Wild Man Creek (Virgin River #14)(84)

“I don’t think we’re ready for you to retire, but we got along all right,” Denny said.

“The dog’s alive and the house and yard have been kept real nice. Thanks, Denny. I really didn’t expect all that.”

Denny laughed. “You didn’t expect me to keep the dog alive?”

“I noticed you did a little trimming and cutting in the yard. You didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s the least I can do, Jack. Besides, I was glad to help out, and you know that.”

“You always do just a little more than you’re asked. You—”

“Jack, it’s the least I can do!” Denny said. “You know what I prepared myself for? For you to say, ‘Kid? I don’t want a kid, for sure not now!’ But you didn’t say that.” He smiled. “You’ve been awesome about this. And no kidding, I know I sneaked up on you with the news you’re my father.”

Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s a fact.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask—you about ready to do that blood test?” Denny asked.

Jack lifted a brow. “Want a little confirmation?”

“I’m good. But I thought it might give you some peace of mind. Since you were the one who mentioned it.”

“That came from Mel, and since it came from Mel, I’ll ask her where she thinks we should go. How’s that?”

“Anytime you want,” he said. “This life? It’s pretty close to perfect. Not much missing,” Denny said.

“What’s missing, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“I could make do with a girlfriend,” he said with a handsome grin.

“You’re probably in the right place. They drop like flies around here.”

Denny laughed and said, “How’s Rick getting by?”

Jack shook his head in some bemusement. “Better than I expected. Lydie’s living with them in that little apartment and it’s working. They put her in the bedroom and Liz and Rick are on the pullout sofa. Lydie’s on some medication that’s slowing her down a little, but helping with those spells of delirium and anxiety. They have a facility lined up for her and should get her in within a couple of months—hopefully before the next semester of college starts for him. They’ve taken her to see it several times, trying to get her familiar with the place and, even though a lot of the patients are way worse off than she is, she seems to accept the idea. Lydie has always been brave about things like that. She’s always said she doesn’t want to be a burden.”

“But is she happy at all?”

“Well, there’s an upside for her. They have activities going on at the facility and not only is she closer to Rick and Liz, but once she’s a resident there, they’ll be able to visit her a lot more often than when she was in Virgin River. Lydie likes to stay busy—she likes playing cards and bingo and stuff. And Rick can swing by and spend a little time with her most days on his way home from school or work. He was going to go to school all summer, but he’s taken it off to see about Lydie. They’re doing real well with a batch of big adjustments—that’s the best anyone can ask.”

“Sounds like it’s gonna work out the best it can,” Denny said.

“Yeah. Sad time for Rick, but it’s not like it’s unexpected. With what Lydie’s gone through healthwise, we’re all real lucky she’s had what she considers to be a good, long life. That’s all anyone wants.”

Denny’s chin dropped briefly. He couldn’t help but think about his mom; she had always seemed strong and healthy, yet was taken from him way too soon. “Yeah.”

“Listen,” Jack said, pulling something out of his shirt pocket. “Here’s a little something for your work….” He slid a check, folded in half, across the bar toward Denny.

“Don’t even think about it,” Denny said with a laugh. “It’s a favor for a friend. You’d do the same for me.”

“Not exactly,” Jack said, trying to push it toward him again. “I’ll help out where I can, son, but if you get the flu or something, don’t expect to see me out at Jillian’s spreading chicken shit on her fancy plants.”

“I’ll be sure to tell her that,” Denny said, pushing the check back. “Get rid of it, Jack. We don’t have that kind of relationship.”

“I always paid Rick….”

“I don’t work for you, Jack. I just help out sometimes. Friend to friend.”

Jack was touched and it robbed him of words for a moment, something that didn’t often happen with Jack. “You know what, kid? The day you showed up here? That was one of my luckiest days. Thanks.”

June passed in a warm rush and by the first of July, Jillian was pulling and picking some of her earliest vegetables. The Roma tomatoes were healthy, deep red and delicious. Her miniature beets were in, as were carrots, scallions, leeks and some of her small eggplant. Together with Denny, they lifted one end of the fence and rerouted the pumpkin and melon vines so they wouldn’t overtake the garden; they could grow their large fruit outside the fence. Deer and bunnies wouldn’t bother with hard-shelled fruit.

“What does a person do with this?” Denny asked her, holding up a box of eggplant.