My Kind of Christmas (Virgin River #20)(46)

She went to him and let him pull her into his embrace. “My uncle Jack knows.”

Patrick pulled back. “Well, that explains it. I stopped in for a beer this afternoon and he wasn’t exactly cordial. I didn’t ask him what was bugging him because I didn’t want the answer. Did you tell him?”

She shook her head. “He was going to surprise me with some takeout and a bottle of wine last night and found a Jeep parked next to my SUV. And the lights off.”

He ran the fingers of one hand through her hair. “Did he give you a hard time?”

She shook her head. “I think it’s hard for him to relate to this strange place we’re in, you and I. I have to admit, I’ve never been in a situation like this before.”

“Me, either,” he said with a smile.

“Not a girl at every port?”

He shook his head. “I’ve never been one to play the field. I’ve always been on the lookout for something solid, and if it looked temporary at best, I wasn’t usually game.”

“I thought men considered that a bonus—temporary.”

He pulled her closer. “Not this man. This is a definite first.”

“Well, the upside is, there’s no reason for hiding out anymore. We’re a Christmas fling and if we want to have dinner in town, why not?”

“And if I want to take you to my brother’s house, will you go?”

“I’d love that,” she said. “I want to meet these brothers! And wait till I tell you about the latest on Megan.”

When she’d gone through all the details and her plans he said, “Let me take you to Davis.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m interested in this project. And because I’ll be able to spend the day with you.”

She couldn’t have thought of a better reason herself.

* * *

Brie looked at her caller ID before answering the phone. “Hey, Donna,” she said.

“Baby sister. How’s my girl getting along?”

“I’d venture to say this is one of the best vacations of her life. She seems to be having a wonderful time—busy every minute, looking healthy and happy.”

“She told me about her project—the little girl.”

“She’s after it like a bulldog. She had to make dozens of calls to find a surgeon with the time and inclination to help. According to Angie, many plastic surgeons have full schedules months in advance. And without a doctor’s exam, she can’t put together a plan and cost analysis. She’s remarkable, Donna. You must be so proud of her.”

“I am, of course I am, but I’m worried. Do you know her latest? She wants to plunge into the peace corps or some similar organization rather than going back to school. After barely recovering from her accident? After all we’ve invested in getting her this far in school?”

Brie took a breath. “God. No wonder she hangs up on you!”

“What? Isn’t this a reasonable reaction on my part? My daughter, who was always dedicated to medical school and to her goal of becoming a doctor, had a terrible life-threatening accident. And now, ever since she woke up from the coma, it’s as though she’s a different person! No more medical school, always fighting against me… I just want her to take her time—is that too much to ask?”

“Asking is too much to ask, Donna. Don’t you feel her moving farther and farther away from you? You can stop this, Donna, and you’d better. Or you’re going to lose her.”

“I’m trying! I’m giving her space. I’m trying so hard to keep the judgmental tone out of my voice even though I think some of her decisions and ideas are so out of character and way too risky! I’m trying to—”

“Stop talking?” Brie asked, cutting her off. “Because, Professor, one of the things you do best is push your agenda on people. I know it comes naturally, and you’ve had many students to corral in the right direction, not to mention four younger siblings and three daughters to raise. Have you ever tried just saying nothing?”

She apparently was giving it a try because there was dead silence on the phone line. Eventually, Brie heard a deep sigh on the other end of the line. “Well. That hurt.”

“I know,” Brie said softly. “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings, but sometimes you’re too pushy. And this isn’t the first time you’ve heard that.”

“Angie didn’t think I was too pushy when I took a two-month leave to take care of her, to help her to the bathroom, read to her and cheer her on during all her painful physical therapy sessions.”

“I think the important difference right now is that she doesn’t need help to do all those basic things and doesn’t like being treated as though she does. If you don’t back way off, my darling big sister, she’s going to run. Run fast and far. You have to let go. You have to let her make her own decision and, yes, even her own mistakes.”

Donna’s voice was uncharacteristically small when she said, “I only want her to be okay....”

“Of course that’s what you want. You’re a good mother. And now I’m going be a good sister. I’m going to get you through this, Donna. Just give me a chance.”

“Because you’re all wise and experienced?” Donna asked, a bit resentfully.