Page 75 of Rocky Mountain Home

Marion was waiting so expectedly, how on earth could Dare say no?

This time it was her phone that rang.

Thank God, a reprise. “One sec, that’s Jesse.”

She got up from the table and stepped away to answer as Mike said quietly in the background, “So he does still know how to work one of those things.”

Jesse’s voice rang bright cheery. “Hey, darlin’. Miss seeing your smiling face here at the trailer.”

Dare struggled for words. It wasn’t as if she could scold with his parents right there, but she was tempted. “Gee, darlin’,” she echoed his drawl. “You took off in such a high-tailed hurry, I didn’t catch the bit about sitting and waiting for you.”

Which totally wasn’t the what the hell am I supposed to do? that she’d intended to demand.

“Since you’re not sitting at my brother’s, mind spelling out a little clearer where you are?”

No mercy at this point. She was dragging him under the bus with her. “Just getting to know your mom and dad. I’ve been invited to join in the party visiting the hospital. Your newest nephew has arrived.”

Please, please, please let him read the terror in her voice and offer to come and rescue her.

No such luck.

“Nephew? That’s great. Tell you what. I can meet you all at the hospital.”

Dare took a deep breath. So—no rescue from that quarter. “Okay.”

“Miss you, darlin’.”

He’d obviously said it for the benefit of whoever he was near, and she wasn’t in the mood. “Don’t push it, sweetheart.”

She adjusted her expression firmly before turning back to his parents. While she’d been talking with Jesse, Vicki and Marion had carried their lemonade glasses inside and returned with prepackaged gift baskets in hand.

It seemed a trip to the hospital was taking place.

Dare offered the best smile she could. “Jesse says he’ll meet us there.”

Marion’s eyes lit up before she twisted away, fussing with the package she held. “Well, that’s good.”

Mike laid a hand on his wife’s shoulder before gesturing toward the door. “Let’s get rolling.”

Dare took the second basket from Vicki, thankful for something to do with her hands.

Vicki adjusted PJ and glanced over her shoulder to check on Lana who was making a sandcastle with cars on the turrets. “I’ve got the kids under control. Tell Blake not to rush home.”

Marion kissed Vicki’s cheek then hurried to the parking area.

It was tough for Dare to keep her feet moving, let alone the fake happy expression on her face. She was trying though, so it surprised her when Vicki laid a hand on her arm, pulling her to stop. The other woman struggled for a moment before grabbing Dare in for a one-armed hug.

Dare didn’t breathe for a second before realizing she was so far out of her comfort zone she might as well walk blindly into the abyss. She squeezed back, PJ eyeing her inquisitively from only a few inches away.

“You’ve got this,” Vicki offered quietly. “Really, how scary can it be now that you’ve met the parents?”

“Scary,” Dare whispered.

Vicki smiled sympathetically. “I’ve been there. You can do this.”

The vote of confidence was appreciated. “Thanks.”

She hurried to catch up with Mike and Marion who were getting into a small Honda, Marion behind the wheel.