Temptation Ridge (Virgin River #6)(81)

“Luke! Honey!” she called, running up onto the porch and embracing him.

He held her in his arms for a long minute. “How you doing, Mom?”

“I couldn’t get here fast enough, that’s how.” She held him away from her. “You look okay. I was afraid you’d be thin and pale.”

“Now, why would I be thin and pale?” he asked. He glanced over her shoulder to see Sean struggling with multiple suitcases from the back of the SUV. “Jesus, how long are you staying?”

“Just until Sunday—but it was hard to know what to bring for a place like this.”

“So you just brought everything?”

“Funny,” she said. “So where is Art? And Shelby?”

“Shelby?” he asked.

“I heard all about her from Sean. Pretty little thing, the only niece of a general, young, great on a horse, crazy about you, etcetera…”

“Mom, she’s not here. She’s at home. I asked her to come over tomorrow night to meet you and we’ve been invited to her uncle’s house for Thanksgiving.”

“Oh,” she said, sounding disappointed. “I was looking forward to cooking for you.”

“We can do that,” he said hopefully. “I’m sure they’d understand—we don’t see each other that often.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I have plenty of time to cook and leave you leftovers. And what are we to bring to Shelby’s family for the meal?”

He frowned. It might not take two days for that excitement to wear off, after all. “Wine. I bought it.”

“We’ll have to take something else,” she said. “Pies, beans, bread, something.”

“Let me get the luggage, Mom.”

“Fine. And then show me this wonderful place.”

Luke went down the steps while his mother went directly into the house to look around. There’s one thing about having five boys with a strict father—Maureen was not to insult them by lifting a finger while they were around, except in domestic ways. They wouldn’t let her haul groceries or luggage while any of them were present. So Luke went to the back of the SUV where Sean was unloading way too many suitcases for five nights. “You’d think she was taking a fricking cruise.”

“Your death is going to be slow and painful.”

“Aw, come on! What’s up your butt now? You had plenty of time to get used to the idea. And she’s thrilled to be here, you can see that.”

“You told her all about Shelby? I didn’t even tell you what was going on with Shelby! Can’t you ever keep your mouth shut about anything?”

“I beg your pardon—I fly a spy plane. I have a very large security clearance. I told her about Shelby to piss you off.” He grinned. “Did I hear right? We’re going to the general’s for dinner?”

“Listen to me carefully, because if you screw this up I really will kill you. She’s young and inexperienced, not my type, I’m too old for her and it’s not serious. Her uncle is trained in hand-to-hand combat and he doesn’t like that she likes me. It’s not the usual thing, so just keep your big mouth shut. You hear me?”

“Whew, this is making you testy,” Sean said with a smirk. “That means it’s heating up. Where’s Art?”

“In his cabin. I’ll go get him as soon as we get these bags in the house.” Luke hefted two. “Jesus, where did she think she was going?”

“She plans to be at her best for your new friends. You know, you could have avoided all this by just going to Phoenix for two days.”

“I’ve been trying to avoid you for years, but you just won’t go away,” Luke grumbled. “This was your idea and you know it. Don’t screw with me.”

Sean stiffened. “In three seconds we’ll be back twenty years, rolling in the dirt. Let’s not do this to her, huh? She really gives a shit what’s happening with you. I don’t, but she does.”

“Ach,” Luke said, hefting a couple more bags. He took them up on the porch and said, “Put her stuff in my room. You’re upstairs. I’m going for Art.” He went down the steps to the cabin next door.

Luke gave two taps and opened the door. Art was sitting on the edge of his bed, made up tidily every morning, just waiting. He was all cleaned up, his sparse hair slicked back and wearing the new pants that Luke had purchased for him. His hands were clasped in front of him and he seemed to be terrified. “Art?” Luke asked.

“Are they here now?”

“They’re here. You ready to come say hello?”

He stood up nervously and rubbed his palms down his trousers. He nodded too vigorously.

“What’s the matter? It’s just Sean and my mother. You know Sean. You got along fine. You worried about something?”

He shook his head forcefully. Luke stepped toward him. “Look, you’re shook up about something. What’s got you so upset?”

“Nothing. I had a shower. I didn’t eat sandwiches, like you said.”

Luke smiled. Art loved his bologna sandwiches. “You look great. I just wanted you to be hungry for dinner and you wouldn’t be if you filled up on sandwiches. You’ll have some steak with us.”

“Steak is hard. I had it. I don’t work the knife that good because I didn’t use it that much, and steak gets too big for my mouth. My head’s big but my mouth is small, that’s what Stan said.”