Didn’t mean Gabe was going to let Rafe walk all over him.
“You ask Ma if you can move into the room over the garage?”
Rafe sighed. “No, because I thought I could move in with you and get away from—get to be out on my own.”
“Moving in with me is not being on your own.” Gabe dropped a hand on his brother’s shoulder. Damn, he hadn’t meant to block one of the refuges for the kid. “Check with her. I bet she’d have no issue with it. And Ben won’t care as long as you’re up and ready for chores without him having to haul your ass out of bed in the mornings.”
The silence from Rafe stretched on until Gabe figured it was time to ignore it. If his kid brother wanted to pout, that was his business.
He headed over to the tractor instead, getting ready to transfer bales. A few minutes later a smack on the window next to him jerked him upright, and he turned off the engine and cracked open the door.
Rafe hopped down out of his way so the door could fully open.
“Can I come over later this week?”
Shit. “Allison’s—”
“I’m not asking to stay over. Can I come over on Friday or something to meet her? Or are you bringing her over for a family dinner?”
Rafe’s serious expression twisted something inside him. “No, we already talked to Ma. If you want to have dinner with us, Friday works. You usually go out with your friends then, 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, 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—”