Paradise Valley (Virgin River #7)(43)

But when he looked back at her, tears were running down her cheeks.

“Oh, Jesus, Abby,” he said, pulling her toward him. “Do you hate it?”

“No,” she sniffed, shaking her head. “I kind of like it.”

“It could be temporary while we look for something better. I just want to keep us in close quarters, so I can help.”

She shook her head and found words with difficulty. “What have you gotten yourself into?”

He wiped away a tear. “I know this is so hard for you. If you’d rather be at Vanni’s, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. But, Abby, I— Honey, I want to help, be a part of it.”

“I never thought I’d end up doing something like this. It’s so…so…calculated. Such a practical arrangement.”

“Abby, give me a chance here. I want to take care of you. I know you don’t like hearing that—you’re used to taking care of yourself.” He slipped a hand over her belly. “Right now that’s not practical. We have to think about your health. This isn’t an ordinary pregnancy.” He smiled sweetly. “It’s an extraordinary pregnancy.” She sniffed again and he pulled her close. “If there’s a better way, better for you, just tell me. I’ll do anything I can.”

She shook her head against his shoulder. She inhaled his scent, remembered the lusty night that had gotten them here. She closed her eyes. Such a sweet memory….

And he felt one of them kick him in her belly. He pulled her closer, tighter, wanting more of that. “There are a few problems with this cabin,” he said. “No TV, for one thing. Mel and Jack never installed a satellite dish. I hardly ever bother with TV. I catch the news at Jack’s, listen to music and read a lot.”

She pulled back from him just a bit and looked up into his blue eyes. “I have a portable DVD player. Vanni has lots of DVDs to loan. Maybe I’ll watch a movie sometimes, but I like to read. I go through a couple of books a week—lately most of them are about pregnancy and childbirth. I guess you already know all about that.”

“I’m pretty much up to speed. But I wouldn’t mind looking at what you’re reading.”

“Maybe, if you’re very nice, I’ll let you watch a movie with me.”

He smiled at her. “I bet they’re all girl movies that make you cry.” He used his thumb to wipe a tear away from her cheek.

“Cameron, everything makes me cry. Haven’t you noticed?”

“It’s pretty normal. Pregnant women cry a lot, whether they need to or not. When would you like to move? I don’t want you alone out here, so I’ll come at the same time. After I help you get your things transferred.”

“In a day or two? All I have is clothes. Are we going to have some kind of routine or something?” she asked.

“Yes,” he chuckled. “I’ll go to work, but my schedule isn’t demanding. I have a lot of free time when there aren’t patients, but I won’t hang around here and drive you crazy. You can do what you want—either stay here and relax, listen to music and read, or go hang out with Vanni. We’ll have dinner together when you feel like it. We’ll talk sometimes, like friends do. Pick names for the babies. When you give me permission, I’ll call my mother, who is going to freak out.”

“Oh God!”

He hugged her close. “It’s going to be fine. She might be a little put out that we’re not married, but the twins will mollify her. When you think I’ve earned the right, we’ll share a DVD.” He smiled at her.

“And after they’re born? When it’s time for me to get on with my life?”

“We’ll talk about what you’d like to do, where you’d like to be, and what you want will be a priority. I’ll see how I can fit in that plan as a dad. But, Abby, can we get to that later? One thing at a time? As long as I promise I don’t have any plan to screw up your life?”

“Sure,” she said. “One thing at a time. Aren’t you worried what people will think?”

“Hell no,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ve only been here a few months, but there are a million interesting little stories that verge on scandals in this town. People love ’em. If I had the slightest worry anyone would treat you meanly, I’d never have suggested this.”

“What kind of little scandals?”

“We have lots of time for me to catch you up on the local stuff, like Mel and Jack, Preacher and Paige, and I guess you probably already know about Vanni and Paul.”

Very suddenly, Abby felt relief flood through her. She knew that whole story—that Paul had been in love with Vanni for years, but she’d married his best friend. And then, after Vanni’s husband Matt was killed in Iraq and the way to her was clear, Paul had such guilt and shame about his obsession, he couldn’t act. If that wasn’t bad enough, he thought he had gotten a woman back in Oregon pregnant. “Does everyone know about that?” she asked in a stunned whisper.

“I doubt we could find anyone around here who doesn’t know at least a version of the story.” Then he shrugged. “Abby, you have to remember—the important thing is that you’re healthy, we’re working together to bring healthy twins into the world and we’re going to do the best we can to be good parents. Who’s gonna throw rocks at that idea? Only a petty fool. And I say, screw the petty fools.”