Page 41 of Rocky Mountain Desire
The temperature was well below freezing, but she enjoyed the short walk back to her shop. Even though it was Monday and the store was closed, she had a few things planned to keep her busy. From all the stats she’d learned during her college classes and her days of working part-time, she expected a lull in sales for most of the month. January was perfect for other moneymaking tasks.
She was in the middle of cutting out a jacket to sell on consignment when the phone rang.
“You’re not hanging out at the shop on your day off, are you?” Jaxi Coleman scolded her over the line and Hope snickered.
“No. Of course not. I’ve been waiting anxiously for you to call. Because just like the past couple times you phoned, I have absolutely nothing on my agenda until you tell me what I’m going to do for the next four hours of my life.”
In the background, little girls giggled and talked baby talk, and Hope smiled in spite of knowing the Jaxi-steamroller was about to flatten her.
“Am I really that bossy?” Jaxi asked.
Hope laughed. “You know you are, but that’s fine. What’s up?”
“I want adult company. The guys are all working and it’s too cold to haul the babes outside, and I’ve already baked enough cookies my hips won’t fit through the door if I eat them by myself.”
“So you need me to come and finish them? Won’t make a spot of difference on me, you know.”
“Oh,pshaw. You’re gorgeous. Don’t go begging for compliments or I’ll be all over you, even though I’m exhausted from keeping up with Blake.”
Hope paused, images of trying to keep up with Matt racing through her brain faster than she could process and enjoy.
“Hope? You still there, honey?”
She shook herself. “Sorry, distracted.”
Jaxi snorted. “Once you get undistracted, can you come and play? Stay for supper, help me wipe baby bottoms. Bring over whatever you’re working on and I can help you.”
“Like you need more hobbies.”
“Seriously, I’m thinking about doing some more sewing. These cold days it would be a nice task to keep me busy.”
Hope hauled her things together, tossing in a prepackaged baby quilt kit she had done up as a sample. If Jaxi was serious about wanting to try something—and knowing Jaxi and her endless energy, she probably was—it would be a great chance to discover if her kit would help newbies to quilting.
The drive to the ranch was no warmer than in the days of using Herbie, but the massive truck’s tires gripped the road better, and she certainly sat high enough to have plenty of warning as she approached intersections.
She pulled into the yard at Jaxi and Blake’s, the second of the original Coleman homesteads. The older buildings of the ranch were well maintained, barns on the nearby section tidy and everything in their place. Hope appreciated the work the family put in even as she ached a little.
There was so much pride and love visible among the Colemans—with her own messed-up family and the lack of trust, it hurt to acknowledge what she’d never had.
Now, stepping more fully into their midst? Where she’d longed to be when her own family had exploded into chaos? She’d have given anything back then for the Coleman clan’s protection when the screaming and throwing and accusations had begun.
A horrible thought hit, and Hope actually stopped in the parking space and clutched the wheel hard. Was she with Matt to be with the Colemans? To experience the whole warmth of family because she’d missed it in her past?
Then his smile flashed to mind, the sexy lift of his eyes as he met her gaze, and she relaxed. There might be a part inside that wanted things associated with the man, but she was pretty sure the man himself was the first and most attractive draw.
Jaxi held the door open for her, a baby balanced on her hip. “I wondered if you’d gone to sleep out there.”
Hope put her bags on the table and got rid of her warm clothing. “Just thinking.”
“Good thoughts? And do you want a coffee?”
“I would kiss you for a coffee.”
Jaxi pursed her lips and blew before heading to the counter to deal one-handed with their drinks. Hope rubbed her palms together to make sure her hands weren’t too cold then reached into the playpen for the little girl staring up at her with wide eyes.
“You going to get fussy if I try to hold you?”
Jaxi laughed. “Becca will let you love on her all you want. It’s this one who’s being mama’s girl. Ain’t ’cha, Rae?”
