Forbidden Falls (Virgin River #9)(50)

“I think your cousin’s husband, Paul, and I can provide the church,” Noah said.

“There will have to be a priest, as well. I’m not going to become a Catholic, but Luke’s whole family is Catholic, and it’s important to his mother.”

“That’s very doable,” Noah said. “I’ve done it before. An ecumenical marriage ceremony. The priest and I will share the honor of uniting you.”

“Perfect,” Shelby said.

“It sounds wonderful,” Noah said. “Want to talk about your vows?”

“We talked about making up our own, but we’re kind of stuck. Turns out we’re not so good at that.”

Noah laughed. “But I am. So, I take this to mean you don’t want the customary vows, but something unique. And you’re having trouble getting there?”

“That’s it exactly!” Shelby said.

“I’m okay with any vows,” Luke said. “Just get it done. I’m ready for Shelby to get off the pill.”

“Luke!” she admonished.

Noah laughed again. “I guess you’ll want a cheap baptism next?”

“I’m thinking nine months from the wedding,” Luke said. “Shelby’s just starting nursing college. She has summers off. We should have our first in summer, if possible. Could be a push. We’ll have to get rolling on that.”

Shelby peered at Luke. “Our first?” she asked. “A few months ago you were never getting married and now you’re having more than one child?”

“You can have input on the number,” he said. “But now that you’ve talked me into this, I’m in no mood to wait. And it will make my mother happy if we get going on it.”

Shelby looked at Noah. “I guess we’d better make it a quick ceremony, Noah,” she said. “My services are being requested.”

“Absolutely,” he said with a happy laugh. “Quick, unique and legal. Does that sum it up?”

“Sure,” she said. “When you come up with something, can we talk about it? I don’t want to commit to anything that you think is totally hot and I think is really sappy.”

“You got it. I’ll get right to work on it. I have two church offices to paint. I come up with great ideas while I paint.”

Noah’s meeting with Vanessa and Paul at their home presented more of a challenge. He had requested that the children be included even though they wouldn’t understand any of the dialogue. Even if they were napping, that was all right. He wanted to meet with the couple while the little ones were close at hand and on their minds, rather than removed from the home.

When he arrived, he shook Paul’s hand and hugged Vanni. He met Hannah and Mattie, who were together in a playpen in the great room. He remarked on what beautiful children they were. It immediately struck Noah that they seemed to have such great rapport for babies who had only just met, rolling around and giggling, cooing and laughing at each other, Mattie pushing toys on Hannah, and Hannah knocking him down with hugs.

“Look at them,” Noah said. “You’d think they were brother and sister. They even look alike.”

“Mattie has his father’s dark hair and eyes,” Vanni said.

Paul glanced at Noah. “And Hannah has her mother’s.”

“Wow,” Noah said. “How amazing is that? They’re getting along so well. How are you two getting along?”

They seemed to look at each other cautiously. “We’re struggling,” Paul said. “This is very hard for Vanni. Two small children are a lot of work.”

“Is it also very hard for you?” Noah asked Paul.

“Very. Hard.” His elbows rested on his knees, hands clasped, and he looked down. The man was worried sick.

“Can I hear about your struggle first? If that’s okay with Vanni.”

“It’s okay,” she said. “But if Paul’s honest, he’ll tell you his struggle is with me.”

Noah shifted gears. “Go ahead, Vanni. Talk to me.”

“I butted in,” she said a bit regretfully.

Noah chuckled. “Gimme a break here—I’m very good at this. Everyone is going to get a fair chance. Hit me—tell me what your biggest burden is. Then we’ll get to Paul’s.”

She took a breath. “I resent it. And because I resent it, I haven’t bonded with Hannah. And there’s no reason not to—she’s perfect. She’s sweet and easy and delightful.”

“Describe the resentment.”

“How and why does this woman I’ve never met give me her child to raise? She might have named Paul in her will, but I’ve never met her. And it’s not Paul who’s going to take care of Hannah. At least not most of the time.”

“But that’s part of the problem, according to what I understand,” Noah said. “She didn’t ask.”

“She’s dead, Vanni,” Paul said. “Doesn’t she get a pass?”

“And what are you going to tell Hannah, Paul?” Vanni asked. “That you slept with her mother but didn’t love her? And she’s not yours but her own father didn’t want her?”

There was silence while Paul and Vanni stared at each other. Noah cleared his throat. “Honestly, I don’t think Hannah’s going to care who Paul slept with. I don’t think she’s going to care who you slept with, either, Vanni. Since you never met Hannah’s mother, she’s going to want to know from Paul what he remembers about her. Paul will probably remember some nice things. Won’t you, Paul?”