Paradise Valley (Virgin River #7)(55)

He just grinned largely, happily. As of her last words, he didn’t need Jack’s input to drum up an image or two. Her turn to squirm. She’d certainly enjoyed his discomfort, but all he said with regards to hers was, “Why, Melinda. Hmm.”

As the April afternoons became warmer and perfect for riding, Muriel rode along the river with Vanessa and Shelby while Walt watched the baby. It was Muriel’s last day in Virgin River and spending time with the girls had become almost as important as spending it with Walt. And spring in the mountains was exhilarating; bright green with a smattering of colorful wildflowers along the riverbank. They rode along at a leisurely pace, enjoying the fresh air and conversation.

“Is there a date set for the wedding yet?” Muriel asked Shelby.

“No, not exactly. We can’t figure out when to do it, where to do it. Luke still has two brothers in the Middle East. I think we should wait for them to get home and he thinks we’d better hurry.”

“What’s the hurry?” Muriel asked.

“We want to have a baby,” she said, smiling.

Muriel just frowned. “Shelby, you’re so young—you have lots of time. It’s not like your clock is ticking.”

“I know,” she laughed. “Luke’s clock is ticking. He’ll be thirty-nine next month. He’s afraid he’s going to be going to high-school football games with a walker.”

“Oh,” she said. “Don’t you want to have a little time with him first? Alone time? Before you add a baby to the mix?”

“I wouldn’t mind that, but I get his point. I’m just so pleased he’s going along with the family idea, I’m being cooperative.”

“And school?” Muriel asked.

“The nursing program officially starts in September, but I’m going to take classes this summer to get a head start. There will be an orientation day in June and I can take Luke with me, but I had a tour already. The students in that program are men and women, all ages, and I mean all ages—from eighteen to fifty. The only thing I had to work out with Luke is that he’s going to be a totally involved father and not leave it to me to manage all the child-care issues alone so I can go to school.”

“And?” Muriel asked.

Shelby laughed. “For someone who insisted marriage and family would never be in his future, he can’t wait. If it was up to Luke, we’d take off for the justice of the peace. But his mother would absolutely kill him if he did that.”

“You’d better plan enough in advance so I can make it,” Muriel warned.

“Really?” Shelby asked. “You’d come?”

“Of course I’d come. It’ll take some planning, and maybe some conniving, if I’m still on this movie when you do it.”

“Muriel, are you anxious to get back to the movie?” Vanessa asked her.

“In a way,” she said with a shrug. “Sometimes the chemistry is so good on a set, with all the people involved, that it’s like forming a family. That’s not typical. It’s like all the planets lined up—the script, the cast, the crew, the direction. And I think the fact that we’re going to Montana rather than New Delhi or Greenland gives everyone a real positive attitude. Montana in the summer—a great idea. A lot of people are bringing families.” She was quiet for a moment. “They could have filmed here,” she said as she moved her mare down the river path, right between Vanni and Shelby on their mounts. “The setting is just as good, the weather just as wonderful in summer.”

“You’re going to miss the general,” Vanessa said.

“Oh, yes,” she admitted. “I wish he’d come to Montana. At least for a visit. They rented me a small house up there.”

“Have you asked him?”

“Uh-huh. Something about that idea bothers him. He keeps saying we’ll see. Maybe it’s because I’ll be putting in long hours—I had to tell the truth about that. But really, I suspect Walt doesn’t think he can fit into my world.”

“Are you two serious?” Vanni asked. Muriel shot her a look and Vanni actually blushed. “I mean, are you… I mean, you don’t have to say anything…. I mean, I was just wondering if— Oh, hell, mind your own business, Vanessa!” she self-admonished.

“What’s serious?” Muriel asked. “Do I think he’s just about the greatest man I’ve ever met? I do. If I started to list all the things that make him wonderful, we wouldn’t have time. Are we going to get married or anything like that? No. But could this fantastic relationship we have go on for a long time? Why not?”

“I hate to put my foot in my mouth all over again, but why are you so sure you won’t get married?” Vanni asked.

“Darling, I’ve had five husbands and a number of steady guys. Why would I attempt that again? I’d like to think it was their fault, but what if I’m the one who’s not so good at it? And why would Walt take a chance on a woman who’s had five husbands and a number of steady guys? Especially when this friendship we have feels… Well, it feels perfect. I wouldn’t want to screw it up. Besides, there’s no panic—my clock isn’t ticking. Hell, I threw it against the wall years ago.”

“But aren’t you afraid of—” Vanni shut her mouth before she did it again.