by Vivian Arend
“This is starting to sound an awful lot like a conversation.”
Dana leaned back in her chair and examined him as Micah stared between them, brown eyes blinking as he gummed his cookie into a sloppy mess. “And that would be an absolutely terrible thing? To have a conversation with your mother.”
“About Laurel, yes. That would be a terrible thing to talk about right now,” he teased.
His mother’s eyes brightened. “Oh, I like that. If you don’t want to talk about it, that means you must be in that first giddy falling-in-love stage, where everything is new, and you just want to keep it to yourself.”
Rafe pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mom…”
She laughed at him, patting his shoulder as she got up to get a cloth and a toddler sippy cup from the counter. “Relationships are important. Every mother wants to see her kids happy and settled down, and with Gabe and Allison doing so well, of course I would be thinking about you.”
He really shouldn’t have asked, but she’d brought up the topic of relationships…
“Why do you stay?”
A stillness settled over the kitchen, sounds of the fire in the wood stove and the ticking clock on the kitchen wall loud as his mother stared out the window. Micah banged his fist on the highchair tray, but Rafe waited. It was rude that he’d asked, but since he had, he wanted to know the answer.
She faced him, an unreadable expression on her face. “I promised. I made a vow to stay with him. It’s not always easy to keep our promises, and sometimes we make mistakes, but this is one that I can keep, so I have.”
“He made promises too. I don’t think he’s keeping them,” Rafe complained with a grumble.
His mom took a deep breath. “But my behaviour is not based on somebody else’s. What I do needs to be the right thing, even if everyone else is failing around me. I promised for better or for worse—”
“But lately it’s all been worse,” Rafe pointed out.
Dana shook her head. “I know your father isn’t the easiest man to get along with. He’s got…troubles, especially when it comes to you boys, but as far as I know he’s never done anything that’s beyond the line. That means something. That means enough to keep trying, and keep hoping.”
They stared at each other. Rafe heard it in her voice— Ben had never crossed the line, but if he ever did, she’d leave.
It was the most he could hope for.
All afternoon he kept thinking about her words as he worked. Right before supper he slipped into the quiet of the new barn outside Gabe and Allison’s. He settled onto the bale beside Gabe, wondering why his thoughts had gone so morose. “You ever think how different life might have been if Mike hadn’t died?”
A grunt escaped his brother. “All the time.”
They sat in silence for a long moment, Rafe throwing bits of straw to the floor in front of them in a steady rhythm. “Sometimes I get jealous. When I look at what the other guys have—at their relationships with their dads. I mean, at least with Uncle Mike and Uncle Randy.” Uncle George was more a mystery, choosing mostly to hang out at the Whiskey Creek ranch to “get things done” since he didn’t think his girls could do it without supervision.
“I know. I’ve felt it too,” Gabe admitted. “The good thing is while they’re not our dad, they’re willing to listen, and help, and they’re family.”
Which was good, but it wasn’t the same.
Gabe laid a hand on his shoulder before they both headed out without another word. Too many shared wishes that would probably never come true closed off Rafe’s throat and made him need a dose of happiness.
Luckily, he had a date that night with his own personal prescription for feeling better, and it couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter Eleven
It wasn’t as if Laurel had never been to Traders, but she’d never been there on a date. And just to mock her, fate arranged it so she had to come straight from work.
Rafe was waiting for her on the steps, uncoiling himself from where he’d been leaning on the railing. He stepped down toward her, all long legs and lazy movement.
Dark jeans stretched over firm leg muscles, the edge of a grey T-shirt visible at his neckline under the open collar of his checkered flannel shirt. Cowboy casual, handsome enough to make her mouth water.
“When I got your text, I thought you were canceling on me.” Rafe met her at the bottom of the stairs, tucking his fingers under her chin to tilt her head and press a quick kiss on her lips.
“Wendy wasn’t feeling well, so I had to stay on until closing. Sorry I made you wait.”
He kissed her again as if he couldn’t stop himself, before wrapping an arm around her and guiding her up the steps. “No worries. I’m looking forward to showing you off.”
“Are we meeting anyone? Because I’m not dressed up, or anything.”
Rafe looked her over with approval. “You look like a naughty librarian. Want to help me check out a book later?”
She rolled her eyes, and he grinned.
“A couple of my cousins are bound to be here. It’s Friday night, and this is the easiest place to find us.” He pushed open the door and gestured her in. “Less now than before since a bunch of them need babysitters to get away and have fun.”
He brought her into the drinking section of the pub. There were tables to sit at to shoot the breeze, with dartboards and pool tables at the far end of the room for playing games. A quick glance through the crowd proved the Colemans were gathered in the back corner.
Rafe caught her fingers in his and led her across the floor, weaving between tables. He smiled over his shoulder at her. “I think you know them all. You’re not scared, are you?”
Laurel laughed. “Scared? Who you think you’re talking to, Coleman? I ain’t scared of anything,” she said, drawling out the last sentence, imitating his voice the best she could.
Masculine laughter broke out on her left. “I could’ve sworn that was Rafe talking.” Jesse Coleman came forward, his lips twisted into a cocky grin.
“I heard that line enough times during school,” Laurel offered. “It echoes in my brain at times.”
“What she’s not telling you is I would usually utter it a couple seconds after she taunted me into doing something that would get us in trouble.” Rafe stepped beside her and waved a hand over the crowd. “Laurel, meet…everybody. Let me know if you need introductions.”
“I’m good,” Laurel insisted. “Honestly, I know your family.”
“Bet you can’t name them all,” Jesse dared her.
“I’ll take that bet,” Rafe interrupted.
Jesse raised a brow. “I wasn’t talking to you, I was talking to the beautiful lady.”
Laurel fought to keep from snickering. The man was as much trouble as the rumour mill said. Also, just because she’d only spent time around the Coleman family in passing, it didn’t mean she was clueless.
“What’s the wager?” she asked.
“You name everyone, I’ll buy your drinks tonight.”
“And if she makes a mistake?” Rafe demanded.
Jesse looked her over with approval. “I get a dance. A slow one.”
Rafe stiffened, disapproval written on his entire body, but Laurel laid a hand on his arm and patted it reassuringly.
“Trust me,” she said before turning to Jesse and raising a brow. “My drinks and Rafe’s.”
Jesse chuckled. “Sure, since you’re not going to win.”
“Get your wallet out.” She stepped closer to Rafe, easing against him as she checked out the gathering. Then she turned back and named them without a second glance. “Travis, Ashley and Cassidy at the pool table with Melody. The Whiskey Creek girls are holding court at the end of the table beyond Trevor and Becky. Steve and Lee are straight behind us, and an empty chair, which means Rachel’s probably in the bathroom.”
Jesse didn’t seem annoyed that she’d rattled them off so easily. He turned to Rafe. “I thought Becky might throw her.”
“Libra
rian, remember? We met more than a few times this summer,” Laurel admitted.
“And the rest?”
“How long have you lived in this town, Jesse Coleman?” Laurel demanded. “Oh, right. All your life, kind of like me.”
“You were gone for a few years.”
“And now I’m back.” She shrugged. “It’s pretty easy to get caught up, between the library and the prayer list at church.”
“Where I’m sure Jesse’s name appears on a regular basis,” Rafe taunted.
She laughed, but didn’t admit or deny anything.
“I figured you could do it.” Jesse offered a wink. “I just wanted to push Rafe’s buttons.”
Rafe rolled his eyes. “Come on, Sitko. Since it’s on Jesse, we’d better start drinking.” He smacked Jesse with his shoulder as he stepped past him, sending his cousin stumbling back.
His grip on Laurel’s fingers demanded she join him, and she followed along, giggling softly. Jesse might’ve been teasing, but Rafe wasn’t taking any chances.
He pulled out a chair for her next to Trevor and Becky, and she sat, offering them both a smile.
Trevor stared at Rafe, his expression somewhere between disgust and admiration. “So. You’re not interested in trying to date Laurel because she’s forbidden fruit. She would never look at someone like you because you don’t travel in the same circles…or what was your bullshit excuse?”
Rafe shrugged. “Not my fault you’re gullible.”
Laurel took pity on Trevor. “If it makes you feel better, I didn’t go out with him for over fifteen years.”
“I never asked,” Rafe pointed out.
“You were my best friend. Dating you would have been creepy.”
The spot across the table from them was filled as Jesse joined them. “Once you get bored of him, you can take me as an upgrade.”
“I’m younger, better looking, and I already know her ticklish spots,” Rafe said. “Upgrade? No chance, old man.”
Jesse leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head and grinning easily. “You keep telling yourself that. You know I hold back on the charm because if I didn’t, none of the rest of you would even have a chance.”
Becky leaned in close to whisper in Laurel’s ear. “Trevor tells me he’s okay, but Jesse kind of scares me.”
Laurel snuck her hand under the table and caught Becky’s fingers in a reassuring squeeze. “Picture him as a big puppy with a lot of tail wag and enthusiasm. Absolutely certain everybody loves him.”
“Because everybody does.”
His comment jerked their attention back across the table to where Jesse was leaning forward on one elbow, chin propped up on his fist, listening to their conversation.
“What?” he drawled. “You shouldn’t talk in front of a man if you don’t want him to know you’re admiring him.”
Laurel snorted then pretended not to have heard him, speaking to Becky as if they were alone. “I’m sure you know how to deal with a puppy that gets too eager…”
“Pet them?” he suggested.
“…a firmly rolled-up newspaper,” Laurel offered, and Becky finally smiled.
Across from them, Jesse snapped to attention, admiration drifting over his features. “I like you.”
Rafe growled. “Leave my girlfriend alone, asshole, or I won’t crate train you, I’ll take you over to the vet’s and get you fixed.”
Laurel joined in the laughter, but she noticed Becky had tucked herself a little tighter against Trevor for protection. On the other side, Rafe wrapped himself around her a little harder as well.
A change of topic was in order.
She glanced down the table to where the Whiskey Creek girls sat. They’d finished their serious discussion, and she didn’t think interrupting was a problem. “Hey, Lisa. You’re second up on the wait list for that book you wanted.”
Lisa came around the table, tapping Rafe on the shoulder. “Move it. I need that seat.”
“I’m sitting in it,” he pointed out.
“Which is why I told you to move.”
Rafe shifted into the empty chair to his left, but he dragged Laurel after him, keeping her by his side. It opened a space for Lisa to settle between Becky and Laurel.
The three of them talked quietly, the rest of the Coleman conversation swirling around them. They chatted about books for a while, Lisa and Laurel comparing favourites as Becky nodded—making notes about the ones she wanted to try. Becky was still learning how to use a computer, and when Laurel couldn’t answer a question off the top of her head, Lisa offered to help.
“You guys can use the computers at the library if that’s more convenient,” Laurel proposed. “I’ll let you into the classroom so you have some privacy.”
“I like the library,” Becky said.
“Works for me,” Lisa said. “Great idea.”
Rafe had been absently stroking his fingers over hers as he chatted with Karen and Lee, and he adjusted his chair to let her slide in closer as she and the girls rejoined the conversation at the main table.
“We’ve got to make plans. Snow is expected early this year—” Karen cut off as all the guys at the table groaned. She shrugged. “If you don’t like snow, you’re living in the wrong province.”
“It’s only September. We don’t want to talk about it until it happens. Besides, it’s not supposed to snow until after Halloween,” Rafe insisted.
“Awww, you gonna be sad because you have to wear a coat over your Halloween costume?” Jesse teased.
Rafe made a rude noise as he rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I’m totally bummed when that happens.”
“I bet Jesse’s the type to design his costume to have the coat included.” Laurel scratched at her chin as if she was thinking hard.
“You’re right.” Rafe grinned at her, figuring out where she was going. “He was a Stay Puft Marshmallow Man one year, wasn’t he? Loved that costume—it was so him.”
“The yeti was my favourite,” Laurel confessed.
“Not the year he went as a Teletubbie?”
“Very funny, guys,” Jesse offered with a smirk.
“We’re just trying to help,” Laurel insisted. “If you need an idea for this year, I hear you can get Pikachu onesies in your size.”
Jesse’s eyes flashed with amusement. “I’ll say it again, I like you.”
Another rumble of annoyance drifted from her side, and Laurel decided she’d better stop taking the bait Jesse was tossing before Rafe had kittens.
She turned to face him, placing her palms against his cheeks and looking him in the eye. “You know what happens when we go places together in public. It’s a free-for-all—it’s just for fun.”
“As long as my family isn’t getting in your face too much, and by family, I mean one annoying cousin.”
She slid her hands into Rafe’s hair and pulled him toward her so she could plant a deep, passionate kiss on his lips. An apology, and a claiming.
As anticipated, the Coleman crowd at her back let loose with wolf whistles and noises of encouragement. She pulled away to find Rafe staring at her hungrily.
“We good, baby?” she asked.
“We’re great,” he murmured. “You do know that kiss is going to get back to your parents.”
“Yup, I figured. Along with the fact I’m at a bar, drinking and dancing.” She took a sip of the beer in front of her. “Someone will feel the burden to inform them of my transgressions. Good thing my daddy’s church isn’t one of the strict ones.”
“Are you going to be in shit?” he asked. “Because we don’t need to—”
He was headed into a ramble, so she cut him off and kissed him again. It seemed the fastest way to stop his protests.
“Hmmm, okay, we don’t need to talk about that anymore.” He brushed his lips against her neck. “You said dancing?”
“Yup,” she repeated.
He finished his beer, motioning for her to do the same, then he rose to his feet and took her by the
hand, waving their farewells to the rest of the table. “We’re off. Anyone else headed to the other side for a while?”
Trevor shook his head, and Becky waved goodbye, obviously content to stay in place. The others seemed happily occupied as well.
The only one to take him up on the offer was Jesse. He rose to his feet, his grin only getting wider when Rafe tugged Laurel to his side.
“Don’t get growly,” Jesse said with a laugh. “I’m not going to poach.”
“I’ll break your eggs if you try,” Rafe warned.
Laurel snickered at the pun, then let herself be led to the opposite side of the building where the music was a lot louder and the wooden floor was crowded with bodies.
Another first. She hadn’t actually been on the Traders dance floor before.
Rafe didn’t hesitate. He pulled her into his arms and guided her around the room.
It was nice to be held, but it had been a long time since she’d done this. “I’m not going to be very good.”
“You’re fine. I already know you like stepping on my toes,” Rafe reminded her. “We need some practice to remember what we learned during our high school phys ed classes.”
“My sister was so jealous I had you as a partner. All the guys in her year had two left feet, and the fact you had a sense of rhythm made you nothing short of a miracle.”
He pressed her closer, twirling them for a moment as they smiled at each other.
Rafe wasn’t the only Coleman on the floor. Joel and Vicki were there as well—Jesse’s twin and the youngest member of the Six Pack family—dancing with his long-time girlfriend. They moved smoothly like a couple that’d been together for a while, and they looked happy.
But according to the rumours Laurel had heard, trouble was only moments away.
She glanced over her shoulder, wondering where Jesse had gone. “This isn’t going to end well,” she warned Rafe.
They’d finished a few more turns before Rafe realized what she’d seen. He sighed. “Dammit, I wish Jesse and Joel would get past whatever the hell happened between them.”
It was like watching a giant tsunami wave roll toward them. Laurel spotted Jesse a few seconds later. He whirled the woman in his arms and came face to face with Joel and Vicki.