Page 87 of Rocky Mountain Home

Jaxi shrugged. “If things go well, everybody is out pretty quick these days.”

Oh boy.

Thank goodness distraction was at hand in the form of brightly coloured fabric.

“Do you sew?” Hope asked, balancing her son on her hip. Colt held a stuffed horse that was made of a million different fabrics. He snuggled it tightly as he leaned his head on his mom’s chest, thumb firmly inserted in his mouth.

“When I have to,” Dare admitted. “They covered the basics in school, so I can deal with buttons and repairs. I’d like to make a few things for the baby, if you can suggest some simple projects.”

Hope’s face gleamed. “I knew I liked you.”

A soft snort rose from Beth, and she glanced over her teacup at Dare. “Welcome to the Coleman clan. You just earned your first badge.”

“Oh, come on,” Hope protested. “She’s engaged to Jesse. She’s earned at least three others by now.”

“Definitely.” Jaxi grinned, holding up fingers as she made suggestions. “Knowing Jesse? She’s a shoe-in for the extraordinary patience, a wicked sense of humour, and”—she glanced over her shoulder to check that Marion was out of earshot before turning back with a grin—“physical endurance.”

A snicker escaped before Dare could stop it. “Sounds about right. Do I get a sash to put the badges on?”

Justin rooted against Jaxi, puckering his lips and making sounds of complaint. Without a pause the other woman lifted her shirt and offered her breast, and the baby went from protesting to gulping in contentment.

Jaxi glanced up. “A sash? No way. We tattoo them on your ass.”

Dare didn’t want to stare at Jaxi and the baby, but she was fascinated at how easy Jaxi made it look.

Which reminded her all over she had no idea what she would be doing in a few months. “Ah, branding iron, then,” Dare quipped.

The other women laughed.

“Come with me. I’ll show you a few beginner quilting options.” Hope tried to put Colt down in the playpen beside where Marion had just settled, but he clung to her, sounds of protest rising. “It’s okay, my little man. Mommy’s going to be just over there with Auntie Dare.”

A low thrill pulsed in Dare’s chest at Hope’s naming of her. It made no sense. She already was Auntie Dare, but for some reason, this felt different.

“Will he come to me?” Dare held her arms open, but Colt tightened his grip on his mom and buried his face against her with a cry of panic. “Or…maybe not.”

Hope sighed then led Dare toward the back of the shop. “Don’t take it personally. He’s being a mama’s boy lately, and no one but me will do. It’s driving Matt crazy.”

Dare tried to think back to when Sasha and Emma had been little, but not much about their babyhood had been normal. “No problem. My nieces cuddled with anyone, but I get that’s not typical.”

Hope adjusted Colt then pointed out a few different patterns on display. Dare tried to concentrate, but to be honest, she was distracted by secretly watching Colt, and the baby, and the other women in the room.

Beth and Marion were discussing something animatedly. Jaxi was listening to them without contributing, reclined back on the couch, one hand stroking Justin’s head as she nursed him. Dare couldn’t pull her eyes away.

A soft laugh rose from her side. “We’re a bit overwhelming, aren’t we?”

Dare met Hope’s gaze. “A little, but not in a terrible way.”

Hope nodded. “That’s good. Being not terrible.”

Dare laughed, and they rejoined the group.

“You know you’re welcome to visit anytime,” Marion offered sweetly.

“I’m sure we will,” Dare said. “Everyone has been great.”

She held her tongue regarding Blake’s mixed-up contribution.

“You’re family,” Marion informed her. “You and Jesse belong here in Rocky. Why, if you feel like moving north, I’m sure we could do some house rearranging. We do that all the time.”