Angel's Peak (Virgin River #10)(47)

He sat forward. “No. I was raised a whole other way, which might have a lot to do with—Listen, it’s a different world than when you and Dad were young.”

“Not that different,” she said. “Tell me everything. And don’t hold back because I’m going to find out eventually.”

“Mom! I didn’t skip school or go to a kegger! Of course I’ll tell you everything. Thing is, I just found out. I spent a day with them—Franci and Rosie—and knew the first thing to do was tell you. Mom,” he said, scooting forward in his chair, “I have so much catching up to do. I don’t know anything about kids. I spent one afternoon with her and it brought me to my knees. Do you have any idea how exhausting a three-year-old is? Yeah,” he said, nodding at her, “you might know that, huh? Well, it’s going to take me a while to get a handle on this. Thank God I’m burning leave at Luke’s for another…God, less than six weeks now! It’s going to take me at least that long just to know how to—”

“Tell me about her. Did you bring a picture?”

He shook his head. “I didn’t even think that far ahead. But here’s what I’ll do—I’ll take a picture and send it to your cell phone the second I get back. You remember how I showed you to send the cell-phone picture to the computer? And I’ll take more digital pictures right away. But the first thing I had to do was get to know Rosie, and I have to keep getting to know her. And the second thing was tell you about her.”

“And Franci?”

He locked eyes with his mother. “I have to find a way to get us back together. I know she’s not like Annalee or Luke’s Felicia. Never a question about that, but I was still gun-shy back then. I’m not now—I’m going to court Franci and Rosie and hope for the best. There’s a lot to do. First thing—I need to set up a college account and find out what Franci needs for expenses. I have to take Rosie to Beale—she wants to see my plane. I have to learn how to play with her, talk to her, teach her things. I have to…”

But Maureen got up and left the room, walking down the short hall to her bedroom. Sean was stunned for a moment, confused as to why she’d walk out on the conversation. Was she driven to tears? Really pissed at him? He followed her, feeling panic rise inside. The door to her room was open. “Mom?” he said.

She came out of her walk-in closet, dragging her largest suitcase. She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him. “Sean, how did you let this happen?”

“I didn’t let it—I told you, I didn’t know!”

“Obviously you know what happens when you—”

“Stop!” he said, holding up a hand. “Stop right there. We both know the biology of it. I’m not talking about things that Franci would consider very personal, so back away from that, Mom. You know how children are conceived. We have one, Franci and me. I’m doing the best I can.” He stopped. “What are you doing?”

“I’m packing. I want to meet my granddaughter.”

“Mom, she’s a little girl. Aiden wants to meet her, too. So does Luke. I imagine Shelby is…Okay, wait. I was afraid of this—you can’t just rush in on her. We have to take this slow.”

“I’ve already missed her first three years!” Maureen said.

“Me, too! Now slow down!”

“I’m not in the mood to slow down! I want to meet her as soon as possible!”

“Listen, if you want things to work out for all of us, you have to let me…Okay, hold on a second.” Sean pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed up Aiden.

Aiden picked up. “I have a woman at eight centimeters, this better be good.”

“I’m with Mom,” Sean said. “She’s packing. She wants to meet Rosie right this second. I’m passing the phone to her. Talk her down.”

Maureen took the phone.

“Put it on speaker,” Aiden said to his mother. Then, “Sean, can you hear me?”

“I’m here.”

“Good. Let’s keep as much of this out in the open as possible. Secrets breed trouble, as you’re only too aware. Now, are you two fighting?”

“Not yet,” Maureen said. “I want to meet my only grandchild.”

“Are you in poor health?” Aiden asked.

“She played tennis this morning. She has a few more days in her, at least,” Sean answered, irritation in every word.

“Mother, I want you to wait until you’re invited. This small family has issues to sort through and a little girl who might be confused and upset by too much change.”

“But I have rights, too, Aiden! As a grandparent!”

“Indeed you do, and your grandparent’s rights will be respected. But the first thing to remember is that Sean and Francine are the parents and you are a relative. They are neither unfit nor negligent—you are in perfect health and can be patient. This isn’t a deathbed request.”

“But, Aiden, I—”

“You’re smarter than this. Do you want your granddaughter’s mother to love you? Don’t alienate her. She’s in charge. Let her know you accept that or, believe me, there will be trouble.”

Maureen sat wearily on the edge of her bed. “Of course, you’re right.”