Page 69 of Rocky Mountain Home

Joel stood there, hands moving rhythmically in approval, but his expression was ice cold as he spoke. “He’s right, guys. It’s not her fault, or the baby’s, that Jesse’s an ass.”

Matt looked sheepish. “Sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. Of course it’s not her fault, but jeez, Jesse, you’ve got shit for brains.”

“Not about Dare or the baby,” Jesse insisted. He wasn’t about to give an inch on this. He swore that none of his family would suspect he was anything but thrilled about his current circumstances, which meant lying his ass off. “They’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I brought her to meet all of you, and if that’s going to be an issue, tell me now so I can turn around and take her home.”

Cassidy waved him down, sliding off the bale to vertical. “You know you don’t worry about that. We’re looking forward to meeting her, and we’re glad you’ve found someone special.”

He held out his hand, and Jesse took it cautiously. Cassidy shook once then used the grip to pull Jesse in close. He spoke quietly under the pretense of offering a quick pat on the back. “You might want to apologize for the leaving bit, though.”

Which was what he’d intended to do before getting distracted, damn it all.

Jesse stepped back. He made eye contact with each man before clearing his throat. “I’m sorry I left like that. It was wrong to hightail it out of here without a word.”

“It was,” Travis agreed. “Stupid, selfish—”

“Travis, when a man apologizes and means it, you don’t keep harping on his stupidity.” Cassidy strode to his partner’s side, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Want to try again?”

“Stop being reasonable. He’s my little brother and he fucked up big time.”

“He said he was sorry.” Matt shrugged. “Okay, Jesse, fine. Thanks for apologizing. I’m still pissed.”

He hadn’t expected much else. “I get it. Hey, how’s Hope and the kid?”

Matt’s expression turned on a dime, the disappointed frown flipping into a beaming grin. “She’s amazing, and he’s trying to walk. Colt climbs like a monkey—almost as bad as you and Joel, according to Mom.”

“Walking? Holy hell, that’s quick.”

“That’s what happens when you’re gone for five months,” Joel drawled. “Things change. Life moves on.”

Ouch. Okay, Joel wasn’t accepting his apology that easily either, and Jesse didn’t blame him. Leaving the family had been hard, but cutting himself off from Joel?

Like severing his own arm.

He’d been the one to cause the pain, and it had nearly crippled him. He had a lot more work to do to repair their relationship, and it wasn’t going to happen this moment, so Jesse turned to Travis instead of his twin. “I see Cassidy’s keeping you on a short leash.”

Travis laughed. “He wishes.”

“Shh, don’t talk about sex around your brothers,” Cassidy said with a wink.

“Oh God, not this again.” Matt pointed a finger at the two of them. “We agreed you’re not allowed to gloat.”

Jesse didn’t know what they were talking about, and the realization hurt. “Why would they gloat?”

Cassidy shrugged innocently. “Matt seems to think we’ve got some kind of advantage over a regular couple because even though Ashley’s eight months pregnant, there’s still sex happening.”

That pile of papers from the evil doctor hadn’t mentioned that detail. He’d read them through a million times, and he would have noticed anything to do with sex. “We can’t have sex when they’re pregnant?”

Travis, Cassidy and Matt exchanged glances before Cassidy spoke again, concern on his face. “Wow, okay, it’s a good thing you came for a visit. Yeah, no sex after she’s…what was it, guys, six months pregnant?”

“Five,” Matt said, blinking harder than usual. “I mean, you can get her off, but no sex.”

Jesse eyed them all, sudden suspicion hitting. “You’re pulling my leg.”

Travis shook head. “No, really. Ask her doctor.”

Only Matt snickered, trying to turn the sound into a cough.

“You’re all a bunch of sick jerks,” Jesse declared.