Six Pack Ranch [5] Rocky Mountain Rebel

by Vivian Arend

“Be quiet, horse. Now, how do I do this? How do I direct you without using reins?”

  “Squeeze your legs. Harder on the side you want to turn. Lean forward to go ahead, and squeeze both legs to slow down.”

  “And if I dig my heels into your sides?” She gave an evil laugh.

  Joel glanced back at her. “I’ll trot.”

  Her eyes widened. “Sounds scary.”

  He faced the door and waited for her first command. Of course, her leaning forward meant she pressed her chest hard against his back, which was a lovely start. He stepped in a straight line, which took them out the open door of the tack room.

  “Whoa,” Vicki shouted, her arms around his neck tightening in a death grip.

  He jerked to a halt an inch from the wall.

  She slapped his shoulder. “Stupid horse. Don’t you know not to walk into immovable objects?”

  “You didn’t tell me to stop,” he pointed out.

  “Yeah, well, you said horses were smart. I didn’t think you’d do a face-plant into the wood.”

  Joel shoved down his laughter. “Waiting.”

  She squeezed, and he twisted to the left. Moved forward when she pressed to his back. Slowly at first, then with more confidence, she guided him through the barn. They went around the stalls, in and out of the various rooms.

  Vicki had him back in the clear, facing down the hallway when she chuckled.

  And dug in her heels.

  “Oh, darling, you didn’t do that.”

  She kicked lightly again, so he held onto her legs and took off, bouncing as he imitated a trot.

  Vicki shrieked in delight and clutched him tighter, fingers digging into his shoulders. Her body rubbed his with every motion. She was laughing so hard he was worried she might fall off, but the grip of her thighs stayed solid throughout.

  Joel went back for another pass of the hall when a deep voice boomed from beside them.

  “I’m not even going to ask…”

  Vicki sucked in a gasp, Joel twirled. His brother Blake stood in the doorway shaking his head.

  Vicki tucked her face against Joel’s shoulder and laughed and laughed, her body quivering as he held her in position.

  “Hi, Blake.” Joel jiggled Vicki. “Hey, come on down, and say hello.”

  “No,” she whispered into his neck between gasps. “Oh my God, I don’t know which is worse. Last week your dad catching us necking, or this.”

  Now he was laughing as well. “Vicki, dismount.”

  Blake snorted, but otherwise held his tongue.

  She released her death grip and lowered her legs, helpless giggles still escaping. “I’m so going to kill you,” she warned.

  Joel pulled her against his side and took a deep breath, finally meeting Blake’s gaze. “You know Vicki? Vicki, this is my big brother Blake.”

  Blake tipped his head. “Nice form, only you lose points on the dismount if the horse has to tell you to get off.”

  Vicki snickered. “Good thing not many horses can talk, then.”

  “Vicki will be joining us tomorrow for dinner,” Joel added. “You guys need us to swing by and help bring over anything?”

  Blake examined Vicki, not so much a once-over to judge, but a curious glance of admiration. “That would be great. Between the food Jaxi’s got made, and the girls, extra hands are always welcome.”

  “We’re going to make pies this afternoon,” Vicki announced. “You have any favourites?”

  Approval lit his face. “Ma’s got pumpkin covered, and Jaxi’s made an apple, but if you know how to make pecan, I’d be sold.”

  Vicki nodded, then surprised Joel to pieces by twisting to face him. Her head tilted to the side in this adorable way as she poked him lightly in the chest. “Hey, you never said what your favourite is. We should make one of them as well.”

  “Strawberry rhubarb. Don’t think we can do that right now, but anything we make will be fine.”

  “Deal.”

  Her smile was real, and he slipped his fingers around hers without much planning, loving how her eyes brightened.

  When they both turned back to face Blake, his big brother was eyeing them even more suspiciously.

  “If you’re serious about helping, stop by around eleven. Ma likes us to show up in plenty of time to talk before we sit down and start stuffing ourselves.” Blake nodded at Vicki, winked at Joel. “I’ll see you later.”

  He slipped out the door, and Vicki collapsed against Joel’s side, laughing again. “Oh God, your family will think I’m insane.”

  “My family will think you fit in fine.” He adjusted her so he could lift her chin, their eyes making contact. “Well done on your lesson, by the way.”

  “You are a fun guy.”

  “Why, thank you.” Joel tilted his head toward the door. “You ready to teach me how to bake pies?”

  It was a good thing she nodded and pulled him from the barn. The steady stream of conversation between them all the way out to where she’d parked her bike stopped him from hauling her against his body, face to face this time, for more physical contact.

  He wanted to be rubbing them together in a way that was a whole lot less wholesome than a laughter-filled piggyback ride.

  They’d get there. But for now, he had to make sure this didn’t go too far, too fast.

  Chapter Eleven

  Joel was too slow to get around in time to open the door for Vicki. She met him at the front of the truck, rubbing her palms against her thighs while she stared at the big old ranch house Blake and Jaxi lived in as if she were facing a firing squad.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  The crease between her eyes smoothed a little as she pasted on a smile. “Just wondering how this is going to go over. I’ve never been to a family meal that didn’t end with shouting or some kind of argument.”

  Well, hell. “That sucks.”

  She shrugged. “It’s life, but I’d hate to bring my special brand of joy into your world.”

  “Oh no, don’t you go thinking my family is perfect. We fight plenty.” Joel held out his hand, and she slipped her fingers into his and clung on tight. “Six boys? You think there’s never been shouting at our table, you’re not thinking too hard.”

  “Yeah, well…” She blew out a steady breath then lifted her pretty eyes to meet his. “Thanks. For everything. You like to live dangerously, and I appreciate it.”

  “Hey, remember, you’re helping me as well,” Joel pointed out. “Come on, Blake and Jaxi will wonder what we’re doing in the yard.”

  Her obvious fears made him more aware, though. They stepped into the house and were greeted by his brother and sister-in-law. Blake’s smile was a little tighter than the day before, and Jaxi was…not typical Jaxi.

  Normally she was all welcoming and the perfect hostess. Now she stood quietly, waiting for Joel and Vicki to join them in the kitchen.

  Screw it, his family would have to get used to this. There was no harm being done, and he’d have to make that extra clear.

  “Hey, Jaxi, you know Vicki?”

  The two women eyed each other like cats meeting on unfamiliar territory.

  “Hi.” Jaxi nabbed one of the toddler girls racing under foot and settled the child on her hip. The wide expansive of her pregnant belly didn’t give a ton of room for the little one’s legs to wrap around. “Thanks for offering the extra arms. You can see we need them.”

  Vicki nodded, sliding up to the table. “You’ve been busy.”

  “I’ll say.” Joel chose to ignore the awkwardness and instead gave his approval to the load of food on the table. “Did you let anyone else cook this year?”

  Jaxi pulled a face. “I went overboard a little, but whatever. You bottomless pits will have no problem finishing it.”

  Joel picked up a cardboard box, smiling at Vicki. “I’ll take this to the truck. Back in a minute.”

  She nodded, stepping out of his way.

  Blake joined him. They were slipping their loads into the tr
uck cab when Blake cleared his throat. “What are you up to?”

  Joel pulled back until he could see Blake’s face. “What?”

  “Jaxi told me who Vicki is. I had no idea when I met you in the barn. Why are you going out with her?”

  Sheesh. “So, when you met us in the barn you thought I was having fun with some great girl and you had no problem with it, but now suddenly you do?”

  Blake raised his hands in protest. “Hey, all I know is Jaxi went real quiet when I mentioned Vicki’s name, and she wasn’t too happy about hearing you were tangled up together.”

  “Don’t worry. And don’t you dare be rude to Vicki. She’s alright, and we’re having fun, and that’s all you need to know.” Joel stomped back toward the house. Good grief. Jaxi was the first one to make trouble? He hadn’t expected that.

  Inside though, the women seemed to be getting along fine. Jaxi was adding more food to yet another box. Vicki was tying shoes on the twin toddlers, Rebecca and Rachel, both little girls chattering a million miles an hour at the newcomer.

  Jaxi poked the box he’d picked up. “Put that down for a minute, there are things we need from the cold room. Let me show you.”

  Eight months pregnant, and she still had enough leverage to haul him down the hall toward the basement. He went willingly enough, at least until she got him into the confined space, whirled on him and crossed her arms. She spoke softly but loud enough he got that she was pissed. “What the hell are you up to, Joel Coleman?”

  God. “Getting pickles, I assume.”

  She lifted a finger and shook it in his face. “Don’t even try it, mister. If it had been Jesse showing up with Vicki, I could have bought this as some kind of twisted joke, but you? You don’t usually think with your dick.”

  “Fuck, Jaxi, why don’t you tell me what your opinion is? I’m not sure I’m clear.” Joel leaned on the wall and stared down, thankful for the final growth spurt that allowed him to tower over her, because she was a force of nature without being the same size as him.

  “You want it explained? The Hansol family is not who I expected to see you hanging out with.”

  “And I’m not.” Joel held up a finger in imitation of her early motion. “I’m seeing Vicki, who is one of the family, but she’s not her family.”

  She wasn’t impressed. “I thought you had more sense.”

  “I thought you knew how to mind your own business. Oh, wait. No, I knew you wouldn’t do that. But I hoped you’d do better than to jump to conclusions.”

  “She’s not good enough for you,” Jaxi snapped.

  “Not your decision,” Joel tossed back.

  She continued to give him the evil eye, her breathing sharp and tight. Then she exhaled slowly. “I’m worried, okay?”

  He nodded. “I get it. But I’m a big boy, and this thing between me and Vicki is between me and Vicki. Not trying to be rude, but it’s true.”

  She snorted. “Except, it’s not just between you. You’re bringing her to the family table. You’re mixing her in with our group. It’s not a private event anymore, and so I want to know if you’ve thought this through.”

  Oh fucking hell, no. She wasn’t going to go there. He wasn’t going to let her.

  “You might want to stop now before you really put your foot in your mouth,” Joel warned. “I love you to pieces, but you’re not the head of this family. And while I respect you for the many things you’ve done to make the Coleman clan better over the years, if you’re trying to dictate who I can date, you’re going too far. You’re not going to be that kind of woman, are you?”

  She stuttered to a stop, eyes wide. Speechless.

  Joel felt like a shit. He wanted to tell Jaxi everything would be fine, but this was the first of many battles. He’d made a commitment to Vicki to help her, and if he couldn’t convince his own family to give the girl a chance, they were fucked.

  For a moment he wondered if it was worth it. If sticking with the plan was the right thing to do.

  Then he remembered the sound of Vicki’s laughter the day before, and how she’d been so patient later teaching him to roll piecrust. How they’d just talked, and none of it had been awkward, or dirty.

  And yet she put up with this kind of crap all the time? The judging, and being cast aside? He was amazed Vicki hadn’t simply up and left town years ago.

  He lowered his voice and put every bit of sincerity into it he could. “You’re very special to me, Jaxi, and we go way, way back. I love that you care about me, but Vicki deserves to be judged on her own merits. That’s all I’m asking, okay?”

  Jaxi had bit down on her bottom lip, body tight with frustration. But she nodded slowly. “I…can do that. And I get what you’re saying, but I hope to hell you know what you’re doing.”

  “I do. Trust me.” Joel stepped in and wrapped his arms around his sister-in-law and squeezed her carefully.

  She hugged him back for a minute, sighing heavily again.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, just feel a bit of a fool.”

  He chuckled. “Welcome to my world.”

  Jaxi pushed him away. “While you’re down here, we may as well grab some stuff. You and Jesse need any canning?”

  Joel shook his head. “Later. Let’s get over to Mom and Dad’s before they send out search crews.”

  They were talking about her. Vicki concentrated harder on the task Mrs. Coleman had assigned, but it wasn’t as if laying silverware on the table was going to distract her from noticing.

  Interestingly, though, the Colemans didn’t do their gossiping out in public, like most folks. No, they took it out of the room, which meant there were little excursions of duos and trios casually hauling Joel outside or to the basement or even behind the massive swinging door leading to the kitchen.

  Vicki straightened the knife she’d laid on the linen tablecloth and tried not to mind. At least they weren’t being in her face rude.

  “Can I help?”

  She looked up to find Beth Coleman smiling at her. “Nearly done.”

  Beth nodded. “Good, then I’ll get you a drink, and we can visit until dinner is ready.”

  “Just water for me, thanks.” Because she needed to keep her wits about her.

  Vicki ended up sitting by the fireplace, glass of ice water in her hand and wondering if this was the start of the inquisition. Only what followed was nothing like she’d expected.

  “You live in town, right?” Beth asked.

  “Dresh Apartments.”

  Beth laughed. “Really? That’s one of the places I tried to get into when we moved into Rocky, but it was booked solid.”

  “It’s not a bad complex. I have a bachelor suite.”

  Little-boy hands tugged at hers until her lap was clear and someone short crawled up and settled in like he owned her. “But you’re a girl. You can’t live in a place for bachelors.”

  “Robbie is very concerned with using proper words,” Beth explained. “Honey, in this case it means a certain kind of apartment, not that it’s for bachelors only.”

  He frowned, seriously considering it all. Vicki thought he was about the most adorable thing. “Your mom is right. It means I have everything in one room. Well, except the bathroom, that’s separate, but the rest is one big open space.”

  The ensuing conversation about apartments that slipped into discussing shops in Rocky versus Beth’s experiences back in Calgary was so comfortable and easy that Vicki relaxed. Joel finally escaped the interrogation crew and joined them, curling up at her feet where he was immediately piled on by another little boy and one of Jaxi’s girls.

  It was peaceful, pleasant and just about every picture-perfect situation she’d ever seen on television.

  Of course, it was bound to blow up in her face.

  “Ten minutes until we’re ready.” The warning shot out, and Vicki wiggled herself free of little people and Joel’s hand that had somehow landed on her knee.

  “I need to wash my hands. I’ll be right b
ack.”

  She escaped to the bathroom off the hall, patting her face with water and wondering if anyone would notice if she hid there for the rest of the day. So far the gathering hadn’t been terrible, but this was about when things had to go to hell.

  One pace into the hall she jerked to a stop. The man blocking her path had a familiar face, with the same intensely blue irises Joel possessed, but unless he’d changed clothes in the last five minutes, this had to be Jesse looming over her.

  She took an uneasy step backward.

  He frowned. “Now what the hell was that for?”

  Vicki caught her fingers together and measured the distance between him and the wall, calculating if she could slip through the tiny gap. “What are you talking about?”

  Jesse leaned to the side, blocking her escape route. “Honey, that look of panic in your eyes just now? That’s not the way to make me feel all cozy and warm.”

  She didn’t want him to feel cozy and warm around her, but hell if she’d say that. “You surprised me. Didn’t expect anyone to be waiting in the hall.”

  Jesse examined her slowly, his gaze far less sexual than she’d anticipated. “I thought I should say hello before we get herded to the table. Joel says you’re alright, and he likes you, so I’m going to give you a break.”

  Her temper flashed. “Oh, are you now?”

  “Yeah.” He grinned, and she got even more pissed off.

  Funny how his expression didn’t give her goose bumps of desire, not when the smile wasn’t real, when it didn’t reach his eyes the way it did with Joel. She figured even as identical twins, she could spot who was who if Jesse kept that stick up his butt.

  “Maybe I don’t need you to give me a break. Maybe I just need you to step aside so I can join my boyfriend at the table.”

  Jesse’s expression slipped to a scowl. “Don’t push it, honey. You’re being watched, closely, and the first thing you do that steps over the line, I’ll make sure you’re out on your ass.”

  God. Like he was one to judge her? Vicki’s nails dug into her palms as she fought to keep from tossing words in his cocky face. Or worse, tossing her fists into his gut to remove that self-righteous attitude. “Fuck off, Jesse, and get the hell out of my way.”