Randall Pride (14 page)

As a cousin, or maybe even a little sister.

Since he’d come back this time, Megan had thought there was some tension between the two of them, but she’d figured it had something to do with readjustment.

She would be pleased if they married. She couldn’t think of a finer son-in-law than Toby. What about Chad? It would be a little weird, but the more she thought about it, the more she thought it would be wonderful.

She’d heard B.J. come in from her appointments about an hour ago. She crossed to her and Jake’s room and knocked on the door. “B.J.?”

After a second, B.J. swung open the door. “Hi, Meg. How’s Elizabeth?”

“She’s recovering nicely. But I need to talk to you.”

“Sure. Shall we go down to the kitchen and have some coffee?”

Most of their conversations occurred there, but Megan couldn’t guarantee privacy. “Why don’t I fix us a tray of coffee and bring it up? That way we won’t be interrupted.”

B.J.’s eyes darkened as she nodded. Megan hurried away before she could ask any questions. She certainly didn’t want to discuss the problem in the hallway.

Megan had fixed a tray, adding the pot of coffee, when Red came into the kitchen.

“You taking coffee up to the invalid?” he asked with a grin. “Here, let me add some cookies. I just
baked them an hour ago. We want to keep our little Lizzie sweet.”

She started to correct him about the coffee’s destination, but then she changed her mind. B.J. would like some cookies as much as Elizabeth.

Anna came in from outside, her nursing bag in hand, and Megan didn’t hesitate to ask her to join them. She’d never had any sisters, but in the past twenty-five years, her sisters-in-law had easily filled that role. She added another cup and started up the stairs, Anna in her wake.

When she turned right instead of left at the top of the stairs, Anna called, “Megan, what—”

She shushed her and knocked on B.J.’s door.

B.J. swung it open. Megan hurried in, as if afraid of being detected. “Anna’s here, too.”

Each couple had a sitting room linked to their bedroom. B.J. had two big sofas in front of the fireplace and a coffee table between them. Megan set the tray down. “Red sent fresh-baked cookies, too.”

“Did he ask why we’re having them here instead of in the kitchen?” B.J. asked.

Megan looked guilty. “No, because he thought I was taking the tray to Elizabeth’s room.”

“Come sit down,” B.J. invited the two of them. “I’m dying to know what this is all about.”

Megan didn’t know where to look. Or how to begin.

“Are you sure I should be here? I don’t want to intrude,” Anna said.

Megan leaned over and hugged her. “Oh, Anna, of course you should be here. I’d ask Janie to join us, but she’s at her mom’s. I need advice and y’all are the best friends I have.”

“Is it Elizabeth?” B.J. asked.

“Sort of. And Toby.”

B.J.’s spine straightened. “Toby? What’s he got to do with anything? He saved Elizabeth. You said you were grateful.”

“Of course I am—we are!” Megan exclaimed.

“He didn’t do something wrong while he and Elizabeth—” B.J.’s eyes widened, a touch of fear in them. “I don’t believe it!”

“No, B.J., no. It’s not that he did anything wrong. But it—concerns him. You know, he’s not
blood
-related to any of our children and—”

“You don’t think he should inherit anything? Is that it? He’s made his own way, Megan. He doesn’t need—but the hurt—” There was hurt in B.J.’s face, too.

“No! No, I’m doing this all wrong. Anna, help me.”

“Well, I would if I could, but I’m completely lost. Do you feel that Toby isn’t a part of the family?”

“Of course not! He’s as much a Randall as any of us. In fact, he’s always been more a Randall than our kids because he works so hard at it. Don’t you think that’s why he’s always achieved so much?” She saw B.J.’s face stiffen again. “I don’t mean he’s not as smart either. It’s because he
is
as smart but keeps
trying so much more than the others. If our kids would try as hard as Toby, there’s no telling what they could do.”

B.J. had relaxed once again, a faint smile on her lips. “Now, I’m as confused as Anna. If Toby’s not the problem, then what are we talking about?”

Megan tried again. “Elizabeth just broke her engagement.”

Anna and B.J. exchanged a look. Finally, Anna said, “We know.”

“Yes, well, I told her it was too soon, but I think maybe it’s not. I’m not sure.”

“Too soon for what?” B.J. asked, frustration rising.

“Well, that’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

Anna chuckled. “But you’ve been trying for several minutes and we’re still at a loss. Can’t you just come right out and say it?”

“Yes, I can,” Megan agreed. Then she stopped, braced herself, her hands clenched in her lap. “Elizabeth is in love with Toby!”

Toby waited until dinner was over before he approached his father and Uncle Chad. Quietly, he asked each of them to meet him in the barn.

As he turned away from his father to help with the cleanup, Megan touched him on the arm. “Toby? Elizabeth wondered if you could stop by her room this evening. She’s worried about you.”

“Worried about me?” he asked, confused. What was there to worry about?

“I think she’s afraid you may have caught a cold.”

“Why no, I haven’t.”

“I know, and I’ve told her, but she wants to be sure. Would you mind?”

He checked his watch. He could manage a quick visit before he went to the barn. Afterwards, who knew if he’d be able to face Elizabeth or not. “Sure. I’ll run upstairs as soon as I finish here. Will she be able to get out of bed soon?”

“Tomorrow. And she can go back to work on Thursday,” Megan assured him with a smile.

“Good. Tell her I’ll be up in a second.”

Russ, who must’ve overheard their conversation, said, “Go on up now. You’re not so good at the dishes anyway and there are plenty of us.”

Toby looked at the others. “Are you guys okay with that?” He didn’t want his cousins thinking he was too good to wash up.

“Yeah,” Rich agreed. “We’ll excuse you for tonight. For Elizabeth’s sake. Though why she needs to see your ugly mug I’ll never know.” Several of the young men laughed, but not Toby. He didn’t know why Elizabeth wanted to see him, but he was glad of the opportunity to see her.

He missed her.

“Shall I just go on up?” he asked, feeling a little awkward about going to Elizabeth’s bedroom.

“Sure. I’ll come up with you and get her supper tray. If I don’t, Red will get it and inspect the remains. Then he’ll lecture her if she didn’t finish it.”

Toby grinned, knowing Megan was right.

After knocking on the door, Megan pushed it open and announced Toby’s arrival.

When he entered behind her, he stared at a rosy-cheeked Elizabeth, dressed in a long-sleeved nightgown, in soft cream, her red curls on the pillow. He thought he’d never seen a more beautiful sight.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Well, you look a bit happier than the last time I saw you.”

“So do you. Do you have a cold?”

“Nope, I’m fine.” He walked a little closer to the bed.

She stretched out her hand, and he reluctantly took it, forcing himself to step closer. But it made him nervous. Elizabeth was always tempting. Elizabeth in a comfy bed could be overwhelming.

“I haven’t thanked you,” she whispered.

He looked at Megan, still in the room. “Um, I believe you did that night. Quite nicely. But you’ve forgotten because of the pain. So, that’s all taken care of.”

“I want to thank you again.”

“Okay, you just did.” His idea of a perfect thank-you would be to take her in his arms and kiss her. More than once. But he had a ways to go before that was a possibility. First he had to talk to his dad and Chad. Then, whether they approved or not, he knew he’d tell Elizabeth how he felt.

But then, he’d know whether he could offer her just himself, or the family they both loved.

Just thinking about it made him edgy. “I need to go.” He pulled his hand free and took a step back.

“Why? Are you going to town?”

“No! But, uh, I want to talk to my dad about something.”

“Training Buster? Is it going well?”

“Sure. Fine.”

“How did Lonnie do in the Reno rodeo?”

His gaze intensified. “He did well. Why? Are you interested in him?”

Her eyes widened in innocence. “Only as your friend. I thought it would be polite to ask.”

Toby chastised himself for his silly reaction. “Oh. Yeah, well, he did fine. Won some more points.” He took another step back.

Megan had been straightening Elizabeth’s room. Now she picked up the tray and said, “I’ll go down now.”

Toby immediately grabbed the opportunity to escape. “I’ll go with you,” he hurriedly said.

Elizabeth didn’t say anything, but she looked sad. Damn, if she started crying, he’d fall to his knees beside the bed. That would be a disaster. He hurried to the door and held it for Megan.

“Toby?” Elizabeth called softly.

He looked over his shoulder, holding tightly to the door. “Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“No problem, sweetheart,” he said in return and hurried out of the room.

Megan insisted on thanking him for visiting Elizabeth. He had to escape from her, too.

On the porch, he took a deep breath of mountain air and realized he’d just spent the easy part of the evening. Now he had to face Chad and Jake and explain why he was acting like a crazy man.

He checked his watch and realized they were probably already in the barn, waiting for him. He started down the path cleared of snow, trying to collect his thoughts. Easier said than done.

When he opened the door to the barn where old Buttercup spent her nights, Toby heard their voices. His dad and Uncle Chad were back in the tack room, probably working on gear that was broken. They never wasted time. Toby indulged himself by petting Buttercup, just long enough to gather his courage. Then he marched down the row of stables.

Their warm greeting when he appeared only reminded him again how much he’d be giving up if they didn’t approve of what he wanted to do. But he had no choice. He wasn’t going to give up Elizabeth.

“What’s on your mind, Toby?” Jake asked. “Are you ready to go back to the rodeo?”

It had never occurred to Toby that his father would think that. “No, Dad! No, I don’t want to go back to the rodeo. I’m happy here,” he added.

Jake sighed with relief.

Toby felt such gratitude toward his father. Jake didn’t want him to go, but he’d kept a smile on his lips when he’d asked that question. Jake was willing to let him go if that was what Toby wanted. What a father!

“I was hoping not,” Jake said, “but I couldn’t think of anything else it could be. Course I couldn’t figure why Chad would be here and not the other two. We all rely on you, you know.”

“Chad’s here because—” Toby broke off. He couldn’t quite get the words out. Then he drew a deep breath and squared his shoulders. “It’s about Elizabeth.”

Chad had been lolling on a bench, grinning at his oldest brother tying himself in knots. Suddenly he sat up straight, glaring at Toby. “What about Elizabeth?”

After all his worrying, his seeking the right words, the answer was painfully simple. “I’m in love with her.” Once he got the words out, he leaned against the wall and waited.

“But she’s your—” Chad began. Then he stopped, his mind obviously sorting through everything.

“But she’s not,” Jake said slowly, thinking, too. “Not by blood.”

“What does she say?” Chad asked.

Toby’s head came up. “She doesn’t know.”

Both men stared at him, stunned.

“How could I tell her? I’m her older cousin. I’ve protected her all her life. Now I become a—a predator?”

Jake cleared his throat. “I think you’re getting a little dramatic there, Toby.”

“I guess it is a little awkward,” Chad added. “How long— I mean, is this sudden?”

“Since I came home from college,” he muttered.

“That long? But you didn’t say anything.”

“She was a high-school senior, Dad. And I was a little stunned myself. I thought it would pass. But I couldn’t stay here. So I went to the rodeo. It didn’t pass.”

“And you didn’t come back until you heard she
was engaged,” Jake added, his eyes narrowed as he stared at him. “Did you come back to break it up?”

“No! I was happy for her…until I met Cleve. And I never said anything because I didn’t think either of you would approve. So I tried to bury my feelings. I thought I could come back home because she wouldn’t be living here anymore.” He paused and took a turn around the room. “But she’s not engaged anymore and I’m going crazy. I have to talk to her, to tell her how I feel, but I realize it will make things awkward if she has no feelings for me. I’ll…get my own place if—if she’s not interested.”

“So we’ll lose you again,” Jake muttered.

“No, Dad. I won’t go far away. And you and Mom can visit me instead of me coming over. We don’t see Uncle Griff that much, but you talk on the phone. It won’t be so bad.”

Jake embraced him.

“You two are acting like she’s not interested,” Chad said, pulling them apart. “I think it’s possible she is.”

Toby’s heart leaped, then settled back to its regular beat. He wasn’t sure Uncle Chad was that tuned to his daughter. After all, he’d thought she was going to elope when she’d decided to break up with Cleve.

“I just want to say,” Chad continued, sticking out his hand toward Toby, “that I’d be thrilled if she is. You’d be the best son-in-law in the world, Toby.”

Toby took Chad’s hand and was pulled into another embrace. “Uh, thanks, Uncle Chad.”

When he stepped back from Chad, he didn’t know what to say. Finally, he said, “So, I’ll find a time to talk to Elizabeth. Maybe after she’s recovered.”

“And I’ll explain things to your mother,” Jake added.

“And I’ll talk to Meggie. I don’t think she’ll object.”

“Our neighbors might talk. I mean, we were raised as cousins. Will that upset you?”

Jake grinned. “They did a lot of talking back when I was matchmaking. That doesn’t matter.”

“Your cousins may rib you a little,” Chad warned with a grin.

“Yeah,” Toby grinned back, knowing that for a certainty. But if it meant Elizabeth wanted him, that they could share a life together, he wouldn’t mind. He began to actually think of a future with Elizabeth at his side, in his arms, and his father had to grab him to bring him back to the present.

“Son! Is there anything we can do to help?”

“No, I guess not. Just—just prepare the mothers.”

“Don’t worry,” Jake said. “They always do what we want.”

All three men laughed at that obvious untruth.

E
LIZABETH
didn’t venture downstairs until mid-morning. Her ankle still hurt, but she hopped most of the way down the stairs on one foot.

Her mother heard her coming and opened the door to the kitchen. “How does it feel?”

“Still sore, but I’m going without the pain pill this morning.”

“Come on in and I’ll fix you some breakfast,” Megan said. She was the only one in the kitchen this morning. Red and Mildred had retired to their house across the yard. The men had taken some lunch with them and planned to be in early tonight. Megan had told the couple to take the day off until time to start dinner.

“Where’s Red?”

“He and Mildred went home. I’m in charge of lunch.”

“Is it just the two of us?” Elizabeth asked, wanting to be sure.

Megan nodded.

“Did you discuss my—my problem with Dad?” Elizabeth had wondered if her mother would, since they usually shared everything. That’s the way a marriage should be, she thought.

That was the kind of marriage she wanted…with Toby.

“No, not last night. We got to bed late and he fell right asleep. Do you want me to talk to him?”

“I don’t know. Did you talk to B.J.?”

Megan’s cheeks brightened. “Uh, yes. I didn’t do a good job of it, but I finally got it out.”

“Was she upset?”

“Not when I finally explained. But before, she thought I was accusing Toby of something.”

“What? But Toby hasn’t done anything wrong! He wouldn’t!”

Megan propped her hands on her hips. “Don’t yell at me, young lady. I didn’t accuse him of anything. B.J. just misunderstood. I straightened things out. Sort of.”

The sound of a truck brought them both to an abrupt halt. Since Elizabeth couldn’t get up, Megan crossed to the window. “It’s B.J. She’s back early.”

B.J. entered a minute later, shedding her heavy coat and setting her vet’s bag down by the door. “Brrr. It’s still cold out there. How are you today, Lizzie?”

“Fine, Aunt B.J. I just got up, and Mom’s fixing me a little breakfast.”

Megan greeted her sister-in-law by bringing a cup of coffee to the table. “This will warm you up.”

“Good. Red and Mildred okay?”

“Yes. I’m doing lunch today.”

“Glad to hear it. It will give them a break,” B.J. said with a smile, but she looked a little uneasy.

“Aunt B.J., I know Mom talked to you, but she was a little unclear about how you felt. I’d rather you be honest with me if you’re against me and—and Toby trying—I mean—I know we’re—”

“Perfect for each other?” B.J. asked, a relieved smile on her face.

“Do you really think so?” Elizabeth asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.

“Oh, yes. I’ve suspected before that you two
might—but you were a lot younger than him. Still are.”

“But I’m grown now.”

“Yes, and he waited for you. I kept wondering why he never showed any inclination to bring a girl home. Now I think I know.”

Megan put some toast in front of Elizabeth to go with her orange juice and looked at B.J. as she sat down. “You think he’s cared about her that long?”

“I’m not sure he knew why he didn’t find a woman, but no one interested him. So when are you going to propose to him?” B.J. asked, a teasing grin on her lips. “I want grandbabies!”

“Me, too!” Megan exclaimed. “Oh, I hadn’t even thought of that!”

“I had,” B.J. said. “If I have to wait for Caroline to finish med school and establish herself, I’ll be eighty before I get any.”

“You and Toby will make the most wonderful babies,” Megan said, a dreamy look on her face.

“And they’ll have Randall blood,” B.J. added softly.

A frown clouded Elizabeth’s happiness. “You don’t think that’s why—”

“No, not at all. Toby wouldn’t agree to anything unless he loved you.”

“Well, he hasn’t yet.” Elizabeth had to keep reminding herself that she hadn’t yet talked to Toby. “Did you talk to Uncle Jake?”

“No, he came to bed late. And he was in the
strangest mood. I decided to wait until later, when the time is right. But I don’t think he’ll object.”

“I didn’t mean to pressure you. I probably can’t get some time alone with Toby before the weekend anyway. He certainly didn’t linger in my bedroom last night.”

“Honey, it was awkward for him,” Megan said.