Page 115 of Rocky Mountain Home

That made two of them. Dare offered a smile. “We were supposed to head home on Tuesday.”

Jaxi settled into the chair beside the bed, adjusting the baby so he lay with his little face turned to the side. “You haven’t had a chance to look around much,” she started, before rolling her eyes and making a face. “Jeez, what’s wrong with me? I never beat around the bush like this. I must be suffering from wishy-washy pregnancy hormones.”

“Oh goody,” Dare said. “I have more things to look forward to?”

A small laugh escaped the woman. “You have so many things to look forward to, wishy-washy hormones are at the bottom of your list. Listen, what I want to say is, straight up, Blake and I and the rest of the family would be thrilled if you guys decided you wanted to move to Rocky Mountain House.”

Wow, this was moving forward at lightning speed. “Like next year? Or after Buckaroo arrives?”

“Next week? Heck, we can send the crew down and bring up your stuff, and you could be moved in—” Jaxi made a face. “Okay, that part will take a little longer until we can juggle you into a house, but yes, as soon as possible. I mean, whenever it works for you guys.”

It was an incredible offer. If she hadn’t had Ginny’s letter that afternoon to push her brain in this direction, Dare would’ve been floored. As it was, she wasn’t as shocked as she might otherwise have been.

Considering all sorts of other issues, the proposition wasn’t something she was going to give any kind of answer to until she and Jesse had a long talk.

“That is an amazing offer, and I’m glad you feel comfortable welcoming me into your family. Thank you.”

Jaxi gave her a considered look. “We love him. You know that, right?”

Dare nodded. That was the strange thing. She had zero doubts how the Colemans felt. She just didn’t know what was best for Jesse’s heart and soul.

“Is that enough reason to move here?”

Jaxi’s eyes widened in shock. “What—? Of course it is.”

“It’s a good enough reason to visit, and keep in touch, but we don’t have to live in the same place to be family.” Dare fidgeted with a quilt square that had been left on the tray beside the bed. She smoothed it under her fingertips, thinking hard. “Isn’t the biggest thing we want is for everyone to be happy? If that’s here—”

“It is,” Jaxi insisted.

The woman was so full of enthusiasm she might overwhelm others, but Dare had years of experience dealing with the hyper energy that was her best friend Ginny. She responded firmly. “Maybe you’re right, but I don’t think we get to decide that for others.”

Jaxi settled back into the chair, an expression of sheepishness spreading. “I was pushing.”

“You were,” Dare agreed, “but I know it’s because you love him, and your in-laws, and the rest of the bunch. But this has to be up to Jesse.”

“And you.” Jaxi raised a brow. “Hey, if you’re going to rightly give me hell for trying to push my agenda, don’t let anyone push you around either, not even my rather tenacious brother-in-law. You deserve to be happy too. In a relationship there are times you have to compromise, not cave.”

“Bend, not break?” Dare smiled now. “You really care about the whole family.”

“I really do.”

“Does that mean what you’re doing with your life is what you really want?” The question came out more judgmental than she’d expected.

Jaxi’s lips twisted. “You mean the fact we’re the same age and I’m a mom five times over?”

Justin’s arms flailed for a second before he curled up tight again. Dare couldn’t look away. “I’m not saying it’s wrong, I was just wondering if it’s really what you signed up for.”

Jaxi laughed, and pure delight filled the room like thousands of butterflies taking flight.

“Getting to be with the man I love more than I love my next breath? Getting to see him play shining knight to our children as he gives them rides and shows them what hands-on love looks like every day? Did I sign up to be surrounded by a family who’d lay down their lives for me? People who guard and love my little ones now, and would in the future if anything ever happened and I couldn’t be there for them?”

Jaxi rose to her feet, adjusting Justin so she could come to the bedside and curl her hand around Dare’s fingers. Jaxi leaned in until their heads nearly touched, and the truth shone in her eyes as she spoke firmly. “I have no idea why I’ve been so blessed, but I wouldn’t change a thing about my life. It’s perfect for me. It’s my dream come true.”

It felt as if the bed was surrounded by tangible joy. Dare nodded again. “I’m glad to know that.”

Jaxi squeezed her hand then backed up half a step before her smile changed. “Now you need to figure out what would make your life perfect. So we can make it happen.”

What would make Dare’s life perfect? It was too big of an idea to wrap her brain around yet. But at least she knew where to start.