Redwood Bend (Virgin River #18)(81)

“I can’t count the number of times I wished I didn’t know what a blizzard was. They make me wonder how you talked me into this place,” Lang said.

“And times like spring in the mountains when you thank me. We have to flip for who gets to chase wildlife off the runway, it’s so much fun. I’ve heard you say you’d never raise your family anywhere else.”

“That’s what the snowplow is for, chasing the wildlife. Those twins ever ride in a snowplow and chase a big, mean old moose off a runway so a plane can land?”

Dylan laughed. “I think that’s a no. Here’s what I want to do. I want to bring them to Payne, just to show them where we live. How we live. I want them all to know what it’s like there because when a woman with kids is having your baby, you don’t ask one person to marry you—you ask a family to marry you. But here’s the thing you need to know up front—if she can’t see her way to living in Payne, I’ll live wherever she lives.”

“Absolutely,” Lang said.

“She might just say no to everything,” Dylan said. “If she does, then I pull up stakes and live wherever she lives because…” He let his voice trail off.

“Because you’re going to have to be a part of that.” Lang finished that sentence for Dylan.

“Yep. That’s how it is,” Dylan repeated. “That puts our company kind of up in the air, ha-ha. But first things first.”

“Want me to bring a Bonanza down to pick you up? You and the family?” Lang asked.

“Nah, Katie can’t handle it. I took her up in a little Cherokee and she got sick, so it’s going to have to be something bigger—I’m pretty sure if she isn’t drinking coffee she’s not taking Dramamine. I’ll talk to her and let you know when we’re headed that way. If we’re headed that way.”

“How is Adele handling the news about the baby?” Lang asked.

“Oh, so you know she’s here, huh? Did you encourage this idea of her surprising me in Virgin River?”

“I swear to God, I did not!” Lang insisted. “I did laugh about it, but I didn’t cause it to happen.”

“Well, Adele doesn’t know yet. This isn’t the kind of thing you want to tell your elderly grandmother until you have plans, and my plan is to do anything Katie wants, not anything Adele wants. Help me out a little and don’t tell Adele yet.”

“I can do that for you, bud. And, D? Something you haven’t given me a chance to say.”

“What’s that?”

“Congratulations.”

Katie was sitting on the porch when the town car pulled into her clearing. Randy parked beside Katie’s SUV. He jumped out to open the door for his passenger.

“Well, good morning,” Katie said. “How are you this morning?”

“Lovely, thank you,” Adele said. “And you?”

“It’s a beautiful morning. I’m afraid Dylan isn’t here.”

“Where has he gone off to?”

“He said something about errands, but I have no idea what errands. Can I pour you a cup of coffee?”

Adele stopped at the steps to the porch. “What are the chances you have tea? Any tea will do.”

“You’re in luck if you can tolerate Earl Grey. Randy?” she called. “I have a pot of coffee. Or there’s tea or juice.”

“Not to worry, ma’am. I’m taken care of.”

Katie laughed and looked at Adele. “I love him. What does it take to get one of him?”

“Well, millions. And a very strong disposition—he sometimes annoys the sanity out of me. He’s full of sass.”

“Is that so?” came from the yard.

“I’ll have trouble with the millions, but I have twin sons—putting up with sass happens to be my specialty. Have a seat, Mrs. Childress. I’ll heat water.”

“Please, call me Adele. And Earl Grey will be splendid.”

“Well, have a seat, Adele. I’ll be right back.”

Katie shook her head and smiled as she busied herself making tea. It was hard for her to imagine this grand dame twenty years ago. There was something about her… She liked to appear difficult while really, she seemed to end up being quite accommodating.

Five minutes later Katie took Adele a tray with her tea. “I’m sorry, there are no proper teacups in the cabin so you have a mug, saucer, a spoon, a little cream and sugar…”

“Perfect,” Adele said. She took a sip before doctoring her tea. “Ah, nicely done. I never minded a tea bag,” she said, as though she did. “It’s absolutely fine.” She took another sip. “I think I’m glad Dylan is busy elsewhere. It gives us a chance to get to know each other.”

Katie chuckled. “Should I prepare to be grilled?”

“Isn’t he a brat? I thought maybe I’d tell you about Dylan. What do you suppose you’d like to know?”

Katie shrugged. “I’m not sure.” She thought for a second. “He gave me this long explanation about growing up all Hollywood and I wondered…is it possible he’s never before dated a woman with children?”

“I suppose it is,” Adele said. “It’s a fact that his parents changed partners so often it left him convinced no one in his family was capable of long, stable relationships. And it must be said, before his father’s death, my son, Dean, wasn’t the best parent. After all, I wasn’t a crackerjack mother! But when Dylan’s friend died, I panicked. I gave thanks that I hadn’t lost Dylan, then snatched him away from his contract, his series, his family. I took a legal beating for it, too, but it was money well spent. We were very lucky. Living in Payne called on Dylan’s strengths and he came around, though it was miserable at first.”