Second Chance Pass (Virgin River #5)(76)

Having babies barely a year apart creates a need for two nurseries—she cleaned David’s room and gave the new baby’s room a little cleaning, too, putting away the clothes and getting out the newborn diapers and bath towels.

By afternoon Jack found her down on her hands and knees scouring the bathroom floor around the toilet and tub. “For the love of God,” he said.

“What?”

“What the hell are you doing? If you want the bathroom cleaned, why don’t you just tell me? I know how to clean a goddamn bathroom.”

“It wasn’t all that dirty, but since I’m in the cleaning mood, I thought I’d whip it into shape.”

“David is ready for his nap. Why don’t you join him.”

“I don’t feel like a nap. I’m going to vacuum the area rugs.”

“No, you’re not,” he said. “I’ll do that if it has to be done right now.”

“Okay,” Mel said, smiling.

“I’ve been tricked.”

“Only by yourself, darling,” she said, whirling away to get the Pledge and Windex. After that was done—and there was a lot of wood and glass and stainless steel to occupy her—she was sweeping off the porch and back steps. Not long after that, she was caught dragging the cradle into the master bedroom.

“Melinda!” he shouted, startling her and making her jump.

“Jack! Don’t do that!”

“Let go of that thing!” He brushed her out of the way and grabbed the cradle. “Where do you want it?”

“Right there,” she said. He put it beside the bed. “No,” she said. “Over there, kind of out of the way.” He put it there. “No,” she said. “Against that wall—we’ll put it where we need it when she comes.” He moved it again. “Thank you,” she said.

The phone rang. “I’ll get it,” he said. He picked up a pencil and put it in her face. “If you lift anything heavier than this, I’m going to beat you.” Then he turned and left the room.

He has cabin fever, she thought. Spending too much time at home with me, making sure I don’t pick up anything heavier than a pencil. He should get out more, and out of my hair.

When Jack was done with the phone, she was on her knees in front of the hearth, brushing out the barely used fireplace. “Aw, Jesus Christ,” he said in frustration. “Can that not wait until at least frickin’ winter?”

She sat back on her heels. “You are really getting on my last nerve. Don’t you have somewhere you can go?”

“No, but we do. Go shower and get beautiful. Paul and Vanessa are back and after they view the prom couple, they’re going to the bar for dinner. We’ll all meet there, look at some pictures.”

“Great,” she said. “I’m in the mood for a beer.”

“Whatever you want, Melinda,” he said tiredly. “Just stop this frickin’ cleaning.”

“You know I’m not going to be able to do much of this after the baby comes, so it’s good to have it all done. And the way I like it.”

“You’ve always been good at cleaning. Why couldn’t you just cook?” he asked. “You don’t cook anything.”

“You cook.” She smiled. “How many cooks does one house need?”

“Just go shower. You have fireplace ash on your nose.”

“Pain in the ass,” she said to him, getting clumsily to her feet.

“Ditto,” he said.

An hour later the three of them were on their way into town. “So, you did it,” she said. “You got Paul down here staking out his territory. And now they’re together.”

“You should at least give me a little credit for trying to get a couple of people together instead of trying to keep them apart.” Then more softly he added, “Like I did Preacher and Paige, Brie and Mike.”

“I should—apparently it all worked out just fine…” she said a little dreamily, rubbing her hands over her tummy.

“Do you feel all right?” he asked, glancing at her. “You’re a little…pink.”

“I feel fantastic. Probably just the calm before the storm.”

“Probably,” he said. “You do that again tomorrow and I’m tying you down. You make me crazy sometimes.”

“Jack…” She laughed. “When did you get like this? You’re so annoying!”

By the time they got to the bar, Brie and Mike were there and of course Paige and Preacher and Christopher. Doc came in, but before he could get comfortable his pager went off. He made a phone call from the kitchen and headed out for a house call. Next, Vanessa, Paul and the baby, along with a bouncy baby seat, had all arrived. The crowd was treated to digital pictures of Tom and Brenda and another couple all dressed up in their fancy clothes.

“Aw,” Mel said, clicking through the pictures. “Look at how gorgeous they are. Aren’t they the cutest? Don’t they look so in love?”

“So in love,” Vanni said. “I never thought I’d see my little brother like this.”

“Where’s the general?” Mel asked.

Vanni frowned and shook her head. “He said you see enough of him all week when we’re in Grants Pass. He said he’d stay home tonight.”