“I’m good. Listen, I know Virgin River is perfection, but I was wondering if you’d like to get out of town for a weekend.”
“A weekend?” she asked, completely unprepared for such a question.
“There’s a great seaside hotel in Mendocino, on the ocean. Lots to do around there. Very relaxing and entertaining.”
“Cameron, I have a baby.”
He chuckled. “I thought maybe I could bring along a pediatrician.”
“But, Cameron, I’m really not ready for—”
“Easy, Vanni. We’ll get two rooms. Think of it as a chance to get to know each other better, that’s all. And no, I have not mentioned my plans to Carol.”
“Oh. Listen—I appreciate the invitation, but I’m not sure I’m ready for something like a weekend date. That’s moving a little fast for me…”
“I’ll be a Boy Scout,” he laughed. “Two rooms, good views, great food, a little relaxation, conversation, no pressure…”
“I appreciate the thought, really. It’s very nice of you, but…”
“All right,” he said. “It was worth a try. Well, then, can I wrangle another run down to Virgin River? I have Jack’s phone number. I could make a reservation at that little cabin…”
“You’re welcome anytime,” she said.
“Maybe this weekend, since I scheduled it off?”
“Sure,” she said without enthusiasm. “Let me know if you decide to come down.”
It was another tense hour before the phone rang and this time it was Paul. She nearly bit his head off. “Where have you been?”
“Vanni, I’m sorry. I didn’t get your message until this morning.”
“Forget the message—I didn’t ask you to call! You said you were going to! I was afraid something terrible might have happened. I worried half the night!”
“Something unexpected came up. I had to, ah, just help out a friend with something. I was home too late to call you. I didn’t even check the messages until this morning.”
She sighed heavily. It wasn’t like her to panic, but she’d had far too many losses over the past few years, and Paul felt like one more. “If you hadn’t said…”
“Vanni, I’m sorry. That will never happen again.”
Taking care of the widow again, she thought. He got home, got sidetracked by the woman in Grants Pass and she was the last thing on his mind. How could he be any more clear? Still, she heard herself ask, “What was the problem that sidetracked you until so late?”
“Ah, it wasn’t anything. Not as serious as it sounded at first. I’ll tell you all about it, Vanni, but I’d rather do it in person. I’m so sorry I didn’t call.”
“I’m not your keeper,” she said. “You have a private life, as you tried to explain…”
“Vanni, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea here…”
“I doubt I have the wrong idea,” she said. “Don’t worry about it, Paul. I’m glad everything is okay. We’ll catch up later.”
“I’ll talk to you this week,” he said. “I’ll see you on the weekend.”
“Sure,” she said. She hung up the phone and went to her bedroom. She sat on the edge of her bed. She could tell by the nervous sound in his voice—he hadn’t been home too late to call—he hadn’t been home at all. He spent the night with the woman. The woman who had complicated his life.
We have things to talk about… Those were his parting words, along with the promise to call. That thing he wanted to talk about—it would be an explanation about his relationship in Grants Pass, as if she needed more of his lame attempts. What did she expect, really? He had a life before Matt was killed, before Vanessa needed him, and that life went on. She had to find a way to let go of this, of him. If she didn’t, it was going to tear her apart. Worse, it would tear Paul apart because more than anything, he was faithful to Matt.
The best thing she could do for herself, for Paul, was attempt to get on with her life.
She remembered back to those old flying days when she and Nikki got each other through a dozen bad boyfriends, the pain and disappointment. “Raise your right hand and repeat after me,” Nikki would say. “I will not be pitiful! I will not be pathetic!”
She checked little Matt to find he was still sleeping. She wiped at her eyes. It was so ridiculous to cry—it had been very clear for a long time. Paul was devoted to her, bonded with her in some special ways. Probably her best friend. He was loving and affectionate and genuinely cared about her—but it wasn’t romantic. It never had been. She’d better get over it.