Moonlight Road (Virgin River #11)(107)

“Future summer vacations probably won’t be as exciting as this one was,” he said, tightening his arms around her.

“I can live with that,” she said, giving him a kiss. “Are you at all concerned that Annalee could get out of jail and show up in your life again?”

“Not as long as you’re in charge of the bear repellent,” he said with a laugh.

“And you’d be smart to keep that in mind, mister,” she threatened with a smile. “The days of giving me a concussion to win my attention are in the past.”

“Very caveman of me, don’t you think?” he asked.

“Oh, very,” she said. She wrinkled her nose. “You did kind of have that cavemannish look and aroma….”

He growled and nuzzled her neck. He kissed her, then stroked her hair over one ear. “Let’s hit the road—I’ll follow you. Show me the way home, sweetheart.”

Mel Sheridan went to the bar in the early afternoon, jumped up on the stool and leaned across the bar to kiss her husband. “Hey, baby,” he said.

“It’s today,” she said, her voice soft.

“Want me with you?” he asked.

She shook her head and smiled. “No. I want to do this on my own.” She glanced at her watch. “I just wanted to stop by for a minute first.”

He slipped a big hand around the back of her neck and massaged a little bit. “We’ll celebrate tonight, how’s that? I’ll sneak away a little early, bring something of Preacher’s. Put out those candles again. How about that?”

“Sounds perfect. I’ll drop by before I leave town.” She gave him another quick kiss and jumped off the stool, heading back to the clinic.

Twenty minutes later she was standing in the reception area when the door opened. Darla and Phil came in. They looked a little bit concerned, or if not concerned, maybe perplexed. Mel smiled at them and said, “How are you two?”

“Good. Everything’s good,” Phil said, his arm casually draped around Darla’s shoulders.

“Any news from any quarter on your adoption application?” Mel asked.

“Nothing yet, but we’ve been told it can take such a long time,” Darla said. “We’re prepared to be patient. Whatever is supposed to happen will happen. When you called, you said you wanted to talk to us about it? Did we miss something? Something we should add?”

She shook her head. “I have someone I’d like you to meet,” Mel said. “Come with me.” And then she led the way to the kitchen. When she got there, Marley and Jake stood up from the table. Marley was just barely beginning to show, her T-shirt pulled snug over her slightly rounding middle. “Marley and Jake, I’d like you to meet some very dear friends of mine, Darla and Phil Prentiss. They have a big farm in the valley and I’ve known them since I first got to Virgin River a few years ago.” Then she turned to Darla and Phil. “Meet Marley and Jake. They’ve looked at your adoption packet, wanted to meet with you and talk. They’re facing some very special challenges.”

Marley’s hands gently caressed the little tummy; Jake’s left arm went around her waist while his right hand shot out over the table toward Phil. “How do you do,” he said.

“I’m going to fix you some tea, Phil and Darla. Then I’m going to leave the four of you to talk. There aren’t any patients scheduled so take all the time you want.”

Darla’s hand moved shakily to cover her mouth, and tears came to her eyes. “Don’t cry, darlin’,” Phil said. “If you get all mushy, these young people will think you’re not tough enough to be a good parent.” Then he chuckled and reached for Jake’s hand. “It’s an honor, son. Please, sit down. We’re at your disposal—fire away.”

Mel left them in the kitchen and went back to the reception area. Cameron was at the desk. “You okay?” he asked.

“Fine. Yes. Do you want to get home early today?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I don’t have to,” he said.

“Then, would you mind taking care of our guests, if they need anything?”

“Not at all. Going home?”

“Yes,” she said. “But first I’m going to walk across the street and hope the bar is empty. I think I want to feel my husband’s arms around me.”

“You do that.” He smiled. “It’s a good thing you’re doing.”

“There’s a lot of love in that kitchen,” she said. “I have a feeling they’re going to be a great comfort to one another.”

“Mel,” he said, “you’ve been a great comfort to so many people. Please never forget that.”

“Thanks, Cam. That’s nice of you to say.” And she thought, We will have no wasted or excess love left over when we go. We will spend every last drop.