Page 77 of Stripping Bare

“Those jackasses went without me,” Micki fumed. Then, with a sheepish look, she said to her mom, “Sorry about thelanguage.”

“If I worked myself up into a tizzy every time one of you said a bad word, I’d be spun up like the Tasmanian Devil all thetime.”

That’s when Micki seemed to realize Tessa was standing there. “Oh, hey.You’re—”

“—Tessa. It’s nice to finally meet you.” And it was a true first meeting, since Tessa didn’t remember much about the last and only time they’d seen oneanother.

She held out her hand, but Micki completely bypassed it and grabbed her in a fierce hug. Wow, apparently the Steeles were huggers. And for such a thin woman, Micki sure was strong. Her tone was just as fierce when she said, “Thank you. I wanted to call you myself, but Jonah told me it might stir up things better left alone. But I want you to know not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for what you did for us lastyear.”

“And I’m just as grateful for both ofyou.”

“Enough said, then.” Micki blew out a breath and released her. She looked Tessa up and down, then nodded—a slow, thoughtful motion. “You know how to shoot arifle?”

Ah…what? Tessa blinked. “It’s been awhile,but—”

“Good, because not only does Brynne here dress for the runway instead of the battlefield, but she’s also a pacifist. However, sheisgood for carrying ammo.” Micki sauntered over to the coffeepot and poured some into a thermal cup. “Ladies, let’s adjourn to thebarn.”

Before Micki could make for the back door, Miss Joan pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Don’t hurt them too badly,okay?”

Micki’s grin was pure wicked intent. “They’ll all come back alive. That’s all I can promiseyou.”

Miss Joan heaved a dramatic sigh, but it was clear by the sparkle in her eyes that she enjoyed her grown kids’ shenanigans. What an intriguing family they were. If Tessa had known that when she was doing her graduate work, she might’ve used them for a case study. The dynamics were multifaceted and downrightfascinating.

And whether or not she realized it, by inviting her to play paintball with them, Micki had thrown out a challenge Tessa couldn’t resist. Time to unleash a little kick-ass girl power. She would track down Jonah and shoot a paintball right between his eyes so they could get back to theirsearch.

She glanced down at her loafers. “Don’t guess you’d happen to have an extra pair of sneakers, wouldyou?”

Miss Joan kicked off the Chuck Taylors she was wearing. “Size six workokay?”

“They’ll be a little tight,but—”

“Mom,” Micki said, “don’t expect them to come backclean.”

Miss Joan’s response was a careless wave. “Tessa, how about you bring them back for a victorylap?”

“I’ll see what I cando.”

Before Micki could drag them outside, her mother fixed go-cups for Brynne and Tessa, putting the perfect amount of cream inTessa’s.

Sharp, sharplady.

Tessa, Brynne, and Micki trooped out to the barn, and Brynne never missed a step in her tallboots.

Micki hooked a thumb toward her. “She’s a marvel, isn’tshe?”

“Brynne or MissJoan?”

The laughter that came from Micki was low and genuinely amused. “Both, but for different reasons. I’ve never known a woman who could get as much done in a four-inch pair of heels as our Brynne can. And Mom, well, she’s the best. No other way to describeher.”

After Micki had been estranged from her family for so many years, it appeared she was now happy andwhole.

Then why was Jonah still fighting to do thesame?

Inside the barn, Micki rummaged through a rack of paint-splattered coveralls. She pulled out a pair and held them next to Tessa, looking her up and down again. “The guys, Evie, and I all have our own custom gear, but we keep a few extra on hand for guests. This one’ll be a little long on you and with your bodacious rack, it might be a little tight across thechest.”

Tessa eyed the heavyweight khaki canvas. She was going to strain that thing in the bust and butt. “Do I just put this on over myclothes?”

“They’re thick,” Micki said, “but sometimes the paint still bleeds through.” She fingered the sleeve of Tessa’s jacket. “This doesn’t look like something you wantruined.”