Free Rocky Mountain Angel by Vivian Arend Page B

but the pleasure her mom showed made it all worthwhile.
    Elle passed the breadbasket to Gabe. “Are you planning on coming to work for the restaurant as well?”
    Gabe snorted before turning the sound into a cough. “No. Allison working here is enough. I’ve got the ranch to keep me busy.”
    Paul’s lips twitched, but he didn’t say anything.
    Elle brought forward the topic of menus, and Allison got involved with her mom and sis in the usual brainstorming for new ideas. Their chef was good, but also loved the hands-on direction they gave, and together the combination had always been something to be proud of.
    It was only after their meals had been delivered she realized the guys weren’t doing a lot of talking. Gabe was listening in on her conversation, but Paul seemed too busy glaring daggers at Gabe to contribute much of anything.
    Just what she needed, grief from her younger brother. Not . If this hadn’t been a sham, his actions would have pissed her off even more. The jerk should know better than to stick in his oar that far.
    Allison made sure to pull Gabe back into the rest of the discussion as best she could, but by the time they were done eating, she’d had enough.
    “I’ll grab the truck and bring it to the door.” Gabe pressed a quick kiss on her cheek then rose. He nodded politely to her mother, winked at Elle who responded with a reluctant grin.
    He tipped his hat forward and stared Paul down for a second before leaving without another word.
    Allison sighed, ignoring the tingling where he’d touched his lips against her cheek. Good old family togetherness. She’d thrown a lot at them tonight, so she wasn’t about to push it.
    Paul escorted her to the door, though, something obviously on his mind.
    She held back far enough Elle and their mom were out the door and out of hearing range before turning and raising her brows. “What’s your problem?”
    “Why him?”
    She knew it. “So it’s Gabe in particular you have an issue with?” Maybe if she let him voice his concerns he’d relax. “Does he have a woman on the side I don’t know about? You don’t think he’s good enough for me? What?”
    His nostrils flared as he drew a long breath. “Maybe it sounds stupid. And yeah, you surprised me with your announcement. But the Angel Colemans? I don’t have issues with Gabe himself. He’s been given the raw end of the deal in many ways as far as I know, but—”
    His disapproval had simmered down and showed now as sheer frustration.
    “I’m listening.” Allison finished buttoning her coat and waited as patiently as she could.
    “If you really care about him, fine. But I heard they’re having money troubles lately, and all of a sudden he’s engaged to you? Face it, Ally, we are one of the wealthier families in town. Sorry if it makes warning signs go off, but I don’t like it.”
    Allison wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed tight, the laughter escaping her completely real and relieved. “Is that what you’re worried about? That he’s marrying me for money? Oh, Paul, trust me, that is not at all in the picture.”
    Maybe it was the fact she wasn’t lying that helped her sound extra convincing, but his shoulders eased slightly, and he smirked. “It does sound a little cloak and dagger when I say it out loud, but come on, I’m your only brother. If I don’t guard you from the dragons of the world, who will?”
    She stepped back and nodded. “I can probably slay them on my own, but I understand better why you were grumpy. It’s fine. Gabe’s okay. Give it some time, and you’ll see. He’s so not about the money thing I can’t even begin to explain it.”
    The door opened and Gabe’s smiling face appeared, the dark brown of his cowboy hat contrasting with his blond hair. She moved forward automatically to take his hand.
    “Give me a call,” Paul suggested. “We can get together for…”
    Allison peeked over her shoulder to discover her brother wasn’t talking to