2
" In the end, where I live isn’t going to be up to me. I’m not letting them get away. If Abby insists on living in some godforsaken place like London, I’ll follow.” Mel couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing. “Godforsaken London? I’d give my eyeteeth to spend a year in London.” “You know what I mean,” he said. “I understand—you got your head wrapped around being a small-town doctor, living in the mountains, a low-stress lifestyle, and then, whoops—you’re going to be a father.” “As you would say, boy howdie.” “So—tell "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
6
" Jesus, Hope—are you just richer than God?” Jack asked. “I have a couple bucks and nothing to do but buy and sell things. So, I’m going to sell the church.” She sipped her drink. Puffed on her cigarette. “But, Hope—you said no one wants it,” Jack pointed out. “Well, none of those religions want it. I’m going to sell it on eBay.” It was silent for a second, then Jack, Dan and Preacher burst into laughter. “Oh, go ahead and laugh,” she said. “You’ll see. Someone’s going to want a church. That’s a good church. Little roughed up at the moment, but it can be considered a fixer-upper.” Jack leaned on the bar. “Let me guess—you have some old pictures of that church, right? When it was beautiful, right? And you’re going to float out those pictures and snag some poor rube, like you did Mel.” “Mel hasn’t complained in years,” Hope said, puffing. “Mel? "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
7
" I invited Abby to come here for dinner tonight. I want to talk to her about things. I’m going to try to convince her we should be roommates.” “Roommates? How romantic,” Mel said. “Yeah, well, she doesn’t have romantic feelings, but I want to take better care of my family. Whether she likes it or not, she’s my family. At least, she’s giving birth to my family. In another month, she’s going to realize how much she needs me nearby. After they’re born…” He shook his head. “After they’re born, she’s going to need me even more.” “So. "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
8
" Dad…? What did you say to her?” He made a face. “It’s more what she said to me. I told her I didn’t think it was such a good idea, me going to her movie set, and she drew a line in the sand.” He shook his head. “Not really like Muriel, but that’s what she did.” With some exasperation, Vanni said, “Do you think you can possibly make this explanation any more confusing? What’s going on?” “When I told her I didn’t really want to come to her movie, that I’d feel out of place and strange because I don’t know anything about movies, much less making them, she said…” He cleared his throat. “She said that was ridiculous, there wasn’t anything special about this location set—it was just a lot of working people. Grips, carpenters, cooks, et cetera. I had to Google ‘grips,’ that’s how little I know. And she expected me to make an effort or she was going to be left to assume she didn’t matter enough for me to swallow down a little unease so we could have some time together.” Vanni grinned. “She told you.” “She hasn’t called since. And my calls go to voice mail.” “How long has that been going on?” “All week. We usually talk every day.” “Apparently, Dad, you haven’t left the message she’s been waiting for.” “Apparently.” Vanni "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
11
" Eat what you can. It’s been hours since you’ve eaten and I’ve eaten three times. When we get back, I’m going to get some of Preacher’s weights out of the storage shed for you. You should probably bulk up those arms, shoulders, chest. Give you back your advantage.” “For?” Jack was stupefied. He shook his head. “For getting through life?” he said by way of a question. “For?” Rick said again. And Jack thought, you can’t slug him. You have to keep your mouth shut and be patient, that’s what Mike said, what Mel said. So Jack talked to himself. Okay, I’m not the best person to deal with this. I never had it this bad, and sure not when I was this young. Mike, he’s been through a terrifying, life-threatening injury. Mike might be able to step in. "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
12
" Do you promise not to leave my side the entire weekend?” “I promise to protect you from our mothers. My mother’s very nice, in an extremely nosey, interfering sort of way.” She smiled. “And mine’s very nice, in an extremely bossy, conniving sort of way.” “But both our fathers play golf,” he said, smiling. “That will keep them busy all weekend, going over every course and every hole they’ve ever played.” “And our mothers? What do you suppose they’ll be going over?” He gave her a little kiss. “I promise not to leave your side all weekend,” he said. * "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
13
" When she stood from the couch and faced him, she looked into his beautiful blue eyes and said, “Would you like to sleep next to your children?” His eyes were startled, his mouth agape. “It won’t be like the last time,” she hastened to promise. He smiled slowly. “It will be even better,” he said, slipping his hand over her belly. “Whoa,” he laughed. “It’s up to you.” “I wouldn’t pass up an invitation like that. I’d like to feel all of you up against me, cozy and safe.” “Then come on.” Abby had her turn in the bathroom first and when Cam came out, she had changed into a huge T-shirt that came almost to her knees and, he assumed, panties. So he stripped down to his boxers and crawled in, curling around her back. “Nice,” he whispered against the back of her neck. “Mmm,” she hummed, snuggling in. His hands found her belly and rested there and sleep found him, content and confident for the first time in so long. He was going to make this work. Yes, he was. In "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
14
" Aw, Jack,” she said softly. “After all you and Mel have done for me, you sure shouldn’t have done this.” He just shrugged and Liz put the card down, stuffed the bill in the pocket of her jeans and reached out for him, circling his neck with her arms so she could give him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Jack. That’s so sweet. I’ll thank Mel myself later.” Rick was dying as he watched. Of course, he hadn’t bothered going to her graduation, nor had he given her a card or even congratulated her. And he wanted those arms around him, those lips on his cheek. Not that he’d done one thing to deserve it. Jack "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
18
" Hey!” She turned toward him, frowning. He slowly and clumsily descended the porch steps, walking toward her, his limp suddenly much more pronounced. Dan saw Rick leave and followed, standing just outside the bar door on the porch, his arms crossed over his chest. Watching. Listening. “You do that on purpose?” Rick yelled at Liz. “Just to punish me?” She shook her head. “What are you talking about?” He got a little closer. “Acting like I don’t exist like that. You won’t even look at me. Is that how bad I gross you out?” “Shut up, Rick. You’re acting like an ass again.” “I’m an ass? For asking why you won’t even look at me?” “I thought that’s what you wanted! You want everything we were to just go away! Right?” “It’s not exactly like that,” he said. “Bullshit, it is like that! You said we can’t even be friends! So back off—you got just what you wanted!” Jack had heard the shouting, knew who it was and stepped out of the bar. He was about to go after Rick, shut him up before it got worse, but Dan put an arm across his chest. “Let it happen,” Dan said. “I care about Liz. If Rick’s going to be a jackass, she doesn’t deserve—” “Let it happen,” Dan said. “She’s fighting back.” “I don’t know,” Jack said, shaking his head. “It’s their bone, Jack. Don’t chew on it.” And "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
19
" I don’t think you can help,” he said, turning away from her and heading for the kitchen. She followed him. “You don’t really know, though, do you? Until you run it by me?” “It’s kind of embarrassing,” he said, not facing her. “For God’s sake, I look at cracks and talk about sex for a living. You can’t embarrass me.” He turned around. “I was thinking it would be embarrassing for me.” “Well, get over it. I’m your midwife.” He took a deep breath. “Abby and I are getting along very well. It’s incredible. Better than I thought it could be. We’re so compatible. And last night I slept beside her, holding her and the babies….” He dropped his chin. “Aw,” Mel said. “That’s sweet. I’m so happy, Cam.” “And woke up with my hand up her shirt and with the biggest hard-on.” Mel looked momentarily perplexed. “I’m sorry. Did I need to know that?” “I can’t believe how much just being near her is getting to me. I can’t let her think that—I mean, I let her think it would be completely safe for me to just lie beside her and… Aw, Christ. I have no control at all. What a damn mess.” “Cameron, take it easy. Most of that’s just nature. Huh? It happens all night long. I’m sure Abby knows that.” “It’s not just happening when I’m asleep. I really have a problem here. I’ve wanted that woman since the first second I saw her, but she’s in no condition for me to want her like that. What kind of man wants to… I mean, I won’t touch her, I swear I won’t. But if she thinks she’s not safe from my instincts, then I’ll be sent back up to the loft. And I don’t want to go back up to the loft!” He took a breath, shook his head dismally. “I should probably go back up to the loft.” Mel’s "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
20
" Jack sure didn’t have this problem. He wasn’t embarrassed by his feelings. Frustrated by them, yes. Embarrassed? Pah.” “Maybe Jack is the guy I should be talking to….” Mel lost every trace of humor. “Okay, I have to draw the line there. You can’t do that. Jack might say too much—he’s been known to do that once or twice. And I can’t have you conjuring up pictures of me in—” She straightened her spine. “I’m your boss, I think. I am, yes I am. You’re the doctor, but it’s my clinic. I can’t have you picturing me in compromising positions, even if they might help your pathetic sex life, because I’m your boss.” He just grinned largely, happily. As of her last words, he didn’t need Jack’s input to drum up an image or two. Her turn to squirm. She’d certainly enjoyed his discomfort, but all he said with regards to hers was, “Why, Melinda. Hmm.” * "
― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
