Whispering Rock (Virgin River #3)(38)

“Then come on,” she said, turning back to the bedroom.

He didn’t move for a moment, thinking. It didn’t take long. He wanted to be next to her, but he didn’t have to be. But if she needed him, he was there. He stood and got rid of his belt because of the big buckle, but everything else stayed on. And he went to the bedroom.

She was curled up under the covers, her back facing out, leaving him room. So he lay down on the bed on top of the covers, giving her that security. “Okay?” he asked.

“Okay,” she murmured.

It wasn’t a big bed, just a double, and it was impossible to keep a lot of space between them. He curved around her back, spooning her, his face against her hair, his wrist resting over her hip. “Okay?” he asked.

“Okay,” she murmured.

He nestled in, his cheek against the fragrant silkiness of all that loose hair, his body wrapped around hers, though separated by layers of clothes and quilts, and it was a long, long time before he found sleep. By her even breathing, Mike knew she rested comfortably and that made him feel good.

When he woke in the morning, she had turned in her sleep and lay in the crook of his arm, snuggled up close to him, her lips parted slightly, her breath soft and warm against his cheek. And he thought, Oh damn, she’s right—this is going to just break the hell out of my heart.

Jack and Mel drove to Eureka and picked up a couple of connecting flights to San Diego, arriving a night before Rick’s graduation. That gave them a little time alone together at a nice hotel. They had a swim, something they never did in Virgin River. Then a nice dinner and a long, wonderful night as man and wife. That first night away they managed to concentrate only on each other, but first thing the next morning Mel called Brie to make sure the baby was all right.

“I miss him so much,” she complained.

“I know you do,” Jack said. “So do I. Thank you for doing this for me,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

“It wasn’t just for you. It was for me, too. But I miss him so much.”

“Just two nights, baby. Then we’ll be home. And we won’t leave him again for a long time.”

Watching Rick stand at attention while being inducted into the Marine Corps sent pride spiraling through Jack’s breast. He graduated at the top of his class, a young leader, a powerfully strong and smart young man. When the company was dismissed by the commanding officer, the young Marines all took a step back, did an about-face and shouted, “Aye, sir!” Mel grabbed Jack’s arm, leaned against him, moved to tears. Out on the field it was handshakes and hugs, the young men thanking the drill sergeant, big grins and laughter. Jack put an arm around her and held her close. They stood at the edge of the field and waited for Rick to find them.

When he did, Jack grabbed Rick’s hand in a firm clutch that brought them chest to chest, “Hoo-rah, man,” Jack said. “Good job. I’m proud of you, son.”

“Thanks, buddy.” But Mel just leaned against him, hugged him and cried. “Hey, Mel,” he said, laughing, patting her back. “Easy does it, huh?”

“Oh, Ricky, you are so handsome. Look at you. You’re so beautiful.”

“Here are some options, Rick. We can get your things,” Jack said. “We’ve got a couple of rooms, not barracks. We can have a nice dinner out and catch our flights early tomorrow morning. Or maybe you have some plans with your boys before you check out of here and I can get you in the morning, take you home.”

“I’ve had about enough of these boys.”

“There has to be some stuff going on tonight. To celebrate?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. But I’m just ready to get off the base. I like your first idea.”

Jack suspected some of the young Marines would be getting hotel rooms as well, but they’d be wanting to get drunk and find girls. After what Rick had been through last year with his girl, he was probably less than interested. So Jack checked them in, took them out to a nice steak dinner and heard all the stories about basic. After dinner he tucked Mel into bed and went to Rick’s room with a cold six-pack. He tapped on the door and was admitted by a freshly showered kid in sweatpants, bare chested. “Hey, you’re my best friend,” Rick said, spying the beer.

Jack was somewhat taken by the boy’s physique, which had been honed by basic training. He’d been strong and lean when he went in, but now he was cut and powerful looking. His beard was getting heavy; the hair on his chest had grown thick. Jack laughed and shook his head. “Damn it, boy. You sure don’t look eighteen anymore.”

“I don’t feel eighteen, either. I feel about a hundred and ten.” He took a bottle of beer and touched the neck to the one Jack held. “Thanks for coming down, Jack. It meant a lot to me.”

“Meant a lot more to me,” Jack said. Jack sat on one of the chairs by a small table in the room while Rick sat on the edge of his bed. “Some of the boys are coming up next week to catch a little of deer season. We’d like you to join us.”

“That’d be great. There are a couple of things I have to do first,” he said. “I have to spend a little time with my grandma. And I have to drive over to Eureka,” he said, dropping his gaze. “I want to check on Liz.”

“Did you hear from her?” Jack asked.

“Yeah, a little bit. But usually it was only when she was having a hard time. I’m telling myself that she’s not having a hard time every day or I’d have gotten more letters. What does Connie say?”