Page 139 of Rocky Mountain Home

A question that refused to be ignored.

Buckaroo would arrive when he was good and ready, and while she wasn’t looking forward to it, she could handle the physical work of labour and delivery.

Jesse would be her support. He could be both good cop and bad cop for her, she was sure of that as well. He’d proven repeatedly he only wanted what was best for Buckaroo.

What she was trying to ignore was the part inside her that wondered if their friendship and his resolve to be there for Buckaroo could ever be more.

If she would ever have someone—Jesse—look at her the way Cassidy and Travis had looked at Ashley.

Chapter Twenty-Six

September arrived. Vicki started a countdown calendar for Buckaroo, much to Dare’s amusement.

“I think you’re more excited than I am,” Dare said.

Vicki didn’t deny it. “I am excited. All babies are special, but your belly is the one in my living room most evenings.”

Dare laughed. “If my expanding belly is your biggest source of entertainment, we need to get you out more.”

One of the biggest things about sharing a small living space was they had to get really good at minding their own business to provide privacy for the other couple. Yet in spite of how much time they spent bumping elbows with Joel and Vicki, Jesse’s Mr. Clean imitations only flared every now and then, which Dare took as a good sign.

They were in the kitchen one morning, rushing to get ready for the day. Jesse was meeting up with a crew, and Dare and Vicki planned to tour the rental house to see what else was needed to make the place comfier for when Skyler and Tina moved out, and Jesse and Dare moved in.

Joel, who’d been on night shift, slid into the kitchen whistling too merrily for a man who should be ready to hit the sack, damn near bouncing on the balls of his feet as he helped set the table.

Vicki rolled in a few minutes later, offered a quick hello and then dropped into her chair. She made the most awful face after taking a sip of her coffee.

Shoot. “Did I forget the sugar?” Dare asked.

Vicki put the cup down on the table. “No, you made it perfect. I just… Umm…”

She glanced at Joel.

He nodded, smile widening as he gripped her fingers before she turned back to them. “We have news. We’re expecting.”

“Oh my God, that’s awesome.” Dare jumped to her feet—well, as much of a jump as the basketball in her belly would allow—and came around the table to offer Vicki a hug. “I’m so excited for you guys. When are you due?”

Jesse rose to his feet as well, offering a handshake and a back pat to Joel. If Jesse’s enthusiasm was muted, neither Vicki nor Joel were aware of it because they were excited enough for all four people in the room.

“Early June,” Joel said, tucking Vicki against his side and kissing her briefly. “It happened a little quicker than we expected.”

“Joel.” Vicki flushed. “Okay, you are not allowed to go around telling everybody this part.”

He wouldn’t stop grinning. “I won’t, but you have to admit it’s pretty funny that the first month we try, we score.”

It was Dare’s turn to hide her laughing expression. First month? Sounded fairly familiar.

Fortunately, Jesse managed to maintain enough control to not make some comment about the twins’ super-powered-sperm or anything along those lines.

Then they were sworn to secrecy.

“I know it’s early, but I figured with us spending so much time together, you were going to get suspicious sooner than later,” Vicki explained.

“Um, you know what? I just realized that’s a rotten excuse. They’re moving out next week,” Joel reminded her.

Vicki didn’t look at all repentant. “Okay. I just wanted to tell Dare. Sue me.”

In spite of having to keep the news secret, there were plenty of other opportunities to celebrate. Not even a week later, all the Coleman clans gathered for an after-dinner joint-family baby shower.