that Tom was simply not ready for that much—he was still wondering what to do next with her. He wanted what they shared to be casual. As far as she knew, there were no available houses in Virgin River that she could afford.
And winter was fast approaching. She’d done blistering winter here before.
There was only one place she could turn. After weeks of testing the waters it was time to let her father help her as he so wanted to do.
Friday night, after the girls went to bed, she dialed the phone. He answered and she said, “Hello, Jed? I mean… Hello, Dad?”
* * *
Tom wanted to see Nora. Not only was he running on about two hours of sleep, but she had told Maxie that she was tired and wanted to be alone with her children. Reasonable, he thought, as long as Maxie could assure him that she was all right. So he barely slept on Friday night and on Saturday morning was up early, working the orchard. That Nora wasn’t there didn’t faze him—he hadn’t asked her to work. But the strangest thing happened—he saw his grandmother come out of the house carrying a small suitcase.
He made fast tracks to her. “What’s this?” he asked.
She didn’t answer until she had plopped the suitcase in the backseat of her car. “Well, Nora called this morning and said she’d like to come over later to speak to us so I talked her into dinner. She said it would just be her. Adie is going to sit with the girls and put them to bed. I’ve left you a casserole to warm and a small salad in the refrigerator. You know where the bread is—and for that matter, Nora knows, too. I’m going to my friend Phyllis in Ferndale. I’ll spend the night, we’ll have brunch in the morning and I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.”
He was completely confused. “Has this been planned?”
“No, Tom,” she said patiently. “I’m giving you the house. Warm the casserole—it’s one of your favorites—chicken enchilada casserole. You have an opportunity to be alone to talk to Nora. Things have been a little crazy around here. I might be an older woman, but one thing I know—when children are involved, it can be a challenge to have an entire conversation. This is your chance.”
“Why isn’t she bringing her kids?” he asked.
“Tom,” she said impatiently. “I don’t know, but possibly she has things to say that shouldn’t be interrupted. Or things to ask that should be asked privately. Just warm the damn dinner and listen.”
And he thought—there were many advantages to living with a bossy, energetic grandmother. She took very good care of him and of countless details. But there were many problems with it, as well. Like this, for example. He felt flushed at the idea of being completely alone with Nora. And a little irritated at being set up to be.
* * *
Nora arrived at six looking exactly as she had on their one and only date, which he thought was beautiful. He could feel his eyes grow hot and dark. He held the door open for her, not able to say a word.
“Hi,” she said, stepping inside. “Thanks for letting me come over.”
“Letting?” he asked. “I wanted to see you yesterday, talk to you, make sure you were doing all right. Maxie said you asked to be left alone. I’m glad you’re here.”
She looked around. “Where’s Maxie?”
He pulled out a kitchen chair for her. He’d gone to some trouble to set a nice table just for the two of them. “She’s visiting a friend in Ferndale for the night. She’ll be back tomorrow. We have dinner. Will you have a glass of wine tonight?”
“I guess so, sure. Why didn’t Maxie just tell me she wouldn’t be home? I wanted to explain something to both of you.”
“Maybe it was last minute, but don’t worry about that. I don’t think I’m real clear on why you didn’t bring the kids,” he said, opening a bottle of pinot grigio for her.
“It’s a little complicated, but I didn’t want to be distracted.” She waited while he gave her the glass. He sat across from her and waited expectantly. “Are you going to have wine?” she asked.
“Oh,” he said. “Right.” And he poured himself a glass though he wasn’t the least bit interested in wine right now. He wanted her. Again