Randall Honor

by Judy Christenberry

  “Who are the brothers?”

  That question made her open her eyes wide. “Sorry, I forgot you wouldn’t know. We kids call them the brothers when we’re talking about Dad, I mean, Brett, Jake, Pete and Chad. My three uncles. We call their wives the aunts.”

  “So Russ will be sleeping inside?”

  “Yes. How long did he say he’d be gone?”

  “A few days.”

  She frowned and said nothing. Today was Tuesday. So he’d leave on Wednesday and he would be back before the weekend was over.

  “You think he’ll be okay?”

  Her head snapped up. “Of course…if he remembers to eat.”

  “He probably will.”

  “I hope so, but…sometimes, with what’s happened, it’s hard to remember it’s important.”

  “Like you didn’t eat lunch today?”

  “One meal doesn’t matter. I’m eating tonight.” She avoided his gaze, sure he would remind her that she was only eating because he insisted. But she would’ve eaten something when she got home. The sound of the phone ringing next door warned her what was waiting for her.

  “You finished?” he asked, drawing her attention again.

  “Yes. Thank you for helping out tonight. I won’t bother you anymore.”

  “Well, I appreciate that. But first you have to eat your pie.”

  “I ordered pie?” she asked in surprise.

  “You sure did. Said you wanted the same as me. And either Mona wanted to justify that big tip, or they serve mighty big pieces of pie at the café.”

  “I forgot about Mona’s tip! I forgot about paying at all. I’m so sorry. Here, I’ll get my purse and—”

  “Eat your pie. I gave Mona a big tip and you can buy next time.”

  He certainly knew how to distract a woman. “Next time? There won’t be a next time. Don’t you understand? If you’re seen with anyone twice, the gossips in Rawhide will have you married to her within a week. In their minds, at least.”

  “Really? I don’t think—” The phone rang. He excused himself and went to the bedroom. Then he returned to the door.

  “It’s your mom. She’s worried about her little chick.”

  Straightening her shoulders, she glared at him before stalking into the bedroom. She sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up the receiver. “How did you know I was here?” she asked her mother.

  “You weren’t at home, and Jon promised he’d try to get you to eat something, so I took a chance. How are you, darling?”

  “It’s been rough, Mom. The phone has rung off the wall, and I have enough potted plants at the office to start a garden. Does Russ—? I know he’s leaving in the morning, but what would he want me to do about them?”

  “I think he can’t make decisions right now. I tried to convince Pete that someone should go with him, but he said he understood how Russ felt.”

  “Oh, dear. I’ll make a list of the senders, but I’m not sure I can keep all of the plants alive until Russ is ready to acknowledge everything.”

  “Jess and I are coming in to the office tomorrow,” Anna said at once. “I should’ve thought about you all alone there. Jessica and I can take turns answering the phone and watering the plants and making a list. I know you’ve got work to do.”

  Tears pooled in Tori’s eyes. “Oh, Mom, that would be so wonderful. Are you sure you don’t mind? Jess is only here for a few weeks. Are you sure she’ll agree?” Jessica, her sister, had just finished her sophomore year at the University of Laramie. She always complained about how limited her time at home was.

  “She won’t mind. If she does, I’ll remind her about when she had chicken pox and you spent your entire Christmas vacation reading to her and playing games with her when the other kids were taking sleigh rides and building snowmen. She owes you!”

  “Oh, Mom! I’d really be grateful if you both could help me,” she said, trying to disguise the sobs she couldn’t hold back.

  “We’ll be there. And I’m sorry about today. Now, let me talk to Jon, sweetheart. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She lay the phone down on the bed and went to the door. “Mom wants to talk to you again,” she said, sniffing to keep her voice clear.

  He gave her a frowning stare, then passed her on the way into the bedroom.

  She returned to her place at the table. The doctor had cleared away their dinners and set out two huge pieces of coconut pie. Since he’d already eaten half of his, she picked up her fork. Now that she knew she wouldn’t have to face tomorrow alone, she had a little appetite for the pie.

  He returned to the table and sat down again, attacking the rest of his pie.

  Neither of them spoke until he finished his pie. As soon as he put down his fork, so did Tori. “Thank you for dinner,” she said. “It was good and I appreciate the peace and quiet.”

  “Good. By the way, your mom had an interesting idea for us. She suggested you spend the night with me tonight.”

  Tori stared at him, her mouth open.

  Chapter Five

  Tori recovered quickly. “I don’t believe you!”

  “Well, I’ll admit she didn’t mean what you’re thinking. But your mother and Doc haven’t been too subtle, you know.”

  “Ignore them. Mom must not know you’re leaving in four years.”

  Jon grinned at her. “She knows, but she and Doc seem to think you’d be able to change my mind.” He stood. “I want you to know that won’t happen. What your mother meant was that you should stay here, sleep on my couch and go back home early in the morning.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  As if on cue, her phone rang faintly through the walls. Jon pointed his thumb in the direction of her apartment. “That’s why.”

  “I’ll just take the phone off the hook,” she insisted.

  “The phone company frowns on that. It will beep all night.”

  “Then I’ll unplug all my phones!”

  “And scare everyone when there’s no answer? If they get the answering machine, they’ll leave a message and you’ll have a record of who called. I’ll even give you the bedroom and take the sofa myself.”

  Tori was impressed with his offer. He was at least six feet compared to her five-foot-three-inch frame. “That would be absurd. You’d hang off both ends.”

  He shrugged. “Interns get used to poor sleeping conditions.”

  “It’s not necessary—”

  “Your mom is worried about you. She feels bad about leaving you alone to deal with everything today. If you think you can’t sleep in my bed, then sleep on my couch and get some rest. No one will know.”

  “What about all those phone calls?”

  “They’re leaving messages. When they ask you why you didn’t answer, tell them you were too upset. It’ll make them feel guilty.” He turned and entered his bedroom. He came back with a sheet, a blanket, a pillow, and a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. “Here’s everything you need for tonight. There’s a new toothbrush in the bathroom. Toby and Elizabeth got it when they did the grocery shopping for me.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “It won’t make me any difference at all. I’ll be up and out of here early in the morning. Okay?”

  She hesitated, but finally she took the clothes from him and headed to the hall bath. “And you won’t tell anyone?” she asked over her shoulder.

  “Not me. I told you I’m not marrying anyone here. Why would I risk my freedom just to gossip?”

  She glared at him, then closed the door to the bathroom.

  JON GRINNED to himself after she’d closed the door. She was a cute little thing. He couldn’t believe he was thinking about her that way, but he was. He’d been thrown by her coloring and size when he’d first met her, but now that he was coming to know her, he was able to appreciate her feminine charms.

  He started cleaning off the table while he grinned even more. She wouldn’t react favorably if he told her that. She was spoiling for a fight
because she thought she’d seemed weak. He couldn’t imagine tolerating all the hassle of today when she was still grieving.

  She was close to Russ, and he knew she liked Abby, too. According to what he’d seen and heard the past few days, the entire family had loved Abby. But Tori had been patient and kind to everyone who called or came by, as far as he knew. He was glad he’d thought to check on her when he left the clinic.

  In fact, he’d enjoyed the evening, taking care of Tori. He was glad her family was going to be there tomorrow. It wouldn’t be good for the town to think he was taking care of her. Or, as she said, they’d have him married to her in their heads.

  The bathroom door opened and Tori came out. He stood and stared.

  She hadn’t put on the pants. Her bare legs were great-looking, well-defined muscles, smooth skin. The T-shirt came to the top of her knees, but he’d only seen her in pants. When he realized she hadn’t said anything, he snapped his gaze from her legs.

  “Uh, will that work okay?” he asked. His T-shirt shoulder seams came to her elbows.

  “I didn’t use the pants. I was afraid they’d be too hot and—and the T-shirt is as long as a dress.”

  He cleared his throat. Thinking about her curvaceous body beneath that soft T-shirt and nothing else made it hard to look away. He wanted to slide his hands up under the T-shirt so he could stroke her skin.

  “Jon? I mean, Dr. Wilson!”

  “I think we’d better make it Jon. Roommates shouldn’t be formal.” His gaze fastened on her breasts pushing against the material.

  “We’re not roommates! I mean, temporarily, just for tonight. It doesn’t count.”

  “Right,” he agreed, forcing himself to look away. “Uh, it’s early. You want to watch TV for a while?” He couldn’t think of anything else they could do, except maybe make love. Don’t think that! he warned himself.

  She looked around the room. “I don’t see a TV.”

  “Uh, it’s in my bedroom. I usually lie on the bed and watch it.”

  She looked at the door that led to his bedroom, then at him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I mean, I don’t want to—to crowd you.”

  “You won’t. It’s a big bed. And NYPD Blue is on. It’s one of my favorite shows.”

  “Mine, too, but—”

  “Then come on. I’ll behave,” he assured her with a grin. Leading the way into his bedroom, he added, “Better grab the pillow off the couch.”

  When the show began, she was way on the other side of the bed, sitting upright, watching the television. Jon watched the show…and her. After ten minutes, she kept closing her eyes and then jerking awake. Another ten minutes, she was curled up, sound asleep. And the T-shirt hem had worked its way to her thighs.

  She must have been exhausted from the emotional strain.

  She was the biggest temptation he’d faced since the sixth grade, when he’d peeped down a girl’s dress though he knew he shouldn’t.

  When the show was over, he rolled out of bed on his side and came around the bed, staring at Tori. Then he hurried into the living room to spread out the bedding. He brought his own pillow out because he couldn’t move the one she was sleeping on.

  With a sigh of half pleasure, half pain, he rounded the bed and slid his arms underneath her knees and her shoulders. She gasped and he figured she’d woken up. He started to speak, but she settled against him, moaning softly.

  Mercy. She hadn’t woken up. Her forehead rested against his neck. Her warm breath fell on his chin. Her hand rested against his chest.

  He wanted to put her back in his bed. To cuddle her against him all night. Just cuddle. He wouldn’t take advantage of her. But he figured she’d count that a betrayal. With a sigh, he carried her into the living room and placed her head on his pillow. Then, regretfully, he covered her up.

  It took him a long time to go to sleep that night.

  TORI WAS UNLOCKING the office door when her family arrived the next morning. In addition to her mother and sister, her father greeted her.

  After throwing her arms around his neck in welcome, she asked, “What are you doing here, Dad?”

  “I thought I might be able to do some of Russ’s work, since he’s using my software.”

  “Do you have time?” Tori asked.

  “I can manage a day or two. Don’t want you to get too far behind.”

  “You’re the best!” she told him, trying to hold back tears. “You all are. Thank you so much.”

  Jessica grinned. “Like I had a choice. Mom was all ready with the chicken pox story.”

  “Don’t listen to her, Tori. She agreed at once,” Anna assured her oldest.

  Jessica shrugged. “It will be nice to be busy. Everyone’s so sad.” She blinked away tears. “Sorry, but it’s hard.”

  “I know.”

  “Did you stay with Jon last night?” Anna asked.

  “Mom!” Tori protested just as the front door opened. She grabbed her mother by the arm and pulled her into the empty office she intended to occupy once they had a receptionist. “I don’t want it announced to everyone. I slept on his couch, that’s all.”

  “Darling, that’s what I meant.”

  Tori sighed. She had a few questions about last night she wanted to ask Jon, but not in front of her mother or, especially, her father. It was a good thing he’d already gone into Russ’s office.

  Her mother looked around. “This is a nice office. Why aren’t you using it?”

  “I’m going to. As soon as we find a receptionist. We need someone to greet customers.”

  “Ah. Why don’t you ask Jessica? She was fussing about not having any extra money. She spends all her allowance on clothes.”

  It would only be a temporary solution to their problem, but Tori was interested. She didn’t think she could work alone anymore. At least for a while. And maybe by the end of the summer, they’d find someone who would take it permanently.

  “That’s a good idea, Mom. I’ll go ask her.”

  Jessica was making an entry on the list Tori had started of people who’d sent plants. “Two more potted plants,” she said as she wrote.

  “Jess, would you be interested in working as my receptionist this summer, until you go back to school?”

  “Hmm, what are you paying?”

  “For you, little sister, I’ll pay ten dollars an hour, but don’t tell anyone else that.”

  Anna protested, but both girls shushed her. “It will be worth it to have someone here with me,” Tori said.

  “But surely Russ will be back. He can’t just stop working,” Anna said. “That wouldn’t be healthy for him.”

  “I hope not, but this going off into the woods scares me. Russ and Abby were so—so together.”

  “I know,” Anna agreed with a sigh.

  “I’LL BE BACK AT TWO, Faye. I’m taking a long lunch,” Jon informed his receptionist. He didn’t have any appointments until then. He thought he’d take the Randall ladies out to lunch since Anna had told him last night that she and Jessica were coming in to help Tori today.

  He strode down the sidewalk, wondering if Tori was doing better today. He felt sure her mother was protecting her from the stress of yesterday.

  He’d left early this morning, making clinic rounds at seven. He’d left a note for Tori and had set his alarm for eight o’clock. He’d decided it might be best to avoid her when she first awakened.

  He opened the door to the accounting office and a young lady with glorious auburn hair, sitting efficiently at the desk where Tori usually was, greeted him.

  “Good morning, may I help you?”

  “You must be Jessica.” Even as she nodded, he said, “I’m Dr. Jon Wilson. I’m sorry I didn’t meet you at the funeral, but it seemed an inappropriate time for introductions. Is your sister or your mother here?”

  “Is that you, Jon?” Anna’s voice floated from the empty office. Then she appeared in the doorway.

  “Hi, Anna. How’s everything going?”

&n
bsp; “Fine. Oh, and thanks for last night.”

  “No problem,” Jon said, looking over Anna’s shoulder for any sign of Victoria.

  “Did you need some information about your account?” Anna asked.

  Jon frowned. “No, I thought you might all be ready for lunch. I’m offering to treat you all. Anyone interested?”

  Jessica didn’t hesitate. “I’m ready!”

  “That’s so kind of you,” Anna added. “But there’s four of us today. Brett came in with us.”

  “Your husband? I haven’t met him yet.” Not a subtle hint, but it worked.

  “Come in and I’ll introduce you.”

  Not only was he going to meet Brett Randall, but he also discovered Victoria, leaning over her father’s shoulder.

  “Brett,” Anna called. “I want you to meet the doctor—Jon Wilson—I’ve been talking about.”

  A tall, handsome, dark-haired, brown-eyed man, who looked a lot like Russ, stood and extended his hand. “Glad to meet you, Doctor,” he said, a warm smile on his face.

  “Please, make it Jon. Otherwise, everyone will confuse me with Doc.”

  “Call me Brett. Anna said you helped Tori last night. I appreciate it.”

  “It wasn’t much. I thought I’d offer to take everyone to lunch.” He paused, then added, “Hi, Tori.”

  “Dr. Wilson,” she acknowledged, barely glancing at him.

  “How about it, everyone? Shall we join Jon here for lunch?” Brett asked, looking at the women of his family. Jessica had joined them at the office door.

  Jessica and Anna showed their pleasure at the idea.

  Tori took a step backward. “You all go ahead. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on things.”

  Jon frowned. “I think you should come, take a break.”

  “He’s right, little girl,” Brett said. “You carried the burden yesterday. Not today. We’ll lock it up and go eat.”

  Though she frowned at Jon, she quietly said, “Yes, Daddy.”

  They all walked across the street to the café. As Jon walked with Brett, he whispered, “I’m impressed, Tori doing exactly what you said.”