Free Rocky Mountain Angel by Vivian Arend Page A

don’t you?”
    “You’re talking about getting married, and I’ve never even met the woman, I mean not really. I think I can skip hanging out with my friends for one night.”
    Gabe stared in mock horror. “Who the hell are you, and what did you do with my immature kid brother?”
    Rafe grinned sheepishly. “Fuck off.”
    “Just saying. Let’s make it Thursday, that might work better for everyone.”
    “You wait. I’ll ask her all kinds of terrible questions to make up for being so mature right now. Does that make you happier?”
    The tension that had rushed through when he’d share his news with Rafe smoothed away. He was a good kid, and he was trying. “Remember whatever you do will come back to haunt you. I’m going to be around for a long time, and I have a great memory. Someday you’ll find a girl you seriously like and it’ll be payback.”
    Rafe walked backward, his huge grin not giving any sign he was returning to the dirty task of hauling manure. “It could still be fun in the short term.”
    Gabe pulled the door shut and went back to work. He had a couple hours before he had to get cleaned up and head out with Allison for the next round of family inquisitions. Maybe after tonight things would settle down.
    It certainly couldn’t get any worse.
     
     
    Dead silence greeted her announcement.
    Actually, that wasn’t true. Music played, and the murmur of other people conversing carried in the background. Normal restaurant sounds that should have made Parker’s Timberline Grill the perfect setting for them to proclaim to yet another set of shocked people the news about her and Gabe’s engagement.
    Maybe they should have had a party and gotten it all over at one time. The jolt would have been greater but less prolonged.
    Paul and Elle exchanged long stares before Elle turned back and blinked hard.
    “Congratulations. I’m… That’s… How interesting.”
    Everything about her response was obviously a sham, but at least she attempted to smile instead of the near-violent frown that marred her brother’s expression.
    “Why the hell would you marry him?” Paul blurted out, and Allison’s heart fell. She hadn’t expected it to be all smooth sailing, but downright rudeness?
    “Paul!” Their mother’s hushed whisper carried volumes of disapproval.
    He had the grace to look uncomfortable, but he didn’t back down. “It’s a bit of a shock. What did you expect me to say?”
    Allison readied to defend herself, but it was Gabe who leaned forward. “I’d expect you to act like someone who gives a damn about your sister. You have questions, you go ahead and we can discuss them politely, but maybe first you stick out your hand and at least pretend you’re happy.”
    Gabe settled back, draping his arm around her shoulders as he squeezed reassuringly. Allison leaned into him, grateful for his warmth and his support.
    Paul eyed Gabe slowly then nodded. “I do have questions, but you’re right, this isn’t the place. Allison, I’m glad you’re back in town. We’ve missed you.”
    Gabe chuckled. “See? It’s always possible to find something to not lie about.”
    Allison bit her lips to stop from laughing. The tension between the two men was reminiscent of bulls vying for dominance. Somehow she had to defuse the situation before someone said something that made things worse.
    It was their mom who smoothed matters over, at least temporarily. Her soft laughter trickled over Allison. “I swear, sometimes you children—it’s as if you’ve reverted to being teens again, all poking each other and trying to get on each other’s nerves. I’m so pleased. Allison and Gabe are obviously happy. There’s nothing a mother wants more for her children than that.”
    Her beaming face said she wasn’t faking it, and Allison smiled back. The heat from Gabe’s body encircled her and held her up as well, and if Paul’s scowl only eased a tiny bit, well, she’d just have to give him time. It was a shock,