Virgin River (Virgin River #1)(88)

Mel immediately put her arms around his waist and hugged him, laying her head on his chest. His arms went around her, as well, returning the gesture, painfully aware that Charmaine was burning a hole in his back with her eyes.

“Today was trying,” Mel said softly. “Doc and I had a come-to-Jesus meeting about how we’re going to work together, if we’re going to work together. It was harder than I thought. Emotionally draining.”

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“I’m fine. Might I have one of those nifty little Crowns? I’ve eaten and I promise to only have one, with ice, and you’re welcome to take me home tonight. If you want to.”

“You’re kidding, right? I’m scared to death to let you go home alone. Who knows what you’ll do, who you’ll take a ride with.” He put a small kiss on her brow and turned her around so she could go to the front of the bar. He didn’t make eye contact with Charmaine, but rather fixed the drink and put it before Mel. By now she was on a stool at the very end of the bar. “You’ll have to give me a minute.”

“Sure,” she said. “Take your time. I just want to unwind.”

“Unwind away.” He went back to Char.

The expression in Charmaine’s eyes was one of hurt, but at least there was clarity. “I think I understand,” she said, taking another sip of her drink. He reached for her hand and held it. “Charmaine, I wasn’t lying. Doesn’t really matter now, I guess, but I’d like it if you believed I was telling the truth. There wasn’t anyone else.”

“But you wanted there to be.”

He nodded, helplessly. He glanced at Mel. She was watching them. Her expression was perplexed and unhappy.

“Well. Now I understand,” Charmaine said, pulling her hand away from his. “I’m going to take off. Leave you to your business.”

She plunked down a twenty-dollar bill, insulting a former lover who would buy her a drink. She whirled off the bar stool and headed for the door. Jack grabbed that twenty and went down to the end of the bar. “Mel, I’ll be right back. Stay put.”

“Take all the time you need,” she said, but she didn’t say it happily. Just the same he followed Charmaine outside. He called to her and she stopped once she got to her car. He caught up with her and said, “I’m sorry it worked out like this. I wish you’d just called.”

“I’m sure you do.” She had moist eyes, as though any minute there might be tears. “I see now,” she said.

“I’m not sure you do. This is…It’s very recent,” he said.

“But she was on your mind?”

He took a breath. “Yeah.”

“You love her,” she said.

He nodded. “Oh, yeah. Big time.”

She laughed hollowly. “Well, who’d guess. Mr. No-Attachments.”

“I didn’t mean to mislead you, Char. That’s why I broke it off, because I knew if Mel gave me half a chance, I’d find myself with two women, and I wouldn’t do that to either one of you. I’d never deliberately…”

“Aw, take it easy, bub. She’s young, she’s pretty—and you’re a goner. Now I know. I just wanted to be sure.”

He grabbed her hands, pressing that twenty into one. “You can’t believe I’d let you buy a drink in my bar.”

“Old lovers drink on the house?” she asked sarcastically.

“No,” he said. “Good friends drink on the house.” He leaned toward her and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry if I hurt you. I didn’t mean to.” He took a deep breath. “I never saw it coming.”

She sighed. “I understand, Jack. I miss you, is all. I hope it all works out for you, but if it doesn’t…”

“Char, if this doesn’t work, I won’t be worth a damn.”

She chuckled. “Okay, then. I’ll take off. Good luck, Jack.” She got in her car, backed out and drove away. He watched until she was gone, then went back inside. He stood behind the bar, facing Mel. “I’m sorry about that.”

“What was that?”

“An old friend.”

“Clear River?”

“Yeah. Just checking up.”

“Wanting another run at you?”

He nodded. “I made it clear…”

“What did you make clear? Huh, Jack?”

“That I’m off the market. I tried to do that kindly.”

Her expression softened somewhat. She smiled a little and put the palm of her hand against his cheek. “Well, I guess I can’t bitch about that. Your kindness is one of your best features. But tell me something, cowboy. Is she going to keep showing up here?”

“No.”

“Good. I don’t like competition.”

“There isn’t any, Melinda. There never was.”

“There better not be. Turns out I’m a very selfish woman.”

“I broke it off with her before I even held your hand.”

She lifted an amused eyebrow. “That was optimistic of you. You could have ended up with no one.”

“A chance I was willing to take. The other way—I didn’t want to take that kind of chance. It could have seriously messed up what I wanted. And I wanted you.” He smiled at her. “You’re being a pretty good sport about this,” he said.