“Nothing’s wrong Izzy. Tori has a question for you, and she needs an answer right away. I thought you wouldn’t mind interrupting your shopping to step over to the office.”
“Of course. Where’s Angel?”
He wrapped his arms around her, unable to resist. “She’s perfectly safe in Tori’s arms.”
“I know I shouldn’t worry, but—”
“It’s your nature.” He looked down at her as she stepped away. “I like that outfit. Are you buying it?”
“Yes. I like it, too.”
“Keep it on. You can show Tori.”
“Is that okay, Sarah? I mean, I haven’t paid for it yet.”
“Yeah, but I know where you live,” Sarah said with a grin.
Isabella smiled back. What fun to shop with Sarah! What fun to actually have a friend. Her father had tried to keep her from making friends.
“Here are some navy knee socks to wear under the long jumper,” Sarah said. “They’ll keep your legs warm.”
Isabella took the socks and pulled them on. Then she slipped on her loafers. Those and her boots were the only shoes she had.
“Okay, Russ. I’m ready.”
He took her hand, knowing she wouldn’t fuss about that. Besides, he liked holding her hand. “I’ll bring her back in a few minutes, Sarah.”
“I’ll be here. Though Nick probably won’t. He should go to work since it’s after ten o’clock, right, lazybones?”
Nick didn’t answer because he was busy kissing his pregnant wife.
Isabella slipped into her ski jacket and stepped outside with Russ. A north wind caused snow to swirl about them.
Izzy shivered. “It’s still so cold,” she said. Russ put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “It’ll warm up by June,” he said.
She made her fist and hit him in the chest. “That was mean.”
He kissed her in the middle of Main Street. Her cheeks fired up and she pulled away. “We could’ve gotten run over. That was dangerous.”
“Yeah, ’cause there’s such heavy traffic today.”
“Okay, you have a point,” she said, smiling as she stepped on to the sidewalk in front of the office.
When they were inside, Tori praised Angel and admired Isabella’s new outfit, then got down to business.
Russ asked, “Do you want me to stay or leave the two of you alone?”
“I want you to stay, of course,” Isabella said, surprised by his question.
He was gratified and sat down beside her.
“Okay, Tori, what do you have to ask me?”
Tori explained the offer for the stock and that the competitor wanted to do a hostile takeover of Paloni Industries. “Your father will lose control of his company and probably his job,” she finished. “I couldn’t agree to all that without getting your approval.”
Isabella drew a deep breath. “Thank you. I don’t want to be cruel to my father, but he would still have his money, wouldn’t he?”
“He could sell his shares for a great deal of money, probably more than they are worth right now. I don’t know what else he has, but he would keep any other holdings.”
Izzy thought of her father’s many investments. She knew he had spread his money around. In the past, whenever she’d asked for something expensive, he’d always claim poverty, but she knew better. If nothing else, they’d have her stepmother’s jewelry collection.
“If he’d left me an option, I might have refused to do that to him, but I can’t be a part of the company, so I have to sell. He would advise me to take the highest price without worrying about anyone else. As long as it wasn’t him. So, yes, Tori, do the deal.”
“Are you sure, honey?” Russ asked.
“Don’t you think it’s the right decision?”
“Yes, I do, but I want you to be sure.”
“I’m sure. Tori, when will this take place?”
“Well, it’s just a little after noon in New York, but I should be able to get hold of the buyer sometime this afternoon. By tomorrow morning, word should get to your father.”
Isabella wasn’t a coward. She stood. “I have to go to New York tonight.” She was going to look her father in the eye and tell him what she’d done. And why.
“What?” Russ gasped, leaping from his chair to take her arm, as if he was afraid she’d take off at once.
“I intend to face him with what I’ve done. And tell him my reasons, in case he hasn’t figured them out. Will you take care of Angel? I don’t want to put her at risk.”
“No, I won’t,” Russ returned, shocking her.
“But—”
“My parents will care for Angel. I’m going with you.”
“Why would you do that? I won’t take the time to play tourist. I’ll only be gone two days.” It would be a difficult two days. She didn’t want Russ to see how awful her family could be.
“You’re not going unless I’m with you, sweetheart. I’m not letting you put yourself in danger.”
“Why would he hurt me after the deed is done?” Isabella asked.
“A man’s pride can be a fierce thing. Believe me, there is that possibility. Angel needs you to come home safely, and it’s my job as your husband to make that happen.”
“But I wouldn’t ask you to put yourself at risk, Russ. That wouldn’t be fair.”
“I don’t believe you did ask me. But ask or not, I’m going with you.”
Tori interrupted their argument. “I believe there’s a five-o’clock flight out of Casper that connects in Denver to the red-eye to New York. Shall I make reservations for you? I think you can make that one.”
“Great,” Russ said. “And get us reservations at some hotel in Manhattan. We’ll hire a car for in the morning.”
“But, Russ…” Isabella couldn’t voice her protest. The idea of having him beside her was too tempting.
He kissed her again, something he did frequently these days. “We’re either both going or neither of us is going. Your choice.”
“I have to face him,” she muttered.
“Then go pack a bag.”
“First I have to buy one,” she said. “Should I buy you one, too?”
“No, I’ve got a hanging bag in the apartment upstairs. Good thing I didn’t move all my stuff into the house yet.” He checked his watch. “It’s a two-hour drive to Casper. We should leave by one-thirty. I’ll meet you back here. Kiss Angel goodbye. I’m taking her to the ranch.”
“Kiss her goodbye now? But…but we’re not leaving for three more hours,” Izzy complained, going to Tori for her daughter.
“You’ve got a lot to do before we leave. It will be easier this way.”
Isabella reluctantly agreed. She cuddled Angel for a moment. Then she kissed her chubby little cheeks several times and held her against her. Giving her to Russ was hard. But even though she had tears in her eyes, she smiled. She wasn’t going to leave her baby looking unhappy. She wanted Angel to remember her as happy.
Russ took the baby into his office and settled her in her carrier. Then he wrapped the heavy blanket over her to protect her from the cold.
“Aren’t you going to call them first?”
“No, honey, I’m not. They’ll agree to take care of her. And everyone in the house is capable of doing that. She’s going to be just fine. Go buy what you need.”
He picked up the carrier and went past Izzy as if he were merely delivering the mail. She followed him to the door. Again he kissed her on the lips. Then he headed for his truck. Isabella sighed. Russ was such a wonderful man. She didn’t deserve the care he gave her, but she wanted it. She wanted more. She wanted a long life, beside him, wrapped in his arms and in his love. She gave a silent prayer. Then, she soberly returned to the store, a different list forming in her mind.
At night, during the week, the town of Rawhide rolled up the sidewalks a little after nine, when the café closed its doors. So at ten-thirty that night, no one was on the street when a black Cadillac drove into town.<
br />
The car stopped in front of the sheriff’s office. It made a U-turn and parked facing the way it had come in. On the road to Buffalo. The man who got out was distinguished looking, wearing an expensive suit, carrying a lawyer’s case. He climbed the steps to the office and opened the door, stepping inside.
The deputy on duty had his feet propped up on the desk, watching a television. His feet came down in a hurry and he stood. “May I help you?”
“I’m here to see the two prisoners you have for setting a fire. I’m their lawyer from Chicago.”
“Well, they’ve gone to bed. Why don’t you come back in the morning.”
“Young man, I have appointments in the morning. I must see them tonight. They won’t mind losing sleep for me.”
“Well, I guess it’s okay.” He opened the locked door to the jail area and then went back to watching television.
A few minutes later, the lawyer came back through the door. The deputy never even looked at him. The gun with the silencer came up and he fired. Then he left the sheriff’s office followed by the two men the sheriff had arrested. The three men climbed into the Cadillac, no hurry or alarm in their motions. The Cadillac quietly drove out of town.
Chapter Sixteen
It was three a.m. in New York when Russ and Isabella arrived at the hotel in Manhattan. Isabella had fallen asleep on his shoulder in the taxi and he gently awakened her.
“Sweetheart, we’re at the hotel. Come on. You’ll be in bed soon.”
At the check-in desk, the night clerk welcomed them and efficiently handed them a key. “Oh, there’s a message for you, Mr. Randall,” he said as Russ was about to turn away.
Isabella, having leaned sleepily against Russ, straightened immediately. “Angel? Is something wrong with Angel?”
Russ unfolded the note, apprehension in him, too. “No, sweetheart. It’s from Dad. He thought it would make you feel better if you knew Angel is doing fine.” He put the folded note in his coat pocket and led his wife to the elevator.
Half an hour later, when Isabella was again asleep, Russ slipped from the room and went downstairs to the bank of phones off the lobby. His dad answered the phone on the first ring.
“It’s Russ. What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t want to tell you, but I thought you should know before you faced Isabella’s father,” Pete said hurriedly. “The two witnesses escaped. A man who claimed to be their lawyer came into the jail about 10:30 last night. The deputy didn’t even search him,” Pete pointed out in disgust. “He went into the cell area and released the men. Then he came out and shot the deputy, who was watching television.”
“Who was it?”
“Jack Hayes. He didn’t die, though he’s injured. He managed to dial the sheriff’s number after the phone fell to the floor. Otherwise, he would’ve bled to death.”
“I intend to go straight to the airport from Isabella’s father’s office. I understand Isabella’s wanting to face him, but I don’t like the idea.”
“I know. A few of us should have gone with you.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll take care of her. I don’t think I’ll tell her until we’re on the plane coming home.” Russ hadn’t made up his mind until that moment.
“All right. Take care, and give us a call when the plane has taken off.”
“Will do. Thanks for the warning.”
Russ hung up the phone and returned to the elevator. He had some thinking to do. Isabella had wanted to warn her father of her appearance at his company, but Russ had talked her out of the warning. Russ still liked the idea of surprising Paloni.
He entered their room and stared down at Isabella’s peaceful, beautiful face. How could anyone be so mean to her? He changed and got in bed beside her, pulling her into his arms. It was getting difficult for him to sleep without holding Isabella. And tonight he needed what sleep he could get.
Russ forced himself out of bed at nine. He took his shower and dressed before he woke Isabella.
“Time to get up, honey. It’s nine-thirty. We need to catch a taxi by ten o’clock.”
She opened her eyes and sat up, staring at him.
“Do you remember where we are?”
“Of course I do, but…but you’re dressed like a…a businessman.”
Russ looked down at his white dress shirt, maroon tie and gray suit. “I am a businessman.”
She scrambled to her knees and peered over the side of the bed to see his shoes, polished black wing tips. “Where are your boots?”
“In the suitcase. I think you’d better hurry if we’re going to keep to our schedule.”
She gasped at that reminder and hurried to the bathroom. He sat down on the bed, a grin on his face, and called room service. Their breakfast arrived fifteen minutes later.
Isabella emerged from the bathroom in the simple navy suit and shoes Sarah had provided. “Very nice,” Russ told her with a smile. “No one would guess you’d had a baby two months ago.”
Izzy blushed, but smiled and thanked him. They ate a quick breakfast and hurried outside to claim one of the many taxis cruising the streets of Manhattan.
The driver was reluctant to drive to Queens, but Russ gave him a fifty-dollar bill and promised him another one when he took them to the airport. He explained that the driver would have to wait at the company they were going to. If it was longer than five minutes, he’d pay even more.
Isabella’s eyes were wide at his generosity. “You could’ve gotten him for less,” she whispered.
“I want to be sure he’s waiting for us. I don’t want you to worry about anything. It’s all going to be fine.”
When they arrived at the factory her father ran, the man at the gate wasn’t going to let them in. Isabella leaned forward. “Hello, Mike. It’s me, Isabella Paloni, only I’m married now. We just want to see my father for a few minutes.”
“Miss Isabella! Yeah, sure, sorry, I didn’t see you.”
He waved them through.
“Your dad runs a tight ship.”
“Very tight,” Isabella murmured.
At the large entrance, the cabbie turned and looked at them. “I wait longer than five minutes and I get more money?”
“Exactly. Just be here when we come out. You’ve got our luggage in your trunk,” Russ reminded him.
“Will do, pal.”
“I feel better knowing we have our escape planned,” Isabella whispered to Russ. This time, she initiated their handholding, which pleased him.
Isabella indicated the executive offices. “My brother’s is the office on the left. Dad’s is on the right.”
The woman guarding the entrance to both offices looked up. “Miss Paloni. May I help you?”
“I’d like to see my father—at once, please.”
Russ was proud of her. He knew she was scared, because he could feel her hand trembling in his. But she held her head up and kept her voice calm.
“I’m sorry. He’s in a meeting and—”
“Interrupt him. Or I will.”
“Well…well, all right. Just a minute.” The woman picked up the phone and spoke in a low voice. They could hear enough to realize her father refused to see her.
“Your father said for you to go home. He’ll talk to you tonight.”
Russ stepped to the door on the right and opened it. The two of them entered.
“Who are you?” Isabella’s father demanded.
Russ could see the similarities between father and daughter, but Isabella showed no signs of the meanness on the man’s face. “I’m your daughter’s husband, Russ Randall. We won’t take much of your time, but we’re on a tight schedule.”
“I don’t have time for social visits. I don’t care who she married this time. She’s out of my life.”
Russ smiled. “That’s the way I want it, too.”
Isabella stepped forward. “Dad, I wanted to tell you face-to-face what I’ve done with the stock.”
“You have it?” he asked tightly.
&n
bsp; “Yes, Great-aunt Maria left it to me. But I don’t want any part of your company, so I’ve sold the stock. A competitor bought it all and is planning a hostile takeover. I realize it will affect your control. So I thought you should know.”
“By the way,” Russ added casually, “I wouldn’t do any traveling in Wyoming, if I were you. You might not ever get back to New York.” Then he and Isabella walked out, leaving a dumbfounded Antonio Paloni staring after them.
Isabella laughed with relief as they got back into the taxi.
Russ leaned forward. “Let’s go.”
When the cab reached the company gate, the driver waved to the guard and he waved back, and then they were through. Russ looked over his shoulder and saw the guard pick up the phone and try to wave them back. He said nothing to Isabella.
“We did it!” she declared. “Your threat was wonderful! The perfect threat! Oh, Russ, thank you for helping me face him. I feel very good about that.”
“I’m glad you do, honey. You were very brave.”
“Because you were there with me,” she told him with a beautiful smile.
“I’m your husband. We work together. I expect you to protect me when some woman hits on me.”
He was teasing, but Isabella took his words seriously. “I will,” she promised.
He liked the thought of Izzy fighting off other women. It pleased him that she agreed they were a team. One he could rely on for the rest of his life. He intended to hold her and Angel close. It had even occurred to him that they might give Angel a brother or sister. A delicious, but scary thought.
When they got to the airport a few minutes later, Russ tipped the driver generously. The man’s gratitude embarrassed Russ, but Isabella laughed. “Next time we come to New York, I’d better be in control of the tipping. Otherwise we’ll have taxis following us around to see if we want a ride.”
“If it’s raining, it might be worth it,” Russ drawled.
“You’ve been to New York before?” she asked curiously.
“Abby and I were here for our honeymoon. She wanted to see the Big Apple once.”
Immediately Isabella sobered. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I should’ve come alone.”
“I’m your husband, Izzy. Don’t forget that. It’s my job to protect you.” He picked up their two suitcases. “Let’s go get checked in. The lines will probably be long.”
Randall Wedding Page 15
