Moonlight Road (Virgin River #11)(69)

“A couple of hours ago I heard something out here,” he said. “Could’ve been wildlife. I got up, thinking you might be back from the hospital.” He shrugged and said, “When I couldn’t find you or any animals, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to stay alert.”

Aiden actually laughed. “Who were you gonna shoot with that thing?”

“Anyone who shouldn’t be lurking around here late at night. I think we need to consider locks. How’s the little family? Luke and Shelby?”

“Good—seven-pound, healthy boy. Brought tears to Luke’s eyes. I don’t know when I’ve ever seen him on his knees thanking a woman before. I took Mom back to her house on wheels. George had waited up for her, I think. Sean,” he said, pausing. “Did it ever occur to you that you might run into a scary little blonde out here?”

“I hoped,” he answered. “If I said I mistook her for a deer, I’d be believed, wouldn’t I?” Then he flashed Aiden a smile.

“Let’s be careful there,” Aiden said. “Not because I feel protective, but because I don’t want any member of my family going to hell over her. She’s just not worth it. Do you need me to take over watch so you can get some rest?”

“I slept a little before I heard noises. I’m all right. What about you? You want to go to bed?”

“Yeah, but not here. I want to go to Erin’s. There’s a good chance that after I tell her about my last twenty-four hours, I’ll be right back.”

“Go,” Sean said. “She seems pretty reasonable. If you need someone to back up your story…”

“Thanks. See you a little later.”

By the time he drove up the long driveway to Erin’s cabin at the top of the ridge, it was nearly five in the morning. When he got out and stood beside his SUV, he saw a most amazing sight. There was a pink glow from the sun rising in the east; the moon was lowering in the west. The sun and the moon in the same sky had always seemed like magic to him. Their light seemed to meet over the road to Erin’s cabin.

The cabin door opened and she stood there in her nightgown. “I heard the car,” she explained.

“Come here, sweetheart. Look at this. Down the road that way, the sun is starting to rise. The other way the moon is saying goodbye.”

“Hmm. I wonder if that’s why they call this Moonlight Road. It’s not marked, but that’s the address.” She stepped out beside him and his arm went around her shoulders. “Red sky at morning, sailor take warning,” she said. “My dad always said the weather was going to be bad when the sun came up pink like that.”

“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight,” he said.

“You know that saying?” she asked.

“I spent the last eight years in San Diego. I didn’t have a boat, but I went sailing with friends sometimes. Water stuff—it’s what we did there.”

She turned to look up at him. “Don’t you miss it?”

He shook his head. “My life has seemed pretty perfect here. But I guess all good things come to an end. I have something to tell you, and it’s not nice stuff. I thought nothing could get better—not only was I completely relaxed for the first time in years, but I fell in love with the perfect woman. And—”

She gave him a moment to finish and then said, “And…?”

His arm tightened around her. “When I got back to Luke’s after leaving you yesterday morning, my family was gathered. And in their midst was Annalee, my ex-wife, bearing the news that our divorce wasn’t properly recorded and therefore, not legally filed.”

Her eyes were wide as she looked up at him. “Are you kidding me?”

“I wish. I don’t get it. Apparently, the lawyer didn’t follow through or something. But, Erin, we parted company after a very short, very embarrassing marriage eight years ago. If she’s right, this is a technicality and I’ll get it taken care of. It’s a complication and I’m sorry. I have to get the situation resolved immediately. I’m going to have to find a good lawyer this time. Obviously the last one wasn’t worth what I paid him.”

“Want my help with that?”

“What I want is for you to look at the paperwork the lawyer gave me—he said it was done and that was all I’d need. Do you know anything about divorce papers?”

“A little,” she said with a shrug. “They pass across my desk from time to time when I’m preparing living trusts, wills and estate planning. Not to mention taxes.”

“This isn’t the kind of thing you should be asking of the woman you love,” he said.

“Let’s not worry about that right now. Come on, come inside with me.”

“Let me get my stuff,” he said. He reached back into his car and pulled out the metal box. “My war chest,” he said. “My few real important documents that I wouldn’t trust to furniture movers—birth certificate, et cetera.”

They went inside and Erin took the box from his hands and put it down on the kitchen table. “What’s she like now?” Erin asked. “Eight years later? Does she want the divorce finalized so she can get on with her life? Maybe get married again or something?”

That was another story altogether—what she wanted. “It doesn’t matter what she wants. I have only one thing to offer her and that’s an official, documented, recorded divorce.” He pulled Erin into his arms. “I’m just going to make this go away as fast as I can.”