“I told you about that?”

She laughed. “In detail. I donated to the cause.”

“You did?”

“Absolutely! I don’t know if you even realize it, but the way you talked about that young woman, Angie, it was with such tenderness, such respect and admiration. I really hope you don’t lose track of her. She might be just the kind of woman you should stay in touch with. Did the little girl get enough funding for the surgery?”

“I’m standing outside the surgical hospital now, waiting for the operation to be over.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! You’ve made my day!”

“Marie, how much money did you give the cause?” he asked.

“It’s not important, Patrick. Just a little something from Jake.”

“Jake?”

“There was a widow’s benefit and life insurance. I put some of it in a college fund, some down on the house and I thought—this is important to Paddy, Jake would approve. I admire you, Patrick. What a great way to spend some leave. Spreading some goodwill, paying it forward.”

“I have to get back to Charleston soon.”

“Of course—but you’ll find out your new assignment soon, right? I know there’s no big gray boat in Oklahoma City, but maybe you’ll get something awesome, like Hawaii. I wouldn’t mind visiting Hawaii.”

“Marie…”

“What?”

He took a deep breath. “Listen, we should be together. Me and you. If you can’t do any more Navy, I get that—it’s not your fault. Let’s mull this over a little. We’ll talk about it at Christmas and decide. I can get out of the Navy.”

“Paddy, are you thinking this way because of Jake?”

“No, I—I mean, maybe part of it has to do with Jake. But I really want to be close to you and Daniel. I want to be able to look after you properly.”

“And I don’t know what I’d do without you, but…”

“Is there any possibility you could live in Charleston again?” he asked. “Because I admit, I want the best of both worlds. I want you and Daniel and I want the Navy and that damned plane. Marie, I really care about you.”

“And I really care about you,” she said. “Listen, Patrick, it’s too soon for me to think about the next man. Probably years too soon. Right now I feel like there can never be another man for me. As much as I love you, you’re my best friend, Paddy. I don’t want to go back to Charleston with you. The memories there…”

“It’s too soon, I know. You need time. But think, Marie—this is sensible. Practical. Logical. We’re in sync, you and I. I want to do the right thing for us. That’s all.”

“Sometimes I forget,” she said quietly. “You suffered a grave loss, as well. But that doesn’t make us destined to be together, Paddy. Listen, will you do something for me? Will you text me when the little girl is out of post-op, when the doctor says the surgery was successful?”

“I’ll call you,” he said.

“Sure, just let me know.”

“I’ll call you,” he repeated.

“Then we’ll talk soon. You’re wonderful to help with the surgery. You’re almost the most wonderful man in the world.”

“Almost?” he asked with a laugh.

“It’s good if you keep trying for perfection! Goodbye, Paddy.”

Chapter Fifteen

By just after lunch Megan was settled in a queen-size bed in a Marriott in Davis. Her nurse was with her, as was her mother, but it was Angie she wanted to speak to. “You saw it?” she asked. “All of it?”

“I did,” Angie said. “It was amazing. Once the swelling and bruising is gone it’s going to look wonderful. I think you’re going to be very happy.”

Later that day, Angie sat cross-legged on her hotel bed with Patrick’s cell phone in her hand. He had gone out for sandwiches while she used his phone to give Mel an update. She told her all about the surgery and her front-row view.

“How did you like that?” Mel asked.

“I loved it,” she said, her voice quiet. “It got me thinking…”

“About?”

“What it must feel like to have the power of healing in your hand.”

“I imagine it’s incredibly humbling,” Mel said. “Knowing where to use it, spend it, exercise it.”

Patrick returned shortly after her phone call. They both sat on the bed, eating their sandwiches and sipping their sodas quietly. When they were finished and the wrappers tossed, Patrick laid down on the bed, hands laced together behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Angie was looking off at nothing in particular.

“Tired, babe?” he asked her.

She focused on him for a moment. “Did I ever tell you that I love jigsaw puzzles?” He just shook his head. “Do you?” she asked.

He gave a shrug. “I think I could find something a little more exciting to do.”

She flopped down on her stomach, her chin braced on her hands. “We don’t have all that much in common, do we?”

“Scrabble,” he said with a small smile.

“And maybe one or two other things. But I love jigsaw puzzles. I put one together once that was the size of the dining room table. My mother stopped me before I tried one as big as the family room floor. My family would try a few pieces now and then but it was mainly all mine.”

He ran a hand over her hair. “Got a little OCD going on there, honey?”

“Oh, yeah, piles of it, I’m sure. But I don’t do the kind of fun things you do—I don’t want to speed or jump out of planes or take tight turns. Patrick, have you ever felt your life changed by a few words?”

He was still stroking her hair. And he was thinking, Do what you have to do. Jake’s instructions. “Like what?” he asked her.

“Dr. Hernandez put me in that O.R., let me watch him take apart a face and put it back together. Then he talked to me. He belongs to a small group of medical professionals who donate time and energy to people all over the place. I asked if they could use someone like me and he said, ‘They need doctors.’” She frowned. “I guess I was wrong. I’m going to have to finish school, after all. If I could ever do what he does…”

They were both silent for a while, looking into each other’s eyes. “USC?” he finally asked.

“I guess so. If they haven’t given up on me.”

“You’ll find the best place,” he said. “I have to admit, I like this idea better. You have a lot to offer, Ange.”

“So do you, Paddy. What do you suppose becomes of us now?”

“It sounds like we have a good few days, then begin new lives.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Going to be a doctor! A surgeon! How am I not surprised?”

“Patrick, do you think we’ll… Will we stay in touch?”

He couldn’t stop stroking her hair. “Would that be a good idea?”

“I hate the thought of not ever knowing where you are,” she said. “What are we going to do?”

“Ange, I made a commitment to a man who’s dead. I gave my word. I don’t think there’s anything to do but carry on. I should have fought this thing harder, this thing we have. I never wanted to hurt you, to disappoint you.”

“Just tell me this—are you going to be hurt or disappointed?” she asked.

“I’m going to be grateful,” he whispered. Then he pulled her down beside him. “Come here. Let me hold you. It’s all I’ve got.”

* * *

Angie refused to give up or give in. If there was one way she wanted Patrick to remember her, it was without pity or regrets. She slapped a smile on her face. She teased him and laughed with him; she slept curled up beside him and asked herself how to best memorize the smell of his skin, the texture of his thick hair. She wanted to never forget how bright and sharp his green eyes were or the way his hands felt when he caressed her. She wondered if, when he let go of her and went away, she would ever find a love like this again.

The ride back to Virgin River was quiet—Lorraine held Megan while she slept, and Patrick and Angie didn’t want to disturb her. When they arrived at the Thicksons’, Angie helped get Megan settled on the couch before leaving them. Her little brothers edged close with caution, peering at the new incision on her cheek.

“How about a beer?” she said once they were back in the Jeep. “It’s been a very long day.”

“My place or yours?” he asked.

“Jack’s?” she suggested. “We can have a beer, catch him up on the condition of our little ward and flip a coin to see where we go next. Maybe we can grab some dinner from Preacher. Neither of us should have to cook tonight.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

They got to Jack’s just ahead of the dinner crowd and jumped up on stools that sat side by side.

“Well, my missionaries have returned,” he said, giving the bar a wipe and putting down a couple of napkins. “What’s your pleasure?”

“Cold draft,” Angie said.

“I heard from Mel that things went very well,” he said while drawing up a couple of beers.

“I don’t think it could have gone better. But, Jack, it was an emotional landslide.”

He leaned both hands on the bar and looked at them. “Well, I’m afraid there’s more where that came from. Ange, your dad and sisters arrived in town this afternoon.”

“What for?”

“Your mom didn’t want to leave you before you were ready to go. And she didn’t want to pressure you into driving back to Sacramento. So Sam came, too.”

“Grandpa?”

He gave a nod. “With the back of his truck full of presents. Looks like Christmas is at the Sheridan house this year. Your other aunts are missing out, but then you were with them at Thanksgiving and it seems to be their year for their in-laws, anyway....”

She dropped her head onto the bar and moaned. Patrick gently rubbed her back. “Aw, babe. It’ll be okay,” he whispered to her.

“We’ll see,” Jack said. Then, uncharacteristically, he poured himself a draft. By way of explanation he said to Patrick, “Your brothers arrived about the same time.”

“What?”

“Aiden and Sean. And wives.”

“Get out!”

Jack nodded. “And of course Red—little Rosie.” Jack looked at Angie. “Wait till you see the green eyes in that family—it’ll blow your mind.”

“But they have reservations of some kind—San Diego. The whole family is spending the holiday there.”

Jack shook his head. “Not anymore, cowboy. They’re so interested in knowing you’re doing all right, they’re canceling. Losing the deposit and everything.”

“That’s insane! Why would they do that? They’ve been talking about it for a year!”

“Loyalty,” Jack said. “Sounds like they care about you. And since they can’t get you to San Diego, San Diego is coming to you.” He grinned, a bit evilly. “Happy holidays, son.”

Paddy dropped his head into his hand. “Holy Mother of God,” he muttered.

“Yeah,” Jack said. He lifted his brew. “Here’s to family.”

He drank alone.

* * *

Exhaustion fled as Angie and Paddy grabbed their takeout and headed for her cabin. Too many Riordans knew where his was. “I’m serious,” she said. “I say we make a run for it!”

“You think they’re going away?” Patrick asked. “They’re not going away!”

“I was taking about my family. We can make a break for it. While there’s still time!”