My Kind of Christmas (Virgin River #20)(73)

It didn’t take much more than a couple of kisses and a little touching to coax her into seeing things his way. She soon found herself na**d and locked in the arms of her lover. For a good half hour, he concentrated on studying her body in a way that brought both of them to shuddering satisfaction followed by soft kissing.

A little breathless, Patrick suggested, “We can call in a no-show. Just say the word.”

She shook her head. “It’s fun to be together with our families. And it distracts me from the inevitable.”

The visit to Patrick’s cabin for his change of clothes was much more efficient, and soon they were joining the others at the Victorian. They were too many for a sit-down dinner—Shelby’s family had joined them, as well as Walt Booth and his lady friend, Muriel, Walt’s daughter and her husband and children and, of course, Jilly’s sister, Kelly, and her family. Kelly did the basic cooking—a large prime rib roast and a turkey—but everyone brought something to eat so it was a very full house and heavy table. It shaped up like an old-fashioned town party, and the only person missing was Preacher—someone had to run the bar for all the out-of-towners. In fact, Jack recruited a couple of guys in town to serve so he could sneak away for a few hours.

Desserts were laid out and everything was starting to quiet down when Aiden put a hand on Patrick’s shoulder. “Let’s check out a cigar.”

“It’s cold out there!” Patrick said.

Aiden laughed. “I’ll keep you warm.” With his hand on Paddy’s shoulder, Aiden directed him to the back door and they grabbed their jackets off the hook on the way out. Aiden pulled a couple of cigars and a lighter out of his pocket, clipped the ends and handed one off to Patrick. When a few puffs had them going, Aiden asked, “How are the nightmares?”

Patrick’s eyes shot to Aiden’s. “What nightmares?”

“Don’t kid a kidder, Paddy. You went through a traumatic event. The life of your closest friend was lost. I was a Navy physician for years—I know how it goes.”

“An OB! You’re an OB!”

“Yes, I was a women’s doctor. And also the doctor on a ship. Oh, wait, that’s right—women don’t have combat issues.” He shook his head.

“I didn’t mean that. Of course they do. But…”

“But I made referrals and had to know what I was dealing with. Even if I hadn’t had medical training in this, between Luke and Colin and their disasters, I’d be up to speed. So? Nightmares? Depression? Anger? Denial? Anything?”

Patrick studied his cigar. “I had some bad dreams. It’s better.”

“Yeah, good. Colin says you’re headed for Oklahoma. Jake’s widow lives there.”

Patrick gave a humorless laugh. “Bunch of old women…”

They were quiet for a moment. Finally Aiden said, “I like your girl. Sweet.”

“Not my girl…”

“You doing her for fun? Does she know that?”

He looked at Aiden with barely concealed rage. “She’s a good woman. It’s just a thing, all right? Totally consensual.”

“Look, I know you came here for a break, a chance to take stock of your life. Have you had a chance to do that?”

“Until all of you showed up, that’s exactly what I was doing!”

“Really, Paddy?” Aiden asked, his voice quiet. “Make any progress on that? Because last I heard, you still weren’t sure what you wanted. You used to be sure.”

I used to have a best friend, Patrick thought miserably.

“I only met Jake once,” Aiden said. “He was a lot like you, though. And if you’d gone down, you wouldn’t have wanted him to rethink his whole life trying to compensate for losing him. Know what I mean? There’s nothing you can do to bring him back, Paddy. You have to grieve the loss, but you’ll never change the course of events. He’s gone now. I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again—I’m really sorry, man.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Paddy said.

The back door opened and Sean came outside.

“Oh, brother,” Paddy said.

Sean just smiled. “Franci hates cigars. Got one more?”

Aiden supplied him, handing him the clip and lighter. Once he got the cigar going, Sean said, “Paddy, you’re not really going to give up that sweet little beauty, are you? She’s crazy about you.”

“It’s really none of your business,” Patrick returned.

“When has that stopped anyone?”

The door opened again and Luke came out. Before the door could close on him, Colin held it and joined him. Without a word, Aiden supplied two more cigars. “That’s it. I brought five. If anyone else shows up out here, they’re on their own.”

“If anyone else shows up out here, just shoot me,” Patrick said.

No sooner had he said that than Walt Booth and Sam Sheridan came outside.

“Sorry, man—my brothers ran through all the cigars,” Aiden said.

Walt pulled a couple out of his pocket. “Not to worry, son. I’m always packing.”

A minute later, Jack and Paul came outside. “General,” Paul said. “What are the chances…?”

Walt supplied a couple more.

A minute later brought Bob, Angie’s dad. Walt pulled a cigar out of his pocket and Bob put up his hands. “No, thanks. I don’t feel like putting up with Donna tonight.”