Whispering Rock (12 page)

They talked until almost midnight and Brie began to yawn. And yawn and yawn. Finally Mike said, “You’re driving me crazy. Go to bed. I’ll be right here on the couch. I’ll hear every sound, so you can just fall asleep and leave me in charge.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. First of all, this is a solid cabin—all locked up tight. Second, if anything stirs, I’m up like that,” he said, snapping his fingers. “It’s not even a choice. It comes from years of nodding off while sitting surveillance. And that’s nothing to how light a sleeper you become in Iraq.”

“Hmm. I could buy that. It’s true, isn’t it?”

“It’s true. I haven’t lied to you yet.”

She thought about all the things he’d told her about himself—totally uncomplimentary things guaranteed to keep her from getting further involved with him, and decided that
he hadn’t lied to her. “Okay, then,” she said, standing. “Thanks. I mean it, really. Thanks. I don’t think I can do it yet—alone. You want a pillow or something?”

“Nah. I’m comfortable.”

Brie went off to bed. He heard the sound of her brushing her teeth. Moving around. Snuggling in. He lay down on the sofa; his legs were too long and he propped them up on the arm. His feet would be asleep before morning, but it was okay. He wanted to do this for her.

Not much time had passed when he opened his eyes to find her standing over him. “Umm,” she said nervously. “Can you…? This is awkward. I’m still very squeamish about a man even seeing me on the treadmill, but could you share the bed, in your clothes, and manage not to do anything? I mean, even in your sleep?”

“I’m okay right here, Brie. Don’t worry about me.”

“I’m not worried about… I just thought, that couch isn’t big enough. And there’s a bed in the loft, but I just don’t want you way up there. And I… Could you lie beside me on the bed without—”

“I’m not going to try anything with you, Brie. I know you can’t handle that.”

“I don’t think I can sleep unless you’re…closer,” she said very softly.

“Aw, honey…”

“Then come on,” she said, turning back to the bedroom.

He didn’t move for a moment, thinking. It didn’t take long. He wanted to be next to her, but he didn’t have to be. But if she needed him, he was there. He stood and got rid of his belt because of the big buckle, but everything else stayed on. And he went to the bedroom.

She was curled up under the covers, her back facing out,
leaving him room. So he lay down on the bed on top of the covers, giving her that security. “Okay?” he asked.

“Okay,” she murmured.

It wasn’t a big bed, just a double, and it was impossible to keep a lot of space between them. He curved around her back, spooning her, his face against her hair, his wrist resting over her hip. “Okay?” he asked.

“Okay,” she murmured.

He nestled in, his cheek against the fragrant silkiness of all that loose hair, his body wrapped around hers, though separated by layers of clothes and quilts, and it was a long, long time before he found sleep. By her even breathing, Mike knew she rested comfortably and that made him feel good.

When he woke in the morning, she had turned in her sleep and lay in the crook of his arm, snuggled up close to him, her lips parted slightly, her breath soft and warm against his cheek. And he thought, Oh damn, she’s right—this is going to just break the hell out of my heart.

Jack and Mel drove to Eureka and picked up a couple of connecting flights to San Diego, arriving a night before Rick’s graduation. That gave them a little time alone together at a nice hotel. They had a swim, something they never did in Virgin River. Then a nice dinner and a long, wonderful night as man and wife. That first night away they managed to concentrate only on each other, but first thing the next morning Mel called Brie to make sure the baby was all right.

“I miss him so much,” she complained.

“I know you do,” Jack said. “So do I. Thank you for doing this for me,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

“It wasn’t just for you. It was for me, too. But I miss him so much.”

“Just two nights, baby. Then we’ll be home. And we won’t leave him again for a long time.”

Watching Rick stand at attention while being inducted into the Marine Corps sent pride spiraling through Jack’s breast. He graduated at the top of his class, a young leader, a powerfully strong and smart young man. When the company was dismissed by the commanding officer, the young Marines all took a step back, did an about-face and shouted, “Aye, sir!” Mel grabbed Jack’s arm, leaned against him, moved to tears. Out on the field it was handshakes and hugs, the young men thanking the drill sergeant, big grins and laughter. Jack put an arm around her and held her close. They stood at the edge of the field and waited for Rick to find them.

When he did, Jack grabbed Rick’s hand in a firm clutch that brought them chest to chest, “Hoo-rah, man,” Jack said. “Good job. I’m proud of you, son.”

“Thanks, buddy.” But Mel just leaned against him, hugged him and cried. “Hey, Mel,” he said, laughing, patting her back. “Easy does it, huh?”

“Oh, Ricky, you are so handsome. Look at you. You’re so beautiful.”

“Here are some options, Rick. We can get your things,” Jack said. “We’ve got a couple of rooms, not barracks. We can have a nice dinner out and catch our flights early tomorrow morning. Or maybe you have some plans with your boys before you check out of here and I can get you in the morning, take you home.”

“I’ve had about enough of these boys.”

“There has to be some stuff going on tonight. To celebrate?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. But I’m just ready to get off the base. I like your first idea.”

Jack suspected some of the young Marines would be getting hotel rooms as well, but they’d be wanting to get drunk and find girls. After what Rick had been through last year with his girl, he was probably less than interested. So Jack checked them in, took them out to a nice steak dinner and heard all the stories about basic. After dinner he tucked Mel into bed and went to Rick’s room with a cold six-pack. He tapped on the door and was admitted by a freshly showered kid in sweatpants, bare chested. “Hey, you’re my best friend,” Rick said, spying the beer.

Jack was somewhat taken by the boy’s physique, which had been honed by basic training. He’d been strong and lean when he went in, but now he was cut and powerful looking. His beard was getting heavy; the hair on his chest had grown thick. Jack laughed and shook his head. “Damn it, boy. You sure don’t look eighteen anymore.”

“I don’t feel eighteen, either. I feel about a hundred and ten.” He took a bottle of beer and touched the neck to the one Jack held. “Thanks for coming down, Jack. It meant a lot to me.”

“Meant a lot more to me,” Jack said. Jack sat on one of the chairs by a small table in the room while Rick sat on the edge of his bed. “Some of the boys are coming up next week to catch a little of deer season. We’d like you to join us.”

“That’d be great. There are a couple of things I have to do first,” he said. “I have to spend a little time with my grandma. And I have to drive over to Eureka,” he said, dropping his gaze. “I want to check on Liz.”

“Did you hear from her?” Jack asked.

“Yeah, a little bit. But usually it was only when she was having a hard time. I’m telling myself that she’s not having a hard time every day or I’d have gotten more letters. What does Connie say?”

“Not a lot. That she’s getting by, that’s about it. How are you doing?”

“It was the right thing to do, Jack. Signing up. It took me out of my head a little. Made me way too tired and most of the time too scared to think.”

“How are you feeling about things now?”

He shrugged. “I’m getting closer to living with myself. But Lizzie’s still just a kid. Sixteen now—she’s getting older in spite of herself. She’s been through an awful lot for a girl her age.”

Jack couldn’t help but think that Ricky was only two years older, yet taking on all the blame as though he was the only one responsible. And he’d been through a lot, too. “I’m going to say this again, son. It wasn’t your fault that baby didn’t make it.”

“Just my fault there was a baby,” he said. He took a long pull on his beer.

“We’re men, Rick. We’re idiots. Ask Mel,” he said.

“Yeah.” He laughed.

“You take care of your business, then hunt with us a little. Might as well get a lot of unasked-for advice from the boys. They think of you as one of them now—there won’t be any holding them back.”

“Yeah. You going to hunt?” he asked.

Jack puffed up a little. “I am. I am going to defy my queen and take a rifle into the woods. But if I hit anything, I’m blaming you.”

W
hen Mel, Jack and Rick got back to Virgin River, the dinner hour was approaching. This boy was one of the town’s favorite sons and everyone would be anxious to see him again, so Rick was dropped off at his grandma’s house merely to scoop her up and take her to the bar. Lydie was a rare patron of the bar, but this was a special occasion.

It was early, but there were plenty of people already there, waiting to see Rick. Brie and the baby had been in town most of the afternoon already and when David saw Mel, he sent up an alarm, waving his arms at her, squealing with excitement. She couldn’t fill her embrace with him fast enough and couldn’t wait to nurse him. She slipped back into Paige’s little living room to spend some quality time with her boy.

Preacher had made a big sheet cake with a remarkably good Marine medallion iced onto the center. He’d also put out a lot of snack food and made a huge pot of barbecue with a big basket of buns, potato salad and baked beans, all Rick’s favorites. It wasn’t long before the place started to fill up with friends and neighbors. Mike arrived just minutes before Rick
and Lydie, and when the young Marine walked into the bar, a cheer erupted. There were lots of hugs, backslapping, an air of celebration.

This was the kind of night that always made Jack glad he’d opened this place—surrounded by friends and neighbors, the walls throbbing with happy noise. On a night such as this, there was no charge for the food—a jar was put on the bar for people to drop in whatever they could afford, but no one would be turned away. There was plenty of free beer and sodas—the only things he sold were mixed drinks.

Once David had had a private reunion with his mother, he held up pretty well during the party, being passed from person to person. Rick took his turn with the baby, astonished at how big he’d gotten in such a short period of time.

While Brie was up on a bar stool and Jack was at his favorite place behind the bar, he asked her, “How’d it go, Brie?”

“David was an angel. We stayed very busy, running around visiting people.”

“And you were all right?”

“Sure,” she said, smiling. “I had a nice time. Anytime you need an auntie, I’m your girl.”

He leaned across the bar and put a kiss on her forehead. “Thanks.”

“How was your escape?” she whispered.

“Perfect. My wife missed her baby too much, but then, so did I.”

After a big dinner and lots of visiting, the farmers, ranchers and business owners began to disappear—that time of night was upon them. Livestock didn’t give days off; people around here got up very early. Rick jumped up on a bar stool, grinning. “Fantastic, Jack,” he said. “It sure is good to be back.
I’m going to get my grandma home—she turns in pretty early. Then I’m heading to Eureka.”

“Tonight?” Jack asked, surprised.

“Yeah,” he said, a slight stain on his young cheeks. He gave a lame shrug. “Gotta see that girl. You know.”

“You’ll get there kind of late,” Jack pointed out.

“I bet she’ll wait up,” Rick said. He put out a hand. “Thanks for everything.”

“Sure thing,” he said. And he wanted to add, Please be careful. He followed Rick with his eyes as he walked Lydie out of the bar.

Mel was beside him, the baby on her left hip while she circled his waist with her right arm. “Rick’s on his way to Eureka tonight,” he said.

“They’ll be all right, Jack,” Mel said.

He shook himself and looked down at Mel. “Damn, I’d feel so much better if they’d just get about ten years older, real fast.”

“I know. You’re such a mother hen. But I just spent two days with Ricky and I’m not worried about him. He’s paying attention. I think I’ll go ahead and take David home, get him settled in his bed. I’m exhausted—it was such a long day. You stay as long as you like.”

He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the head. “I’ll see you a little later.”

Brie jumped off her stool. “I’ll take you, Mel,” she said.

And then Jack noticed another thing. A lot had been happening around here, he guessed. While Mel went out the door with David, Brie took a slight detour, finding Mike, who was in a conversation with Paige across the room. She reached for his hand and, holding it, said something to him. Something that made him smile. He leaned toward her and put a peck on her
cheek, gave her upper arm a brief squeeze and out the door she went.

That might not be a good thing, Jack thought. Brie didn’t know Mike the way he did.

Once the guest of honor was gone, the bar emptied of partiers. Paige had gone to settle her son into bed in the room upstairs, leaving the three men in the bar alone. Jack got down three glasses. He poured Preacher a shot of his favored whiskey while he chose a single malt scotch for himself. “Mike?” he asked.

“Sure,” he said.

“How were things while we were gone?” Jack asked Mike as he poured.

Mike shrugged. “Everything seemed fine,” he answered. “Preach?” Mike asked.

“Yeah,” the big man said. “Far as I know. Fine. The boy looks good, Jack. The Corps doesn’t seem to have beat him into mush.”

“I think he takes to it a little,” Jack said.

“No doubt,” Preacher said. He threw back his drink. “Can you boys lock up behind yourselves?”

“Sure thing,” Jack said.

Preacher went through the kitchen to his quarters and Jack tipped the bottle again, giving himself and Mike a splash. “I didn’t plan this,” Jack said. “But since it’s you and me—tell me about Brie.”

“Tell you what, Jack?”

“When she was leaving… It looked like there was something….”

“Spit it out.”

“You and Brie?”

“What?”

Jack took a breath, not happily. “Are you with my sister?”

Mike had a swallow of his whiskey. “I’m taking a day off tomorrow—taking her down the Pacific Coast Highway through Mendocino to look for whales, see the galleries, maybe have a little lunch.”

“Why?”

“She said she’d like to do that while she’s here.”

“All right, but you know what I’m getting at—”

“I think you’d better tell me, so I don’t misunderstand.”

“I’d like to know what your intentions are toward my sister.”

“You really think you have the right to do that? To ask that question?” Mike asked him.

“Just tell me what was going on between the two of you while I was gone.”

“Jack, you’d better loosen your grip a little. Brie’s a grown woman. From where I stand, we’re good friends. If you want to know how she sees it, I think she’s the one you have to ask. But I don’t recommend it—she might be offended. Despite everything, she tends to think of herself as a grown-up.”

“It’s no secret to you—she’s had a real bad year.”

“It’s no secret,” Mike agreed.

“You’re making this really tough, man…”

“No, I think
you
are. You spent some time with her tonight. Did it look to you like anything is wrong? Like she’s upset or anything? Because I think everything is fine and you worry too much.”

“I worry, yeah. I worry that maybe she’ll look to you for some comfort. For something to help her get through. And that you’ll take advantage of that.”

“And…?” Mike prompted, lifting his glass but not drinking.

“And maybe work a little of your Latin magic on her and
walk away.” Jack drank his whiskey. “I don’t want you to do that to her.”

Mike put down his glass on the bar without emptying it. “I would never hurt Brie. And it has nothing to do with whose sister she is. Good night, Jack.” He left the bar.

Mike had to do a memory check, remember how he felt about his own sisters, try to get it straight in his head that some of this behavior was beyond Jack’s control. If Jack had looked at one of his younger sisters the way Mike was probably looking at Brie, he might have gotten his back up. Big brothers like me and Jack, we can get proprietary. It wasn’t right, but it was there.

It pissed Mike off. But more than that, it worried him. He didn’t really think he had much of a chance with Brie for a lot of reasons, but he didn’t want one of those reasons to be his best friend.

He wished he’d finished that whiskey.

It was a long time before Mike was able to sleep, even though he hadn’t slept much the previous two nights. He kept wishing Jack and Mel had stayed away a little longer. He’d lain beside her for two wonderful nights. She’d slept right up against him. Platonically, but it had been luxurious. In her sleep she would move closer, snuggle up against him, let him cradle her in the safety of his arms. Trusting him. Believing in him. Her scent still lingered in his mind, real enough so that every once in a while he would catch a whiff so memorable it was almost as though he could reach out and touch her.

But he was alone tonight. And when sleep finally did come, it was restless and fraught with dreams, the kind he hadn’t had in a long time.

He saw their bodies as if from above—her pale, ivory skin against his tan Mexican hide, his large hands pressed against
her perfect white bottom, holding her tight. Close. Although he watched from above, he could feel every sensation—the light touch of her fingers threading through his black hair, her lips on his neck, his chest, his shoulder. He tasted her skin, crumbled handfuls of her soft honey hair against his face. He was inside her, her knees raised and her pelvis tilted to bring him deeper, and he rocked with her in a gentle but intense pace. Her sighs filled the room; he whispered love words in her ear, encouraging her, telling her how much he wanted to please her.

He saw her small hands running up and down his back, his shoulders broad once again, restored. And as he told her he loved her, adored her, could never have a life if she was not part of it, she returned his words of love in Spanish.
“Estas en mi corazón.” You are my heart. “Te quiero.” I want you. “Te quiero mucho, Miguel.” I want you so much Miguel…Mike.

He heard her cries, felt her close around him with a hot, tight power so awesome his whole body shuddered convulsively. As she called out his name again and again, he exploded into a climax too grand, more fabulous than he remembered from his earlier life.

He woke suddenly, panting, his heart hammering, sweat drenching him so that the sheet clung. Alone. But not alone; she’d been with him, beneath him in that nocturnal fantasy turned bliss. And he thought,
Oh God!
I’m not dead after all!

His immediate next thought was that he was so grateful that hadn’t happened to him while he slept with her at the cabin. It would have scared her to death.

Brie rose extra early; three people jockeying around one shower had its challenges. By the time she was toweling off, she could hear Mel and Jack in their bedroom, talking softly in response to the baby’s gurgles and giggles. While she was
in the loft dressing, the shower turned on again and again—Mel and Jack getting up for the day. David was back in his bed for an early-morning catnap when she met Jack at the coffeepot. Brie already had a steaming cup in her hand.

Jack looked her up and down, taking in the skirt, blouse and vest—not her usual country attire. She was dressed for a date. It ate at his gut. He slowly poured a cup of coffee. “Mike mentioned he was taking you over to Mendocino,” he said.

“Yes,” she said. “We’re going to be tourists for a day.”

“Listen, Brie, there’s something you should know about Mike. He’s been married twice.”

“I know,” she said.

Mel migrated into the kitchen in time for that last exchange. She plucked a cup off the counter, lifted the coffeepot and glared at her husband with a deep sigh. Jack completely ignored her.

“He’s known for… Well, for being on the move a lot. Where women are concerned.”

“I know that, too,” she said.

Jack put down his cup. “Listen to me. I’ve known the man forever. He has a reputation with the women.”

“Oh?” She laughed. “Has he been hustling the good women of Virgin River and breaking their hearts?”

Jack scowled at his sister. “He’s been on hiatus healing up. He’s healed now.”

“Jack, stay out of this,” Mel warned.

Brie just laughed at her brother. “Relax, Jack. I’m fine with Mike. He’s been a good friend. We’ve talked a lot since June. We even met for lunch a few times. He’s been very supportive through some of this mess I’ve been through.”

The look on Jack’s face was one of pure shock and it
appeared as though the air was briefly sucked out of him. “What?” he asked.

“He called to see if I was doing all right, we talked, we talked some more, he drove down to the city to get me out of the house for an afternoon, and believe me—it made a difference. We have some things in common, you know. We’re both victims of violent crimes.”

“And no one told me this?” he asked, clearly stricken. Betrayed.

“There were things about what I’ve been going through that Mike understood. That it would be hard for anyone else to understand,” Brie said.

“Why would no one tell me about this? He’s my friend. You’re my sister.”

She shrugged. “Maybe no one wanted to deal with one of your outbursts.”

“Dad knew?” he asked, disbelieving.

“Jack!” Mel warned again. “Leave this alone!”

“Of course Dad knew,” Brie said. “I wouldn’t leave the house without telling him exactly where I was going. And God knows, I don’t answer the phone!”

“Brie, listen, I’d trust the man with my life, but not necessarily with my
sister,
” he said earnestly, desperately.

“You wouldn’t trust the pope with your sister,” she said. “What do you suggest, huh? If it weren’t for Mike, I’d still be lying on the couch, watching the soaps, scared to go out of the house in the middle of the day!”

“I told you if you needed anything, anything at all…”

“That my big brother would come racing down to Sacramento to rescue me,” Brie shot back. “What makes you think I knew what I needed? I’m pretty grateful Mike had a clue!”

Mel wandered onto the porch with her coffee cup and
stood there, not entirely grateful she could hear the argument going on inside. In five minutes they’d have the baby awake. And in thirty minutes or less, she was going to kill Jack.

“He has a knack for that,” Jack blustered. “He seems to know exactly what it is a woman’s looking for.”