Whispering Rock (Virgin River #3)(85)

Folding chairs were placed around the grave site; Vanni sat between her father and brother right in front, Paul sat beside Tom, and beside the general sat Matt’s parents. In the gathering, besides Preacher, Paige, Jack, Mel, Mike and Brie were Joe, Zeke, Josh Phillips and Tom Stephens. They were there more for Paul than anyone, because when one of them needed to be shored up by his brothers, the Marines arrived.

The flag was removed from the casket, folded with precision and presented to Vanni, who pressed it lovingly to her breast. The rifles fired; the bugle wailed.

Mel held Jack’s hand and pulled it to her belly. There was a stirring inside and she looked up at him with a small smile. He leaned down to hear her whisper, “Darling, you will never hear me complain about this baby again. Never. I thank God I have you…and your babies.”

Thirteen

Despite everything, or perhaps because of everything, Christmas in Sacramento was filled with joy and laughter. Mel had many hands to help tend to David, allowing her to relax. Sam Sheridan’s house throbbed with noise, food, love and celebration. Mike was pulled into the throng with enthusiasm, for the happiness that sparkled in Brie’s eyes brought everyone’s gratitude and relief.

Mel’s sister, Joey, her husband, Bill, and their three kids joined the five Sheridan siblings, their spouses and, with David, nine little Sheridans, making it twenty-five in total, eleven of them camping out at Sam’s house, using every bedroom, pull-out sofa, sleeping bag and beanbag.

The first night in town was a relatively quiet one, with Brie and Jack’s sisters and spouses dropping in to say hello and welcome, heading back to their homes early, but on Christmas Eve it grew wild with everyone present at once. The street outside looked like a parking lot, dinner was big and messy and the dishes took forever to clean up, but the evening was young.

“We have a few traditions around here,” Bob, the eldest of the brothers-in-law, said to Mike. “It starts on the patio.”

“To the patio!” chimed in Ryan, the third in rank.

“This is where we come after dinner,” Jack let him know. “First drinks, then the cigars come out and eventually the brandy—after which we generally have the women completely pissed off.”

“Sounds like home,” Mike said.

As the women held their usual gathering in the family room, the space heaters on the patio were lit by Sam.

“Do they do this at the Valenzuela house—segregate by sex?” Sam asked Mike.

“Yeah, but at my mother’s home, the men take the garage, which holds a pool table and a refrigerator. In the refrigerator we have cerveza. It’s kind of like a clubhouse.”

“Hmm. I could get a pool table,” Sam said thoughtfully.

Inside, the women were focused on pie, coffee and David, who was getting around very well and trying to pull himself up on furniture. He crawled around in his pajamas, ready to be put to bed once the noise level in the house subsided a bit. No one really seemed to notice when the doorbell rang. Donna, who was sitting nearest, answered. When she came back to the family room, she leaned down and whispered in Brie’s ear. “Really?” Brie asked. “Hmm. Will you please get Mike for me?”

“Sure, kitten.”

Brie went to the door and found Brad in the foyer with a small gift-wrapped box and a large, gaily ribboned basket of wine, meats and cheeses. “Hi, Brad,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought maybe you’d had enough time to cool down now and think about things. I brought you something. This is for you, this is for the family.”

He expects to be invited in, she thought. He still thinks we’ll kiss and make up. He’s crazy as a loon. “I’ll take this,” she said, reaching for the basket. She put it on the hall table behind her. “But you should take that back. I’ll give the family your regards.”

“Come on, Brie. Give me a chance.”

She shook her head sadly. “Brad, you’re much too late.”

Mike came up behind her. She could sense his presence before she felt his hand on her shoulder. “Brad,” Mike said with a nod.

Brie reached up and put her hand over Mike’s. He slipped his other arm gently around her waist, holding her against him. Last Christmas came to mind, when Brad was with the other woman and her children and Brie was here, lonely and hurt in this huge crowd of family. And now, with Mike’s warmth against her, his arm around her, she couldn’t remember feeling more secure.

A strange look came over Brad’s face and a huff of laughter escaped him. “No way,” he said.

“You should go, Brad,” she said.

“Come on,” Brad said in disbelief. “You’re not with this guy.”

“Merry Christmas, Brad,” Brie said. “Have a nice holiday.”

Brad laughed. “God, I should’ve known. He was at the hospital. That’s why…”

Brie turned to look up at Mike. She smiled at him. She’d be damned if she’d explain anything about their relationship to Brad.

Brad looked down uncomfortably. Then meeting Brie’s eyes, he said, “You’re sure?”

“Oh, yes,” she said. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

He took a deep breath and slowly turned, leaving Brie and Mike in the foyer alone. She leaned back against Mike and felt his breath on her neck. “God, I feel sorry for him,” Mike said.