Shelter Mountain (Virgin River #2)(29)

Next March, their baby would arrive, a baby John Stone, her OB, said would be a girl. How far she had traveled, emotionally and physically. From a woman who thought she’d never love again, to a woman in the most intense romantic relationship she could imagine. From a woman who thought she’d never have a child to mother.

“You’re very quiet,” she said to her husband.

“Yeah. I think too much,” he said. “Mel. Talk to me about something. Help me with something.”

“Oh, you didn’t bring me out here to show me the view. No—you would have surprised me with this later, when you were sure you had it locked up. You wanted some privacy,” she said. “What’s bothering you?”

“I’ve been watching Preacher,” he said.

“Ah. Lots of people have.”

“What’s up with that?”

“Well, it seems pretty apparent. He’s growing very attached to his houseguests.”

“Yeah. That’s what I think, too. I have a feeling he doesn’t know what hit him.”

She reached for Jack’s hand. “He’ll work it out.”

“Mel, I’m not sure the looks Paige gives him mean anything but thank you. I mean, Preacher—he’s the kind of guy you want around when someone’s about to take you out.”

“Turns out feeling safe for once is a big item,” Mel said. “That was one of the things you gave me that meant the most.”

“But she’s been hurt bad, Mel. Real bad. When the damage heals and she isn’t afraid anymore—”

“Jack, stop. I was damaged. You never let it discourage you for a second.”

“Maybe this is different….”

“You’re worried that he’s going to get hurt,” she said.

“Yeah, I might be.”

She laughed, but she squeezed his hand. “You’re a mother hen,” she said. “He’s a big boy. Let him be. Let her be.”

“I saw the way that woman was beat up. You know the guy who did that to her is obsessed. Mean as the devil himself. She’s going to have some crazy bastard after her and I’d hate to have Preacher caught in the crossfire.”

“Jack, you’d better listen to me—this isn’t up to you.”

“I’ve been watching out for that guy for years now,” he said. “This just surprises the hell out of me. Preacher never had much traffic with women. I’m not sure he knows the score.”

“He doesn’t have to know the score, but I bet you’re wrong about that, too,” she said, laughing. “He just has to know how he feels and what he wants. This isn’t your bone, Jack—don’t chew on it. And if you try to warn him off, he’s going to break your jaw.”

“Yeah,” he said sullenly. “Yeah.”

He started the truck and drove them back to town. When he let Mel off and went back to the bar, he found Preacher behind the bar and Paige sitting up on a stool in front of him. The boy must have been napping; it was only the two of them. And Preacher was holding her hand.

“Good, you’re back. We need a minute with you.”

“Sure,” Jack said.

“I need a day, if you can spare me.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow or the next day. Soon.”

“Tomorrow’s okay.”

“I want you to know what we’re doing. We’re going down to GraceValley to see Judge Forrest. I hope you don’t mind, but I called Brie. I asked her about getting a lawyer for Paige in L.A. in case she needs one. But what she’s after from Judge Forrest is a restraining order, custody—at least temporary. From her husband, who beat her up. A lot.”

Jack looked from Paige to Preacher. “Is that what you want to do?”

“Yeah, Jack. I’m backing Paige up so she can get out of this mess and keep her kid and her baby safe.” Paige looked down as if ashamed. Preacher saw that and nudged her, then with a finger, lifted her chin and said to her, “You didn’t do anything wrong, Paige.” Then to Jack he said, “I told Paige we’d all back her up. Not let anything bad happen.”

“Bad happen?” Jack repeated.

“Paige is pregnant. She needs our help.”

“Sure,” Jack said.

“Thing is—here’s something about that restraining order. The husband—he can find out where she is.”

“Whoa,” Jack said. He hadn’t known that. “You sure that’s the best way to go? I mean, what are the odds someone’s going to find her here, if you just stay quiet?”

“Can’t really get around it,” Preacher said with a shrug. “The husband—he’s reported her missing. And Chris, missing. If anyone does sniff her out here, even worse things are going to happen. We’re just going to have to face it.”

“Just remember, if you do this, these domestic things can be dicey. Real dangerous.”

Preacher glowered at Jack. “Looks like it already was. That shit’s gotta stop. And Paige needs us to help put a stop to it.”

“Okay, yeah. I’m there. Anyone comes around and makes trouble, you know we can handle that. But—you sure you want to dive into this? It might not come out the way you want,” Jack said. “Have you looked at alternatives?”