in Humboldt County on Google. I could always come to see you. I’m sure there’s a motel nearby… .”
Yeah, he thought, I’m going to get right on the list of smoothest bachelors in the U.S. “Darla—we have more room than we need and Maxie loves having company. Just let us know when you’ll be here. It’s not fancy, but it’s homey. We don’t have a lot of restaurants, however. No nightlife here at all, in fact, but there are some really good views and the apple pie is top-notch.”
She laughed, a very musical sound, a very happy sound. No, he decided, she wasn’t coming to Virgin River to grieve and cry. She was coming to visit a friend. And Darla might be widowed, but widowed from one of the best guys he knew. And there hadn’t been kids yet. And she was older—twenty-eight or so. Smart, pretty, self-sufficient.
“I love apple pie,” she said.
“Do you like mountain vistas? Ocean views? Redwoods?” he asked, finding himself getting a little excited.
“I’ve never seen the redwoods.”
“Well, if you can get away from the books for a few hours, I know where they are,” he told her.
“I know it’s your busy season… .”
“I take a day off now and then. When can you be here?”
“I’ll get to California next week. I want to unpack a few things, check my class schedule and then I might be able to head up there on Friday. It’s not too far. A few hours, right?”
“Right. And cell phone reception is spotty, so don’t count on it, especially in the taller trees and mountains.”
“Tom,” she said, kind of seriously. “I emailed you. About three times. You didn’t answer. I was a little afraid to call… .”
“Aw, damn, I’m so bad about that. Darla, hardly anyone emails me and it’s all junk. I’m sorry. I haven’t looked lately.”
“But don’t you do business online?”
He laughed. “We’ve been doing business with the same people for years. We drive the truck into town, to the stores, unload the apples and hand over a paper invoice. Maxie is on the computer more than I am.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I thought maybe you were avoiding me.”
“Not a chance. This is one of the nicest surprises I’ve had in months.”
* * *
Since Nora had been talking to Jed for a couple of weeks, exchanging the occasional email as well, she was comfortable that she was getting to know him and like him. But still, his first visit to her humble home was a little nerve-racking. Her phone rang at noon and he said, “Hi. I know we said afternoon and it’s about one minute after, but I’m in the area. When can I come over? I don’t want to intrude. I really hope to be invited back.”
She smiled to herself; that was kind of cute. And that rising fear reared its ugly head—Please don’t let this all be false. Please, please let it be true.
“You can come now,” she said. “The girls are bathed, dressed and fed.”
“Nuts,” he said. “I was going to offer to pick up lunch.”
“Not necessary, but have you eaten? Because I have a bunch of apples, apple butter, bread, but not the kind of food a man might be looking for.”
“I had a late and very large breakfast. I’m completely satisfied.”
“Then come. Oh, and Jed… As I mentioned before, Berry is very shy. Step softly.”
“Of course. See you shortly.”
And shortly it was—he must have phoned from just out of town. Fifteen minutes later, he was at the door. And he was bearing gifts—he held a bag from a toy store. “Oh, my,” she said. “I shouldn’t be surprised, but oh, my!”
“I couldn’t stop myself,” he said with a sheepish smile. “The truth is, I didn’t even try.”
Jed stood in the open doorway holding his big bag. Fay had been standing beside the couch but upon seeing company, she dropped to a sit and then rapidly crawled toward him. Nora swept Fay up before she flew right out the front door. Berry, on the other hand, shrank back behind the couch, just peeking at him.
“May I come in?” he asked.
“Oh,” she said. “Right.” And she held open the door for him.
He didn’t say anything at all, but moving slowly and smiling gently, he got down on the floor with his bag and started removing toys. They were all new, something Nora had not been able to provide