Page 92 of Rocky Mountain Home

“She was trying to catch you,” Vicki offered quickly.

None of this made sense. “Catch me?”

Dare looked up at Jesse. He was wearing that unreadable expression.

“You passed out,” he said.

“I didn’t—” she protested, then stopped.

Had she?

That foggy blur in her head failed to offer up an answer immediately. She wiggled, testing to see if she had any unusual aches or pains, but everything seemed to be normal. “I did a systems check. I feel fine. Well, other than my…”

She stopped, hand dropping from where she’d been cradling her cheekbone. Laurel looked horribly upset.

Suddenly Dare was airborne. She grabbed at Jesse’s shoulders as he rose to his feet with her in his arms then began striding at high speed toward his truck. “What’re you doing?”

“Taking you to the hospital.”

“Wait a minute.” Dare pushed on his chest in an attempt to get him to lower her to the ground.

His arms didn’t budge. It was like trying to move a brick building.

“Jesse, stop. I don’t need to go to the hospital.”

“You passed out, Dare. This isn’t up for debate.”

Confusion rushed in. “I don’t think it’s as bad as that.”

Another voice joined in. “You’re probably right.” Mike Coleman arrived out of nowhere, his words laying a blanket of calm over her. “But going to the hospital is a smart idea, just to be sure everything’s good. You’re pregnant, after all.”

How on earth was Dare supposed to deny that face? “Well, okay, but I’m sure I’m fine.”

Mike pulled open the passenger door to Jesse’s truck. “Just get checked up. No use in taking any chances.”

“We’ll come with you,” Laurel offered.

Oh God, no. Dare should have seen this coming—it was like being around the Stone boys. Vicki was nodding and Rafe was digging out his keys, and the longer they stayed, the more people would want to join in.

“No, please, that’s fine.” Dare wasn’t going to argue anymore about going, but she didn’t need a crowd along for the ride. “Jesse will take me.”

“I’ve got you.” Jesse all but growled the words as he made sure she was completely settled, reaching over her to do up the seatbelt.

Dare sighed heavily. “My arms aren’t broken. I mean, thanks for helping me out, but—”

“Don’t argue,” Jesse snapped.

He stepped back and closed the door, but even through the closed door Jesse’s father’s soft chuckle was audible.

She rolled down the window to speak to Mike as Jesse raced around to join her. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Maybe it’s from the travel. I am a little tired.”

Mike patted her fingers where they lay on the window ledge. “My boy’ll take good care of you. Call if you need anything.”

They were off. Jesse kept from squealing tires in the yard, but once they hit the blacktop, he hit the gas and pushed the truck to high speed.

“I don’t think we need to—”

The ice in his glare was enough to cut off her suggestion to take it easy.