A Randall Returns

by Judy Christenberry

  “No,” Caroline said with a rueful grin. “Red keeps that recipe a secret.”

  “Red’s famous for his chocolate cake,” Helen added.

  Caroline stood up and dispensed with the paper plates they’d used. She put out four clean ones and took a knife to cut the cake. “Okay, I’m cutting big pieces. We all need extra calories to keep warm.”

  No one objected.

  Ten minutes later, the four pieces of cake had disappeared.

  “Well, now I understand why Red’s cake is famous,” Mike said with a sigh. “It’s good stuff.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Helen agreed. “It makes working nights worthwhile.”

  They all heard the weak cry of a baby.

  Caroline checked her watch. “She’s right on time. Mike, why don’t you go to my house? I’m going to be here all night.”

  She headed for the nursery, leaving Mike to explain to the two nurses. “I have a…boarder staying in my apartment. She offered me her guest room.”

  “Oh. I see,” Helen said. But Mike caught the curious glances between her and Susan.

  Mike tried to change the subject. “Say, is Harry awake?”

  “He’s not supposed to be,” Susan answered. “I gave him a sleeping pill.”

  Mike nodded. “Then I guess I’ll go on to bed. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?”

  “We know what you mean,” Helen assured him.

  Mike put on his coat and headed for the door. But on the way, he stopped and watched Caroline giving a bottle to Rosa. He could see the care and devotion she was lavishing on the infant, and he was concerned.

  He made his way through the storm to her house, seeing no one else out in the storm. Once he got there, he called his office and praised the deputy for saving a baby’s life. Nothing else was going on, the man reported. The visitor had gone up to bed and everything was quiet.

  Mike undressed down to his boxers and crawled into Caroline’s bed. It wasn’t how he’d hoped the evening would end. He’d hoped he could convince her to once again spend the night with him. He wanted to hold her close.

  He fell asleep in her bed, but when he woke up the next morning, he was still alone. She’d never come home.

  “DR. RANDALL?”

  Someone was shaking her shoulder. Caroline slowly opened her eyes and raised her head. “What is it, Helen?”

  “The baby is awake again. Want me to feed her this time?”

  “No. I’ll come.”

  “But you’re not getting enough sleep. Why don’t you stay in bed and I’ll feed her?”

  Caroline couldn’t quite remember why it was important she feed the baby. Finally she fell back on the hospital bed and nodded. “Okay.” Within seconds, she was asleep once more.

  When she woke up again, she couldn’t tell the time of day by looking out the window, all she could see was white. She rubbed her eyes and then looked at her watch. Ten o’clock? She’d stayed up late to feed the baby. Then she’d lain down for a little while, but Helen was supposed to wake her.

  Caroline hurried out of bed and washed her face in the bathroom. She tidied her hair and then set out to find a nurse.

  “Helen?” she called as she walked into the nursery. Susan peered around a corner.

  “Susan, where’s Helen?”

  “She’s sleeping now,” the woman said. “I slept earlier. We figured we’re stuck here until after the storm passes. When we got calls from the nurses due in, saying they couldn’t get through, we told them we’d manage until the storm ended.”

  “That’s very good of you, Susan. But Helen was supposed to wake me up to take the baby’s feedings. Why didn’t she?”

  “She did, Dr. Randall. But she offered to handle it and you agreed and went back to sleep.”

  “I see. How’s the baby doing?”

  “Fine. We’re keeping her under the heat lamp, just to be sure. She sleeps well, now that she’s being fed regularly.” Susan looked over her shoulder at their patient. “She’s a sweet thing.”

  “Yes, she is. I feel so sorry for her mama.” Caroline ducked her head. “Thanks for working so long.”

  “It’s okay. Harry’s the only other patient, and he’s so much better it’s hard to keep him in bed.”

  Caroline smiled. “How about another piece of cake? We can save a piece for Helen.”

  “Ooh, I’d love that. Is there enough for Harry, too?”

  “Of course. Has the sheriff called this morning?”

  “No, ma’am, but it was pretty late when he went to bed. He may have slept in, too.”

  “Yes, I guess so.” Caroline drew a deep breath. “Well, let’s go have breakfast.”

  They took the cake into Harry’s room and the three of them ate together.

  “The sheriff was here last night?” Harry said.

  It was Susan who replied. “Yes. He asked about you, but I told him you were already asleep.”

  “I was because you insisted on my taking that sleeping pill. I don’t need those anymore.”

  Susan glanced at Caroline.

  “Maybe you’re right, Harry,” Caroline said. “If we didn’t have a storm outside, I’d probably release you today. Obviously you’ll have to stay until the storm ends, but I’ll take you off the sleeping pills.”

  “Thank you, Caroline.” Harry grinned. “See, Susan? She listens to reason.”

  “Yes, she does,” Mike said from the door. “At least from some people.”

  “Mike!” Caroline exclaimed. “Has the storm let up?”

  “Not really. The weather report says it will pass by tomorrow morning.” Mike moved to Caroline’s side. “Reckon I could have a bite of that cake, Caro?”

  She put her plate down on the bedside table. “I’ll go cut you one.”

  Mike watched her leave, then turned to his deputy. “When are you getting out of this place, Harry?”

  “The doc said if it wasn’t snowing, she’d let me go today. So I guess I’ll be going home tomorrow, after the snow stops.”

  “Good. How’s our newest patient, Susan?”

  “She’s perfect. She’s even gained a little weight.” The nurse smiled. “We’ve all fallen in love with her.”

  “Yeah. I know.” He managed a smile, too, but he was worried about Caroline. He knew how much she wanted a child and how attached she’d already seemed last night.

  Caroline came back in and gave him his piece of chocolate cake.

  “How’s everything at the office?” Harry asked. “Is it quiet?”

  “Yes, it is. The guys on duty are staying there until tomorrow. I told them they could use my shower.”

  “Boy, it’ll be nice when they finish that workout room with three showers. Did they get it walled in before the snow came?”

  “Yes, they did. It’s going pretty fast, there are so many men working on it,” Mike assured him.

  Harry looked at Caroline. “Caro, your family is really special.”

  “Yes, they are. But we’ve been blessed, Harry. It’s easier to give when your kids aren’t starving.”

  “I know that should be true,” Susan said, “but I’ve known some wealthy families who never help anyone out. And some poor ones who share everything they have.”

  Caroline acknowledged her point.

  Just then Mike’s cell phone rang. After pulling it out of his pocket and looking at it, he said, “I’ve got to take this call. Excuse me.”

  He moved to the waiting room. “Joe, it’s Mike. What’s up?”

  “It’s that man who was sleeping upstairs. He got mad when I went up to take a shower. When I got out of the bathroom, he was packed and hauling his suitcase downstairs. He wants to leave.”

  “He’s driving a low-slung sports car. He won’t get far, and then he’ll freeze to death. Lock him up.”

  “Sheriff, he’s not going to like that.”

  “I don’t really care. I’m not letting him commit suicide today. You can assure him you’re just following orders. And tell him I’ll per
sonally escort him out of town as soon as I can.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “You put Don in jail?” Caroline asked in surprise. “Why?”

  Mike looked at her, ignoring the others in Harry’s room. “Because he was determined to leave. There’s no way he’d make it, and I didn’t want to have to go haul out his frozen or dead body.”

  “If he tries to sue you, I’ll bear the cost, whatever it is,” she offered.

  Mike shrugged. “Maybe I could make a case for reckless endangerment. If not, we’ve got insurance.”

  “I’d like to see him in jail. Do you give tours?”

  “Afraid not. You’ll have to entertain yourself some other way.”

  “Party pooper,” Caroline said with a grin. “Okay, I don’t really care as long as he leaves town as soon as possible.”

  “I think he’ll be happy to comply.”

  “Who is this guy?” Harry asked.

  Mike said nothing, leaving it up to Caroline to explain.

  “He’s a jerk I used to know in Chicago. He came to tell me his wife doesn’t understand him.”

  “Eeew,” Susan said. “No wonder you want him to go.”

  “Yes,” Caroline agreed. “And she’s pregnant.”

  “Oh, I think you should’ve let him leave this morning.”

  “You’re being a little bloodthirsty, aren’t you?” Harry asked.

  “He got her pregnant and married her, but now he wants to have someone on the side? And you don’t think that’s bad?” Susan demanded.

  “He did say he thinks the baby isn’t his.” Mike looked at Caroline. “What do you think about that?”

  Caroline had a surprised look in her eyes. “I never thought about that. I suppose it’s possible but—” She stopped, frowning.

  “I think we’ll just hustle him out of town,” Mike said. “I don’t think he’ll want to come back.”

  “Well, I hope this storm ends soon. I have more Christmas shopping to do,” Susan said with a smile.

  At that, Caroline turned to Mike. “I’d almost forgotten. Mike, I need to talk to you,” she said, moving toward the door.

  He followed her after telling the other two goodbye, and found her leaning against the wall outside the room.

  “I was supposed to invite you to Christmas at the ranch. We’d go out Christmas Eve and spend the night. Assuming you’re not going to Chicago or Florida to be with your family.”

  “I’m staying in town, and that sounds wonderful. But Uncle Bill—”

  “He’ll be invited, too.”

  “Then I’d love to join the Randalls for Christmas. Especially if Red makes another chocolate cake.”

  “I’ll make a special request,” she assured him with a smile.

  “Are you coming home tonight?”

  “Yes. I need a little more sleep than I got last night.”

  “Am I still welcome?”

  Caroline stared at him. “Why wouldn’t you be?”

  “Because I don’t intend to sleep in the guest room.”

  Caroline continued to stare at him, but she could think of nothing to say. She wanted him in her bed. But she wasn’t sure what the future held. “I—I know.”

  “I think we need to explore the feelings we have for each other,” Mike said.

  Caroline nodded. “I had planned for us to talk last night about what’s going on, but everything changed when Rosa came into my life. How do you feel about her?”

  “Rosa? She’s adorable. But that doesn’t mean you can keep her. She has parents out there somewhere, Caroline.”

  “Irresponsible parents. I mean, her mother saved her life, it’s true, but if your deputy hadn’t seen the car stop at the clinic, the baby would’ve frozen to death.”

  “The mother did what she could. I agree that the father shouldn’t be given custody, but the woman did her best.”

  “I wouldn’t trust her. I’ll go to court and get the legal right to take care of Rosa.”

  Mike couldn’t say anything else. He knew Caroline was thinking that God had brought Rosa to her because the baby needed a mother and she, Caroline, needed a baby. He only hoped she wasn’t disappointed.

  WHEN CAROLINE LEFT the hospital that evening, around six o’clock, she could tell the storm was easing. It was still snowing, but not as violently. She was glad. But her mind was on the man waiting for her.

  She even started planning what she could cook for dinner. Tonight she’d have a chance to talk seriously with Mike. To discuss what they were feeling. And she’d get to sleep in his arms.

  When she opened her front door and entered the warmth, she saw a fire burning in the fireplace and smelled a delicious scent in the air. “Mike?”

  He stepped out of the kitchen. “Welcome home, Caro. Here, let me help you with that coat.” He pulled it off her arms, unwrapped her scarf and then eased the wool cap off her long hair.

  “What do I smell? I was going to cook as soon as I got home.”

  “That seems a little unfair, since I didn’t work today.” Mike turned back to the kitchen. “Have a seat by the fire and warm up. I’ll bring out the hors d’oevres.”

  “How nice. You don’t need any help?”

  “Nope. I’ve got it all under control.”

  She sat down on the sofa and propped her feet on the coffee table, staring at the fire. This was the first chance she’d had all day to sit and relax, and she could feel her eyes slowly begin to close.

  “Here we go, my lady,” Mike’s voice stirred her.

  “What is it?” she asked, eyeing the dish he held.

  “Nachos. Well, chips and cheese, anyway. I didn’t put any jalapeños on them, in case you don’t like them.”

  “How nice.” She sat up, removing her feet from the table.

  He settled beside her, offering her the plate.

  She took one and tasted the warm cheese and chips. “These are good.”

  “Not exactly haute cuisine, but something I could fix.”

  “I think it’s so nice of you to cook for me.” She smiled as she took another chip.

  “You’re worth the effort. How did your day go?”

  “Fine. Rosa is doing so well. It’s like she recognizes me. But I don’t seem to have the stamina I used to have. I was very tired by evening.”

  “We’ll go to bed early,” he promised, his hazel eyes twinkling.

  “How sacrificial of you!” she teased.

  “That’s me. But first I’m going to feed you so you’ll have a lot of energy.”

  “I think I need that,” she said with a sigh.

  A timer went off and Mike got up. “Want to eat in the kitchen? Or do you want me to bring it in here?”

  “Bring it in here. I don’t feel like moving.”

  He returned with two plates, each laden with a juicy steak and a baked potato. Then he went back into the kitchen and brought in hot rolls.

  “Oh, Mike, this is wonderful. Exactly what I was hungry for.”

  They ate silently, enjoying the food. And anticipating what would follow.

  Halfway through the meal, Caroline stopped eating. Mike frowned. “You through?”

  “Yes. I’m full.”

  “You haven’t eaten all that much. Is it my cooking?”

  “Absolutely not. It tasted delicious.”

  “You used to have a better appetite.”

  “Mike, you haven’t known me that long. And these were big steaks. I’ll wrap it up and have it for lunch tomorrow.”

  “I’ll do it. I’ll wrap up mine, too. You want to take a shower?”

  “Oh, I’d love that. You don’t mind?”

  “Of course not. I want you to relax.”

  Caroline thought if she relaxed much more, she’d be asleep on her feet. She put her arms around Mike’s neck. “You’re wonderful, Mike. Thanks.”

  In her bedroom, she stripped and tossed her clothes in the laundry hamper. Then she turned on the shower. When the water was hot, she stepped in and let ou
t a big sigh as she felt the heat run down her body. She even washed her hair. Five minutes later, she got out of the shower and slipped into a silk nightgown. Then she combed her long hair and braided it wet.

  When she stepped into the room, Mike was sitting on the edge of the bed. He stood and drew a deep breath. “You look fantastic. I’ll definitely hurry.” He entered the bathroom.

  She pulled the covers over her after getting in bed. She’d missed her bed last night. Closing her eyes, she told herself she was just going to rest until Mike came out.

  She’d almost fallen asleep when she heard the door open. Slowly she raised her eyelids. Mike hadn’t bothered with underwear or pajama bottoms. He had a towel around his waist, and a drop or two of water still clung to his broad chest.

  Without hesitation he pulled off the towel and slid into the bed. “You aren’t too tired?”

  “No. No, I’m not. I’ve been waiting for a long time, Mike. I want you to hold me.”

  “I’m willing, lady. For the rest of my life,” he whispered, taking her into his arms. He kissed her with a rare combination of passion and gentleness. She loved it.

  His callused fingers glided over the silky skin of her shoulders until they reached the strap of her nightgown. He pulled back and looked at her. “This has to go,” he said. “I’m ahead of you.” As if to underscore his words, he moved against her, and on her thigh she could feel the hard ridge of his arousal.

  She drew the slippery fabric over her head and he trapped her hands on her pillow, holding them captive there as he raked his gaze over her breasts.

  The hungry look in his eyes was all it took for Caroline to ache for him. She could see how much he wanted her, how much he struggled to hold in his needs.

  Pulling her hands free, she reached down and touched him, guided him to the place that would give them both the solace they sought.

  She wrapped her legs around him and thanked the stars that had led her here, back home to Rawhide, to this man. She couldn’t think of a better place to be.

  THE IRRITATING SOUND of his cell phone woke Mike the next morning. He dove out of bed to find it before it woke Caroline. With a frown, he grabbed his jeans and pulled them on. Then he went to the kitchen to talk to the jail.