Angel's Peak (Virgin River #10)(69)

George just laughed; he didn’t embarrass easily. “Good idea. If Noah comes in, see if you can keep him busy for a while.”

As George approached their table, Luke immediately stood. “Sir,” he said, stretching out a hand. And George remembered that these Riordan boys gave the impression of being scamps but their manners toward women and their elders were impeccable. The lot of them were a long way from being boys—George suspected Luke was nearly forty—but clearly they’d been raised with a firm hand. Probably by their parents, their priests and their military bosses.

“Luke, Shelby,” George said with a nod, taking Luke’s hand. “How’s married life?”

“Excellent, sir. Thanks.”

“Art, how are you? And, Mrs. Riordan, wonderful to see you again.”

Maureen looked at him with a slight frown. “Forgive me, I know we met, but I just can’t remember—”

“George Davenport,” he said with a slight nod of his head. “A friend of Pastor Kincaid’s. I was in town for Shelby and Luke’s wedding as it was Noah’s debut at the church. Splendid affair.”

“George, please sit down,” Luke said. “Visit a while.”

“Thanks, don’t mind if I do.” George pulled a chair over from an empty table and sat right beside Maureen so that she was sandwiched between himself and Art. “What brings you back to town so soon?” he asked her.

“I’m, ah, visiting.”

“Fantastic,” he said. “A long visit, I hope.”

Luke took his seat, chuckling as he did so. “I have a brother here right now—Sean. You might remember him as my best man. He just discovered he has a young daughter in the area. Mom is visiting us and getting to know her first granddaughter, Rosie, three and a half and smart as a whip.”

“How wonderful!” George said enthusiastically. “You must be having the time of your life!”

Maureen lifted a thin brow, wary of his reaction. “I am enjoying her, yes.”

“First one? I suppose before too much longer the other boys will be adding to the flock.”

“Only the married ones, I hope,” Maureen said. “Do you have grandchildren, Mr. Davenport?”

“Oh, let’s not be so formal—I’m George. Only step-grandchildren. I had no children of my own, in fact. Noah’s the closest thing to a son I’ve ever had, but I started out as his teacher. I’m a professor at Seattle Pacific University. I’ve known him quite a few years now. I’m here to be his best man on Friday night. I hope you’re all coming to the wedding.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Luke said, grabbing Shelby’s hand.

“And…Maureen?” George asked pointedly.

“I’m not sure,” she said evasively.

“Well, try to come,” he said. “These Virgin River people know how to have a good time. In fact, I have an idea. Once I have my best-man duties out of the way, I suggest we go to dinner. I’ll take you someplace nice in one of the coast towns, though it’ll be hard to improve on Preacher’s cooking. But we deserve some time away from all these young people, don’t you think?”

“Excuse me, George?” she asked. “I assume you were married?”

“Twice, as a matter of fact. Divorced a long time ago and, more recently, widowed. My wife died a few years ago. Maybe we should pick an evening and exchange phone numbers,” he suggested.

“That’s very nice of you, but no. I don’t go out with men.”

“Really?” he asked, surprised by her immediate refusal. “And why is that?”

“I’m a widow,” she said. “A single woman.”

“What a coincidence. And I’m a single man. I’m all for free thinking, but I wouldn’t ask you to dinner were I married. Are you recently widowed?” Out of the corner of his eye, George saw Luke snicker and look away.

“Yes,” Maureen said.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “I was under the impression it had been years. When did you lose your husband, Maureen?”

She looked a bit shocked to be put on the spot like that. It was apparent she was trying to gather her wits. She put out her hand. “It was so nice to see you again, Mr.…George. I’m glad you sat and visited a while. Maybe I’ll see you at the wedding this weekend if I’m not needed for anything else. I should probably get on the road—I have to drive to Eureka.”

She stood and George did, as well. “Eureka? You’re not staying here in Virgin River with your son?”

“I’m staying with a friend just down the street from my granddaughter so I’m free to pick her up after preschool. We spend most afternoons together. Really, nice seeing you.” She turned to Luke. “I’m going to head back to Viv’s, Luke. Good night, Shelby. ’Night Art. Thanks for dinner, it was great as usual.”

“Wonderful seeing you, too,” George said. “Try to come to Noah’s wedding. I guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself.”

Luke gestured to Shelby to visit with George while he walked his mother to her car, but he had to move pretty quick to do that. Maureen was shrugging into her jacket as she exited the bar, apparently in a very big hurry to leave.