Paradise Valley (Virgin River #7)(79)

“You got it,” Jack said, scowling briefly at Rick.

While Rick nursed his beer and then picked at his dinner, a few people who came into the bar approached him, said hello and patted his back. Their brows were furrowed as if they were feeling sorry for him and Dan knew, not a great thing to do. Right now Rick probably felt as though that was what he needed, maybe enjoyed it a little, but this kid was tough and strong and pity wasn’t going to help much.

Dan didn’t even see the next group come in. A couple and a girl. They sat at a table near the window. It was when Rick turned and looked that Dan followed his gaze and saw the girl connect with him. Beautiful girl. So beautiful and so sad, Dan was almost jealous for a second. He couldn’t see what Rick’s eyes were doing, but their eyes must have been locked together. The girl’s mouth hung open at first, then closed. She turned to the woman at her table, a small redhead in her fifties, whispered something and then fled the bar.

Rick pivoted back.

Dan gave it a minute before he said, “Now, that was interesting.”

Rick took a slug of his beer. “She used to be my girl.”

“Hmm. Before the leg?”

“Yeah.”

“She can’t deal with the leg?” Dan asked.

Rick swiveled his angry gaze to Dan. “This your business, buddy?”

“Dan. The name is Dan. Just curious. Seemed like she looked really sad, not put off. But maybe I imagined that.”

“She’s not put off, but it isn’t going to work for us anymore. Will that do it for you? Can you leave it alone now?”

“Sure, kid. If that’s what you want.”

“That’s what I want.”

Whoa, Dan thought. This is one tough customer. He had enough mad in him to burn buildings.

It wasn’t ten minutes later that the couple, minus the girl, approached Rick. The small redheaded woman put a hand on his shoulder and said, “How are you doing, Ricky? Getting along any better?”

“I’m doing pretty well, Connie. Thanks. You staying for dinner?”

“I think we’re going to pass,” she said. “Listen, just so you know, I think about you all the time, pray for you that you’ll get adjusted and stuff.”

“Thanks,” Rick said meekly. “Um, Liz. She doing okay?”

“She’s trying, Ricky. She’s stronger than she looks. She’s trying.”

“Good,” Rick said.

“Take care then,” Connie said. And they left the bar.

And Dan thought, this guy is imploding.

Twelve

Walt Booth had dinner at his daughter’s house at least twice a week. With Muriel away, Vanni was even more conscientious about making sure he was invited regularly. His daughter so enjoyed cooking, it was always a pleasure to have her do it for him. Then after dessert, if it was still early, he’d take his coffee to the great room and sometimes rock the baby for a while before Matt was settled in bed. Sometimes Paul would join him there, take in a little of the television news, but Paul was often occupied in the garage, working on built-ins for the interior of their house.

Vanni refilled Walt’s coffee while he rocked little Matt on a typical evening. “You’ve been awfully quiet lately,” she said to her father.

“Maybe I just said everything I have to say. Maybe there’s nothing left.”

“Ha-ha,” she said, smiling. “Then tell me what you hear from Muriel.” And Walt’s chin immediately dropped. “Uh-oh. Have you and Muriel had some kind of trouble?”

Walt looked up. “I don’t know if it’s trouble or not, but she’s not exactly pleased with me right now.”

“And why is that?”

He shrugged. “She can’t get away from that movie. She’d like me to farm out the dogs and get Shelby to feed the horses, and for me to go to Montana for at least a long weekend.”

Vanni sat back on the sofa, holding her own coffee cup. “And the problem is?”

“I don’t particularly want to go to Montana,” he said.

“Well. That must make her feel completely special.”

He grunted. “I don’t belong there, where she’s working.”

“I can’t imagine she’d ask you if she thought you’d be in the way. In fact, it might be good for you to see her at work. I know if she’d asked me, I’d be on the next plane. I’d love to visit a movie set.”

“There you have it, Vanessa,” he said. “I can’t see myself on a movie set. It’s completely out of my experience. I’d probably just embarrass her.”

“What nonsense! It would be fun, Dad! You’d not only learn more about what she’s doing, you’d have a little time together in the mornings and evenings.”

“I’m not so sure it would be fun….”

“Dad…? What did you say to her?”

He made a face. “It’s more what she said to me. I told her I didn’t think it was such a good idea, me going to her movie set, and she drew a line in the sand.” He shook his head. “Not really like Muriel, but that’s what she did.”

With some exasperation, Vanni said, “Do you think you can possibly make this explanation any more confusing? What’s going on?”