Whispering Rock (Virgin River #3)(90)

“Oh, you know he did. He now has everything but a car.”

“And you?” he asked. “The man here spoil you like you deserve?”

“You have no idea,” she said. “We’ve been sitting on a little news. We’re having a baby.”

“Well, damn!” Paul said. He looked at Preacher and grinned. “You finally came through on ovulation day, huh, buddy?”

He puffed up a little. “I did at that,” he said, throwing his chest out.

“And John promises that in the future when we have personal business, like we’re going to have sex all day and I’m going to stand on my head between rounds, he’s not going to tell the town. Or the one-ninety-second.”

“Aw, I think we took it pretty much in stride,” Paul said, but he couldn’t help grinning. “That’s awful good news, Paige. I’m really happy for you.”

“You know, it’s not that easy,” Preacher said. “Being married to someone like Paige and waiting for ovulation day. I think I did pretty good there. I should get a little more credit.”

“I imagine it’s pretty tough.” Paul laughed. “You know, I needed that. Some great news, a good laugh. Congratulations to you both.” He lifted his glass. “This last year has been awful tough. The past month has been pure shit. Let’s toast a new year, with new stuff, good stuff. Here’s to the new baby.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Preacher said.

“And I’ll just say hear, hear, and leave you boys to your business.” Paige got up on her toes and pressed a kiss onto Paul’s cheek. “We realize that you have some grief business going on, Paul. You kind of get lost in the shuffle with Vanni going through such a terrible time, but if you ever need to talk, escape, break down or blow off steam, we’re here for you.”

He gave an appreciative nod. “Thanks,” he said.

Paul and Preacher talked a little while longer, then said good-night. It was in Paul’s mind to go somewhere he could be alone and either hit something, cry or maybe scream, and he couldn’t really think of anywhere other than the homesite. So he drove out there. But when he entered the clearing, he saw Tommy’s truck. He killed his lights immediately. He assumed they were parking, Tom and Brenda. Then he saw that the truck was empty.

Oh, damn, he thought. Tommy was in a lot of pain. He was needy and vulnerable, seventeen and in either the trailer or the fifth wheel with his girl. Paul knew that Tommy hadn’t seen much of Brenda in the past couple of weeks, given the events. And tonight of all nights, he was not only with her, he was way too alone with her. And there was a goddamn bed in that trailer.

Paul backed up, turned around and didn’t put the lights on again until he was facing away from the trailer. He drove back to the general’s house, let himself in and found Walt asleep in the chair, TV on and newspaper hanging off his lap. He roused when he heard Paul moving around. “Evening, sir,” Paul said.

“Hmmmph,” he grunted. “I must have nodded off. How was Christmas for Paige and Preacher?”

“Good,” Paul said. “They have some big news. Paige is expecting.”

“Ah, he did it,” the general said with a chuckle. “He showed up for ovulation day.”

Paul laughed. “He’s in a lot of hot water for telling too many people about that.”

“Yeah, I suppose. But it’s so like him, don’t you think? He’s so damn transparent.” He stood up and stretched. “I’m going to turn in.”

“Mind if I sit up? The TV won’t bother you?”

“Help yourself.” The general extended his hand to Paul and Paul took it. “Thanks for staying on,” he said. “I know it’s damn hard on you, son. And I know you’re here because Vanni asked you to be.”

“I’ll do whatever she needs me to do, sir. I gave Matt my word. And I’m awful fond of Vanni.”

“You’re a good man,” he said, giving him a slap on the arm. And he went off down the hall, his step a little slower.

This has aged the hell out of him, Paul thought. He’s buried a few hundred soldiers, but this one is taking its toll.

At ten Paul turned on CNN. At eleven he checked the news out of San Francisco. At twelve he was starting to think about driving out to the homesite, but at twelve-thirty the front door finally opened. Tommy was clearly surprised to find him up. “Hey,” he said. “You’re awake!”

“Yeah,” Paul said, still undecided about exactly the best way to handle this. But it had to be handled while there was still the opportunity for a save, and neither the general nor Vanni was up to the job.

“Good. I need to talk to you about something, man. Let me get a soda. Want anything?”

“No, go ahead.”

Tom came back to the great room with a soda, sat opposite Paul and scooted up to the edge of his seat. A little on the nervous side, Paul thought. “You want to take your coat off?” Paul asked.

“Oh. Yeah,” he said, putting his soda down and shrugging out of his coat. “Listen, I have to tell you something. I kind of borrowed your trailer tonight—I hope that doesn’t piss you off.”

Paul raised his eyebrows, waiting.

“It was a situation. I would’ve asked your permission, but I swear I didn’t plan it at all. It was real sudden. But hey, it worked out great.”