Page 72 of Rocky Mountain Home

Thankfully Joel changed the topic, gesturing to the garden area. “Like the changes?”

Jesse nodded. “Seems funny to have the old barn gone.”

“Travis didn’t want it around at all anymore. No lingering reminders for Ashley of the fire, so when we had the excavator out, they stopped off here to clean it up.”

Excavators. “You digging a hole somewhere?”

Joel paused. “On Sunset Ridge. We got our house started.”

A sudden shock went through Jesse for a brand-new reason. Sunset Ridge, where they used to ride as teens and young men, admiring the view and planning where they’d build their homes. Joel to the north and Jesse slightly to the south, next door to each other because they couldn’t imagine being farther away than a stone’s throw at any point in their lives.

They were going to end up a hell of lot farther than that, and the screw inside tightened again.

“Good for you,” he forced out.

Building a home beside Joel was another thing he wouldn’t be doing. Another step away from his family…and he couldn’t complain. He’d taken the first steps down this path all on his own, and it’s not as if he could go back in time.

The truth hurt, and the familiar sensation of being alone enveloped him.

He gritted his teeth and set his resolve. He had to make it through this damn visit with Dare, and then they could go back to Heart Falls.

Her home would have to become his.

Chapter Thirteen

It was her own fault for not asking more questions before getting into the big truck that Vicki herded her in. Dare was already in the passenger seat and they were headed down the highway before details regarding this “great idea” of Vicki’s were shared.

“There’s not much use in hanging around here until Jesse gets back. We may as well go say hi to Marion, and I can help with the kids.” Vicki made a noise. “Not that she’s ever complained about having anything or anyone thrust upon her at the last minute.”

Dare nodded her agreement in a bit of a haze. At that point it was too late to escape unless she wanted to throw herself out the door of a moving vehicle. Although the comment about Marion dealing effortlessly with all the grandkids did register.

Gramma score: +25

Vicki took a quick peek at Dare before focusing back on the road. “I don’t want to be too snoopy, because you’re bound to have a ton of questions thrown at you. So don’t feel as if you have to give out your life story, or anything.” She paused to manoeuver the big truck onto the secondary road before continuing. “Although I think you’re a brave woman to agree to visit for more than a day right off the bat.”

“It didn’t seem that dangerous when Jaxi mentioned it, but I’m reconsidering,” Dare confessed. “I hate to put you and Joel out.”

Vicki waved a hand. “It’s not a bother. We’ve got the room, and it’s not as if you’ll be there all the time. We’ll be lucky to have a quiet evening to ourselves—everyone in the family will want you to come over, and that probably means everyone else who is free will drop in that night as well.”

Dare fought to keep her shudder of dismay from being too obvious. “Did I mention I’m more comfortable in small groups?”

The other woman hummed in sympathy. “Close your eyes and pretend some of them aren’t there? That’s all I’ve got to offer. Sorry.”

“I’ll deal.”

“You will.” Vicki chuckled. “If it makes you feel any better, I did Thanksgiving dinner for my first ‘meet the Colemans’ event. It turned out fine, once my knees stopped knocking.”

God, that would have been worse. “But did you swear?” Dare managed to tease.

Vicki snorted. “Definitely. At Jesse, if I recall right.”

Ha. “Good thing he’s charming most of the time,” Dare offered in return.

Vicki didn’t respond, her eyes fixed on the road in front of them.

Dare’s nerves were still there, but in a way, Vicki’s story had reassured her. She wasn’t the first person to have to deal with meet the family pressure—heck, Jesse had already survived her brothers. This was just a short-term visit. It’s not as if she had to convince all these people they wanted her around twenty-four/seven forever.

Fields and barns passed by, and as unfamiliar as the area was, Dare swore they were retracing their steps. The trip seemed to take them in a circle back to where they’d started.