Hidden Summit - By Robyn Carr Page 0,40

her. Sometimes she’d sit on the back porch with Conner and just admire the setting sun and the flowers and the fragrant spring weather, talking. It was rather amazing how much beyond a couple of crappy marriages and divorces they had to talk about. In fact, once the facts of those had been shared, they found many more interesting things to discuss, from global warming (on which they did not agree) to American Idol (upon which they did).

Many of their conversations, whether over dinner, breakfast, on the back porch or cuddled up in bed, touched on values like honesty, loyalty, just plain knowing what was the right thing to do.

“How about being unfaithful in a marriage?” she asked him.

He grunted before he spoke. “Look, it’s too easy to say just plain never do that, even though that’s what I want to say. I know all marriages aren’t made in heaven. Sometimes there are circumstances that are hard to understand.”

“Like Greg falling in love for the first time after eight years of marriage?” she asked.

“I was thinking of my own shortcomings, to tell the truth. Giving your word on something usually requires a sacrifice, and it’s the measure of a man by how much he can live up to his word. I gave my word, Les, but I wasn’t able to keep it when it came to my ex-wife. A stronger man would’ve tried to understand and give her a chance to at least make amends, but I couldn’t. Wouldn’t. And Greg stepping out on you like he did? Not only do I think he was wrong, I think he was a fool. But damn, did I end up getting the good end of that deal or what? Because now that I know you, I know you wouldn’t have looked at me twice if you were married.”

After a moment of thought, she said, “I think the best happened for me, too. You, naturally. But a lot of other useful lessons, as well.”

There was a lot going on around Virgin River as April neared May and the Virgin River School neared completion. The town had big plans for a grand opening. People around town were furiously scouting secondhand stores, closing schools with content to sell, eBay and other resources for items to stock the school with. Dan and Cheryl’s house was finished, thanks to the help of many friends, including Conner, and they were planning a party, immediately after which they were headed north for that fishing trip Dan had mentioned.

“I spent a lot of time in charity work,” Leslie told him while they were lazing around in her bed late on a Saturday morning. “It’s good but not quite as fulfilling as actually helping out a friend, you know? It’s fun helping Dan and Cheryl plan their party or helping Becca look for furnishings and supplies for the actual school in which she’ll teach.”

Her doorbell rang, followed by a rapid knocking.

“I’ll get it,” she told him. “I think the kid down the street has been selling candy for school. Stay where you are. I’ll be right back.” She got out of bed and grabbed her terry robe.

“We should probably get up,” he said.

“Just give me a minute.” She tied her robe and blew him a kiss.

The doorbell rang again; the knocking followed.

“Hold your horses,” she said, throwing open the door.

And there stood the sixty-eight-year-old fun couple she knew so well. Her father had that oddly colored, thinning hair and her mother’s short blond was all teased up and spiky, Ms. Modern. They were dressed…in evening clothes? Cocktail party attire.

“Coffee on?” her father asked, beaming.

“Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?”

Eight

“We missed you,” Candace Petruso said. “And we have a surprise.”

“Why are you dressed like that?” Leslie asked.

“Part of the surprise. Leslie, I thought for sure you’d be up. It’s…” She looked at her watch. “My gosh, it’s ten!”

“It’s Saturday morning!” Leslie protested, a little flustered.

“You’re usually an early riser,” Robert said, pushing his way into the house. “Where’s the kitchen? I’ll put on the coffee. Candace, you get the music ready and we’ll push a little furniture back, make space.” And he was off in the direction of the kitchen.

“Music? What is going on?” Leslie demanded. “Did you get up at five to make this drive from Grants Pass?”

Candace came in and looked around. “Oh, Les, this is just as adorable as the pictures you sent. I think it’s really you. You know your father—he can’t sleep past four-thirty even though