Second Chance Pass (Virgin River #5)(64)

“We’ll give you the tour later if you want one,” Stan said. “A builder’s house has to be a good house—people look at that. It’s way more than we need, for sure, but Marianne wants room for the family. What can I get everyone?”

“I’d love a beer,” Vanni said, sitting in one of the chairs outside.

Marianne followed, still clutching the baby possessively, holding him against her. “Sure, sweetie,” she said to her husband without ever taking her eyes off the baby. She migrated to a chair near Vanessa while Paul went with his dad to get beer. “He’s so beautiful,” she said. “So sweet. Is he a good baby?”

“He is,” Vanni said. “Sleeps through the night and is hardly ever in a bad mood. But of course he gets a lot of attention, so I’m sure when he’s older, I’ll be in for it.”

“No, you can’t give a baby too much attention.”

“Paul tells me you have five grandchildren.”

“Yes,” she said. “Three boys, two girls. They’re brilliant, each one. Oh, I could eat this little one up!” Marianne turned her eyes toward Vanni and said softly, “I’m so sorry for your loss, Vanessa. We miss him, too.”

“Thank you. I remember your card and flowers.”

“It was so wonderful for Paul to be with you when this one was born. He talks about it.”

She laughed. “Does he tell you about how hard he tried to get out of it?” she asked just as Paul came back onto the deck to hand her a beer. He stood behind her chair and that hand was again on her shoulder.

“He doesn’t admit to that, but it doesn’t surprise me,” his mother said.

Vanni reached up to caress the hand that possessed her. And it wasn’t until that moment that Marianne’s expression changed and she exchanged looks with her husband.

“Yes, Mom,” Paul said. “Once I told Vanni what wonderful grandparents you two are, she agreed to marry me. She even agreed to more children. So you see—I’m not going to die a lonely old man after all.” Vanni looked up at him and saw that his smile was soft.

“Oh,” Marianne let go in a surprised breath. “Oh, how long has this been going on?”

“For me, quite a while,” Paul said. “Vanni just gave up the fight a little while ago. But I think she can convince you she’s happy.”

Smiling, Vanni said, “I’m happy. Very happy.”

Stan stuck out a hand to his son. “Congratulations, son. This is good news.” Then he stooped to put a kiss on Vanni’s cheek. “Welcome, daughter,” he said. “It’s an honor. An honor.”

All Marianne said was, “Excellent. I don’t have to let go of this baby for a second!” Then her face sobered and she said, “Oh, forgive me, Vanessa! I’m so happy to have you in the family.” She grinned happily and said, “You and the baby!”

It wasn’t long before the rest of the Haggerty family arrived—Mitch and Jenny and their three kids, North and Susan and their two—the women bearing food to contribute to a big family dinner. Vanni was welcomed warmly with hugs, everyone offering their condolences for Matt’s death since the boys had grown up together. The baby was fussed over and passed from woman to woman. In no time Paul had charge of the baby while Vanni joined the women in the kitchen getting the meal on the table.

Dinner with eight adults, five kids and a baby is a loud affair, but Vanni felt so much more comfortable in the chaos than she ever had at the Rutledges’. Paul’s mother, she thought, has such an ideal existence, surrounded by loving family, her life filled with happy noise and small children’s arms around her.

This, Vanni thought. This is what I want to do next.

Before dinner was consumed, Stan stood and raised a glass to toast Vanessa and Paul’s engagement. Excited whoops and hugs followed with questions about the when and where, to which Vanni and Paul could only answer, “The sooner the better. After all—we’ve known each other for years.”

When dinner was over, the cleanup and female chatter continued, and Vanni pitched in happily. It was during this time that she stole a look at Paul, out on the deck with his father and brothers, jiggling Mattie against his chest, trying to keep him from getting too fussy as he waited for his mother’s attention. Mattie was squirming anxiously, ready for a feeding, but Paul was completely comfortable and confident.

When the last dish was put up, Vanni asked Marianne if she could borrow a bedroom to nurse the baby. “Of course, sweetheart,” the older woman answered. “But no one in this family is uncomfortable with a nursing mom, not even the children. Do whatever you’d rather—take a bedroom or sit with us, it’s entirely up to you. We’re kind of homespun around here.”

“What about the men?” Vanni asked.

“They’re even less uncomfortable.” North’s wife laughed. “The first time I put Angie to the breast, demurely covered by a blanket, Stan walked right over to me, lifted the blanket and said, ‘Marianne, honey, come and see how good this little critter sucks!’”

“Oh, my,” Vanni said. “Think they’ll stay outside a while?”

“I think Stan will give you time to get used to us before he pulls his tricks,” Marianne said with a smile. “Not much time, though—take that as fair warning.”