“I had a lot of help,” he said, “but I’m proud of it now. Doesn’t she just shine? You don’t have to be embarrassed to walk in that church. Not that I couldn’t be every bit as profound in a dump, but that church shines!”

“Noah, one of the things I like best about you is your humility.” Jack put a complimentary beer on the bar. “Loosen up, why don’t you. So, you’re letting the RV go?”

“Can only support so many households, Jack,” he said, lifting the beer.

“You expect to sell it, with gas prices like they are? With this economy in the toilet?”

“Nah,” Noah said. “Not as a travel vehicle, anyway. But the price is right for an apartment.”

“What is the price?”

“I don’t have any idea,” Noah said. “But I’ll know it when I hear it.”

George Davenport hadn’t been in favor of Noah’s ardent pursuit of the old church in Virgin River; he was afraid the boy would waste away there. But he had to admit, that was hardly the case now. Noah was thriving. It was a three-tiered success for the young minister. First, the church had needed his attention, and once it was a functional building, the people came. Noah did what he did best—he inspired them. Second, the town had embraced him, and George didn’t know when he’d seen a more special, nurturing small town. But third, and probably most important, Noah had found himself a good woman.

It made George very happy to see Noah settling down with Ellie and her children. They were good together; they had great balance. Noah seemed to have the stability and commitment Ellie needed in her life, and Ellie had the spark Noah needed in his. Together they were going to parent Ellie’s children well. And they’d already established a fine extended family in Jo and Nick Fitch, and solid friendships at the core of the community.

In addition to all that, George found he loved visiting Virgin River. At seventy, he was putting in fewer teaching hours, traveling more, socializing often. He’d retired as a Presbyterian minister at the age of fifty and had been held captive at the university ever since. He worked to stay busy, to keep from getting old, but he was beginning to think more play would keep him younger longer.

The moment Noah had called him, George turned his two classes over to his teaching assistant and packed his bags. He liked the drive to Virgin River from Washington; it was long and beautiful. He’d always enjoyed solitude as much as he enjoyed people.

It was the dinner hour of a cold November day when he hit town; the sun was down and a welcoming light shone from the window of Jack’s. He went there first, thinking he might run into Noah.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Jack called from behind the bar. “I heard you were coming for the wedding. Didn’t waste any time, did you?”

George grinned and hung his coat on the peg by the door. He glanced around quickly to see if he could spot Noah, but what he saw instead knocked the wind out of him. That stunning redhead from the wedding he’d attended here about a month ago was having dinner with her family. He recognized her immediately as Luke Riordan’s mother, Maureen. Before he could shake himself, he realized he was staring at her. She sat at a table by the fire with Luke, Shelby and Art.

George had to force his eyes away and go up to the bar. He stuck out his hand and greeted Jack. “I thought maybe I’d find Noah here, getting dinner.”

“Haven’t seen him since this morning,” Jack said. “If he doesn’t turn up soon, I bet you’ll find him down at the Fitch house. You just drive in?”

“This is my first stop after a very long day.”

“Let me get you something to drink,” Jack offered. “What’s your pleasure?”

“My driving is done for the day. How about a nice Scotch? Ice and water, please.”

“You got it, George. And if you’re interested, Preacher whipped up some pork tenderloin in sauerkraut that is not sour. He simmers it in beer all day and it’s out of this world. It’s one of his best dishes.” Jack turned away to fix a drink for George, but as it was with Jack, he just kept talking. “So, we’re having a wedding. Party here afterward. Everyone’s pretty excited about it. I never would’ve guessed when Ellie hit town that she’d snag herself our minister.”

“You sure Noah didn’t do the snagging?” George asked.

“Now that you mention it, I’m not sure.”

George managed some small talk, but his mind was elsewhere. He remembered meeting Maureen at Luke and Shelby’s wedding reception out at the general’s house. His first thought was that she was a damn fine-looking fifty-year-old woman, but when he was informed she was Luke’s mother, making her over sixty, he was speechless. He did his best to charm her right on the spot, but she was preoccupied with the wedding. And having all her military sons present distracted her; she’d not seen them in quite a while.

George had had an immediate hope of seeing her again, but he doubted he’d be so lucky. She lived in Phoenix, her sons were scattered everywhere with only Luke in Virgin River, and what were the chances he’d visit Virgin River at the same time she did? With disappointment, he’d given up on the idea of getting to know her better.

“George?” Jack asked.

“Hm?” he said, jerking to attention. “Sorry, Jack. My mind must have been wandering.”

“I said, why don’t you go say hello to them. The Riordans.”

“I think you read my mind.”

“No, George. I followed your eyes.” Jack tilted his head toward the Riordans’ table.

George just laughed; he didn’t embarrass easily. “Good idea. If Noah comes in, see if you can keep him busy for a while.”

As George approached their table, Luke immediately stood. “Sir,” he said, stretching out a hand. And George remembered that these Riordan boys gave the impression of being scamps but their manners toward women and their elders were impeccable. The lot of them were a long way from being boys—George suspected Luke was nearly forty—but clearly they’d been raised with a firm hand. Probably by their parents, their priests and their military bosses.

“Luke, Shelby,” George said with a nod, taking Luke’s hand. “How’s married life?”

“Excellent, sir. Thanks.”

“Art, how are you? And, Mrs. Riordan, wonderful to see you again.”

Maureen looked at him with a slight frown. “Forgive me, I know we met, but I just can’t remember—”

“George Davenport,” he said with a slight nod of his head. “A friend of Pastor Kincaid’s. I was in town for Shelby and Luke’s wedding as it was Noah’s debut at the church. Splendid affair.”

“George, please sit down,” Luke said. “Visit a while.”

“Thanks, don’t mind if I do.” George pulled a chair over from an empty table and sat right beside Maureen so that she was sandwiched between himself and Art. “What brings you back to town so soon?” he asked her.

“I’m, ah, visiting.”

“Fantastic,” he said. “A long visit, I hope.”

Luke took his seat, chuckling as he did so. “I have a brother here right now—Sean. You might remember him as my best man. He just discovered he has a young daughter in the area. Mom is visiting us and getting to know her first granddaughter, Rosie, three and a half and smart as a whip.”

“How wonderful!” George said enthusiastically. “You must be having the time of your life!”

Maureen lifted a thin brow, wary of his reaction. “I am enjoying her, yes.”

“First one? I suppose before too much longer the other boys will be adding to the flock.”

“Only the married ones, I hope,” Maureen said. “Do you have grandchildren, Mr. Davenport?”

“Oh, let’s not be so formal—I’m George. Only step-grandchildren. I had no children of my own, in fact. Noah’s the closest thing to a son I’ve ever had, but I started out as his teacher. I’m a professor at Seattle Pacific University. I’ve known him quite a few years now. I’m here to be his best man on Friday night. I hope you’re all coming to the wedding.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Luke said, grabbing Shelby’s hand.

“And…Maureen?” George asked pointedly.

“I’m not sure,” she said evasively.

“Well, try to come,” he said. “These Virgin River people know how to have a good time. In fact, I have an idea. Once I have my best-man duties out of the way, I suggest we go to dinner. I’ll take you someplace nice in one of the coast towns, though it’ll be hard to improve on Preacher’s cooking. But we deserve some time away from all these young people, don’t you think?”

“Excuse me, George?” she asked. “I assume you were married?”

“Twice, as a matter of fact. Divorced a long time ago and, more recently, widowed. My wife died a few years ago. Maybe we should pick an evening and exchange phone numbers,” he suggested.

“That’s very nice of you, but no. I don’t go out with men.”

“Really?” he asked, surprised by her immediate refusal. “And why is that?”

“I’m a widow,” she said. “A single woman.”

“What a coincidence. And I’m a single man. I’m all for free thinking, but I wouldn’t ask you to dinner were I married. Are you recently widowed?” Out of the corner of his eye, George saw Luke snicker and look away.

“Yes,” Maureen said.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “I was under the impression it had been years. When did you lose your husband, Maureen?”

She looked a bit shocked to be put on the spot like that. It was apparent she was trying to gather her wits. She put out her hand. “It was so nice to see you again, Mr.…George. I’m glad you sat and visited a while. Maybe I’ll see you at the wedding this weekend if I’m not needed for anything else. I should probably get on the road—I have to drive to Eureka.”

She stood and George did, as well. “Eureka? You’re not staying here in Virgin River with your son?”

“I’m staying with a friend just down the street from my granddaughter so I’m free to pick her up after preschool. We spend most afternoons together. Really, nice seeing you.” She turned to Luke. “I’m going to head back to Viv’s, Luke. Good night, Shelby. ’Night Art. Thanks for dinner, it was great as usual.”

“Wonderful seeing you, too,” George said. “Try to come to Noah’s wedding. I guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself.”

Luke gestured to Shelby to visit with George while he walked his mother to her car, but he had to move pretty quick to do that. Maureen was shrugging into her jacket as she exited the bar, apparently in a very big hurry to leave.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Luke called after her with laughter in his voice. “Mom!” Maureen stopped and turned to him. “What was that?”

She just tilted her head in a questioning way. “Excuse me?”

“That! You aren’t recently widowed! You brushed him off. Totally.”

“Oh that,” she said. “I’m not interested in dating anyone.”

“Why, for heaven’s sake? George seems like a very nice guy. And he’s not exactly Stranger Danger—Noah’s known him for years. He was at our wedding. Maybe the two of you would enjoy yourselves.”

She put a hand on his cheek. “That’s very sweet, Luke,” she said. “I’m just not interested.”

“But why? Is there something about George you don’t like?”

“Not really,” she said, shaking her head as if disinterested. “I don’t want to go out with a man.” She shivered. “Now, I need to get going. It’s a long drive and I’m cold.”