“Yes, sir.” Mike hung up the phone, wondering what Caroline’s reaction would be.
Probably he shouldn’t have accepted the invitation, because he suspected it would upset her, but he needed to get to know the people he served. Besides, his uncle had had a special relationship with the Randalls.
If Mike kept his hands off Caroline, maybe she wouldn’t object to his presence. She hadn’t objected last night, his inner voice reminded him. And it was true. Until he’d cautioned her about continuing.
“Big mouth!” he muttered to himself. Then she’d immediately shown him the door. It had been cold outside, but no colder than his heart as he’d heard her reject him.
“That’s because you have no business starting anything with Caroline Randall. And Jake Randall will be the first one to tell you that.”
Mike piddled with some paperwork, sure Caroline would call and tell him she didn’t need him to pick her up. The phone rang three times, and each time he expected to hear her sexy voice. Instead, he turned down two invitations to Sunday dinner, one from a rancher and his family on the outskirts of town, and another from a widow down the street.
“I appreciate the invite, Mrs. Dunster, but I’ve already accepted an invitation. It’s thoughtful of you to offer, though.”
“I bet it was from those Randalls! They not only gobble up all the land, but they also trap all the single men for their girls! It’s not fair.”
“I think they’re just being neighborly, ma’am.”
“Humph! We’ll see.”
When Mike hung up the phone, he laughed. The widow didn’t seem to realize any of the Randall women could manage to find suitors on their own. They were all very attractive, not to mention they had a lot of money.
When twelve o’clock arrived and one of the deputies came in to relieve him, Mike told him where he could be found in case of an emergency.
“Hey! You’d better watch out. You’ll be married before you know it. The Randalls like to matchmake.”
“And that’s a problem?” Mike asked with a grin. “I haven’t seen any ugly Randalls.”
The deputy nodded, grinning in turn. “Good point, but just remember you said you didn’t intend to marry.”
“I will.”
Mike hurried upstairs to the apartment the town provided over the jail. He washed up and added a corduroy jacket to his jeans and shirt to keep the chill out, then pulled on his sheepskin coat.
Climbing into his SUV, he drove the short distance to Caroline’s house.
He knocked on the door, eager to see her.
But when she opened the door, her first words weren’t welcoming. “Dad said you’d be here at twelve-thirty!” she snapped, purposely looking at her watch.
“I came early because I thought you’d want to visit your patient before we went to the ranch. I didn’t think the girls should—I thought they might be bored.”
He’d changed his statement because he’d caught sight of two little faces watching him. “Hi, girls! Did you sleep good?”
“Yeah, and Caroline made us pancakes for breakfast,” Beth said adoringly.
“Did she? Wonderful. Did you save me some?”
Jenny didn’t realize he was teasing. “Oh, no! Are you hungry?”
He swung her up into his arms. “No, sweetheart, I’ve already had breakfast.” Then he looked at Caroline. “Are you going to go check on your patient?”
“Yes, thank you. Girls, I’ll be right back.”
When she’d left, he gathered both girls on the sofa for another Chipper story.
Before he could begin, Beth said, “Caroline’s going to see Mommy. She’s her patient. Do you think Mommy will be all right?”
Mike gave her a rueful smile. “I’m sure she will be. Dr. Caroline is a good doctor. You’re feeling better, aren’t you?”
“Yes. She gave us medicine,” Beth assured him.
“And orange juice,” Jenny added.
“See, I told you she was a good doctor. Now, did I tell you about when Chipper ran away from home?”
He had their attention for the next twenty minutes.
Caroline came in just as he ended the story. Both girls jumped down from the sofa and ran to her. “How’s Mommy?” Beth asked. Jenny didn’t speak, but her wide-eyed gaze was fixed on Caroline’s face.
Caroline shot him a questioning look and he shrugged his shoulders. Then she looked at the girls. “Mommy is doing much better. After school tomorrow you can visit with her.”
Both children were excited about that. Caroline told them to go put on their shoes and they would all go to lunch at her family’s house.
Jenny immediately brought her shoes to Mike. He helped her, so she beat her sister in the race to get ready. Beth complained, but Caroline assured her it didn’t matter.
Mike and Caroline each took a child and strapped her in the back seat. As Caroline slid into the front and attached her own seat belt, she said, “I’m sorry you got roped in by my father.”
Mike raised his eyebrows. “Roped in? I thought I was accepting an invitation to lunch.”
“Don’t be naive, Mike. Besides, you probably would’ve received a number of invitations instead of providing taxi service for us.”
“I did receive some invitations. Mrs. Dunster, in fact, seemed particularly put out that I was already engaged.”
“Margie Dunster? She’s got to be fifty, way too old for you.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
“I shouldn’t have said anything. Actually, she may have been wanting to meet you because she was a…a particular friend of Sheriff Metzger.”
Mike was a little surprised by Caroline’s implication, but he only nodded.
“Turn here,” she said abruptly, pointing to a gravel road that led off the county road. He did so, but there was no sign of buildings.
“How far?” he asked.
“Just a couple of miles.”
He checked on his passengers in the back seat. “Are you two okay back there?”
“Yes, Mike,” Beth called. Jenny smiled.
Mike smiled in return. They were sweet girls.
Lowering her voice, Caroline said, “I think Tracey is going to take them to Denver permanently. She can find work there and her mother will help take care of the girls.”
“That’s a good idea. Rawhide is too small for people to avoid each other all the time.”
Before Caroline could answer, they topped a hill and he saw all the buildings on the Randall ranch. “Quite a layout. How many people live here?”
“The four original brothers and their wives, my brother Josh, my half brother, Toby, and his wife, Elizabeth. Jim and his new wife, Patience, and her mother. Red and Mildred, and all the single cousins. And that doesn’t include the hands. They have eight cowboys in the winter, but they hire more in the spring. Sometimes the rest of the family comes for Sunday dinner.”
“The rest of the family?”
“Well, you know Jon and Tori. There’s my cousin Russ and his wife and little girl. He’s Tori’s partner in the accounting and investment firm. And Russ’s brother Rich, and Sam, his wife, and their little boy, plus she’s expecting a baby after Christmas. Griff and Camille have their own place. He’s Dad’s cousin. They have two kids, but they’re about grown. And there are cousins Nick and Gabe and their families.”
Mike wouldn’t be able to keep any of them straight. “I didn’t think people had families that big anymore. At least in one town.”
Caroline shrugged. “I never thought about that, but then, I’m so used to the crowd. What about your family? All Dad said was that you’re alone here in Rawhide.”
He nodded. “I have two sisters, but I left them behind in Chicago. My mother and her second husband live in Florida. So I guess, yes, I’m alone.” It really never seemed to bother him; he had his work and he was committed to the people of Rawhide.
“What about your father?” she asked.
“He died when I was young.”
/>
“I’m sorry. Anyway, for today, you can share my family. There’s enough to go around.”
“Thanks. But I do have one question—how big is your table? It would have to be huge to fit everybody.”
She smiled. “Usually they feed the children before the adults. They’ll probably make all the single cousins eat with the babies today.”
“You and me? We’re single.”
“Yes, we are, but you’re a guest. You’ll eat with the adults. But don’t worry. They’ll have enough food. Red always cooks plenty.”
Mike grinned. “You had me worrying there.”
“No need to worry,” Caroline assured him. “You’ll be in good hands.”
CAROLINE HOPED HER FATHER was punishing her for her rudeness to Mike. If that wasn’t his purpose, she suspected he was playing another game at which he excelled: Matchmaking. But she hoped she was wrong.
They were warmly welcomed when they arrived. Jake met Mike at the door, shaking his hand and then escorting him around, introducing him to the numerous Randalls.
Caroline tried to keep an eye on her father, but she was helping Beth and Jenny to relax and enjoy themselves.
“These little girls are darling,” B.J. said.
“Yes, they are. I think they’ll be moving to Denver this week, but they don’t know that yet.”
“How is their mother?”
“Tracey’s improving, but she’s going to need some time before she can do much. I think her parents are coming tomorrow.” Caroline watched as her father put a hand on Mike’s shoulder.
Her sister-in-law, Elizabeth, approached. “This is good for Davy.”
Caroline looked around for her four-year-old nephew. “What is?” she asked.
“Not being the oldest of the children. Beth is twice his age and the other children look at her as the leader. He was pouting at being supplanted, but I pulled him aside to try to improve his attitude,” she added with a laugh.
“I hope their visiting doesn’t cause any problems,” Caroline said, distracted by her father’s laugh rising above the buzz of conversation.
“No, it won’t.”
“Oh, Mom,” Caroline called as her mother started to move away.
“Yes, dear?”
“I’ll eat with the children, so Beth and Jenny will be comfortable.”
“No, dear. That’s not necessary. We’ve got everything organized. And after they eat, we have a new Disney movie for them to watch. You’ll be eating in the dining room.” With that final pronouncement her mother walked away.
Caroline looked at Elizabeth. “Are they matchmaking?”
“You know it,” her sister-in-law said with a smile. “But they’re giving you a choice.”
“A choice? What do you mean?”
Elizabeth leaned closer. “They invited the new accountant Tori and Russ hired recently.”
“But I thought he was young, just out of school for a year.”
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. “I guess they don’t mind if you rob the cradle. Or there’s the sheriff. He’s sexy, isn’t he?”
“Elizabeth! What would Toby say if he heard you?”
The other woman smiled. “Nothing. He knows I don’t have any complaints.”
“You’re still happy?” Caroline asked softly. In addition to being married to her half brother, Toby, Elizabeth was her closest cousin, Uncle Chad and Aunt Megan’s daughter. The sister she’d never had.
“Oh, yes,” Elizabeth said. “He’s a wonderful husband and an even better father. I’m very lucky.”
Caroline squeezed her hand. “Yes, you are, and I’m glad.”
“Your dad just wants the same for you.”
Caroline rolled her eyes. “And if I don’t want the same thing?”
“Come on, Caroline. Having someone to share your life with is important.” Elizabeth stared at her, concern on her face.
“I don’t want—”
They were interrupted by Toby. “Come on, ladies. We’re being told to take our seats.”
“But the kids are just starting to eat,” Caroline pointed out.
“I know, but we’re eating in the dining room,” he explained.
Toby took her arm and his wife’s to guide them. Once they entered the dining room, he led Caroline directly to an empty chair between the accountant and Mike.
“How do you know this is where I’m supposed to sit?” she whispered to her brother.
“Because Dad told me,” he said with an apologetic smile. “It’s just for dinner, sis. You’ll survive.”
She glared at him, but she really didn’t blame him. Her father could be very persuasive. She’d hoped Toby would at least be sitting near her, but no such luck. He and Elizabeth sat on the other side of the table near the end.
Mike leaned toward her. “I thought maybe you were eating with the kids.”
“No, of course not. I’m playing the role of the fatted calf,” she assured him bitterly.
Mike stared at her, a question in his gaze, but she turned to the man on her right.
“Mr. Olsen, I understand you’re new to Rawhide. When did you arrive?”
“I’ve been here four months.”
“How do you like the town?” she asked. Before her companion could answer, her father stood to ask the blessing.
When Jake sat down again, Alex Olsen replied, “Rawhide is nice, but the nightlife is a little slow.”
“And have you met the sheriff?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Caroline sat back in her chair. “Mike, this is Alex Olsen, an accountant who works for Tori and Russ.”
Mike extended his hand to the other man in front of Caroline. “Glad to meet you, Alex. Mike Davis. I’ve only been here a couple of weeks, but I’m trying to get to know all the citizens.”
The man shifted his gaze away from Mike. “Well, I try to steer clear of the law.”
Caroline stared at the accountant. She hoped he wasn’t being intentionally rude. “I find Mike to be good company,” she said in his defense.
“I appreciate that vote of confidence, Caroline.” Mike shot her one of his killer smiles.
She felt tingles all the way to her toes. Afraid she’d embarrass herself, she hurriedly looked away. “Alex is looking for nightlife in Rawhide.”
Mike shrugged. “There’s not much except for Friday nights, when all the cowboys pile into the steak house. There’s a better selection in Buffalo.”
“Really?” Alex asked eagerly.
Mike seemed to be watching him closely. “Yeah. ’Course, you need to take a designated driver along unless you want to be arrested for DWI. Or get a hotel room in Buffalo.”
Alex stared at Mike. “You’re kidding, right?”
Mike shook his head. “Why would I be kidding? Driving while intoxicated is dangerous and it’s against the law.”
“So you’re worried I might mess up a fence or something?”
The man’s attitude reminded Caroline of her own attitude when she’d first met the sheriff. Now it made her feel very uncomfortable.
Mike didn’t lose his temper. “Strangely enough, I’m concerned about anyone being killed, including yourself. Besides, the cleanup is hell.” He smiled at the man, but there was a hint of steel that again reminded Caroline of her father.
“Has Buffalo grown a lot in the past few years? I haven’t been there in ages.” She hoped her question would change the subject.
Mike gave her a look that said he knew what she was doing, but he cooperated. “It’s a fair-size city now. They even have a French restaurant.”
“Really? Is it any good?” Caroline asked with more enthusiasm than she’d normally show.
“So I’ve heard. How about I take you there for dinner one night? You can see for yourself.” Mike kept that easy smile on his face.
“That would be—”
“French cuisine isn’t a novelty for most people.” Alex broke in, a note of sarcasm in his tone.
Caroli
ne didn’t wait for Mike to respond. “Neither is rudeness, unfortunately!” She hoped her words would stop the man from any more jabs. After dinner she intended to speak with her mother to ensure Mr. Olsen wouldn’t frequent the Randall table.
“I’m not the one who’s threatening to arrest someone,” Alex retorted.
Mike opened his mouth to speak, but Caroline beat him to it. “I didn’t hear any threats. Just a friendly warning that you’d be wise to heed.”
Megan, who was seated on the other side of Alex, picked the perfect moment to ask him a question. Caroline suspected her aunt had been following their conversation.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’ve been known to defend myself without starting a fight,” Mike whispered, leaning close to her.
She sank her teeth into her bottom lip, trying to come up with a reasonable response. “Randalls don’t like their guests to be attacked. Either Mr. Olsen learns that rule or he won’t be dining here again.”
“Ah. So it wasn’t me you were protecting, but the pride of the Randalls? Well, you did a mighty fine job. All the more reason to treat you to dinner at the French restaurant in Buffalo.”
His hazel eyes seemed to be dancing with amusement.
“If anything, I should take you to Buffalo for dinner. When we first met, I was as obnoxious as Alex.”
“Yes, you were, and I accept your offer,” Mike agreed, surprising her. “When are we going?”
Caroline realized he’d accepted her invitation and made it impossible for her to renege. If he were taking her, she could’ve done so. He was a lot smarter than the accountant.
“How about tomorrow night? Unless you have to work late?”
He grinned at her. “I think I can wrangle a free night. Will you pick me up at seven?”
Now she was thoroughly trapped. At least it would be over quickly. Twenty-four hours and then she could ignore the man.
“Yes, seven,” she agreed. Thanks to Alex Olsen, she’d been unable to remain cold to both men. She’d have to make sure that tomorrow night she didn’t let down her guard.
Those hazel eyes danced again, as if the sheriff read her mind.
CHAPTER FIVE
A Randall Returns Page 5
