"Are you annoyed with everyone for making plans when you only have a few days with Patrick before he goes?"

She shook her head. "Not really. I told him-I want to spend time with his family. Even though he has to leave, it's the only time I'll ever know them. And knowing them is knowing him. Don't you think?"

"I do, honey."

Jenna and Beth were there, as if drawn by a magnet.

"He's beautiful, Ange," Beth said.

"Hot," Jenna agreed.

"I know. But Mom told you, didn't she? I don't get to keep him."

"b.u.mmer," Jenna said. "That's going to suck."

"Probably." Then she looked at her mother. "I'm going back to school, Mom. After the holidays I'll check in with USC."

Donna put a gentle palm against her face. "I support whatever decision you make, Angie."

"Thanks, Mom."

"At the end of the week, we'll be around. We can be close by or we can disappear if you feel like being alone. We'll do Christmas with Jack. You can join us or not-it's up to you."

"I don't want you guys to have an unhappy Christmas because of me."

"No matter what kind of holiday we have, we stick together."

Patrick realized he hadn't called Marie since the day of Megan's surgery. So much had happened; so much family had invaded. When he did call her, she didn't pick up. He didn't have cell reception in the mountains and only a very limited amount of time alone when he could place the call from a landline. So he did as she requested and texted that all was well.

He had come to his cabin for a shower and change of clothes while Angie visited with her mother and sisters for a little while. This afternoon would be the hayride with as many Riordans and Sheridans as could be rounded up. Just to clear his head so he could enjoy his time left with Angie, he called Marie's mother to leave her a message.

After a brief cordial chat, he asked if Marie was there.

"No, Patrick, I'm afraid not. I'm watching Daniel while she shops. She's with a friend who's a decorator, picking out and pricing all kinds of things for the house. It turns out she's going to have to completely recarpet and tile, not to mention paint."

So she was really into this new house. Should she have done something like that so soon after Jake's death? "She's not picking up when I call," he said.

"Is that so?" Marie's mother said. "That's odd-I called her not ten minutes ago to ask her what Daniel should have for lunch, since he turned his nose up at leftover spaghetti."

"Can I ask a favor? Will you please call her again and ask her to call me right away? I'm only at this number a little while and I really need to speak to her. Tell her it's important."

"I can try, Patrick. But chances are if she's not picking up your call, she's out of range. She never has her phone turned off-she has a two-year-old. I'll give her another try now."

It was barely five minutes before the phone rang and he grabbed it.

"Well, stranger-what's so important?" she asked.

"I thought you'd take this as encouraging news-my entire family showed up in Virgin River. Since I wouldn't go to San Diego with them, they came here."

"Oh, I'm so glad to hear that!"

"You're much happier about it than I am," he said. "But I knew you would be. Now you can relax-I've spent time with the family. I'll see you in a couple of days. I get the impression from your mother that you're all excited about the house."

"It's going to be a lot of work, but I welcome it. Something positive to look forward to. I can't wait to see you. I know it's only been a few weeks, but I miss you like crazy!"

"Just a couple of days more."

The hay wagon was loaded with people-even Jack took the afternoon off so he could help Mel watch the little ones. In addition to Sheridans and Riordans, Noah Kincaid and his wife and kids came along, since their family had such a close relationship with Maureen's partner, George.

The entire town was alive with Christmas-as the wagon rode down the main street, everyone came outside to wave and join in carol singing. They laughed at one another's off-key voices and a few friendly s...o...b..ll fights broke out along the way. The Riordan men regressed a bit, running alongside the wagon and firing s...o...b..a.l.l.s as though they were missiles, and eventually ended up rolling in the snow, stuffing snow down one another's jackets and pants. It didn't stop until Luke's wife, Shelby, got hit square in the back of the head by a really wet one.

"That's it!" Luke shouted. "The next one to throw a s...o...b..ll has to deal with me!"

Through hysterical laughter, Angie was able to count the sixteen s...o...b..a.l.l.s that hit Luke in every part of his body.

After the ride, everyone separated to rest and change for the evening gathering at Jilly and Colin's Victorian. Patrick and Angie went first to her cabin where her shower and dressing was delayed when she was tossed on the bed and her body covered by his.

It didn't take much more than a couple of kisses and a little touching to coax her into seeing things his way. She soon found herself naked and locked in the arms of her lover. For a good half hour, he concentrated on studying her body in a way that brought both of them to shuddering satisfaction followed by soft kissing.

A little breathless, Patrick suggested, "We can call in a no-show. Just say the word."

She shook her head. "It's fun to be together with our families. And it distracts me from the inevitable."

The visit to Patrick's cabin for his change of clothes was much more efficient, and soon they were joining the others at the Victorian. They were too many for a sit-down dinner-Shelby's family had joined them, as well as Walt Booth and his lady friend, Muriel, Walt's daughter and her husband and children and, of course, Jilly's sister, Kelly, and her family. Kelly did the basic cooking-a large prime rib roast and a turkey-but everyone brought something to eat so it was a very full house and heavy table. It shaped up like an old-fashioned town party, and the only person missing was Preacher-someone had to run the bar for all the out-of-towners. In fact, Jack recruited a couple of guys in town to serve so he could sneak away for a few hours.

Desserts were laid out and everything was starting to quiet down when Aiden put a hand on Patrick's shoulder. "Let's check out a cigar."

"It's cold out there!" Patrick said.

Aiden laughed. "I'll keep you warm." With his hand on Paddy's shoulder, Aiden directed him to the back door and they grabbed their jackets off the hook on the way out. Aiden pulled a couple of cigars and a lighter out of his pocket, clipped the ends and handed one off to Patrick. When a few puffs had them going, Aiden asked, "How are the nightmares?"

Patrick's eyes shot to Aiden's. "What nightmares?"

"Don't kid a kidder, Paddy. You went through a traumatic event. The life of your closest friend was lost. I was a Navy physician for years-I know how it goes."

"An OB! You're an OB!"

"Yes, I was a women's doctor. And also the doctor on a ship. Oh, wait, that's right-women don't have combat issues." He shook his head.

"I didn't mean that. Of course they do. But..."

"But I made referrals and had to know what I was dealing with. Even if I hadn't had medical training in this, between Luke and Colin and their disasters, I'd be up to speed. So? Nightmares? Depression? Anger? Denial? Anything?"

Patrick studied his cigar. "I had some bad dreams. It's better."