Page 50 of Rocky Mountain Home

You’re not alone.

If it is Jesse’s, he’d better be treating you right, or I’ll tan his hide. Yes, I think I offered to do that before. Sometimes the old ways are the best.

I’ll stop rambling, but I look forward to hearing from you.

Jaxi

She was still staring at her phone when she stumbled through the doors of the greenhouse.

Ginny glanced up from where she was kneeling in the dirt, a bandana over her hair and a smudge of dirt on her nose. “About time you showed, you slacker.”

“Sorry, I was having a lazy morning,” Dare deadpanned. Not for the world would she mention either of the proposals she’d received. If her brothers wanted to admit what they’d done, that was their business, but this was one bit of life history Ginny didn’t need to know about.

The email from Jesse’s sister-in-law, however…

Dare grabbed a hand trowel and joined her friend in the dirt, a row down but close enough they could speak without shouting. “Remember I told you I got an email from someone in Jesse’s family?”

“Yep.”

“And remember I didn’t think he was too keen about me writing back, but last visit he said it was fine?”

“Yep.”

“And remember—”

A clod of dirt hit her on the side of the head. She snapped her gaze to the left to discover Ginny kneeling upright with her arms folded over her chest. “Point. Get to it.”

“I talked about being pregnant on my blog and his sister-in-law put two and two together and wants to know if Buckaroo is family.”

Ginny whistled softly. “Well, I guess this is when we find out the skeletons in his closet.”

Dare desperately needed more information, but she was also trying not to bug Jesse for more than he was willing to give. He hadn’t wanted to talk about his family, so that was that.

Besides, she had family of her own. She had Ginny, and the guys, and her nieces. And she had herself. That would be enough for Buckaroo.

But he could have a grandma and grandpa, and a bunch of aunts and uncles who all had children and knew something about raising them.

“You’re sitting there with that faraway look in your eyes again. This part isn’t that difficult, Dare.” Ginny rested back on her heels, head tilting slightly as her expression softened. “You’ve been doing an amazing job figuring out how to take care Buckaroo on your own, and I know it’s been tough. You keep having to make decisions, and I’m sorry I can’t be more help, but what I can do is make you answer the questions you don’t want to.”

“A true friend.”

“Forever,” Ginny reminded her. “Do you want to meet his family?”

It was the question she’d been trying to avoid even thinking about. “I kind of hate you right now.”

“I’ll take that as a yes. Which means the next time you see Jesse, mention that since his family knows about the baby, maybe you guys should make a visit sometime this summer.”

Dare blew out air in a long steady stream in the hopes it would keep her head from spinning. “I feel like hell dragging him into all this.”

“Don’t you dare do that,” Ginny snapped, “or friend or no friend, I will come over there and shove a handful of dirt down your pants. He got into bed with you willingly enough, and it’s not your fault you guys made a baby. He’s done what’s right by coming and spending time with you, but this isn’t some dirty little secret. You’re having a baby, and Jesse’s the father, and if his family has an issue with that—”

“I don’t think they do,” Dare said quickly. “You’re right, and I know it, and I love you so much, but this is too much to handle sometimes. Jesse’s been great, but it feels like he’s still adjusting. I don’t blame him for that, but I also don’t want to expect more of him than he’s willing to give.”

She held back the words on the tip of her tongue. I’m scared to start relying on him.

Ginny abandoned her weeding and shuffled over to wrap her arms around Dare, holding her close and patted her back firmly. “You are so strong, my friend. I’d be a quivering mess in your boots, so don’t kick yourself for having moments when you don’t know what to do. Don’t give up on Jesse too quick—I read somewhere that guys are typically at least three months behind the program, even when they were involved in trying to make a kid happen.”

That was reassuring. Dare kissed Ginny’s cheek. “I’m glad you’re my friend.”