Second Chance Pass (Virgin River #5)(63)

“I do listen,” she said, insulted.

“No. You don’t listen. When I say I don’t want coral bridesmaids’ dresses, you buy them and dress up my girls in them. When I say I don’t want to be set up, you invite the man to dinner not once, but twice. When I say I’m staying with Paul and he’ll bring me to dinner, you plan your own party without asking, without listening. For heaven’s sake, Cameron is a wonderful man who didn’t deserve what just happened to him. And that you would humiliate Paul after knowing him for so many years, after knowing how he loved your only son, treating him like he’s my chauffeur, offering to set another place like he’s some last-minute addition to your private little dinner party…”

“I just couldn’t imagine it. Not Paul,” she said.

Lance appeared, coming out of the kitchen with his grandson cuddled against his chest, and the expression on his face was not a happy one. Carol said, “I was trying to help.…Maybe Mattie could benefit by being raised by a doctor. Instead of…” She glanced away uncomfortably.

Vanni laughed suddenly and hollowly. Here the woman was in real estate and had no concept of how successful the man who built some of the finest houses in the region might be. And that was nothing compared to the fact that Paul was the most incredible human being, and would be the most wonderful father. “Paul is such a catch, you can’t even imagine, but I’m not going to waste your time. Carol, I’m sick of the way you take over and I won’t have it anymore.” She walked toward Lance and reached for the baby just as Paul was coming in the front door. “I’m sorry, Lance, but we’re leaving. This was horrendous, and I’m never going through anything like this again.” She looked over her shoulder at Paul, who stood across the room, just inside the door. In his eyes she saw warmth and understanding. Patience. Kindness. Everything was going to be okay.

Vanni walked over to Paul. She turned at the door and said, “Carol, you should be more considerate of people’s feelings. What you did tonight was in bad taste, it’s beneath you.” And with that they left the house.

The next night was dinner with the Haggertys and Vanessa was tense. After what she’d been through with Carol Rutledge, she couldn’t imagine what kind of paces these people might put her through. The fact that Paul was so down-to-earth and kind didn’t reassure her much. After all, Matt had been so charming and fun, yet Carol could be a nightmare. When Paul drove up to the large, stately home in the beautiful countryside, Vanni gulped. Another big house. She knew their family business was successful, but at this point their obvious prosperity was making her nervous. It seemed to be the fulcrum on which so many opinions were balanced. Opinions that had little to do with the true quality of life.

But this was a whole different scene. Marianne Haggerty rushed to the front door when she heard them pulling up, drying her hands on a dish towel that she immediately flung over her shoulder. She was a short, round woman with steel-gray hair and a beautiful complexion. Her smile was effervescent and she had the most wonderful, engaging dimples. Right behind her was a tall, handsome man, Paul’s height, with Paul’s sandy-colored hair, strung with gray.

Marianne gave Paul a peck on the cheek and then quickly focused on the baby, reaching for him. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “Matt’s baby, how luscious. Oh, Vanessa—it’s so wonderful to finally meet you! Matt was so precious to us—we loved him so. Can I hold him? Please?”

“Of course,” Vanni said with a smile, handing him over.

Like grandparents, Marianne and Stan were focused on the baby, smiling and cooing and snuggling, almost ignoring Paul and Vanni. And then, surprisingly, Marianne began to tear up. Then weep. Stan put a strong arm around her shoulders, holding her and the baby against his big chest, murmuring to her, “All right, honey. Don’t get started…” And then his eyes welled and a tear ran down his weathered cheek and they were wiping at each other’s cheeks while cuddling the baby.

“Okay, you two,” Paul said. “Let’s not get going. Don’t upset Vanni.”

“I’m sorry,” Marianne said immediately. She looked at Vanessa with wet eyes. “You’ll just never know how grateful I am for this chance to see him, to hold him. We loved Matt so much. I always felt that he was one of my boys.”

“Mom, if you don’t get under control, I’ll take the baby,” Paul threatened.

Vanni laid a hand on his arm and shook her head at him, a small smile playing on her lips. This was good for her—Carol and Lance didn’t get choked up like this. There was no question in her mind that the Rutledges loved their grandson, but their restraint was sometimes hard to endure, especially during those times she was feeling emotional.

“Beer,” Paul said. “We need beer. And control.”

Stan let go with a hearty though shaky laugh. “Great recipe for control,” he said. “Beer. Come on, come on in.” He reached for Vanni’s hand and pulled her into the house, wiping clumsily at his cheeks.

She was led through the foyer, past a gorgeous and huge great room with a beautiful marble fireplace, past a large dining room and huge kitchen, out onto a redwood deck that was furnished with handsome wicker patio furniture that would be as much at home in a living room as outdoors.

“This is an amazing house,” Vanni said.