Page 130 of Rocky Mountain Home

She probably didn’t have to considering the way Ginny was giving her that Spock impression again.

“Good friends. Okay. That’s why you’re packing your naughty underwear.”

Dare glanced at the bed, cheeks flushing as she realized what she’d abandoned in her hurry to confront Ginny. She rushed back and shoved the telltale garments away. “They’re comfortable.”

An inelegant snort escaped her friend. “Hey, I have zero problems with you doing a hot guy if he’s treating you well. Although anyone who can’t see beyond sex to what an amazing person you are doesn’t deserve slinky undies.”

“If he ever takes me for granted, I will make sure that Jesse’s not allowed to wear anything slinky,” Dare retorted softly before ducking away from Ginny’s fingers and the threat of death by tickling.

They ended up laughing the entire time Ginny helped her pack.

Ever since Jesse had found his mostly bare-assed picture slapped up on the side of the barn wall at work, it seemed forces had been conspiring to work out his future with or without his permission.

The forward rush of events had mostly been neutral or positive, but in the last two days he’d found himself wondering if he had a fairy godmother keeping an eye on him, because he certainly didn’t deserve the kind of good that was landing in his path.

Not only was he able to work with his family in Rocky again, he’d been assured by someone whose opinion meant a lot to him that he could let go of his long-held guilt.

Every time he looked at Dare he heard her words again, insisting it was time to move on.

Then today when he’d tracked Caleb down, the announcement that he and Dare would be moving to Rocky immediately was greeted with a short grunt, a quick nod and a distracted request for help reading some old breeding records.

After Caleb nodded he understood what the paper said, Jesse reached out. “I’m still on board to help Silver Stone going forward,” Jesse “We’d have to keep everything online, but if that would work, let me know.”

“Luke and I will talk about it,” Caleb promised. “I’ll go get Dare’s riding stuff together. Come on up to the house for supper.”

“Dare would love that.”

He returned to the cottage, transferring the couple of bags he found stacked on the porch into the back of his truck before going inside.

Dare and Ginny were in the office, looking perplexed as they stared at the computer screens.

“Need a hand?”

Ginny bounded toward him. It took great mental strength to resist throwing his hands up as a precautionary measure.

He nearly fell over when she tackle-hugged him, squeezing tight for a moment before letting go and stepping back, her chin raised high. “But just because you haven’t screwed up until now that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.” Ginny lowered her voice and tried to look intimidating. “I’m watching you, Wazowski. Always watching.”

Dare pushed past her sister. “Oh, please. By no stretch of the imagination is Jesse a big green eyeball monster.”

“But I swear I heard you call him Pookie-Bear.” Ginny ducked as Dare threatened her with a pillow. “I know, get back to packing. I just don’t know what else you want.”

“Is everything out front all you need?” Jesse asked.

Dare gestured toward the office. “I’m trying to figure out what I need out of here, but until we’ve got more room there’s no use in me taking much more than my laptop.”

Jesse shrugged. “It’s not like we’re getting on a ship and travelling for three months. If you decide you need something else we can come down for the weekend and grab it.”

“Or I can bring it up,” Ginny offered. “Jesse’s right.”

“See, Dare? Even your sister knows I’m always right.”

Ginny glared at him, but her eyes flashed her amusement.

Jesse caught Dare by the hand and pulled her closer. “If you’ve pretty much got what you think you need, let’s go for a ride. We can visit all your favourite spots before we head out tomorrow.”

Dare slid next to him, her hand resting on his chest, a pleased smile on her lips. “That’s a sweet idea. I’d love to.”

Ginny made a few gagging sounds, but the two of them ignored her, heading out to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.