Redwood Bend

me to do the mothering. Those things that I don’t do very well, fortunately you do. And those things you struggle with?” She shrugged. “I happen to understand.”
When he just scowled, drawing his eyebrows tight, she asked, “What?”
“And if it doesn’t work out for us, for you and me? I want it to always be like it is right now, but if for some reason it isn’t? Like if you come to your senses?”
She laughed softly. “I will still raise my children as a group, as a family, no matter what you choose to do. Now why don’t you make sure the bedroom door is locked and come in here beside me, hold me for a while, do something you know you have a talent for.”
He stood up and chucked his jeans, slipping in beside her with a big grin on his face. “I think we’ve just stumbled on an area of mutual success.”
“Uh-huh,” she said. “Stop thinking so hard, Dylan. You’re wearing me out.”

Sixteen

L uke Riordan enjoyed a late-afternoon beer with Jack, something he treated himself to now and then. He occasionally took a break from tending his son and his cabins if his wife was at home. Shelby was a clinic nurse in Eureka and worked three ten-hour shifts every week, which left Luke to play househusband, including cooking. This was a good thing. Shelby liked to cook. She was miserable at it, but no one had the guts to tell her.
“You’re facing about three or four days of dinner by Shelby,” Jack teased.
“I might get her in here one of those days,” Luke said hopefully.
“I wish you luck. Are your cabins still booked?”
“Right up through fall. We have summer people—families and students and vacationers almost to hunting season, then we have hunters and fishermen through the holidays. Plus, a couple of my buddies are coming for a week this fall.”
“No kidding?” Jack asked. “And who might that be?”
“Just a couple of guys from army days. We haven’t been that good about staying in touch but every time we touch base, it’s like yesterday. You know what I mean?”
“I have a few like that,” Jack said. “They lifers like you?”
“No, short timers. Both were pilots, both got out at the first chance. One of ’em had some family store or something up in Oregon. The other one had a little bit of trouble in the army and our favorite uncle pretty much asked him to leave. Trouble of the disciplinary sort, if you get my drift.”
Jack laughed. “Have one or two of those, too,” he said. “Hunters?”
“As it happens both of them love to hunt. Fortunately for me, since I’m full of hunters during the season, it turned out the only time we could all get together was right before the season opens. We’ll get in some fishing at least. But I’d put these two in the house if I had to. They’re good guys.”
“Let us know when you expect them and maybe we can round up a poker game or something,” Jack suggested.
“Deal us in,” Luke said, finishing his beer. “How’s my tab these days?”
“I think you owe me a great deal of money.”
“See you later,” he said with a laugh, putting a couple of bills on the bar.
He’d only been out the door a minute when he was right back inside.
“Wait till you see what just pulled up outside,” Luke said from the door. “I think it’s a limousine.”
“In Virgin River?” Jack asked. He came around the bar and went to the door and sitting in front of the bar was an oversize, cream-colored town car trimmed in gold with a driver in a black suit holding the back passenger door open.
“That a limousine?” Luke asked.
“Sort of. Not really,” Jack said. “Fancy town car with a chauffeur.”
A small woman got out of the car. Even Jack could tell she was dressed to the nines but he couldn’t guess her age. Older than she looked by the way she moved, he thought. Her short hair was blond but almost gray; her face was soft and smooth-looking but had a look of experience, especially around the eyes. She walked to the base of the porch and asked, “Are you the proprietor, sir?”
He gave a slight bow, then stepped down from the porch to meet her on equal ground. The little thing was probably five foot one in her shoes. “I’m Jack Sheridan, ma’am, and this is my bar.”
“Charming little place,” she said with a smile. Her teeth were perfect and healthy. “I bet you have a wonderful time!”
“Just a simple place, ma’am. Would you like to come inside?”
“I’m going to have to make it another time. I’m looking for my