Virgin River (Virgin River #1)(34)

At nine o’clock the party abruptly ended. It was as though someone had rung a bell—all the women gathered up their dishes, men stacked up plates and picked up trash, goodbyes were being said and people were filing out the door. Mel was at the back of the group, following, when Jack called her. “Hold up,” he said. So she went back and jumped up on the stool. He put a cup of coffee in front of her. “Did I call you a city girl?” he asked with a smile.

“I didn’t even know I could still do that,” she said, accepting the coffee.

“Mind if I ask how you learned that?”

“It was a long time ago—when I was in my last year of college. There had been some rapes around the campus and a bunch of us went to a self-defense instructor together. To tell you the truth, I was never sure that would work in a real situation. I mean, with an instructor, mats on the floor, everything rehearsed and knowing exactly what to expect—that’s one thing. But I wasn’t sure I could react the same way if a real rapist jumped out from behind a parked car.”

“Now you know. He never saw it coming.”

“Yeah, that worked to my advantage, too.” She sipped her coffee.

“I didn’t see what he did,” he said. “I could tell by the stupid grin on his face and the shocked look on yours that something happened.”

She put her cup on the bar. “Major butt grope,” she said. And she noted that Jack’s expression went instantly dark; mean, narrowed eyes, deep frown. “Whew, easy buddy, it wasn’t your butt. I saw you making a move—what were you about to do?”

“Way too much,” he said. “I don’t like seeing something like that in my bar. I was watching him all night. The second he saw you, it was a target lock-on.”

“He was a giant nuisance, but I’m pretty sure he’ll leave me alone now,” she said. “It was kind of funny the way the party just suddenly stopped like that. Did someone look at their watch or something?”

“Livestock don’t give days off,” he said.

“Neither do babies,” she said, getting off the stool.

“I’ll walk you,” Jack said.

“You don’t have to, Jack. I’m okay.”

He came around the bar anyway. “Indulge me. It’s been an interesting night.” He took her arm, telling himself he was just being gentlemanly but, in fact, if he saw the chance, he was going to get his lips on hers. He’d been wanting to kiss her for days.

They walked across the porch and down the steps, out into the street. There were no streetlights, but the moon was high and full and cast a soft glow over the town. There was a light on in the upstairs bedroom at Doc’s. Jack stopped right in the middle of the street. “Look, Mel. Look at that sky. You can’t find that anywhere else on earth. All those stars, that moon—the clear black sky. That belongs to us.”

She looked up at the most gorgeous sky imaginable, with more stars than she thought existed. He stepped behind her and with his hands on both of her upper arms, he gently squeezed.

“You just can’t see this in the city. In any city.”

“It is beautiful,” she said softly. “I admit, this is beautiful country.”

“It’s majestic. One of these days, before you pack it in and run for your life, I’d like to show you some things. The redwoods, the rivers, the coast. It’s almost time for whale watching.” She leaned back against him and couldn’t deny it felt pretty good to be shored up by Jack. “I’m sorry about what happened tonight.” He leaned down and inhaled the scent of her hair. “I was really impressed with how well you handled it—but I’m sorry he… I hate that he touched you like that. I thought I had an eye on him.”

“Too quick for me. Too quick for you,” she said.

He turned her around and looked into her eyes. He thought he saw an invitation there in her upturned face and he lowered his.

She put a hand on his chest. “I have to go in now,” she said, a little breathless.

He straightened.

“We both know I couldn’t throw you,” she said, smiling weakly.

“You’ll never have to,” he said. But he still held her arms, so reluctant to let go.

“Good night, Jack. And thanks for everything. Despite Nick—I had a good time.”

“Glad to hear it,” he said. And he let go.

She turned, and with her head down, went the rest of the way alone.

He stood in the street until she was inside, then headed back to the bar. On his way, he saw Ricky’s truck parked right in front of Connie’s house. Well, damn—the boy sure didn’t waste any time. Ricky didn’t have a mom or dad and his grandmother wasn’t well. Jack had been looking out for him for a long time and he knew this day would come eventually—they’d have to have THE talk. But not tonight. Tonight Jack would have that talk with himself.

Preacher had the chairs upside down on the tables and was sweeping up. Jack walked right by him at a good clip. “Where you going in such a hurry?” Preacher asked.

“Shower,” he said miserably.



It was because Connie and Ron liked Ricky so much that they had no problem with him staying out in front of the house talking with Liz for a few minutes. They trusted him, he knew this. But maybe they shouldn’t because if they knew what one look at Liz had done to him, they’d lock her up.