A Randall Hero

by Judy Christenberry

  John put his arms around Lucy and held her tightly. Then he set her loose and suggested she put it exactly where she wanted it. Lucy looked around the room and chose the space near the breakfast nook but still near the television that Griff was now setting up.

  “I have everything I need! It’s wonderful, thanks to you three. I can’t thank you enough,” she said again.

  “No, you don’t have everything you need. I’m taking you grocery shopping. John will go with us so he can carry your groceries once we buy them.”

  “But, Camille, I can buy my own groceries,” Lucy protested.

  “Not your first groceries, dear. That’s what I can do. Then, I promise, I’ll let you manage on your own.”

  Lucy hugged Camille. “You are so sweet to me, Camille. Thank you.”

  The three of them went shopping. Camille was buying a lot of things for Lucy that she didn’t think she really needed. After they checked out, John carried the sacks.

  “You’ll have to get John to come grocery shopping with you next time, Lucy, or you won’t be able to get your purchases home. He’s very handy to have around.”

  “He is certainly being helpful today. All of you are.”

  “With good reason. We expect you to do well. And we’re going to be here to help you.”

  When the day had come to an end, and Emma was sleeping in her new bed and Lucy was ready for hers, too, the three Randalls were ready to leave. Camille gave Lucy a hug and reminded her to call if she needed anything. Griff gave Lucy a hug and said, “We’re only a phone call away.”

  John was the last to leave. He lingered at her doorway after his parents had gone. “I’ll check on you and Emma as often as I can.”

  Lucy smiled at him. “I know you will, John. I—” But she never got to finish, as John swooped down and captured her lips. Just as quickly he was gone.

  Lucy realized then how much she’d miss him.

  LUCY SETTLED into a routine. She got up at eight with Emma, gave her her bottle and dressed her. Then she ate some oatmeal and dressed for work. Then, with Emma in tow, Lucy descended the steps and arrived at work at nine o’clock.

  She’d bought a baby carrier that acted as a rocker. Emma loved being rocked back and forth as she curled up and went to sleep. When she woke up at noon, Lucy would take her upstairs and fix her a new bottle, change her diaper and rock her to sleep.

  When lunch was over, she’d return to the office, with Emma sleeping soundly beside her, and finish her workday.

  At first, she didn’t see any of the three Randalls. Then John came in at lunch one day and ate with her. He fed Emma while she fixed their meal. It was a lovely diversion from her normal routine.

  John came one evening, bringing some cookies his mom had baked.

  Lucy offered to fix dinner for the two of them, after Emma went to bed.

  “I didn’t come to make extra work for you, Lucy,” John said.

  “It would be fun to eat with someone, instead of always eating alone. I didn’t realize how much I’d miss being with all of you.”

  “We miss you, too. And we miss Emma,” John said, cuddling the baby against him.

  Emma started cooing, reaching for his face.

  “You’re the only one she ever coos at besides me. She just loves your voice.”

  “And I love her.”

  “That makes her a lucky little girl. If her father had lived, I don’t know—”

  “You’re the one who made the difference there. You left after he beat you. You got away and had your baby here.”

  “With you.”

  “I wanted to be there for you.”

  “You were. You were wonderful to both of us.”

  “The three of us share that time.”

  “Yes, we do. I don’t know how we’ll explain the connection if you ever get married. Your wife wouldn’t appreciate Emma and I hanging around.” And she would have to move away if that happened.

  “Maybe you’ll be the one to marry first.”

  Lucy looked away. “I don’t think so.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’m—I’m no good at marriage.”

  “It takes two to make a marriage. And I don’t think you had a good partner.”

  “I think I was partly at fault. I didn’t—He didn’t—Never mind. Let’s change the subject.”

  “All right. Your daughter is finished with her bottle. Do you want me to put her down, or leave her up for a little while?”

  “Oh, I think she’ll like talking to you. I want her to know a good man.”

  “You understand she’s not going to believe you if you don’t have anything to do with a man, don’t you?”

  “I’ll worry about that when she’s older.”

  “What do you say about that, Emma?” John asked the baby. Emma cooed a lot, enjoying his voice. He bent down to kiss her rosy cheek.

  John looked up suddenly, feeling Lucy’s stare. “What is it, Lucy?”

  “Nothing! Nothing at all. Are you ready to eat? I think dinner’s ready.” It had suddenly struck her how much she and Emma would miss John if they had to leave.

  “Sure. Is it okay for me to hold Emma while I eat?”

  “Yes, of course. Or I can hold her.”

  “I’ve missed her. I’ll hold her and we can talk to her while we eat. It smells good.”

  “It’s a casserole your mom taught me to make.”

  “Ah, I thought I recognized it. I enjoy casseroles.”

  “I’m going to buy a Crock-Pot and learn to cook with it. I can start dinner in the morning.”

  “That’s a good idea. It makes me want to drop by and taste what you’re cooking.”

  “You’re welcome anytime. Is your mom doing all right?”

  “She misses you. She’s been cooking up a storm. She usually does that when she’s worried about something.”

  “I’ll come out on Saturday for lunch, if you can tell her I’ll be there.”

  “I’ll do that. It should make her happy.”

  After they ate, John got up to go.

  “Thank you for coming, John. I hope you’ll come back.”

  “How about Saturday night, after your visit with Mom and Dad?”

  “All right. I’ll plan a dinner and cook it in the new Crock-Pot I’m going to buy.”

  “Good.” He suddenly bent down and kissed her lips. “I’ll see you Saturday.”

  Then he walked out.

  Lucy stood there, holding on to the door. You’d think she’d expect a kiss from John by now, but it still surprised her. She reached up to feel her lips. It was a kiss so totally different from what she’d experienced with her husband.

  Totally different.

  SATURDAY WAS A BIG DAY for Lucy. She packed up her baby and diapers, changes of clothes and bottles for the day and drove to the Randall ranch, arriving about ten o’clock. It had been two weeks of working, a new experience for Lucy.

  She was eager to see Camille again. She’d talked to her several times, but she couldn’t wait to hug her and tell her all about her work.

  When Lucy entered with Emma, John surprised her by being at home. He reached for the baby.

  “John Randall, that is not fair!” Camille exclaimed.

  John immediately surrendered the baby to Camille, who also took time to hug Lucy.

  “Are we too early? I was excited to come see you, Camille. If we’re too early—”

  “Nonsense, child. You’re exactly on time, whenever you come.”

  “Thank you, Camille. Emma is staying awake longer. I put off her bottle, but it’s time for another one.”

  Lucy took out a bottle already prepared. “Would you like to feed her, Camille?”

  “I’d love to.”

  Lucy handed over the bottle.

  “Good, now I’ll take Lucy to the barn to see the new foal we had today.” John took Lucy’s arm and headed for the barn.

  “But I was going to visit with your mom.”

  “Hey, she get
s to feed Emma. So I get you. Besides, you’ll have time to visit over lunch when she won’t be playing with Emma.”

  “Oh, all right. You have a foal? Isn’t it the wrong time of the year?”

  “Well, maybe he’s not newborn. But we had to bring him in because he was in an accident with a fence. He’s a handsome fellow, though. You’ll see,” John said with a grin as he held open the barn door.

  “I didn’t visit the barn when I lived here. I guess that was because of Emma. She’s not as demanding as she was those first weeks.”

  “Good, because you have a lot less time with this job. How’s it going, by the way?”

  “Just fine. It makes me feel good to be able to hold down a job. Cecil used to say—Never mind. I’m not going to think about him or what he said.”

  “Good. Here’s the little guy. He’s almost grown. Just a few more months to his first birthday. I was thinking about giving him to Emma.”

  “But Emma isn’t even two months old. And she has no place to keep a horse. Besides, I wouldn’t know how to take care of a horse!”

  “I thought I’d keep him here for when Emma starts riding.”

  “And when do you think that will happen?”

  “Around three. I can take her up on my horse until then.”

  “John Randall, you’re being ridiculous! I wouldn’t let Emma on a horse no matter who’s riding with her.”

  “But you know she’d come ride with me. We’d be careful!”

  “No. Not that young.”

  “Okay, how about you start riding. Then we’ll discuss Emma’s debut later.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lucy enjoyed lunch with the Randalls. Griff asked about her job and how she was adjusting to the office. Camille laughed at her stories of Emma, while John seemed interested in her few visits from Harry, which had gone well.

  “It’s going to take a while to get used to, but I’m glad to have my brother back in my life. I told him I’d save Emma’s clothes in case they have a girl.”

  “That would be nice,” Camille said. “It’s amazing how quickly she’s grown.”

  Lucy nodded. “Sometimes I want to tell her to stop growing, but I know it’s healthy. We go back to Caro for her checkup next week.”

  “When do you go?” John asked.

  Lucy had tried to avoid looking at John since they’d come back from the barn. She’d even made sure she didn’t sit next to him. Now, though, she briefly met his eyes and felt her body come alive. She nearly forgot his question. “Tuesday morning at eight-thirty.”

  “That’s early.”

  “We can manage. I’ll have to wake Emma up and get her started early.”

  “Won’t Tori and Russ give you time off?” Griff asked.

  “They would, but we’re still behind, though I’ve worked as hard as I can,” Lucy said, a frown on her face. “I don’t want to ask for time off.”

  “Do you work until five?” John asked.

  “No, I finish at four. Sometimes I work a little longer when Emma sleeps past four, but not often. She usually is ready for a bottle at four.”

  “I remember,” John said with a smile.

  Lucy remembered, too, the time he’d spent with Emma…and with her, especially late at night when the house was dark and silent. She looked down at her plate.

  “I could come pick Emma up after her noon bottle and bring her back here for the afternoon on, say, Wednesday, and you could work until six and join us here for dinner and pick up Emma.”

  “Oh, Camille, I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “I’d love it. I don’t want to forget how to take care of a baby. Melissa will be needing help, too, you know.”

  “Harry said they were looking for a housekeeper. He offered me the job, but I told him I was happy where I was.” Lucy bit her bottom lip. “I felt a little mean telling him no. I know he needs good help.”

  “Well, it was nice of him to think of you, but your skills are valuable.” Griff smiled at her.

  “Thank you. Tori said the same thing, which was nice of her.”

  “Nice?” Griff snorted. “She’d fight for your services! I heard her telling someone at lunch what a savior you’d been, taking some of the pressure off both her and Russ.”

  “That’s really kind. But I’m not nearly as skilled as either of them. I have a lot to learn.”

  “That’s expected, but you’re coming along quickly,” Griff told her.

  Lucy smiled at him. He made her feel so much better.

  “So how do you fill your off time?” John asked.

  Lucy looked at him blankly. “My off time? What’s that? I occasionally watch a TV show, but after I take care of Emma, I have to do laundry and clean the house.”

  “I see. Will my coming over this evening disrupt you?” John asked.

  Lucy hadn’t been sure he was coming, but she’d gotten up early to tidy her apartment, just in case. But now, after his remarks in the barn, she wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Still, she couldn’t lie to him. “No, it’ll be fine.”

  “Good.”

  “I didn’t know you were going to Lucy’s tonight. Did you, Griff?” Camille asked.

  “Nope. None of my business, as long as Lucy’s not protesting.”

  “No, of course not,” Lucy said, feeling John’s gaze on her. “I lo—Emma loves to see him.”

  “That’s right. She’s my girl.” He grinned at Lucy.

  She could almost hear his unspoken words. And so are you.

  WHEN LUCY PACKED UP to go home, she found John there to lend a hand.

  “Don’t you have to work today?” she asked.

  “Nope. I took the time off. Is Emma asleep?”

  “Yes, she stayed asleep when I put her in her car seat.”

  “Okay. Will she wake up when we get her home?”

  “I’m not sure. She usually sleeps until four o’clock. Maybe later because she stayed awake with your mom.”

  “We can visit while she sleeps.”

  “Y-yes, I guess so.”

  John just smiled, which made Lucy worry about what he had in mind. At least there were no horses in her apartment. He couldn’t start teaching her how to ride there.

  When they reached her apartment, Lucy felt proud of her place. She’d bought a few things, but everything was scrubbed and put away. When Emma got older, it would be harder to keep the apartment straight, but today, she’d done her job.

  “The place looks good, Lucy. You must’ve worked hard.”

  “I lived in your mom’s house. I want to keep up with her standards.”

  “She is good, isn’t she?” John asked with a grin.

  “Yes, she is. And I want Emma to learn from me. It’s important.”

  “Yeah, but you can’t work all the time. You’ve got to play some, too.”

  “Does your mother play?”

  “Yeah, she does. She sees her friends and reads a lot in her spare time.”

  Lucy felt uncomfortable in the apartment alone with John. She wished Emma would awaken to break the ice. “Why don’t we turn on the television? I think football is on today.”

  “It always is on Saturdays.”

  John turned on the television and found the game he wanted to watch. When they sat on the sofa—too close for Lucy’s comfort—he started explaining the game to her. She was able to follow most of his explanations.

  “You know an awful lot about football,” she said. “If you ever got where you couldn’t be a cowboy, you could make a living explaining football.”

  “Hmm, I’ll have to think about that. It might be easier than being a cowboy.”

  “I think it must be painful to ride a horse for so long every day.”

  “Just in the beginning. You train your muscles. It won’t take you long.”

  “Does Camille ride?”

  “Yeah, but not often.”

  “Well, as long as I live here, I don’t see any need to ride.”

  “But what if you move back o
ut to the ranch?”

  Lucy stared at John. “Why would I do that?”

  “What if we got married?”

  Lucy felt as if she’d been hit in the stomach by a prizefighter. All the air went out of her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I’m talking about us getting married. Don’t you think that’s a good idea?”

  “No! No, I don’t! I told you I won’t be getting married. That’s not me.”

  “Getting married’s not you? Why not?”

  “My marriage was not good. Why would I want to try again?”

  “Because marriage can be wonderful. Just because you messed up once doesn’t mean you don’t want to try again.”

  She waved him off with her hand. “I don’t want to talk about this. Let’s go back to football.” At least then she’d be able to breathe.

  But John was persistent. “I think we should talk about marriage. What did you dislike about it?”

  “Everything,” Lucy said in clipped tones.

  John put his arm on the back of the sofa and Lucy shifted away a foot. “Intimacy? Did you hate that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Surely you did some cuddling before you got married.”

  She swallowed hard. “Very little.”

  “How long did you date?”

  “About six months.”

  “Man, he must’ve really been slow.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Lucy, if you were my girl, I’d do all the cuddling you’d allow.”

  Despite her rapidly accelerating pulse she snapped, “Maybe I wouldn’t allow any.”

  “Surely you’d allow a kiss or two…like this?” he asked, leaning over and kissing her gently. “That wasn’t too bad, was it?”

  Bad? It was heaven. “No, but—but we’re not dating.” She was desparate for a reason they should stop, but that sounded lame even to her.

  “We aren’t? Are you sure?”

  “Yes, we’re just…friends.”

  “Right,” he agreed, and leaned over and kissed her again.

  She pulled back and put a palm on his chest. Big mistake. It was rock-hard and she’d love to explore it.

  “You must stop that.”

  “Why? Isn’t it fun?”

  “It’s not something we should be doing.”