Virgin River (Virgin River #1)(86)

“I haven’t ever been through anything as difficult in my life, Mel. And me and Buck, we’ve had some real hard times holding this family and ranch together.”

“How did you keep the breast-feeding from your kids? I assume they’re around quite a bit—and don’t your boys work the ranch with Buck?”

“I give her a bottle if anyone’s around, and I nurse her when we’re alone.”

“Even though you planned to let her go, you nursed her? You didn’t have to do that.”

Lilly shrugged. “It seemed like the least I could give her, after what I did. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. You just don’t understand what it’s like—spending your whole life raising kids—and then having another one on the way when you’re a grandmother. Me and Buck—we’ve struggled with money our entire marriage! You just don’t understand.”

“Oh, Lilly, I know you were terrified and desperate. I can imagine. But I’m not going to kid you, this is complicated.”

“But will you help us? Will you help Chloe?”

“I’ll do what I can—but those laws…” She sighed. “I’ll do whatever I can,” she said gently. “We’ll find a way to sort this out. Just let me think.”

Not long after, when Mel was sure that Lilly was calmed down and safe, Mel left her. She’d been with her about forty minutes, but Buck was still combing the Hummer with envious eyes. “Helluva ride, Mel,” he said, grinning.

“Buck, go in the house and comfort your wife. I just walked in on her nursing your daughter.”

“Oh, boy,” he said.

It was on the ride back to town that Mel realized Doc Mullins was onto this. In fact, he might’ve given birth to it, so to speak. He’d always said the mother would turn up, and she had. Weeks ago when Mel had told him that Lilly had offered to take in the baby, his eyebrows had shot up in surprise. He hadn’t expected it to be Lilly. He had never called social services. And yet, he never brought her into the conspiracy. By the time she got back to his house it was after four and she was steamed up pretty good. Doc was seeing a patient who was coughing and hacking like a dying man. She had to wait. And while she waited, she began to seethe. When the man finally left with a butt full of penicillin and a pocket full of pills, she faced him down. “Your office,” she said flatly, preceding him in that direction.

“What’s got your dander up?” he asked.

“I went to the Andersons’. I walked in on Lilly nursing the baby.”

“Ah,” he said simply, limping around her to sit behind his desk, his arthritis obviously kicking up again.

She leaned her hands on the desk and got in his face. “You never called social services.”

“Couldn’t see the need. Her mother came for her.”

“What do you plan to do about the birth certificate?”

“Well, when we get this straightened out a little better, I’ll sign and date it.”

“Doc, you can’t pull this shit! That baby was abandoned! Even though her mother came back for her, it might still be considered a crime!”

“Settle down. Lilly was a little overwrought is all. She’s fine now—I’ve been keeping an eye on it.”

“At the very least, you could have told me!”

“And have you go off half-cocked like this? Snatch up that baby and turn her in? That woman was at the end of her rope—and turned out all she needed was a little time to cool down, come to her senses.”

“She should’ve seen a doctor.”

“Aw, Lilly had all her kids at home. She’d have come in if she was sick. Fact is, if Lilly had turned up any sooner—I’d have insisted on examining her, just to be safe. By the time she came around, it was obvious she was in good health.”

Mel fumed. “I can’t work like this,” she said. “I’m here to give good, sound medical care, not run around in circles trying to guess what you’re dreaming up!”

“Who asked ya?” he threw back.

She was stunned quiet for a moment. Then she said, “Shit!” And she turned to leave his office.

“We’re not done here,” he bellowed. “Where are you going?”

“For a beer!” she yelled back.

When she got to Jack’s it was impossible for her to hide the fact that she was all riled up, but she couldn’t talk about it. She went straight to the bar without saying hello to anyone.

Jack took one look at her and said, “Whoa, boy.”

“Beer,” she said.

He served her up and said, “Wanna talk about it?”

“Sorry. Can’t.” She took a drink of the icy brew. “Business.”

“Must be sticky business. You’re pissed.”

“Boy howdy.”

“Anything I can do?”

“Just don’t ask me about it, because I’m bound by confidentiality.”

“Must be a doozie,” he said.

Yeah, a doozie, she thought.

Jack slid an envelope across the bar to her. She looked at the return address—it was from the clinic in Eureka he had visited. “Maybe this will brighten your mood a little. I’m clear.”

She smiled a small smile. “That’s good, Jack,” she said. “I thought it would come out like that.”