Rocky Mountain Rebel

Chapter Twenty-One

Things had changed a lot.

It was about two weeks since Joel had promised to truly be there for her, and she’d felt a difference. Not only the situations around her, but inside. She was still worried about getting too attached, but planting a label on their relationship of being good friends made it easier. Some people had been good friends for years and years, right?

Joel had taken to doing a ton of little things that made her squirm at times, but she couldn’t deny the pleasure his attention brought. He stopped in with a coffee and doughnuts, and visited during her break time. He texted her off and on through the day. Short but sweet notes.

He made her a playlist of his favourite songs and asked her what she liked to listen to.

Good friends. She clung to it with both hands and tried to ignore all the warning signs she felt anything more than friendship.

Walking into the barn without a qualm proved another area where she’d made progress, and this one she had no reservations about whatsoever. May might be far off, but in terms of moving forward, she had come a long way.

She spotted Joel working with a pitchfork and hurried to his side.

The very real smile he gave her made her warm. Not sexually, but deep inside where she’d never had someone to count on before.

“Hey, darling. You’re a little early.” Joel opened his arms, and she scooted against him, breathing in the scent of working male. Musky but not too overpowering. He kissed her quickly then pointed in front of him. “I need to finish dealing with this before we can do anything.”

“No problem. I unloaded an emergency shipment over lunch, so Mr. Orson let me go early. I can help with chores, if you’d like.” Vicki bounced on her toes, so full of energy she was ready to burst.

Joel looked her over. “You’re damn chipper today.”

“I had a good breakfast,” she deadpanned.

He grinned. “Told you that made a difference. No, you don’t have to help. I’m nearly done. Hang out or, if you’re feeling brave, go explore the barn. There’s a surprise I plan to show you.”

Surprises were good. “You got the entire herd tucked out of sight with noise makers, waiting to leap out at me, right?”

“Damn, you figured it out.” Joel returned to his task. “Nope, only full-grown horse in here is Sable.”

Vicki watched him work for a bit, the slow motions he used mesmerizing. It wasn’t him being lazy, but the kind of conservation of energy she’d witnessed all the Colemans employ while they toiled.

She glanced at her boots and deliberately walked away with steady steps, even-paced. A lot different than the mad sprint she usually used to get places.

It might be a little silly, but after walking the length of the entrance a few times, she figured she had it down. A country song playing in her head, she wandered around the corner, still working on this cowboy ramble, or whatever it was she’d discovered. It was fun to walk like this, and it took a moment to realize she’d strolled into the row where Sable’s stall was.

She paused, waiting for Sable to do the usual and stick her nose out.

Nothing.

Vicki listened harder, but the only sounds were from the front corner where Joel worked.

Wait. There. A rustle gave the horse away. Sable wasn’t going to freak her out today. In fact…

Vicki felt as bold as she’d ever been. Sable was behind the gate, she couldn’t get out. Maybe going and leaning on the wall opposite her stall would be good practice.

She took a couple steps and stopped. Oops, that wasn’t the cowboy ramble, that was the Vicki my ass is on fire two-step. She deliberately slowed and, focusing on the bales opposite Sable’s stall, sauntered forward.

Vicki kept her back to the front of the stall, her heart fluttering nervously. Except for when she’d been forced past the day Jaxi went into labour, this was the closest she’d voluntarily gotten to a horse in forever.

She pivoted and stared across the distance, only to discover Sable had no interest in her whatsoever. Nope, after all that worry, the damn horse was busy nudging something on the ground.

Oh. My. God.

Vicki’s tongue went numb, and she couldn’t have talked if she wanted to. There was a tiny horse on the straw-strewn floor, a little black spot on its forehead.

Sable had her baby. A quick glance ensured this wasn’t a recent development, unless horses had their babies with a lot less fuss than humans. The place looked too spotless clean for the baby to have just been born.

Vicki took one step closer. Then another, expecting Sable to leap at the gate to protect her newborn.

Sable did look up, but she only made this horse sound that was very content and not scary at all. Either that or it was the noise they made to lure in unsuspecting humans. But Sable didn’t seem into her.

Which, Vicki couldn’t blame her. “You got your baby, didn’t you? Wow. She’s pretty. Or he. I’m not being rude, just, it’s not that easy to tell.”

Vicki paused. She was three feet away from the stall, and she was talking to a horse. It was a bloody miracle and fucking weird at the same time. She shifted uncomfortably, not ready to go any farther, but kind of amazed she was where she was.

Silence warned her Joel was done. She turned toward where she expected him because getting scared by his approach and screaming would undo the positive vibes stealing over her.

His grin when he spotted her was a huge reward. “Well, look at you. You found the surprise.”

She nodded, moving in slow motion as if she’d been stuck in a deep freeze for a while. “I’m not freaking out.”

Joel joined her, his smooth stride eating up the space between them. “You’re not, and that’s super.”

He wrapped her in his arms and squeezed her tight in a hug, and Vicki sighed with happiness.

When he let her go, it was to grab her hand. “You want to be properly introduced?”

“Go inside there?” With Sable? Ummm.

“No.” Joel tucked her under his arm. “We’ll give Sable a break and keep the visiting to a distance. But if you peek through, you can whisper a hello to Comet.”

“You’ve named him…her…already?” Vicki leaned against Joel’s side as she looked the baby over.

“Dad did. Something to do with bloodlines. His sire was Shooting Star.”

“Cool.” Yeah, this wasn’t bad. Vicki smiled up at Joel. “This is a nice surprise.”

“Nice seeing you so close to the stall without me having to entice you there.”

“Oh.” Vicki smiled wider. “Enticement? You mean I went and blew a chance to win a prize?”

Joel wiggled his brows, and Vicki laughed, lowering her voice because, you know, there was a baby right there in front of them.

Sable made that strange sound again, and Joel let Vicki loose. “Just a minute, Sable’s feeling neglected.”

He reached in and stroked the horse’s nose, patting her on the side and cooing over her as if she were the baby. Sable shook her head as she leaned into Joel’s touch.

Yeah, Vicki understood that sentiment. The man had magic hands, and if she were the one being petted right now, she’d be pressing closer and looking for more attention as well.

Vicki slipped her fingers into Joel’s free hand and squeezed tight.

Joel gave Sable one last brush, then led Vicki away. “I’m so proud of you.”

“I’m proud of me too,” Vicki confessed.

She did a check as Joel guided her. Heart rate seemed normal. She hadn’t screamed. She adjusted her step to go a touch faster to keep up with Joel’s longer stride, but she still attempted to imitate the Coleman cowboy walk.

Joel stopped them at the barn door. “Hmm, don’t know what it is, but put a pretty girl in cowboy boots and it makes her even prettier.”

“You sweet talker, you.”

“Come on, ready for your reward?”

That expression he wore was the naughty one. The one warning of physical pleasure and bliss. “Well, Joel Coleman, it looks as if you intend to seduce me or something nefarious.”

“Nothing nefarious, I’m going to give you another lesson, and we’re both going to have a hell of a good time.”

Joel glanced around Traders, a pleased sensation trickling over him. The family was out in full force, and this time there had been no hesitation in welcoming Vicki.

Watching her bloom under the attention made him smile.

She deserved so much more than she’d gotten over the years, and if for the next little while he could help her, it was worth it.

“I’m playing pool for a bit, you okay?”

She glanced up from where she was planted between Lisa and Hope and nodded. “No problem.”

“We’ve got her.” Hope winked, and Joel was more grateful for his family than ever.

Except for one individual with a fucking bad attitude. Jesse had gotten worse instead of better over the past few weeks, and Joel was thoroughly sick of it. It was stupid shit, like not making enough coffee for two, or parking his damn truck across the roadway at an angle that meant Joel had to park on the road and walk.

Inconsiderate, childish things to let Joel know Jesse was pissed, but hell if his twin would tell him why.

“Need a partner?” He offered the olive branch regardless of what he’d prefer to say.

Jesse glanced over his shoulder. “You have time to play? You might need to run out of here, you know, if Vicki needs something.”

Matt thumped Jesse on the shoulder. “Shut up and quit being an ass. You want to play another round or not?”

Travis motioned to Joel. “Partner with me. We’ll kick their butts.”

The game proceeded with a little more vigour than usual. Suddenly it seemed vital to beat Jesse at whatever this was about, which wasn’t a damn pool game, but some other fight.

Travis chuckled, leaning down to whisper softly, “You scowl any harder and you’re going to break your face.”

Damn. “Maybe I’ll break Jesse’s face. He’s being a jerk.”

Across the table Jesse crowed at having made his shot, loud enough to draw attention from the rest of the room, patrons frowning.

“We all get that label at some time or another,” Travis pointed out. “Maybe it’s his turn?”

“Never the right time for this stupidity.” Joel straightened and hissed at his brother. “Jesse, stop the clowning around and play the damn game.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, am I not doing things the way you want me to? Gee, so sad.” Jesse lined up to sink another shot, and Joel’s temper flared.

Matt circled the table and rested his hand on Joel’s shoulder. “Easy there, big guy. Jesse’s being a brat, but if you keep looking at him like that, people will expect murder.”

Joel nodded and dragged in a steadying breath. He wasn’t sure why Jesse was pushing all his buttons.

It didn’t get any better as the evening went on, especially when Jesse sauntered over to where the girls were visiting and plopped down on the arm of Vicki’s chair.

Joel bristled and laid his pool cue on the table so he wasn’t tempted to skewer Jesse with it.

The cousins laughed at something Jesse said, but poor Vicki was leaning as far to the side of her chair as possible, trying to escape the arm Jesse had laid across the backrest.

Her gaze darted into the rest of the room, then fell, her expression tightening. Joel followed her line of vision and spotted a couple groups of girls whispering madly behind their hands as they gestured toward the Coleman table.

Fuck it all. This was exactly what they were supposed to avoid. What he’d promised Vicki they would not have to deal with. One poorly timed move by Jesse, and the past two months of Vicki and him being a couple was in jeopardy.

Joel grabbed Jesse by the back of the shirt and jerked him off the chair. He intended to make it less of a yank, but the anger burning inside from his brother’s fucked-up behavior didn’t help his reaction.

Jesse ended up sprawled on the floor, scrambling to his feet with his fists at the ready.

“What the hell was that for?”

Joel gestured toward the door. “Outside. And keep this quiet and polite, or you’ll regret it.”

“Fuck you.” In spite of his words, Jesse grabbed his hat and waved curtly to the crew before striding out of the pub, Joel hard on his heels.

Outside it was brisk. The snow hadn’t arrived yet, but the wintery temperatures were enough to cool Joel off. He relaxed his fists and gave Jesse the benefit of a doubt as they stepped into the parking lot and away from any listening ears.

They stopped beside Jesse’s truck.

“I’m sorry for jerking you off the chair. I was worried…” To hell with it. He met Jesse’s eyes and admitted the truth. “I was worried people would see you leaning in on Vicki and think she’s fooling around with you as well.”

Jesse rolled his eyes. “I haven’t touched the woman, and I’m not going to. Who gives a shit what people think?”

“She does.”

“She’s a goddamn Hansol. People already assume she’s fucking most of the single guys in town, and if she’s anything like the rest of her family, half the married ones as well.”

Joel fought to keep his temper. “She’s not her family. We had this conversation before, you remember? So when she cares about what people are saying, I’d appreciate if you gave a damn and helped us out here. It’s not that hard of an idea, giving someone a break. Helping them a little.”

Jesse stared for a moment, pacing toward the back of his truck. His eyes narrowed. “Is that why you’re dating her? As a favour?”

Joel wasn’t going to admit any such thing, not when the situation had changed. “I like her, she likes me. Period. But it doesn’t help that you’re being so…”

Jesse raised a brow. “So, what?”

“You’re a bastard these days.” Joel shook his head when Jesse pulled more faces. “Don’t act like you’re so damn surprised. The past couple months you’ve been hard to work with, and—”

“How the hell would you know?” Jesse demanded. “Calling me a bastard. Hello, pot meet kettle. You’ve gone around the bend since you started seeing Vicki, and I don’t like the changes.”

Joel jerked to a stop. “I’ve changed?”

“Yes. God damn.” Jesse slammed a foot into his tire and stomped away, cussing. He twirled back, anger painting his features. “But let’s get this straight off the start. It’s not like I’m pissed that you’re fooling around without me.”

“That’s what it seems like.”

“Fuck it. Doing the same girl was a kink, that’s all.” Jesse folded his arms. “And I can’t believe I’m saying this, because it’s so fucking emo I should be all of twelve, but it’s the time we spent together I miss, okay? It’s like, you don’t want to fool around with the same girl, fine. That means you also don’t want to hang out with me? Or go to parties? It’s as if you’re fucking avoiding me.”

Joel stared at his brother in shock. “Of course I’m not avoiding you, idiot.”

Jesse lifted a hand and showed fingers as he spoke. “Friday nights at Traders, if you show, you’re sitting with her, or dancing with her, or watching her, or you’re not here. Chores, you’ve been switching out and working with Travis or Matt most of the time. What’s the issue, do I smell?”

It was Joel’s turn to want to roll his eyes, but he kept in control and listened to the continuing tirade.

“I asked you to come out to the party in Red Deer, you didn’t feel like it. You didn’t want to head to Calgary for the concert. You said no to the dance in Sundre.”

“Vicki couldn’t go that night.” Joel swore. “Do you not get this? I’m not on some kind of anti-Jesse campaign, just I’m doing things with her—”

“And Travis and Matt, and fuck, even Daniel and Blake more than me.”

Joel stilled. Really listened. Hell. “You feel left out, don’t you?”

“Oh, screw that.”

“No, that’s what you said, you miss spending time with me.”

Jesse dragged his hand through his hair. “No. Yes. Hell, I don’t know anymore.”

Joel shook his head. This was something he’d never anticipated, and yet suddenly it made sense. “Jesse, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you out. It’s just that Vicki…”

Damn. He was stuck. He couldn’t tell Jesse about her fears regarding their reputation without sharing things with his twin he had no right to share.

“Yeah, that’s the problem, isn’t it? Vicki.”

“Stop pouting like a two year old,” Joel snapped. “I’m trying to figure out what I can say to fix this, but you’re making it damn tough when you’re being a spoiled ass.”

All the good things about the family that Joel had been so proud to show off to Vicki, the opposite emotion seemed to be staring him down right now.

Jesse was jealous. That was the only possible answer, and there was no solution for it. The fact was whichever of them had gotten involved with someone first, the other was going to be left out.

The days of living in each other’s pockets were over.

“Jesse, I’ll work on being around more, but I can’t guarantee I’ll hang out with you as much as I used to. It’s not that I don’t enjoy your company, but I like time with the others too.”

He wasn’t doing this well. Jesse stiffened even more, his usually happy smile fading away. “So that’s it, then. You’re going to give up on family for a girl.”

This was ridiculous. It was obvious Jesse wasn’t listening and didn’t want to hear, so Joel wasn’t going to try to explain anymore. “I’m not giving up on family, Jesse, but I don’t want to stay a kid. And growing up means changing. No matter how much you dislike that, it’s true.”

Jesse nodded, lips set together. “I’ll see you around then.”

He yanked open his truck door and jumped in. Joel stepped out of the way to avoid being sprayed with gravel as Jesse gunned it out of the parking lot and fishtailed onto the highway without stopping.

Stupid, immature asshole. Regret filled Joel, though, that there was a chasm between the two of them. But bar dropping Vicki completely and going back to being at Jesse’s beck and call, he didn’t see a solution.

Even come the spring when Vicki was gone, he didn’t want to return to being Jesse’s stooge. He liked doing stuff with his brother, but he didn’t want to have to rescue him, or bail him out, or follow meekly behind for the rest of his life.

It was time to grow up. This was just the start. What would it be like down the road when he fell in love?

The thought made this weird sensation twist inside, both imagining Vicki being gone, and finding someone new. He was enjoying his time with her very much, and as he rejoined her inside, scooping her up and placing her in his lap to the great amusement of his cousins, Joel found a little respite from his tension.

Vicki cupped his face gently. “You okay?”

He should have been the one asking her, and here she was, caring for him. It was humbling. “Jesse’s sorry. He didn’t mean to do anything to hurt you.”

Joel didn’t feel at all guilty for putting words into his brother’s mouth. It wasn’t strictly a lie. Jesse hadn’t thought through his actions, like everything else he was doing without thinking lately.

Vicki smiled and accepted his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck as she melted against his body.

“Get a room,” Travis shouted.

Joel pulled back so he could rest his forehead against hers. “Sounds like a great idea to me. What do you say we do that a little later?”

Vicki blushed, and Joel grinned, turning to the table and pouring a beer, ready to spend a few more hours with family.

At least the part that was acting like family right now.