Second Chance Pass (Virgin River #5)(91)

“Melinda, naturally. She’s working me over. You should be careful, Rick. Strong, sexy women? They’ll kill you slow.”

“What a way to go, huh?”

“Yeah, I can’t complain. It’s turning out to be a big weekend here, man.”

“Yeah?”

“Paul’s getting married. I’ll catch you up on all that—but the two events, your leave and Paul’s wedding—it’s bringing the boys to town. We’re going to have us a time. They’ll start arriving in a couple of days.”

“Good. How’s Mel?”

“Getting around a little slow, but don’t worry—she’s bossing me around like crazy, which tells me she’s fine. She can’t wait to see you.”

“And Preach?” Ricky asked.

“About to be a father, in a month or so.”

“Damn,” Ricky said. “When I first laid eyes on him, I would never have put money on that.”

“Tell me about it. By the way, your grandma is doing well. And from what I hear from her aunt Connie, your girl is excited about your leave.”

“Yeah, I called Lizzie. She’s a little freaked about Iraq, but it’ll give her time to finish school. It’s been a real headache, getting her through school…”

“She still trying to marry you?” Jack asked.

“I’m sticking to my guns, man. Four years, that’s the deal. Down to three now. But holy Jesus, I love her like crazy. I can’t wait to see her.”

“You going to have time for the rest of us?”

“I can cut you a few minutes,” he said with a grin that was all boy. “Try not to jam me up too bad, huh? I’ve been totally faithful to this girl for nine whole months and I am in bad shape. Bad.”

Jack cracked out a big laugh. He put an arm around Ricky’s shoulders. Something he couldn’t help but wonder was how his life might have been different if he’d met his Melinda when he was sixteen. They’d be broke and have twenty-seven kids by now. But he said, “Iraq. What shit is that?”

“It’s just the usual. I’ll be fine.”

“Of course you will. There are some people I want you to meet. Paul’s new wife—she’s something else. And I want you to meet her younger brother. He’s slated for West Point. Daddy’s a retired Army three-star and the kid’s a year younger than you. Good kid. Sharp. He’s been seen around with Brenda Carpenter this whole past year.”

“Brenda? No kidding.”

“You two—you should meet. Talk. For both of you, Virgin River will always be your base, you know?”

“Yeah, Jack. As long as you’re here,” he said.

“I hooked you up with some wheels.”

“Yeah?” Rick asked.

“Mel’s not able to work yet, which leaves Doc the Humvee and his truck sitting idle. He says it’s all yours.”

“Perfect,” Rick said. “I think I’ll check in with my gram, then head over to Eureka to find that girl. I mean, first things first, Jack.”



By noon on Friday the first of the marines arrived in the person of Joe Benson from Grants Pass. He had hooked up Paul’s fifth wheel as his home away from home for the weekend and walked into Jack’s with rolls of parchment under his arm and a big grin on his face. He had preliminary architectural drawings for Paige and Preacher, Mike and Brie, sketches for Paul and Vanni. Tables were pushed together, coffee was poured and plans were spread out.

Only Preacher and Mike were available to scan the drawings as Brie was at Jack’s helping Mel with the babies and Paige was sharing Christopher’s nap.

“How’s Mel doing?” Joe asked Jack.

“She’s doing great, but she hates being stuck out at the house all the time. Brie’s bringing her and the little ones over later on, once most of the boys are here.”

“She feeling okay now?”

“She gets tired real easy—and you can imagine how that pisses her off,” Jack said. “Wait till you see her. She doesn’t look like someone who damn near bought the farm three weeks ago. I’ll tell you what, buddy. That about did me in.”

“Bad, huh?”

“Boy howdy, as she would say.”

By two, Paul came into the bar and the reunion continued. For Joe and Paul, who hadn’t seen each other in at least a few weeks, there was a hearty embrace, robust congratulations to Paul. “I didn’t figure to see you until much later,” Joe said.

“There’s a maid of honor at the house,” he explained. “I was told I was in the way. Which suits me fine. And I think the general and Tommy will be kicked out pretty soon, too.”

Next to arrive, Josh Phillips and Tom Stephens from the Reno area, pulling up in a nice cushy RV, a new purchase for Tom. Finally, Zeke, which made the crowd almost complete. “Corny’s putting in a no-show,” Jack explained. “He’s got a baby coming in a couple of months and has to save his time off for that. Number three. He’s still chasing that boy.”

Beer was set up and at about four, Paige came out of the back and walked right under her husband’s arm. Zeke was the first to spot her and sent up a whoop of excitement, rushing toward her with a huge grin on his face. “Whoa, baby, look at you! Damn me, girl—you’re cooking a good one there!” He rubbed a big hand over her belly. “Preacher, you dog—you did fine work here!”