Temptation Ridge (Virgin River #6)(59)

“Why would you, Vanni?” Cameron said. “I met the man once, talked with him for less than an hour. I got a big kick out of him in that short time and it was obvious he was a crackerjack small-town doc who cared about his people. Besides you two, we didn’t have any mutual friends. But damn, that’s a great loss for Virgin River.” Matt had drifted off in his arms and was breathing well, coughing less with the oxygen. “I’m so sorry to hear about it.”

“Mel has advertised for a new doctor for the town, but who’d want to come to a town that size? I have no idea what the pay is—I guess it’s whatever you get. I know Mel and Jack put a lot of produce, wine and meat in the bar from patients paying with what they get off the land.”

Cameron chuckled. “Sounds kind of nice, actually. It’s gotta beat wrangling with the insurance companies.”

Paul laughed. “That’s not a problem in Virgin River. Not many folks have medical coverage.”

Cameron put the stethoscope in his ears and listened briefly to Matt’s chest. “That’s a little better,” he said. He held the baby a while longer. “Please give my condolences to Mel,” he said. His eyes focused on the baby, he said, “Doc was a little snarly, but I bet he had a heart of gold.” Then he looked up at Vanessa and Paul and gave a little smile. “How are you two getting along?”

“Good,” Paul said. “I’m building in Virgin River. I’ve got a house under construction for Vanni in addition to a couple of other properties.” He kissed her temple. “I think Vanni can convince you she didn’t make a big mistake on me.”

She smiled at Paul, confirming that she was happy. “We’re still living with Dad,” she said. “But the house will be ready before Christmas—and it’s on Dad’s land so we’ll be close, but not too close.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“We’re starting to think about the next baby,” she said.

“You should. Get ’em while you can,” Cameron said.

“Paige delivered last summer, a little girl. Brie’s due around Christmas.”

“They just keep coming,” Cameron said, shaking his head with a chuckle.

“I’ve heard Virgin River is a fertile place,” Vanni said, laughing.

“You fish, Cameron?” Paul asked.

“I haven’t done much but doctor in a long time,” he said.

“Come on down and fish,” Paul invited. “Take a couple of days. I’ll take you out to the Virgin. The salmon are starting to run. The sturgeons fat.”

“Sounds nice. You fishing a lot?” Cameron asked.

“Nah. I’ve got houses going. But if you come down, I’ll knock off for a couple mornings—I have good supervisors now. Or I’ll send Jack out there with you. Jack loves any excuse to get out on the river.”

“I’ll think about that,” he said. He pulled the cannulas out of the baby’s nose. “Okay, now hear me on this, Vanessa. No matter how much he fusses, only clear liquids. If we don’t treat the diarrhea along with the upper-respiratory problems, he’ll dehydrate. And get in the steam, okay?”

“Okay,” she said, taking the baby from him. “What do we owe you?”

“Come on.” Cameron laughed. “How about a day out on the river?”

“Deal,” Paul said, smiling. He stuck out his hand. “You came in real handy, buddy. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate this.”

“I’m glad you called me. This little guy needs to feel better.”

Cameron Michaels didn’t call anyone in Virgin River. He had three days off and just drove down. He went first to the clinic, walked in and found Mel at the computer. “Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” she returned, standing up from the desk. “What brings you down here?”

“I don’t know if Paul or Vanni mentioned, I just heard about Doc. I had a few days off and wanted to deliver my condolences in person.”

“Thanks. He’s a hard one to lose.”

“How’s your search for a new doctor coming?” he asked.

“No response,” she said with a shrug. “But that’s not a surprise—we barely started looking. Plus, Hope’s been looking for a doctor to help Doc for years and no one ever responded. I was the closest thing and honestly, if I hadn’t had special circumstances, I might not have considered Virgin River, either.”

“Can I ask—about the special circumstances?”

“Sure,” she said. “How about a cup of coffee?”

“That’d be great,” he said with a smile.

“Sit tight, I’ll be right back.”

Shelby was in the kitchen, sitting at the table sorting some paperwork while the kids slept—one in a playpen, one in a portable crib. Mel poured coffee and invited Shelby to join them in Doc’s office so as not to wake the children. Once there, she introduced them, and Cameron expressed his condolences again.

“I’ve been boring Shelby with stories from my years in L.A.,” Mel said. “I was widowed when I met Jack. My husband was an E.R. doctor. We worked together for years before he was killed. I was looking for a new start, out of L.A. I found Virgin River at the nurses’ registry where I’d placed my résumé. I came here, sight unseen.”