Robyn Carr - Bring Me Home for Christmas

R ich Timm drove into Virgin River a mere ten hours after leaving San Diego. Hed made excellent time because he tended to ignore little things like speed limits. Andhe had been trapped in the Ford truck with his twin sister, Becca, all day and had had about enough.

As Becca gazed out the window at the town, she muttered, Seriously?

What? Rich said.

This is the place Denny never wants to leave? It isnt exactlyyou know quaint.

Rich pulled up to the only bar in town, right next to a truck he knew belonged to one of two other buddies from the Marines who were meeting him here. Maybe thats not what he was looking for. Rich put the truck in Park. Before he turned off the ignition, he turned in his seat and said to his sister, Since you wouldnt let me warn Denny you were coming along, promise me you wont make trouble.

Rich, she said with a laugh. Why would I make trouble?

Oh, I dont know, he said, rolling his eyes. Because youre his ex-girlfriend? Because this is a guys hunting trip and youre not a guy and everyone will have to take care of you?

No one has to take care of me, she said indignantly. Then she smiled very sweetly. Im anxious to meet your other friends. And to huntIm anxious to hunt.

He scowled. Right, he said. You expect me to believe youre going to shoot a duck and pluck it?

If I have to pluck it with my teeth to be convincing, she thought. Of course! Im a little more excited about fly-fishing, though. I cant wait to try that. She opened her door. You about ready?

He grunted. Do not be a problem. Do not be a pain in my ass for a week!

Do not be a jerk, she countered.

Becca had arrived at Richs town house at three in the morning, big suitcase and shotgun in hand. When he opened the door, wearing nothing but boxers, she said, Guess what? I dont have anything to do this week, so Im coming with you. Ive never been duck hunting or fly-fishing.

Youre out of your mind, right? he said, scratching his hair, which was crazy from bed. Didnt you tell Mom and Dad you were going home with Doug for Thanksgiving?

She shook her head. That isnt going to work out and I dont want Mom and Dad to cancel their trip plans just so Im not alone on Thanksgiving.

Why isnt it going to work out?

Dougs way too busyhes going all the way to the East Coast for two days. Come on, this is a great idea. A little last minute, but itll be fun. Be a sport.

And what about Denny? he asked. Your ex?

She put a hand on her hip. Its time we all moved on from that, dont you think? I have no hard feelings and Im sure he doesnt. He probably has a girlfriend. This is a perfect opportunity to make sure its all cool between us. I mean, reallysince you guys are good friends and all And it was a long time ago.

Yeah, but it was brutal, Rich said, looking down at her suspiciously.

We were young, she said with a shrug.

And what does Doug think about this? Rich asked.

Doug isnt the jealous type. He told me to have a good time. Anyway, Doug is not your problem.

I know, Rich said. Apparently, youre my problem. He let her come into his town house. You better know what youre doing, he said. If you screw up my hunting trip, youre going to pay.

Beccas decision really hadnt been as spur of the moment as she had pretended. A lot of planets had converged and she found herself planning, quickly. Rich had been talking about this hunting trip for weeks, with good old Dennythe guy she once thought she was going to marry. The guy who broke up with her three years ago. The guy she still thought about way too much. Then the elementary school where she taught shut down, due to financial issues they just couldnt resolve, and she found herself suddenly unemployed. And Doug, the law student shed been seeing for the past year, asked her to look at engagement rings.

She would have had nothing to do besides look for work during the Thanksgiving holidaysa dismal prospectand worry about the fact that Doug was probably leading up to a marriage proposal while the last guy was still on her mind. All the time.

She didnt get it. Why did she still think about Denny, dream about him? Was it just wanting what was out of reach, rather than appreciating what was right in front of her? When Denny broke up with her before going to Afghanistan, she had been devastated. By the time he looked her up two years later and suggested they give it another try, she had been furious and told him he was too late, she wasnt interested. Then she met Doug Carey a year ago, a good-looking, second-year law student, and her mother had been so relieved! Beverly Timm found Doug so much more appropriate for her daughter. Doug had it all. He was a good guy. Becca enjoyed spending time with him. He had a bright future. He came from a successful, financially secure family. He loved her. His family had their own sailboat! It made absolutely no sense to continue to think about Denny.