can survive on the food around here.”

She glanced down the hallway, then held out her hand. “Give me a burger, and I’ll let you pass.”

He clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “Blackmail, Tamara?”

She didn’t budge. Neither did her hand. “Such a nasty word. I’d rather call it supper.”

Jesse separated out one of the bags and handed it to her. “A Mama Burger and onion rings. Can I go now?”

Tamara was peeking into the bag, a wide grin on her face. “I’m impressed. I should’ve known you’d come prepared. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone that you’re smuggling food into the hospital. Especially since there’s nothing wrong with that—Dare can eat anything she wants.”

Ah, shit. “Then why the hell did I have to pay your bribe?”

“You didn’t. I told you I called it supper. Thank you.”

Jesse chuckled. “No prob.”

He turned to go join Dare when Tamara interrupted him. “By the way. Do Dare’s brothers all work the ranch?”

Interesting. Jesse paused and examined her face.

His cousin was attempting to offer an innocent expression, but it wasn’t working. She was blinking in a strange rhythm. “Yes. Why?”

“Oh, no reason. Just making a few notes on her chart.”

At that she vanished, taking her ill-gotten goods with her.

Jesse walked into the room, a sudden streak of guilt hitting as he found Dare all alone. “Shit. Where is everybody?”

Dare looked at him over the top of her computer. “Hey.” She took a long sniff as she closed the laptop and put it away in its carry bag. “Good, you brought food. I’m starving.”

He tucked away her computer stuff and slid the tray in front of her. “You could’ve called Tamara and got her to bring you dinner.”

She made a face. “I wanted real food. I knew my hunter warrior would arrive soon to feed me.”

Jesse laughed as he settled on the bed so he could put the burgers on the tray between them. “How come nobody’s with you?”

Dare brought out all four burgers and examined each carefully before picking one with bacon and happily sinking her teeth into it. She closed her eyes and made a contented sound as she chewed and swallowed, wiping at her mouth before answering. “Because I’m a big girl and capable of being in a room all by myself without crying. Aren’t you proud of me?”

“Dare,” he warned.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist. I sent everybody home. I took a nap, which is like a miracle all by itself, and I just got caught up on my next week of blog posts. It’s been a mini-retreat.”

He was glad to know she’d had a say in the matter and not just been abandoned. Although, he didn’t really think anyone in this family would leave unless she insisted.

“Want to know a secret?” she whispered softly.

He nodded because his mouth was full of burger.

“I think Tamara is interested in Caleb.”

Jesse barely managed to swallow before letting out a loud ha. “She was just pumping me for information about your brothers,” he shared.