Second Chance Pass (Virgin River #5)(61)

“You’re in town?” she asked. “Will you stay with us?”

“No, but thanks. I decided to come at the very last minute and I’m staying with Paul. He was in Virgin River so I came back up here with him, since he’s going right back to Virgin River at the end of the week.”

“My, he’s spending a lot of time in Virgin River,” Carol said.

“He is, with more time there in his future. He has a couple of potential building contracts down there, if it doesn’t interfere with his company up here. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to bring the baby over to see you and Lance.”

“I see. Make it tonight,” she said flatly. “We’ll have dinner.”

“All right,” Vanni agreed.

“Great! Six o’clock. Do you need a ride?” Carol asked.

“Of course not. Paul will bring me.”

“Good, then. We’ll do something on the grill.”

Vanni spent the whole day alone with Mattie while Paul went to his office, checked on his crews, saw his brothers and tried to catch up on business in general. He was home in plenty of time to shower and change to go to the Rutledges’ home.

When Carol opened the door to them, she actually stepped back in surprise. “Paul!” she said with a gasp.

“Hi, Carol,” he said. He gently squeezed Vanni’s upper arm. “How’ve you been?”

“Great! Great! Come in! Will you be staying for dinner?”

“Of course he’ll stay for dinner, Carol,” Vanni said, totally confused by this question. “When I told you he would bring me, did you think he’d just drop me off? Didn’t you expect him to stay?”

“Of course,” she said, reaching for the baby. “I’ll just set another place.”

Vanni passed her the baby, completely baffled. There was protocol and obligation with grandparents, not to mention the promise she’d made to Matt, and she held that sacred. But Carol never failed to put her under a strain. Most of the time she didn’t understand her. As they walked into the house, Vanni glanced into the dining room and noticed a table set for four. She was totally perplexed, until they stepped into the living room and Cameron stood up from his chair.

It was then she realized that Carol was at it again—and two extremely fine men were going to be made uncomfortable. She wore a sad smile as she went toward Cameron and allowed him to kiss her cheek. “How are you?” she asked softly.

“Fine,” he said. “You?”

“Good,” she answered. Paul came up behind her and put that hand on her shoulder, that hand that claimed her. She was sorry about how that would make Cameron feel, but not at all unhappy about how it made her feel. After wanting him so much, she loved letting the world know she was his.

“Cameron,” Paul said, sticking out his other hand from his place behind Vanni.

“How you doing?” he asked, shaking the hand. “So—just in town for a couple of days?” Cameron asked.

“That’s right,” Vanni said. “Paul was down for the weekend and I decided to come back here with him. To meet his family. I’m staying at Paul’s, Cameron.…”

“Ah,” he said, understanding perfectly. He turned and lifted his drink to his lips.

Lance came into the room, saw that Paul was there and welcomed him heartily. “Hey,” he said, reaching out his hand. “My man Paul! How is everything?”

“Great. Never better. How about you?” he asked.

“The same,” Lance answered. “Where’s that baby?”

“Carol took him to the kitchen,” Vanni said.

“Well, I don’t mean to seem rude, but I have to have a grandson fix. Be right back,” he said, darting off.

The three of them stood there, looking at each other. It was Cameron who broke the tension with a laugh. “Well. Looks like a serious miscommunication.”

“I’m sorry,” Vanni said. “I don’t understand.”

“I do,” Paul said. “Carol has a very specific plan in mind and she didn’t bother to consult anyone.”

“We can make the best of this, can’t we?” Vanni asked hopefully.

Cameron smiled at her, but it was a disappointed smile. Carol flew out from the kitchen, headed toward the dining room with a plate, napkin and utensils in her hands. She had obviously handed off the baby to Lance. “Carol, wait,” Cameron said. “I’m going to have to shove off. My pager,” he lied. “Thanks, but I’m not going to be able to stay.”

“Oh no!” Carol said. “Are you sure?”

He put one hand in his pants pocket. “I’m sure,” he said. He leaned forward and gave Vanni a kiss on the cheek. “You look terrific,” he said. “It’s good to know you’re happy.” He gave Paul a conciliatory slap on the upper arm as he passed and headed toward the door.

Paul squeezed her shoulder. He leaned down to her ear. “I’ll be back.” And he followed Cameron.

Cameron was making fast tracks to his car when Paul called to him. “Hey, Cameron. Buddy. A minute, huh?”

Cameron turned. “It’s okay, Paul. You don’t have to say anything. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not worried,” he said, taking another two long strides toward him. The two men were completely different—Paul in his jeans and boots, rough, rugged. Cameron in his linen pants, silk shirt, Italian shoes—possibly the best-dressed man in Grants Pass. “I think you deserve some kind of explanation. About me. Me and Vanessa. This was a horrible setup.”