Page 33 of Rocky Mountain Home

“He proposed.”

The words slipped out, and instantly Dare wished she could take them back, although she wasn’t sure why. This was Ginny—of course she was going to tell her everything.

Only when her friend sat back down on the bed without offering a teasing joke, Dare was glad. It seemed too big of a thing to joke about.

“That’s…good, isn’t it?” Ginny asked.

“We can’t get married,” Dare snapped. “We don’t know each other.”

“Biblically speaking, you do.”

Dare resisted rolling her eyes. “Well, that moment of seriousness lasted all of three seconds.”

“Carnal knowledge is very serious business,” Ginny insisted, “but I mean it. I’m glad to hear the dude’s got more going for him than a magic penis.”

“Magic—ha. Super-powered sperm is all we know for sure. Able to power through condoms like kryptonite.” Although it had been a very nice penis, Dare reflected, and she was kind of counting the days until she got to make a more thorough reacquaintance with it.

With him. Attached to said penis, and all.

A loud clatter drew her gaze upward.

Ginny was clapping her hands to get her attention. “You’re welcome for the awesome daydreams, but on to other matters. Since you avoided meeting everyone at dinner last night, you two coming over for lunch?”

“I don’t think so. That’s too much family, too soon.”

“They have to get to know him. He proposed, and he’s too yummy to ignore.”

Oh brother. “Lunch with the hoard can wait, and a relationship isn’t built on yummy, Ginny.”

“Don’t knock the yum factor, that’s all I’m saying.” Ginny slipped across and hugged her tight before whispering in her ear. “You know I’m here for you. Truth or dare, forever.”

Dare’s throat tightened at the quick reminder of their childish slogan. “Truth or dare, forever.”

They linked little fingers for a moment, sharing a smile.

Boot falls on the outside deck warned them of a cowboy’s approach, and they were in the living room when the door swung open.

Jesse peeked in. His eyes lit up when he spotted Dare, some of his enthusiasm fading as he noticed Ginny was also in the room.

Still he came in the rest of the way and sauntered over to Dare’s side. “Morning.”

Fully focused on her, he ignored the extra person in the room and leaned toward her, his intent clear.

Dare held up a hand before he could kiss her, touching the side of his face. “That’s what was missing. I don’t know how I recognized you without your war paint.”

“Your brothers were kind enough to help me reapply it. Brother—Dustin isn’t a fan. Caleb and Luke don’t seem too put out.”

“They’re just biding their time,” Ginny warned, bouncing down on the couch. She glanced back and forth between them, anticipation in her expression.

Dare folded her arms and glared at her friend. “You have things to do.”

“Isn’t that supposed to be a question?”

“No.”

Jesse laughed softly. “I can tell you two have been together for a long time.”

“Besties,” Ginny informed him. “Which is why if I ever find out you do anything—”