Temptation Ridge (Virgin River #6)(54)

She shrugged. “We’ve been going through Doc’s things. It hasn’t been easy for Mel. I think her heart is breaking, but she’s so strong.”

“How about your heart?” he heard himself ask.

“I wasn’t as close to him as Mel was. I gather their relationship was intense, humorous, conflicted but trusting. They gave each other so much crap, it wouldn’t be obvious at first sight—but they loved each other. She’s been telling me stories about him for days on end—about him going into the backwoods to camps full of transients who could be dangerous, trying to help them without worrying about his own neck. About the way he used to bend the rules to be sure everything would work out for his town, his people. Really, he was an icon. I’m learning a lot.”

“You’re tired,” he said, running a finger along her soft cheek.

“It’s hard work. I don’t know what Mel would do without me right now, lucky I happen to be here. How’s the house coming?”

“The roof leaks, Paul’s going to be coming back out to help,” he said, smiling. “But I’ve sanded and varnished the floors, textured and painted the walls, put in new doors, windows and baseboards in the house, installed new cupboards and countertops. The porch is solid and the cabins all have new roofs, thanks to crews Paul could give me.” His grin became wider. “I can have a fire at night and the bathroom is functional, though I have to do a lot in there to make it nice. Art has a good little home next door. He’s real proud of that. It’s the first time he’s ever had his own house.”

“When we get through Doc’s things, I’ll come check it out.”

“We need some time, you and me.”

“That would feel good. But there’s hunting…”

“There’s hunting,” he confirmed. “Then hunting will be done and we’ll think of something.”

“I’ve committed to Mel and the clinic every week-day,” she said.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks,” she said. “But I’m going to be fine.”

“Then follow me out on the porch,” he said. “Let me get my arms around you for a minute before you go.”

“That’s the best part of my day,” she said, walking out the door with him, arm in arm.

When all the women had gone, the cards and cigars came out. The tables were pushed together and hands were dealt. Luke pulled up a chair and eagerly accepted a fat cigar. Everyone sat down except Jack. “I’m going home, guys,” he said. “Mel told me to stay, but she’s going through a hard time since Doc…”

“Yeah,” someone said.

“The girl’s hurting,” said someone else.

“Tell her we love her,” a third chimed in. “This crap’s hard on the heart.”

“I’ll tell her,” Jack said. “She’s real tough, but there are times that me being around helps. Four a.m.?” he asked.

“Four a.m. Loaded,” Preacher said.

“Listen, if I’m not here…” Jack said.

“No need to explain, buddy,” Paul said. “Mel comes first.”

“She hates it when I shoot at animals. And ordinarily, I’d shoot at them anyway…”

“No explanation necessary, Sarge,” Joe said. “This is one of those times…”

“Don’t burn the place down,” Jack said, going for his jacket.

A few tense and disappointing weeks passed for Cameron with no word from Brandy after their night together. Story of my life, he thought. It seemed that every time he found a woman who came to life in his arms, a woman he could fall in love with, she disappeared before he could grab hold of her.

He went back to the Davenport when the same bartender was on duty. Cameron didn’t know the bartender’s name, but the latter addressed him personally. “How you doing, Doc? Get you something?”

“Yeah, I sure hope so. You remember the woman I met here a few weeks ago? I haven’t been in here since then.”

“Vaguely,” he said with a shrug that was very telling. Cameron was sure he remembered exactly, as the bar had been nearly empty, but it was his job not to see things.

“I’m trying to find her. I didn’t get her name.”

“Sorry, Doc. Neither did I.”

“Well, how’d she pay for her drink before I got here?”

“Signed for it. She was a guest.”

“Thank God! Can you go through your receipts? Anything?”

“That,” he said gravely, “would get me fired.”

“She said she was at a wedding. What are the chances I can find out what wedding?”

“The manager might give you the names on the billing. There was a marquee up in the lobby. Last names won’t tell you anything much, but I bet if you called the newspaper, you could find out if they published an announcement.”

That was Cameron’s next quest, and it proved easy enough. Of course it didn’t turn up any information about the woman to end his search, but he managed to learn it was the Jorgensen-Benson wedding, Joe Benson being an architect in Grants Pass.

He went to Joe’s firm, handed him a business card and said, “I met one of your wedding guests in the bar at the Davenport the night of your wedding. Her name was Brandy and I didn’t get a last name. I’d like to ask her out. Can you help me?”