Second Chance Pass (19 page)

“You looking for a contractor?” he asked.

“Not yet. I’m sure I’ll need some help, but I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time and I want to do most of the work myself. I mean, I’m not crazy—I’ll need help if I ever have to wire, plumb, lay flooring or put on a roof. But I’m hell with a paintbrush. And, believe it or not, I’ve mastered seamless wallpaper.”

“What about cabinets, countertops, tile, wallboard, et cetera?”

“I’m very handy. I plan to restore it, not upgrade it. It’s got a lot of spirit. Some women do needlepoint, some sand and varnish.”

That got a big laugh out of Jack. Right at that moment, Mel came in with David on her hip and her big belly preceding her through the door. He lifted his chin in greeting, but before Mel could make it to the bar, she was summoned over to Madge and Beatrice, who leaned their heads together and spoke intently, glancing at Jack and the woman, eyes round.

Muriel glanced at the woman and baby; no doubt about it, that would be the classy blonde who married Jack. She smiled.

Mel passed the baby over the bar to her husband, gave
him a little kiss and then grinned at Muriel. She put out her hand. “Muriel St. Claire,” she said. “Hi. I’m Mel Sheridan. How exciting.”

Muriel took her hand. “How do you do. I guess you know this guy.”

“Know him real well, actually.” Mel laughed. “You have those women over there in a fluster. They can’t believe it’s really you.”

“Oh, it’s really me. I just moved here.”

“Summer place?” Mel asked.

Muriel shook her head. “Retirement place. Permanent.”

“Really?” Mel asked, lifting a brow. “An early retirement?”

“Hardly.” Muriel laughed. “I’m so ready for a change of pace. Jesus, I’ve been making movies for forty years!”

“Okay, wait a second here,” Jack said. “I’m totally lost.”

“Of course you are, Jack. Muriel St. Claire is an actress, very famous, and has been since she was about…”

“Fifteen,” Muriel supplied.

Jack did the math. “You’re fifty-five?” he asked, his eyebrows shooting up. “Wow.”

“Good maintenance,” she said, brushing off the compliment. “I’m fifty-six and sick of acting. Well, not acting so much as the lifestyle that goes with it. I’ve been shopping for a ranch for a few years now. My parents lived in these mountains many, many years ago. I have a couple of horses and can’t wait for delivery on a couple of dogs. I have a chocolate Lab being trained in Kentucky—she’s a beauty. And a Lab puppy coming in a couple of weeks. Both hunters, I hope.”

“You hunt?” Mel asked, trying to keep the shock from her voice.

“You hunt?” Jack asked, grinning.

“Waterfowl. Duck and geese.”

“Jack shoots deer.”

“I could try that,” she said. “But you can’t use dogs for that and I love working the dogs. I’ve always had a dog.” She squinted at Mel. “You look familiar.”

“We met once. I don’t expect you would remember me—first of all it was years ago. But I lived in L.A. before moving up here and we went to the same day spa for a while. I saw you there a couple of times. I think we might’ve had the same aesthetician.” Jack was frowning in total confusion again. “Facials,” she told him.

“Fantastic,” Muriel said. “Who do you use around here?”

“Well, there are some decent beauty shops in Fortuna and Eureka, but probably not what you’re used to. Nothing here in Virgin River.” Mel glanced at Muriel’s perfect nails. “You’re going to go a long way for a good manicure.”

Muriel followed her eyes. “I can kiss these goodbye. I’m going to be busy redecorating.”

“Really? You’re planning to do some of it yourself?”

“Most of it,” she said rather proudly, lifting her chin. “What brought you up here?”

“Ah, long story. I was looking for a change. I was a nurse-practitioner and midwife in L.A. and took a job here—population just over six hundred. It was supposed to be for a year, but Jack got me knocked up.”

“We
are
married,” he said, shaking his head at her. “Tell the woman you’re happy about that, Melinda.”

“Perfectly happy. Jack worked out.” She grinned.

“Muriel has the ranch just across the pasture from the Booth place. About six miles by car, or a mile and a half down the river on a horse.”

“Oh, fantastic. You’re going to love that family,” Mel
said. “Walt’s a retired general with a couple of grown kids and a new grandson. Great people. In fact, Virgin River is a whole town of really nice people. I’ll look forward to introducing you around.”

“That’s real nice of you.”

“Mind you,” Mel continued, “once Madge and Beatrice over there get on the phone, formal introductions won’t be necessary. Maybe we should put them out of their misery. Would you like to go over and say hi before they go into shock?”

“Lovely,” Muriel said.

“Ah, wait a second,” Jack said. “Are we going to have a lot of those reporters and photographers around here?”

“Paparazzi?” Muriel asked. “I highly doubt it. I’m old news. The wild, half-dressed young girls are keeping them very busy these days.” And then she flashed him a dazzling smile.

With Tom at Brenda’s, and Vanni gone to Grants Pass with Paul for a few days, Walt faced two choices for dinner—throw a piece of meat on the grill, or get something at Jack’s. He got in the car.

There were about ten people in the bar when Walt arrived, all of them sitting at tables except Doc, who was up at the bar. Walt joined him there, leaving one stool to separate them. Doc and Walt merely nodded at each other; Doc wasn’t usually given to deep conversation. Jack grinned at Walt and slapped down a napkin. “Well, now. What can I do for you, sir?”

Walt peered at the empty baby pack Jack was wearing. “Lose a rider, son?”

“David’s off being ‘refreshed,’” Jack said with a laugh.

“How about a beer while you tell me what Preacher’s got cooking tonight?”

Jack drew the draft and put it in front of him. “Sunday special—pot roast. I don’t know what the man uses for seasoning, but it’s so damn good. And the gravy’s almost like tar, it’s so dark. He cooked it with vegetables but he’s serving whipped potatoes on the side. They’re like silk.”

“Perfect,” Walt said, lifting his beer.

“You want takeout for the family?”

“Just me tonight. Vanni’s gone up to Oregon with Paul for a few days, and I don’t rate much time with Tom while he’s on Brenda’s dance card.”

“Oregon?” Jack said with a lift of his brow. “You don’t say? What do you suppose they’ll find to do in Oregon?”

Walt smiled at him. “Funny.”

Jack chuckled. “Sounds like maybe some things got sorted out. This mean we won’t be seeing too much of that nice Dr. Michaels around here?”

“I think maybe that nice Dr. Michaels hanging around lit a fire under Paul,” Walt said. “Good man, Haggerty. If a little slow.”

Jack laughed. “Don’t go too hard on him, General. I think Vanessa scared him to death. She’s awful pretty. Wicked smart, too.”

Walt appreciated the compliment and smiled. “Hell, sometimes she scares me.”

“I’ll go give Preach your order. Be right back.”

Walt had enjoyed about half his brew when Mel came from the back and took the stool beside him. “Hey, there,” she said brightly. “Jack said you were here.”

“How you feeling, girl?”

“Ready to pop. But I’m hanging in there.” Jack came out with the carrier full of baby again, holding two steaming plates. He put them in front of Walt and Mel. “Mind if I join you for dinner?” Mel asked.

“I’d welcome it. Jack’s not eating dinner?”

“I’ve been helping Preacher all afternoon make sure it’s just right. I’ve probably had three dinners already,” Jack said. “You just missed your new neighbor by about an hour.”

“Oh?” Walt said, digging in. “Who might that be?”

Mel leaned an elbow on the bar. “Does the name Muriel St. Claire mean anything to you?”

“Can’t say that it does,” he said. He took a mouthful. “By damn, that Preacher,” he said, savoring the seasoned, tender beef. “He’s got the gift.”

“She’s an actress, Walt,” Mel explained. “Quite famous, actually. I’ve seen a lot of her films.”

Walt hummed in response, more interested in his food. Finally he said, “What’s she doing around here?”

“She says she came from these mountains and decided to return, retire here.”

“Just what we need,” Walt said. “Another little old lady. Is she rich at least?”

“She looked pretty rich to me,” Jack said. “And not exactly old.”

“Rich, retired movie star? What’s she going to do with a ranch? Raise exotic chickens?”

Mel laughed. “You might be in for some surprises. She moved into that old Weatherby place on the other side of your pasture. You should bake her a cake or something. Go say hello. I told her you Booths were nice people.”

“I’ll put Vanni right on it when she gets back to town,” Walt said.

Mel perked right up. “Vanni’s out of town?”

“Gone to Grants Pass for a few days with Paul,” Walt said, hardly missing a mouthful. “They’ll be back by the weekend.”

“Well, how about that,” Mel said, smiling. “Were you expecting that?”

Walt dabbed his lips with his napkin. “Girl, the finger’s been on that trigger for months. The only thing I didn’t expect was how long it would take Haggerty to pull it.”

When Walt got home, the house was dismally quiet. He turned on the TV for some noise and picked up a book for something to do. He wished Tom would show up with Brenda and take over the TV for a movie or something, but they probably wouldn’t. If they could escape Brenda’s house, they’d be buried in the woods, parking. He’d like to hear the baby fuss, or Vanni cooing to him. Paul would make decent company right about now—he could do that running commentary they had in response to CNN stories.

Out of sheer boredom, he went to the computer. He started a search of Muriel St. Claire, his new neighbor. He found several Web sites plus a Wikipedia listing. Fifty-six years old, born in Brother Creek, California. He looked it up—Trinity County, right near the Humboldt line. There was a list of movies—Jesus, almost fifty of them, not to mention television credits. When he saw a photo he recognized her, but only because she’d recently been on
Law and Order
and
CSI.
He’d never in a million years have known her name. He ran through a series of publicity photos—none in the recent past. Blond, sleek, large blue eyes. Too thin, he decided, although she could certainly hold up a strapless black dress. She always appeared to be glancing over her bare shoulder at the camera, or leaning into it with those sultry movie-star eyes. There was even a shot of her in bed, the only visible fabric being a satin sheet. And pictures of her taken at Academy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival—lotsa big jewelry.

His wife had never much liked big jewelry.

It was all Hollywood stuff, dedicated to the superficial. She’d obviously be more at home in a marble mansion
with a pool. What the hell was she doing with that old Weatherby ranch house? That wouldn’t last long.

“Exotic chickens, my ass,” Walt muttered to himself as he shut down the computer and headed for bed.

I
n the early morning Vanni felt the bed dip as Paul brought her a freshly diapered and hungry baby, placing him between them.

“Well, good morning, my angel,” she murmured, kissing the baby’s head. He sent up a loud protest at kisses instead of milk and she snuggled him close to nurse.

Paul stretched out on the bed to watch Vanessa and the baby. His hand wandered affectionately from Mattie’s little head to Vanessa’s soft, mussed hair. The baby made a lot of noise this morning, which made Paul laugh. “Have you been starving him?”

“He’s always starving,” she said. “Time for him to get some solid food.”

“I thought you said the breast only for six months? He’s barely over three.”

“I did, but look at him. He’s ravenous. Maybe he could use a little cereal…”

“He’s awesome, and growing damn fat on the breast,” Paul said. “Vanessa, call Carol and Lance about a visit, find out when they can see you. Then I’ll get in touch with my mom about a family thing. I’ll try to get more details about Terri’s pregnancy while we’re here.”

“I should meet your family right away,” she said. “Make sure they’re not all as crazy as you are. Are you going to tell them about Terri?”

“Not until I know something for sure. But I want to tell them about us—that we’re getting married when we can get our plans together. Is that all right? Because I can’t look at you without wanting everyone to know.”

“Sure. I have the same problem,” she said with a smile. “This is the part about being married that I like. Lying beside you in bed…”

“Baby between us…”

She laughed. “He has his needs. And if you want more children, you’d better get used to this.”

“This,” he said, stroking the baby’s soft head, “is everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“So odd that you didn’t find someone to marry years ago. You’re so good at it. And this thing you have for pregnant women and babies…”

“For a while there it seemed like everyone had a pregnant wife but me. Between my brothers and my friends, I was surrounded by them. Round bellies, nursing babies… Is there some rule about waiting a respectable length of time between the first ‘I love you’ and the vows?” he asked her.

She laughed at him. “What’s the difference? We’ve known each other for years. We’ve been through things together that even some husbands and wives haven’t.”

“What would your father think if we got married right away?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Daddy scares everyone but me,” she said. “Anything I want suits him fine.”

“The person most on my mind is Tom,” Paul said.

“Tommy? Why?”

“We’ve gotten real close. He’s like one of my brothers. And the way he feels about you—he tries to hide it, but he
admires you. We can’t do it without him. He’s leaving right after graduation, but I want him to be there. I want him to be my best man.”

“How would your family feel about a fast wedding?”

He chuckled. “Relieved, believe me. My mother’s secret fear is that I’ll die a lonely old man.”

“Paul, you can’t tell your family that one woman is having your baby and you’re marrying another all in the same sentence.”

“I know. I’m going to get the facts as soon as possible—but, Vanni, the bottom line will be the same, whether it comes in one sentence or one month. I’ll take care of them, I’ll take care of you—but you’re going to be my wife. Period.”

“You’ve been thinking about this….” she said.

“There’s something about lying next to you all night that disturbs my sleep.”

“Funny that you didn’t disturb mine,” she said.

“I thought I’d give you a break. But your break is almost over.”

Mattie drew in a deep sigh and fell away from the breast, satisfied and asleep. Paul leaned over the baby’s head to place a soft kiss on her lips. He then kissed the baby’s head and asked, “Would you like to hold him a while longer?”

“No, I’ll put him down,” she said, beginning to rise.

“Stay right there. Let me,” he said, scooping the baby into his arms. Mattie’s head fell right to Paul’s shoulder and before Paul had made it out of the bedroom, a loud, sleepy belch escaped the little boy.

Vanni chuckled and snuggled into the bed. Happy. She let her eyes close, but not for sleep. For a long time she had been afraid she’d never get to feel this way again. And then her man was back, pulling her into his arms, covering
her mouth in a kiss that was not soft, drawing a deep moan from her as her arms went around him.

Later that morning Vanessa phoned Carol. “Hi. I’m going to be in town for a couple of days and I thought if you had time, I’d bring little Matt over for a visit.”

“You’re in town?” she asked. “Will you stay with us?”

“No, but thanks. I decided to come at the very last minute and I’m staying with Paul. He was in Virgin River so I came back up here with him, since he’s going right back to Virgin River at the end of the week.”

“My, he’s spending a lot of time in Virgin River,” Carol said.

“He is, with more time there in his future. He has a couple of potential building contracts down there, if it doesn’t interfere with his company up here. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to bring the baby over to see you and Lance.”

“I see. Make it tonight,” she said flatly. “We’ll have dinner.”

“All right,” Vanni agreed.

“Great! Six o’clock. Do you need a ride?” Carol asked.

“Of course not. Paul will bring me.”

“Good, then. We’ll do something on the grill.”

Vanni spent the whole day alone with Mattie while Paul went to his office, checked on his crews, saw his brothers and tried to catch up on business in general. He was home in plenty of time to shower and change to go to the Rutledges’ home.

When Carol opened the door to them, she actually stepped back in surprise. “Paul!” she said with a gasp.

“Hi, Carol,” he said. He gently squeezed Vanni’s upper arm. “How’ve you been?”

“Great! Great! Come in! Will you be staying for dinner?”

“Of course he’ll stay for dinner, Carol,” Vanni said, totally confused by this question. “When I told you he would bring me, did you think he’d just drop me off? Didn’t you expect him to stay?”

“Of course,” she said, reaching for the baby. “I’ll just set another place.”

Vanni passed her the baby, completely baffled. There was protocol and obligation with grandparents, not to mention the promise she’d made to Matt, and she held that sacred. But Carol never failed to put her under a strain. Most of the time she didn’t understand her. As they walked into the house, Vanni glanced into the dining room and noticed a table set for four. She was totally perplexed, until they stepped into the living room and Cameron stood up from his chair.

It was then she realized that Carol was at it again—and two extremely fine men were going to be made uncomfortable. She wore a sad smile as she went toward Cameron and allowed him to kiss her cheek. “How are you?” she asked softly.

“Fine,” he said. “You?”

“Good,” she answered. Paul came up behind her and put that hand on her shoulder, that hand that claimed her. She was sorry about how that would make Cameron feel, but not at all unhappy about how it made her feel. After wanting him so much, she loved letting the world know she was his.

“Cameron,” Paul said, sticking out his other hand from his place behind Vanni.

“How you doing?” he asked, shaking the hand. “So—just in town for a couple of days?” Cameron asked.

“That’s right,” Vanni said. “Paul was down for the weekend and I decided to come back here with him. To meet his family. I’m staying at Paul’s, Cameron….”

“Ah,” he said, understanding perfectly. He turned and lifted his drink to his lips.

Lance came into the room, saw that Paul was there and welcomed him heartily. “Hey,” he said, reaching out his hand. “My man Paul! How is everything?”

“Great. Never better. How about you?” he asked.

“The same,” Lance answered. “Where’s that baby?”

“Carol took him to the kitchen,” Vanni said.

“Well, I don’t mean to seem rude, but I have to have a grandson fix. Be right back,” he said, darting off.

The three of them stood there, looking at each other. It was Cameron who broke the tension with a laugh. “Well. Looks like a serious miscommunication.”

“I’m sorry,” Vanni said. “I don’t understand.”

“I do,” Paul said. “Carol has a very specific plan in mind and she didn’t bother to consult anyone.”

“We can make the best of this, can’t we?” Vanni asked hopefully.

Cameron smiled at her, but it was a disappointed smile. Carol flew out from the kitchen, headed toward the dining room with a plate, napkin and utensils in her hands. She had obviously handed off the baby to Lance. “Carol, wait,” Cameron said. “I’m going to have to shove off. My pager,” he lied. “Thanks, but I’m not going to be able to stay.”

“Oh no!” Carol said. “Are you sure?”

He put one hand in his pants pocket. “I’m sure,” he said. He leaned forward and gave Vanni a kiss on the cheek. “You look terrific,” he said. “It’s good to know you’re happy.” He gave Paul a conciliatory slap on the upper arm as he passed and headed toward the door.

Paul squeezed her shoulder. He leaned down to her ear. “I’ll be back.” And he followed Cameron.

Cameron was making fast tracks to his car when Paul called to him. “Hey, Cameron. Buddy. A minute, huh?”

Cameron turned. “It’s okay, Paul. You don’t have to say anything. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not worried,” he said, taking another two long strides toward him. The two men were completely different—Paul in his jeans and boots, rough, rugged. Cameron in his linen pants, silk shirt, Italian shoes—possibly the best-dressed man in Grants Pass. “I think you deserve some kind of explanation. About me. Me and Vanessa. This was a horrible setup.”

Cameron put his hands in his pockets, rocked back on his heels and laughed ruefully. “It was pretty ugly,” he agreed. “Maybe more terrible for you and Vanni than for me.”

“I don’t know what Carol told you, and I don’t know why she brought you out to dinner, but I’ve been in love with Vanni forever. I couldn’t tell her that, of course—she married my best friend. God, I’d never have done anything that wrong to Matt. But since… Well, we’ve been through so much together and it just got stronger. It took a long time to iron it out. Man, I’m really sorry if you were misled.”

“I’ve only known her a few weeks, Paul. We’re not exactly confidants.”

“We’re getting married,” Paul said.

Cameron stiffened slightly, but he smiled. He nodded. “Congratulations. I’m sure you’ll be very happy.”

“Look,” Paul said. “It isn’t hard for me to understand you have a thing for her. What man wouldn’t? I want you to know something—this is my fault, Cameron. I should have spoken up sooner. Before Carol set up that first meeting with you. There’s no excuse. I knew how I felt. But Matt hadn’t been gone long and I—” He hung his head, shaking it briefly. “I just didn’t want to upset her.”

“
She
could have spoken up,” Cameron said.

“Well, it turns out there’s an explanation for that, too. I was real scarce for a while after the baby was born,
trying to give her time and to get my head together. It was real hard for me to get into Matt’s territory, even after he was gone. I gave her the impression I wasn’t interested in her in that way.” He shook his head. “I’m not good with women. I’m real clumsy, in fact. But at least it’s finally out—how we feel about each other. Now we move ahead. I’m sorry, man,” he said, sticking out his hand. “You’re a good guy. You have everything. There’s no reason I should win this one.”

Cameron gave a huff of laughter. He took the hand. “Maybe there’s lots of reasons. No hard feelings.”

“Thanks. This, between us—it shouldn’t be hard for her. She’s so sensitive. She’d hate for anyone to be hurt. I happen to know—she thinks highly of you.”

“I know,” Cameron said. “Don’t worry about it, okay?”

“I don’t deserve her, I know that. But I’m going to do everything I can to make her happy. I hope you’re going to be okay.”

“You could gloat, you know,” Cameron said. “You got the girl.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Crazy woman.” He laughed. “A guy like you—you won’t have any trouble. The right one will come along.”

“Paul. I didn’t close the deal, all right? It barely got going. I might be a little disappointed, but that’s all. Vanni and I—we were just friends. In case you think I’m going to be a problem for you.”

“Nah, I know better than that. Didn’t take me long to figure you for a class act.”

Cameron smiled. “Yeah? Well, maybe I’m not the only one.”

Vanessa sat in the chair that had recently been Cameron’s. The baby was out of sight with Lance and so
was Carol for the moment. Vanni was seething. Beyond furious. She picked up Cameron’s drink and took a long, deep swallow of liquid courage and grimaced at the taste of scotch. It was another minute before Carol showed herself.

“Well,” Carol said. “That was a bit uncomfortable. I didn’t realize you’d invited Paul.”

“You didn’t? And why didn’t you
insist
he be invited? He was Matt’s best friend. And you
know
how much he means to me!”

Carol stiffened indignantly. “I’m not sure I do,” she said.

Vanni stood to meet Carol at eye level. “Then let me be very clear about this. He means the absolute world to me. Paul was in Virgin River when Matt was killed and I asked him to stay on until the baby was born. I asked him to be with me for the birth. I’ve known him for years. I’ve always felt comfortable with him, I trust him—he’s wonderful. We’ve always been close, closer still when we lost Matt. For God’s sake, Matt asked him to take care of us if anything happened to him. How can it be so impossible for you to understand that I would come to
love
him?”

“I couldn’t imagine it,” Carol said, anger barely reined in. “Matt’s hardly gone…”

“He’s gone enough for you to try to set me up with a doctor.”

Carol lifted her chin. Her mouth took on a strained line. “That’s uncalled for!”

“How dare you treat Paul as if he’s inferior! Shame on you!”