Moonlight Road (Virgin River #11)(59)

Shelby’s brother-in-law Aiden moved silently up behind Erin Foley, put his hands on her shoulders and when she turned her head to smile up at him, he pulled her backward behind the church where they were out of sight. She laughed to herself. Aiden was trying to play it cool around his brothers, but really, who did he think he was kidding?

She heard Mel shout from the backyard. “Jack!” And then Jack turned away from the grill he was manning with Preacher and young Rick Sudder in time to see little David had wandered away from the ring-around-the-rosy game to go pee on a tree. Jack approached his small son and towered above him, hands on his hips, glaring down at him. Finally, David turned, yanked up his pants and grinned up at his dad, who was shaking his head in frustration or disappointment or maybe even pride. Jack crouched for a stern talk and a finger shake that promised one more of those moments would get David a good talking-to.

Tom Booth sat on the ground, leaning up against a tree, Brenda sitting between his long legs and leaning back against him. Nearby, Ricky’s fiancée, Liz, sat cross-legged on the ground visiting with them. The general and Muriel were sharing a picnic table and conversation with Maureen and George, Ellie and Noah. Kids and dogs ran everywhere; people sat in lawn chairs, on the ground, at tables, or just gathered in clumps to joke and laugh and catch up on the latest gossip. Preacher and Rick kept putting out food on the tables brought from inside; several coolers held iced beer, wine, sodas, water and juice. A donation jar was filling up—no one was ever charged for party food and drink, but tips were gratefully accepted.

Shelby felt the baby moving; the movements now were so powerful they could almost make her wince. She leaned her head back, closed her eyes and rocked. She might’ve even dozed for a moment or two. When she opened her eyes, Mel was standing in front of her, leaning against the porch railing, arms crossed over her chest. “Get plenty of rest now,” Mel advised. “It won’t be long before you have one peeing on a tree at the town picnic.”

“I saw that,” Shelby said with a chuckle.

“That’s Jack’s doing,” she said. “You’re going to want to watch out for Luke.”

“I caught a break there,” Shelby said. “He’s real careful about things like that—he doesn’t want Art dropping his drawers around the cabin guests.”

“Speaking of Art—there’s something new.”

“Netta. Luke and Art ran into her when they were shopping and it turned out Art and Netta had been in the same group home before and consider themselves boyfriend and girlfriend. She’s very sweet. I think it gave Luke quite a few new gray hairs….”

“Oh?” Mel asked, raising an eyebrow. “Why is that?”

“Luke does so well with Art, but he doesn’t always understand Art’s ways. He panicked—thought they’d have sex or something, get pregnant and move in with us. Look at them—how sweet is that? They’re obviously very dear to each other, but they aren’t going to rock Luke’s boat to the degree he feared when he realized Art had a girlfriend.” Shelby laughed and added, “You should’ve seen Luke’s face when Art asked if he should get married. I thought we’d have to revive him.”

“What did he say?”

“He pretty much choked and went white. I told Art no, he shouldn’t, because it would be hard to be married to someone who lives in Fortuna since he doesn’t drive a car and that settled it. For now. As I suspected, Art isn’t real clear on what marriage really means. I think Art is perfectly happy with us.”

“The baby will be exciting for him.”

“Big brother Art,” Shelby said. “Don’t get Luke all stirred up, but I’m having contractions. Not serious ones, but I might be warming up.”

“Good,” Mel said. “Maybe you’ll get your wish and the baby will come before Sean and Franci leave for his next assignment. Entirely possible—last time we checked you were headed in that direction.”

“Believe me, if I could go a little early, I wouldn’t be doing it for Franci and Sean.”

“Getting a little uncomfortable, huh?” Mel asked.

Shelby nodded. Then her eyes clouded and a tear spilled down her cheek. “I know this is just silly and emotional and I know it is completely impossible, but I wish my mother could have been around for this….”

Mel reached out and smoothed back some of Shelby’s hair, pushing it off her cheek. “I know, sweetheart. But I have a feeling she’s watching over you. And you certainly don’t lack for family!”

“Tell me about it. Some of them could just get lost for a while and I’d be fine.” She sniffed.

“Family getting on your nerves?” Mel asked.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong—they’re fantastic to the last one. All seven hundred of them.” Mel laughed at her. “Pregnant tears,” Shelby said, wiping off her cheek. “I never get any warning….”

Mel just chuckled. “I remember,” she said. “What’s this little guy’s name?”

“Brett Lucas Riordan,” she answered. Then she winced and said, “Ugh,” as a large bulge protruded from the left side of her belly. “Do you think he knows that’s not the way out?”

“My girl, you need to unload,” Mel said, shaking her head.