Angel's Peak (Virgin River #10)(68)

“Noah, one of the things I like best about you is your humility.” Jack put a complimentary beer on the bar. “Loosen up, why don’t you. So, you’re letting the RV go?”

“Can only support so many households, Jack,” he said, lifting the beer.

“You expect to sell it, with gas prices like they are? With this economy in the toilet?”

“Nah,” Noah said. “Not as a travel vehicle, anyway. But the price is right for an apartment.”

“What is the price?”

“I don’t have any idea,” Noah said. “But I’ll know it when I hear it.”

George Davenport hadn’t been in favor of Noah’s ardent pursuit of the old church in Virgin River; he was afraid the boy would waste away there. But he had to admit, that was hardly the case now. Noah was thriving. It was a three-tiered success for the young minister. First, the church had needed his attention, and once it was a functional building, the people came. Noah did what he did best—he inspired them. Second, the town had embraced him, and George didn’t know when he’d seen a more special, nurturing small town. But third, and probably most important, Noah had found himself a good woman.

It made George very happy to see Noah settling down with Ellie and her children. They were good together; they had great balance. Noah seemed to have the stability and commitment Ellie needed in her life, and Ellie had the spark Noah needed in his. Together they were going to parent Ellie’s children well. And they’d already established a fine extended family in Jo and Nick Fitch, and solid friendships at the core of the community.

In addition to all that, George found he loved visiting Virgin River. At seventy, he was putting in fewer teaching hours, traveling more, socializing often. He’d retired as a Presbyterian minister at the age of fifty and had been held captive at the university ever since. He worked to stay busy, to keep from getting old, but he was beginning to think more play would keep him younger longer.

The moment Noah had called him, George turned his two classes over to his teaching assistant and packed his bags. He liked the drive to Virgin River from Washington; it was long and beautiful. He’d always enjoyed solitude as much as he enjoyed people.

It was the dinner hour of a cold November day when he hit town; the sun was down and a welcoming light shone from the window of Jack’s. He went there first, thinking he might run into Noah.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Jack called from behind the bar. “I heard you were coming for the wedding. Didn’t waste any time, did you?”

George grinned and hung his coat on the peg by the door. He glanced around quickly to see if he could spot Noah, but what he saw instead knocked the wind out of him. That stunning redhead from the wedding he’d attended here about a month ago was having dinner with her family. He recognized her immediately as Luke Riordan’s mother, Maureen. Before he could shake himself, he realized he was staring at her. She sat at a table by the fire with Luke, Shelby and Art.

George had to force his eyes away and go up to the bar. He stuck out his hand and greeted Jack. “I thought maybe I’d find Noah here, getting dinner.”

“Haven’t seen him since this morning,” Jack said. “If he doesn’t turn up soon, I bet you’ll find him down at the Fitch house. You just drive in?”

“This is my first stop after a very long day.”

“Let me get you something to drink,” Jack offered. “What’s your pleasure?”

“My driving is done for the day. How about a nice Scotch? Ice and water, please.”

“You got it, George. And if you’re interested, Preacher whipped up some pork tenderloin in sauerkraut that is not sour. He simmers it in beer all day and it’s out of this world. It’s one of his best dishes.” Jack turned away to fix a drink for George, but as it was with Jack, he just kept talking. “So, we’re having a wedding. Party here afterward. Everyone’s pretty excited about it. I never would’ve guessed when Ellie hit town that she’d snag herself our minister.”

“You sure Noah didn’t do the snagging?” George asked.

“Now that you mention it, I’m not sure.”

George managed some small talk, but his mind was elsewhere. He remembered meeting Maureen at Luke and Shelby’s wedding reception out at the general’s house. His first thought was that she was a damn fine-looking fifty-year-old woman, but when he was informed she was Luke’s mother, making her over sixty, he was speechless. He did his best to charm her right on the spot, but she was preoccupied with the wedding. And having all her military sons present distracted her; she’d not seen them in quite a while.

George had had an immediate hope of seeing her again, but he doubted he’d be so lucky. She lived in Phoenix, her sons were scattered everywhere with only Luke in Virgin River, and what were the chances he’d visit Virgin River at the same time she did? With disappointment, he’d given up on the idea of getting to know her better.

“George?” Jack asked.

“Hm?” he said, jerking to attention. “Sorry, Jack. My mind must have been wandering.”

“I said, why don’t you go say hello to them. The Riordans.”

“I think you read my mind.”

“No, George. I followed your eyes.” Jack tilted his head toward the Riordans’ table.