Second Chance Pass (Virgin River #5)(48)

He was greatly relieved to note the doctor’s car was not parked outside the general’s house. Tom opened the door for him. “Is Vanni here?”

“She just went for a ride. She’ll be back in about an hour. Two at the outside.”

“Mind if I wait around?” Paul asked.

“Of course not,” Tom said. “You look all stirred up.”

“I just need to talk to her, that’s all.”

“Yeah, I know. Good luck with that. She hasn’t been in a real talkative mood. Coffee?”

“Thanks,” Paul said. “I’ll get it.”

So, they knew, he thought. No surprise there—she was all worked up and angry when they parted a week ago. And she was close to her brother and father; she wouldn’t hesitate to talk with them about her problems. Their problems.

As he moved toward the kitchen, he saw the general out on the deck leaning on the railing, looking out at his view. The other thing Paul dreaded was facing Walt before he faced Vanni. But he wasn’t going to blow it this time; he’d lay it out there and face it like a man. Then he was going to beg Vanni to forgive him. It could take time, but he’d gladly wait her out.

He took his coffee out to the deck and, as he stepped onto the planks, Walt turned.

“You did show up here. I predicted you would.”

“Well, I’m fearless, sir,” he said. Then he swallowed nervously.

“You must be. She’s really got her back up this time. Vanni’s down at the stable, but I’d like a word with you before you go after her, if you don’t mind.”

I mind, Paul thought. Do I have a choice? “Certainly,” he said.

“You know, I’ll forgive a man a lot of things, but toying with my daughter’s feelings, hurting her after all she’s been through, that’s a tough one. That would be hard, even though we owe you for all you did.”

“Sir, I’m not toying with her, I’ll make it up to her somehow. I just wasn’t thinking real clear after we buried Matt, and after little Matt was born. My judgment wasn’t keen. I’m afraid I made a mess of things.”

“Well, I can’t say much about that—I don’t know that anyone’s judgment was as good as it could have been. It’s been a painful, difficult year.”

“Thanks for saying that, sir. I appreciate it. I guess you could be a lot less understanding.”

“Right now my only concern is Vanessa. Mind if I ask what your intentions are?”

“Not at all, sir. You have every right, under the circumstances. I’m in love with your daughter.…”

“That couldn’t escape my notice,” Walt said, leaning his elbows back on the railing. “Yet it doesn’t appear the two of you are on the same page there.”

With that full head of silver hair, tanned skin and bushy black eyebrows, Walt could look downright menacing. Paul gulped. “She mentioned the situation in Grants Pass?”

“She did. She has some concerns about you doing the right thing.”

“Oh, I’ll do the right thing—there’s no reason to worry about that. I tried to explain, the relationship wasn’t serious. I’m not very proud of that, sir. I didn’t see the woman very often—a few times in a year, that’s all. But it is what it is—I can’t deny I was involved.”

“And now?” Walt asked.

“Well, sir, even if Vanessa tells me I don’t stand a chance in hell, I’m still not inclined go any further with the other woman. It just wouldn’t work.”

Walt frowned. “Maybe Vanessa misunderstood you,” he said. “I thought there was some kind of commitment.”

“Absolutely, sir. I’ll take care of her and my child. I’ll support them and it’s my intention to be an involved father. But as for the mother—I hope for her sake she can find a man who’s right for her, a man who isn’t in love with another woman. Regardless of that, I plan to help raise my child. It’s the only way. It’s the right thing to do. It’s what I want to do.”

Walt was speechless for a moment. Finally, in a stunned breath he said, “My God, you have a complicated life.”

“Surreal. Sir.”

“And when were you planning to drop this little bomb?”

“Frankly, sir, I wanted to wait until I was sure of a couple of things before I admitted to what an idiot I am. I don’t know the woman a tenth as well as I know Vanni and I have to be sure there really is a child, that it’s my child, that sort of thing. Since I did what I could to protect her from pregnancy, there leaves a little doubt—but I can’t deny the possibility. And—I wanted to be sure Vanni knew I feel as committed to little Matt as my own child. If she’ll have me with all these complications, that is.”

Walt crossed his arms over his chest. “Sounds like you’ll have women and children all over the place. That could be an expensive proposition. Spreading yourself a little thin, aren’t you?”

“Money isn’t going to be the biggest problem. I have a successful company, a supportive family. Shared custody, a situation that wouldn’t appeal to any man, that’ll be tough. But I’m not going to ignore my responsibilities.”

“I give you credit for that,” Walt said wearily, shaking his head. “I suppose you’ll verify all this quickly?”