Page 160 of Rocky Mountain Home

“We’re good,” he insisted, “if you can forgive me for being a jealous asshole and not treating you right. I’m glad I didn’t mess things up between you and Joel—you guys are great together.”

She nodded, head bobbing rapidly. “I love him to pieces. And yes, we’re good.”

Jesse glanced down the hall, but there was no sign of Dare yet. “I never got a chance to mention this before. I appreciate you making Dare feel so welcome right from the start. You didn’t have to, especially considering she was with me. I figured if anything you’d have been warning her off.”

“What makes you think I didn’t?”

Jesse’s head snapped back to find Vicki covering her mouth as she fought back laughter. “Did you just tease me?”

“Hard to believe, huh?”

It was impossible to describe the emotions swelling inside him. “I liked it. It’s feels pretty normal—like family.”

Vicki nodded. “Exactly like family.”

They grinned at each other like fools, which is how Dare found them as she came to his side and took him by the hand.

He led her out to the truck, ready to make a memory.

The now-familiar scenery drifted by, and a deep sense of contentment drifted in. “Your mom invited us over for supper tomorrow night. Think that will work?”

“Sure.”

Dare tangled her fingers in his. “I think Tamara will be good for the girls. Emma will like her.”

Jesse snickered. “Sasha will let us know.”

Was it wrong to ask the question? She went for it anyway. “I didn’t want to ask because I’m just curious, like Tamara said, I don’t need to know the details. I trust her, but…”

“Do I know what she did?” Jesse hesitated. “She said it happened a while ago.”

“Couple of years.”

He shook his head. “I’m not sure. A few years ago I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the world around me.”

Dare stroked his fingers. “I trust her, though.”

“Me too. She’ll be great for the girls. That Dr. Tom is an asshole,” Jesse snarled. “The only reason he’s dragging this up is because his ego got hurt.”

“Sounds as if his ego is bigger than anything else.”

A laugh burst from Jesse before he grew serious again. “Yeah. Still sucks for Tamara. Having to leave Rocky.”

She knew what he was saying, but then, there was another side to consider as well. “I’ve left Heart Falls and Silver Stone, and it’s turned out okay so far. Maybe this is the first step on Tamara’s journey to a new home.”

He nodded, then turned off the highway and took them down a dirt road that led into the depths of Six Pack land.

Dare looked around with interest as he pointed in different directions and named the landmarks. West toward Angel and Whiskey Creek land. Southwest to Moonshine, and beyond that to the mysterious Uncle Mark’s section.

When he stopped beside a lone tree on the hilltop, she waited in the truck for him to come to her door.

“I’m a little pregnant for a hike in the snow,” she warned as he helped her to the ground and took her by the arm.

“It’s all melted,” he promised. “Just need you to come round the corner here.”

He led her to the base of the old tree. The thing was a behemoth, with gnarled branches and a sturdy base. A weatherworn heart was carved in the trunk, with Vicki’s and Joel’s names in it, and she had to smile. She traced a finger around the edges. “That’s sweet.”

Jesse looked thoughtful for a moment. “You were right, by the way. About Vicki and Joel. We’re good, once I got my head out of my ass.”