Page 164 of Rocky Mountain Home

This was her, after all, Dare thought. Stubborn and determined and not ready to be wrapped up and protected like she was made of spun glass.

And him. Cocky, arrogant, sexy-as-sin bastard that he was.

Between the two of them, they were both stubborn enough that they fought on a regular basis, sometimes about the stupidest things. But overall they got along great, and when they didn’t, making up was always a lot of fun.

Because that they always did—made up. Talked. Just straight up were there for each other, and for the family, because this was who they were. Who Jesse had always been, even though he’d gotten a little twisted for a while there.

Dare got frequent updates from Ginny who was having the time of her life trucking all around Europe. A certain Frenchman was described in great detail in one letter before he’d been abandoned for a more charming Italian, although Dare wasn’t sure if it was the man or his vineyard that had Ginny’s heart pounding faster.

Dare missed her friend, but she was happily distracted with a whole lot of new joys to experience.

Like her first Christmas in Rocky. First Christmas as a family.

Coleman tradition said Christmas Eve was for the immediate family, and Christmas Day with the larger clan. Boxing Day was set aside for the entire horde together in the twice a year, no-holds-barred event.

It was incredibly special to spend their first Christmas Eve day with just their little family. Her, Jesse and Joey making the first of many memories as an intimate family.

But she and Vicki had conspired to make a certain change, and when Joel and Vicki showed up on their doorstep for supper, the joy in Jesse’s eyes made the small modification to tradition worthwhile.

The next day at the Six Pack gathering, Blake and Jaxi’s home was bursting to the seams as children played, babies were passed around, and packages were unwrapped. Dare counted—there was a total of twenty-six bodies for just the Six Pack gathering.

No, make that twenty-six plus three because added to Vicki’s pregnancy both Ashley and Hope had announced they were expecting again, in August and September the coming year.

Blake casually left a card under the tree letting Jesse know he was back to full rights and responsibilities in the Coleman ranch.

Oh, and the deed to their house.

But her favourite gift was a picture frame that matched the others she’d admired. The cutout image of a tree had been filled with the picture of her, Jesse and Joey, and it was enough to make her want to burst with happiness.

That spring after the calves finished dropping and before seeding was done, she added another regular feature to her blog. At Home on Sunset Ridge.

They’d managed to finish all of the main floor living spaces in the two houses, more than enough room for them to move in. Between the two buildings, Jesse and Joel laid a brick patio large enough for children to play on while adults visited, a fire pit to one side. Joel moved the arbour from the trailer, and Dare held Joey in her arms as she watched the twins work together. She grinned mischievously at Jesse as he held the wooden structure in place while Joel leveled it.

“Make it solid,” Dare teased. “I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt if it were to accidentally fall over.”

“Someone would have to be pushing pretty hard to make this move,” Joel said innocently, pulling a snicker from his brother. Joel rolled his eyes as he glanced between the two of them. “Jeez, you guys. Stop it. I don’t want to know.”

Springtime also brought wedding plans. Dare had discovered something of vital importance that was leading up to one of the biggest memories yet.

After Joey had been tucked into bed. Dare laid a hand on Jesse’s knee to get his attention as they relaxed together on the couch. “I have an idea. Say yes.”

Jesse smiled at her with amusement. “Yes.”

Then he tumbled her into his lap and kissed her thoroughly until her cheeks were flushed and she was gasping for air when he finally let her up.

Or more correctly, let her breathe, because she’d somehow ended up lying flat on her back with him stretched over her. “I wasn’t finished talking,” she complained.

His grin widened, and his hands moved in wicked ways over her. Teasing. Stroking. “I already said yes.”

“You don’t even know what you just agreed to.”

He shrugged, his gaze drifting down her body. “It’s your idea. It’s bound to be a good one.”

“It’s my and Vicki’s idea.”

Not a single flinch—his smile just got wider. “Even better, because that means Joel will be happy too. Go ahead, tell me what we’re doing.”

“Hosting two weddings. August fifteenth. Here at Sunset Ridge.”