Page 148 of Rocky Mountain Home

She’d been more than scared, she’d been terrified, but she didn’t want to admit that.

As time had passed, as she tried to contact him and got no response, the less she’d been able to control her fear. Yes, it was because she’d been reminded of what she’d lost—the people who she loved the most.

That’s when it had hit her like a clap of thunder echoing against the roof. As she alternated between staring out the living room window and standing on the porch, peering in vain down the lane in the hopes she’d see his truck returning…

She loved him.

There was no denying it anymore. Yes, she admired him, and enjoyed his company. She loved how compatible they were when it came to sex, but all of those things together weren’t just friendship, and weren’t just because of Buckaroo.

When they came out to Rocky, she’d warned herself she wasn’t supposed to fall in love with the Colemans. The truth was she’d probably been in love with him already back then.

Love. That was what had scared her so much. The thought of having lost the man she loved.

Now she faced a completely different dilemma. What did she do with this discovery? Was he ready for her to up and announce what she felt inside?

It was going to take a little more deliberation before she came to a conclusion. All she knew right now was that being together was exactly what she needed.

She let him read the sincerity there in her expression. “Sorry for jumping you in the barn, but totally not sorry.”

“I get it.” He leaned in closer, his voice a caress. “It’s not my place to tell you how you should feel, but I think sometimes the best response to high emotion is high-test, wild sex.”

His grin widened.

Dare had to fight to keep from grinning in return. “Only some times, though?”

Jesse nodded, his expression suddenly all respectable and correct. Like a professor delivering a lecture or a preacher from the pulpit—only a whole lot more irreverent. “Definitely. Other times call for blow jobs, doggie-style, or even anal.”

A laugh burst from her that was more like a donkey bray than a genteel lady, and Jesse joined in.

They ended up in the living room, covered with blankets as they cuddled together and watched lighthearted movies until the storm blew over. Buckaroo went to town, the surface of her belly moving like some alien infestation, and she caught Jesse watching her stomach more than the TV screen.

It was cozy. It was comfortable, and it was exactly how Dare had imagined two people in love would spend an evening.

By the next morning the weather had returned to more typical October temperatures. The snow melted and left behind puddles in the yard. Jesse kissed her goodbye, and kissed her belly, and she leaned against the doorframe and watched him leave, and wondered how on earth she was going to manage to stop from letting her love burst free.

Because that’s how she felt. As if she were bursting at the seams with the need to shout how much she loved him.

She did a little work on the blog, but it was no use. The itching drive to discuss her discovery wouldn’t let her concentrate. She absolutely needed to talk to someone about this.

Her text to Ginny went unanswered. She wasn’t about to talk to her brothers. Good thing she had somebody else she trusted who was a lot closer at hand.

Vicki was working that week at the golf course, putting together a long line of desserts for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. When she saw Dare come in, she stopped what she was doing, washed her hands and handed over a hot-from-the-oven cookie. “Perfect timing. Next batch is already in the oven, and I need a break.”

“Gingersnaps. Yummy.” Dare took a big bite of the warm cookie, washing it down with some tea while she gathered her courage.

Vicki raised an eyebrow. “You look far too serious considering you’re demolishing a cookie.”

“I need some advice,” Dare admitted.

Her friend smiled. “I’ll give it a shot.”

“How do I make Jesse happy?”

Vicki coughed, leaning forward as if the cookie piece she’d just swallowed went down the wrong tube. By the time she cleared her throat, her cheeks were bright and her eyes a little on the wild side. “Girl, if that’s what you need advice on, I’m the last person you should talk to.”

Dare paused. She wasn’t going near Jesse’s secret, but this one was hers to share. “When we got here, I thought he was in love with you.”

Vicki’s jaw dropped. “I’m pretty sure he hated my guts.”