Second Chance Pass (Virgin River #5)(58)

“What about cabinets, countertops, tile, wallboard, et cetera?”

“I’m very handy. I plan to restore it, not upgrade it. It’s got a lot of spirit. Some women do needlepoint, some sand and varnish.”

That got a big laugh out of Jack. Right at that moment, Mel came in with David on her hip and her big belly preceding her through the door. He lifted his chin in greeting, but before Mel could make it to the bar, she was summoned over to Madge and Beatrice, who leaned their heads together and spoke intently, glancing at Jack and the woman, eyes round.

Muriel glanced at the woman and baby; no doubt about it, that would be the classy blonde who married Jack. She smiled.

Mel passed the baby over the bar to her husband, gave him a little kiss and then grinned at Muriel. She put out her hand. “Muriel St. Claire,” she said. “Hi. I’m Mel Sheridan. How exciting.”

Muriel took her hand. “How do you do. I guess you know this guy.”

“Know him real well, actually.” Mel laughed. “You have those women over there in a fluster. They can’t believe it’s really you.”

“Oh, it’s really me. I just moved here.”

“Summer place?” Mel asked.

Muriel shook her head. “Retirement place. Permanent.”

“Really?” Mel asked, lifting a brow. “An early retirement?”

“Hardly.” Muriel laughed. “I’m so ready for a change of pace. Jesus, I’ve been making movies for forty years!”

“Okay, wait a second here,” Jack said. “I’m totally lost.”

“Of course you are, Jack. Muriel St. Claire is an actress, very famous, and has been since she was about…”

“Fifteen,” Muriel supplied.

Jack did the math. “You’re fifty-five?” he asked, his eyebrows shooting up. “Wow.”

“Good maintenance,” she said, brushing off the compliment. “I’m fifty-six and sick of acting. Well, not acting so much as the lifestyle that goes with it. I’ve been shopping for a ranch for a few years now. My parents lived in these mountains many, many years ago. I have a couple of horses and can’t wait for delivery on a couple of dogs. I have a chocolate Lab being trained in Kentucky—she’s a beauty. And a Lab puppy coming in a couple of weeks. Both hunters, I hope.”

“You hunt?” Mel asked, trying to keep the shock from her voice.

“You hunt?” Jack asked, grinning.

“Waterfowl. Duck and geese.”

“Jack shoots deer.”

“I could try that,” she said. “But you can’t use dogs for that and I love working the dogs. I’ve always had a dog.” She squinted at Mel. “You look familiar.”

“We met once. I don’t expect you would remember me—first of all it was years ago. But I lived in L.A. before moving up here and we went to the same day spa for a while. I saw you there a couple of times. I think we might’ve had the same aesthetician.” Jack was frowning in total confusion again. “Facials,” she told him.

“Fantastic,” Muriel said. “Who do you use around here?”

“Well, there are some decent beauty shops in Fortuna and Eureka, but probably not what you’re used to. Nothing here in Virgin River.” Mel glanced at Muriel’s perfect nails. “You’re going to go a long way for a good manicure.”

Muriel followed her eyes. “I can kiss these goodbye. I’m going to be busy redecorating.”

“Really? You’re planning to do some of it yourself?”

“Most of it,” she said rather proudly, lifting her chin. “What brought you up here?”

“Ah, long story. I was looking for a change. I was a nurse-practitioner and midwife in L.A. and took a job here—population just over six hundred. It was supposed to be for a year, but Jack got me knocked up.”

“We are married,” he said, shaking his head at her. “Tell the woman you’re happy about that, Melinda.”

“Perfectly happy. Jack worked out.” She grinned.

“Muriel has the ranch just across the pasture from the Booth place. About six miles by car, or a mile and a half down the river on a horse.”

“Oh, fantastic. You’re going to love that family,” Mel said. “Walt’s a retired general with a couple of grown kids and a new grandson. Great people. In fact, Virgin River is a whole town of really nice people. I’ll look forward to introducing you around.”

“That’s real nice of you.”

“Mind you,” Mel continued, “once Madge and Beatrice over there get on the phone, formal introductions won’t be necessary. Maybe we should put them out of their misery. Would you like to go over and say hi before they go into shock?”

“Lovely,” Muriel said.

“Ah, wait a second,” Jack said. “Are we going to have a lot of those reporters and photographers around here?”

“Paparazzi?” Muriel asked. “I highly doubt it. I’m old news. The wild, half-dressed young girls are keeping them very busy these days.” And then she flashed him a dazzling smile.

With Tom at Brenda’s, and Vanni gone to Grants Pass with Paul for a few days, Walt faced two choices for dinner—throw a piece of meat on the grill, or get something at Jack’s. He got in the car.