Virgin River (Virgin River #1)(93)

“Like?”

“Like how about loading a critical patient in the back of a pickup truck and speeding down the mountain, hanging on for dear life, trying to get her to the hospital before she goes into cardiac arrest. Man, did I ever lust after that big, chaotic emergency room that day. And there’s always the adventure of having your services requested by a big, gun-toting drug farmer in the middle of the night…Um, if you tell Jack that version of the story, there’s going to be a scene.”

Brie laughed. “He doesn’t know?”

“Not some of the details. He was very pissed that I went alone to an unknown location with a man who was basically a stranger.”

“Holy smoke.”

“Yeah, well, it’s a good thing I did. There were complications with the delivery. But I don’t think that will cheer up Jack too much.” She shrugged. “Jack’s protective. Of everyone.”

“Have you found your niche?” Brie asked.

“I kind of crave a trip to Nordstrom’s,” Mel said. “I wouldn’t mind a facial and leg wax, either. On the other hand, I didn’t realize I could get by on so little. So simply. There’s something about that…It’s freeing, in a way. And there’s no question, it’s beautiful. Sometimes it’s so quiet, your ears ring. But when I first got there, I thought I’d really screwed up big—it was so much more rugged and isolated than I expected. The mountain roads terrified me, and Doc and I manage in that clinic with the most rudimentary equipment. The cabin I was promised, rent free for a year, was horrible. In fact, my first morning there the porch collapsed and dumped me into a deep, freezing mud puddle. The cabin was so filthy, I was on my way out of town—running for my life—when a medical emergency stopped me and I reluctantly stayed a few days that turned into a couple of weeks.”

“That turned into a few months…” Brie observed.

“Jack renovated the cabin without being asked, while I stayed at Doc’s house,” Mel said. “About the time I was going to make a break for it, he showed it to me. I said I’d give it a few more days. Then my first delivery occurred and I realized I should give the place a chance. There’s something about a successful delivery in a place like Virgin River where there’s no backup, no anesthesia…Just me and Mom…It’s indescribable.”

“Then there’s Jack,” Brie said.

“Jack,” Mel repeated. “I don’t know when I’ve met a kinder, stronger, more generous man. Your brother is wonderful, Brie. He’s amazing. Everyone in Virgin River loves him.”

“My brother is in love with you,” Brie said.

Mel shouldn’t have been shocked. Although he hadn’t said the words, she already knew it. Felt it. At first she thought he was just a remarkable lover, but soon she realized that he couldn’t touch her that way without an emotional investment, as well as a physical one. He gave her everything he had—and not just in the bedroom. It was in her mind to tell Brie—I’m a recent widow! I need time to digest this! I don’t feel free yet—free to accept another man’s love! Her cheeks grew warm and she said nothing.

“I realize I’m biased, but when a man like Jack loves a woman, it’s a great honor.”

“I agree,” Mel said quietly.

Late, in the dark of night, as he held her in his arms in the bed in his father’s house, she said, “You have the most wonderful family.”

“They love you, too.”

“It was such fun watching you all together. They’re ruthless—you don’t have a secret left!” And she laughed.

“I told you. No slack here.”

“But what fun, to have all that history, all those hysterical stories.”

“Oh—I listened to you and Joey for a few days. You didn’t grow up deprived.” He kissed her neck. “I’m just glad you had fun. I knew you would.” He kissed her neck again, nuzzling closer.

“Your sisters are all so put together,” she said. “Very classy, very sharp. I used to dress like that, before I moved to a place where you’re overdressed in good jeans. You should have seen my closet in L.A.—it was huge, and bulging.”

He pulled the T-shirt she wore up and over her head. “I like what you’re wearing right now. In fact, I find you overdressed in this thong.”

“Jack, I thought we decided, we’re not going to do it in your father’s house…”

“No, you said you weren’t going to.” He slipped the thong down. “I’m thinking of going after that G-spot again…”

“Oh, God,” she said, weakening. “We shouldn’t. You know how we get…”

He rose above her and grinned into her eyes. “Want me to get a sock for your mouth?”

Susan Stone delivered her son in August—a robust eight-pounder. She went to Valley Hospital, had a stunning delivery and was home in Grace Valley in forty-eight hours. It was in Mel’s mind to give her some time alone with her baby, but both John and June called and urged her to come the next Sunday afternoon, the baby not yet a week old.

Jack would not be left behind. He brought the beer and cigars. Susan was very fit for a woman who had just delivered, but still she stayed on the couch, bassinet nearby, and let her friends fuss over her. In typical country fashion, women brought food so that the new parents wouldn’t have to be bothered with cooking. Mel was surprised to see such an air of celebration and atmosphere of an open house so soon after bringing a baby home.