Randall Pride

by Judy Christenberry

  “Nope, I’m fine.” He walked a little closer to the bed.

  She stretched out her hand, and he reluctantly took it, forcing himself to step closer. But it made him nervous. Elizabeth was always tempting. Elizabeth in a comfy bed could be overwhelming.

  “I haven’t thanked you,” she whispered.

  He looked at Megan, still in the room. “Um, I believe you did that night. Quite nicely. But you’ve forgotten because of the pain. So, that’s all taken care of.”

  “I want to thank you again.”

  “Okay, you just did.” His idea of a perfect thank-you would be to take her in his arms and kiss her. More than once. But he had a ways to go before that was a possibility. First he had to talk to his dad and Chad. Then, whether they approved or not, he knew he’d tell Elizabeth how he felt.

  But then, he’d know whether he could offer her just himself, or the family they both loved.

  Just thinking about it made him edgy. “I need to go.” He pulled his hand free and took a step back.

  “Why? Are you going to town?”

  “No! But, uh, I want to talk to my dad about something.”

  “Training Buster? Is it going well?”

  “Sure. Fine.”

  “How did Lonnie do in the Reno rodeo?”

  His gaze intensified. “He did well. Why? Are you interested in him?”

  Her eyes widened in innocence. “Only as your friend. I thought it would be polite to ask.”

  Toby chastised himself for his silly reaction. “Oh. Yeah, well, he did fine. Won some more points.” He took another step back.

  Megan had been straightening Elizabeth’s room. Now she picked up the tray and said, “I’ll go down now.”

  Toby immediately grabbed the opportunity to escape. “I’ll go with you,” he hurriedly said.

  Elizabeth didn’t say anything, but she looked sad. Damn, if she started crying, he’d fall to his knees beside the bed. That would be a disaster. He hurried to the door and held it for Megan.

  “Toby?” Elizabeth called softly.

  He looked over his shoulder, holding tightly to the door. “Yeah?”

  “Thank you.”

  “No problem, sweetheart,” he said in return and hurried out of the room.

  Megan insisted on thanking him for visiting Elizabeth. He had to escape from her, too.

  On the porch, he took a deep breath of mountain air and realized he’d just spent the easy part of the evening. Now he had to face Chad and Jake and explain why he was acting like a crazy man.

  He checked his watch and realized they were probably already in the barn, waiting for him. He started down the path cleared of snow, trying to collect his thoughts. Easier said than done.

  When he opened the door to the barn where old Buttercup spent her nights, Toby heard their voices. His dad and Uncle Chad were back in the tack room, probably working on gear that was broken. They never wasted time. Toby indulged himself by petting Buttercup, just long enough to gather his courage. Then he marched down the row of stables.

  Their warm greeting when he appeared only reminded him again how much he’d be giving up if they didn’t approve of what he wanted to do. But he had no choice. He wasn’t going to give up Elizabeth.

  “What’s on your mind, Toby?” Jake asked. “Are you ready to go back to the rodeo?”

  It had never occurred to Toby that his father would think that. “No, Dad! No, I don’t want to go back to the rodeo. I’m happy here,” he added.

  Jake sighed with relief.

  Toby felt such gratitude toward his father. Jake didn’t want him to go, but he’d kept a smile on his lips when he’d asked that question. Jake was willing to let him go if that was what Toby wanted. What a father!

  “I was hoping not,” Jake said, “but I couldn’t think of anything else it could be. Course I couldn’t figure why Chad would be here and not the other two. We all rely on you, you know.”

  “Chad’s here because—” Toby broke off. He couldn’t quite get the words out. Then he drew a deep breath and squared his shoulders. “It’s about Elizabeth.”

  Chad had been lolling on a bench, grinning at his oldest brother tying himself in knots. Suddenly he sat up straight, glaring at Toby. “What about Elizabeth?”

  After all his worrying, his seeking the right words, the answer was painfully simple. “I’m in love with her.” Once he got the words out, he leaned against the wall and waited.

  “But she’s your—” Chad began. Then he stopped, his mind obviously sorting through everything.

  “But she’s not,” Jake said slowly, thinking, too. “Not by blood.”

  “What does she say?” Chad asked.

  Toby’s head came up. “She doesn’t know.”

  Both men stared at him, stunned.

  “How could I tell her? I’m her older cousin. I’ve protected her all her life. Now I become a—a predator?”

  Jake cleared his throat. “I think you’re getting a little dramatic there, Toby.”

  “I guess it is a little awkward,” Chad added. “How long— I mean, is this sudden?”

  “Since I came home from college,” he muttered.

  “That long? But you didn’t say anything.”

  “She was a high-school senior, Dad. And I was a little stunned myself. I thought it would pass. But I couldn’t stay here. So I went to the rodeo. It didn’t pass.”

  “And you didn’t come back until you heard she was engaged,” Jake added, his eyes narrowed as he stared at him. “Did you come back to break it up?”

  “No! I was happy for her…until I met Cleve. And I never said anything because I didn’t think either of you would approve. So I tried to bury my feelings. I thought I could come back home because she wouldn’t be living here anymore.” He paused and took a turn around the room. “But she’s not engaged anymore and I’m going crazy. I have to talk to her, to tell her how I feel, but I realize it will make things awkward if she has no feelings for me. I’ll…get my own place if—if she’s not interested.”

  “So we’ll lose you again,” Jake muttered.

  “No, Dad. I won’t go far away. And you and Mom can visit me instead of me coming over. We don’t see Uncle Griff that much, but you talk on the phone. It won’t be so bad.”

  Jake embraced him.

  “You two are acting like she’s not interested,” Chad said, pulling them apart. “I think it’s possible she is.”

  Toby’s heart leaped, then settled back to its regular beat. He wasn’t sure Uncle Chad was that tuned to his daughter. After all, he’d thought she was going to elope when she’d decided to break up with Cleve.

  “I just want to say,” Chad continued, sticking out his hand toward Toby, “that I’d be thrilled if she is. You’d be the best son-in-law in the world, Toby.”

  Toby took Chad’s hand and was pulled into another embrace. “Uh, thanks, Uncle Chad.”

  When he stepped back from Chad, he didn’t know what to say. Finally, he said, “So, I’ll find a time to talk to Elizabeth. Maybe after she’s recovered.”

  “And I’ll explain things to your mother,” Jake added.

  “And I’ll talk to Meggie. I don’t think she’ll object.”

  “Our neighbors might talk. I mean, we were raised as cousins. Will that upset you?”

  Jake grinned. “They did a lot of talking back when I was matchmaking. That doesn’t matter.”

  “Your cousins may rib you a little,” Chad warned with a grin.

  “Yeah,” Toby grinned back, knowing that for a certainty. But if it meant Elizabeth wanted him, that they could share a life together, he wouldn’t mind. He began to actually think of a future with Elizabeth at his side, in his arms, and his father had to grab him to bring him back to the present.

  “Son! Is there anything we can do to help?”

  “No, I guess not. Just—just prepare the mothers.”

  “Don’t worry,” Jake said. “They always do what we want.”

  All three men
laughed at that obvious untruth.

  ELIZABETH didn’t venture downstairs until mid-morning. Her ankle still hurt, but she hopped most of the way down the stairs on one foot.

  Her mother heard her coming and opened the door to the kitchen. “How does it feel?”

  “Still sore, but I’m going without the pain pill this morning.”

  “Come on in and I’ll fix you some breakfast,” Megan said. She was the only one in the kitchen this morning. Red and Mildred had retired to their house across the yard. The men had taken some lunch with them and planned to be in early tonight. Megan had told the couple to take the day off until time to start dinner.

  “Where’s Red?”

  “He and Mildred went home. I’m in charge of lunch.”

  “Is it just the two of us?” Elizabeth asked, wanting to be sure.

  Megan nodded.

  “Did you discuss my—my problem with Dad?” Elizabeth had wondered if her mother would, since they usually shared everything. That’s the way a marriage should be, she thought.

  That was the kind of marriage she wanted…with Toby.

  “No, not last night. We got to bed late and he fell right asleep. Do you want me to talk to him?”

  “I don’t know. Did you talk to B.J.?”

  Megan’s cheeks brightened. “Uh, yes. I didn’t do a good job of it, but I finally got it out.”

  “Was she upset?”

  “Not when I finally explained. But before, she thought I was accusing Toby of something.”

  “What? But Toby hasn’t done anything wrong! He wouldn’t!”

  Megan propped her hands on her hips. “Don’t yell at me, young lady. I didn’t accuse him of anything. B.J. just misunderstood. I straightened things out. Sort of.”

  The sound of a truck brought them both to an abrupt halt. Since Elizabeth couldn’t get up, Megan crossed to the window. “It’s B.J. She’s back early.”

  B.J. entered a minute later, shedding her heavy coat and setting her vet’s bag down by the door. “Brrr. It’s still cold out there. How are you today, Lizzie?”

  “Fine, Aunt B.J. I just got up, and Mom’s fixing me a little breakfast.”

  Megan greeted her sister-in-law by bringing a cup of coffee to the table. “This will warm you up.”

  “Good. Red and Mildred okay?”

  “Yes. I’m doing lunch today.”

  “Glad to hear it. It will give them a break,” B.J. said with a smile, but she looked a little uneasy.

  “Aunt B.J., I know Mom talked to you, but she was a little unclear about how you felt. I’d rather you be honest with me if you’re against me and—and Toby trying—I mean—I know we’re—”

  “Perfect for each other?” B.J. asked, a relieved smile on her face.

  “Do you really think so?” Elizabeth asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.

  “Oh, yes. I’ve suspected before that you two might—but you were a lot younger than him. Still are.”

  “But I’m grown now.”

  “Yes, and he waited for you. I kept wondering why he never showed any inclination to bring a girl home. Now I think I know.”

  Megan put some toast in front of Elizabeth to go with her orange juice and looked at B.J. as she sat down. “You think he’s cared about her that long?”

  “I’m not sure he knew why he didn’t find a woman, but no one interested him. So when are you going to propose to him?” B.J. asked, a teasing grin on her lips. “I want grandbabies!”

  “Me, too!” Megan exclaimed. “Oh, I hadn’t even thought of that!”

  “I had,” B.J. said. “If I have to wait for Caroline to finish med school and establish herself, I’ll be eighty before I get any.”

  “You and Toby will make the most wonderful babies,” Megan said, a dreamy look on her face.

  “And they’ll have Randall blood,” B.J. added softly.

  A frown clouded Elizabeth’s happiness. “You don’t think that’s why—”

  “No, not at all. Toby wouldn’t agree to anything unless he loved you.”

  “Well, he hasn’t yet.” Elizabeth had to keep reminding herself that she hadn’t yet talked to Toby. “Did you talk to Uncle Jake?”

  “No, he came to bed late. And he was in the strangest mood. I decided to wait until later, when the time is right. But I don’t think he’ll object.”

  “I didn’t mean to pressure you. I probably can’t get some time alone with Toby before the weekend anyway. He certainly didn’t linger in my bedroom last night.”

  “Honey, it was awkward for him,” Megan said.

  “Yes,” she agreed. “This whole thing is awkward.”

  “If—if I’m wrong, and he’s not interested,” B.J. began, “have you thought about afterwards?”

  “I’m not going to drive him away, Aunt B.J., I promise,” Elizabeth said seriously. “If I can’t—manage, I’ll find another job, a little farther away. We can’t all live here together forever.”

  “But I don’t want you to go away,” Megan cried. “I just got you home again.”

  Elizabeth buried her face in her hands. All these conversations were making her crazy…and frightened. All she wanted was Toby. But what was it going to cost her? And her family.

  SHE SPENT another day at home. Her ankle was causing her minor pain. She sat down frequently, propping it up to rest. But she also caught up on some lesson plans and organizing her closet.

  Elizabeth waited anxiously for her mother’s return so she could hear about all her students. Tomorrow she would see for herself.

  Thinking about the children helped take her thoughts off Toby and how she was going to approach him. She didn’t hold out much hope. If he felt as she did, he would’ve done something about it. He wasn’t one to hide from his feelings. He’d been good to her while they were on the mountain. She’d slept well that night, held in his arms.

  But he hadn’t made any moves that would’ve made her think he looked at her in any way but as a cousin.

  A dumb cousin at that.

  Except that fleeting memory. She wasn’t even sure it was a memory. But she thought she remembered Toby’s lips on hers just before she got her eyes open that morning. Was she dreaming? Probably. But she clung to that thought.

  Wednesday night, after waiting all day to see him, Elizabeth was disappointed. He didn’t come for supper. “Where’s Toby?” she asked.

  “He’s working with Buster in the indoor arena. Said he was behind on the training. I told him I’d bring him some leftovers,” Russ said, not stopping to gulp down his own food. “Is that okay, Red?”

  “Sure, boy. Don’t want any of you to go hungry.”

  “I could take it to him,” Elizabeth suggested.

  “Right!” Russ agreed with a derisive laugh. “That would be great. Hopalong Randall carrying a big plate of food on snow and ice. Talk about a disaster!”

  Elizabeth reminded herself she’d find a time to pay Russ back for his teasing. She knew she shouldn’t go out tonight, but the paths between the barns were clear. She didn’t think she’d have a problem.

  And she was going crazy.

  She watched with longing as Russ loaded down a plate and left the kitchen. She started to ask him to let her go with him, but the cousins would get suspicious.

  After the dishes were cleaned and order restored in the kitchen, she slowly climbed the stairs to her room. Once inside, she sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall. She’d already cleaned and organized everything. There was nothing on television except some silly sitcoms. What was she going to do until morning? Her babies at school were doing well, but they missed her, Megan said.

  That was nice.

  But she couldn’t get her mind off Toby. She wanted something to happen. But she’d finally realized that mild flirting with Toby wasn’t going to do it. Because of their peculiar circumstances, she would have to come right out and confront him. There would be no stages of dating. It was all or nothing.

  Suddenly, she jumped to her
feet, then winced as her ankle warned her not to be so impetuous. She exchanged her loafers for some pull-on snow boots. Than she checked her hair and makeup and brushed her teeth. A spritz of perfume, and she was ready.

  She was going to end the torture she’d been suffering for the past few days. She could wait no longer. She was going to talk to Toby.

  Even if she had to crawl on her hands and knees to get to that blasted barn!

  She turned around and got some gloves.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Everything okay at the house?” Toby asked between bites.

  Russ had brought his food and settled down to visit while Toby ate. “Sure. Red fussed at us, as usual. The parents seemed to be in their own little world. Uncle Jake in particular was in a real good mood. And Elizabeth came down to dinner.”

  “She did? Is she all right?”

  “Yeah. She’s going back to school tomorrow. She thought she was so well recovered, she offered to bring your food to you.”

  Toby’s heart clutched. He wished she had. No one else was working in the barn tonight. He could’ve been alone with her. He released a deep sigh. Bad plan. He wasn’t in control right now. He’d been doing too much thinking about the future.

  “I told her I didn’t think that would be a good plan. She’d probably slip on the snow and ice and reinjure herself.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “Besides, who wants to talk to a girl cousin? They aren’t much interested in things we’re interested in.”

  “Unless, of course, it was Abby instead of a cousin,” Toby pointed out innocently.

  “You want to see Abby?” Russ demanded, panic in his voice.

  “No, idiot, but I bet you’d choose Abby over one of your male cousins.”

  “Well, yeah,” Russ said with relief. “But that’s different.”

  “Yeah,” Toby agreed with a rueful grin. “Have you got plans for the weekend?”

  “Yeah. I see her every day I work in town. We’re going out to dinner. Then I’m bringing her back to spend the weekend at the ranch. The parents think Elizabeth needs company, since we’re all guys, remember?”

  Toby chuckled again. “I hope you remember that when you get Abby here. You’re going to want to spend all your time with her.”