Randall Wedding (10 page)

“And you said you weren’t ready to change the rules, and he got upset,” Megan added. “That’s what happened, wasn’t it?”

“How d-did you know?” Isabella asked in surprise. “And I have to leave now. I can’t stay here if there’s not going to be a wedding. That wouldn’t be right. But I don’t know where to go or what to do.”

“Of course you don’t,” Janie said with a sigh, pulling Isabella into her arms. “But you’re wrong
about leaving. You can stay here as a guest. As my friend.”

Isabella turned tragic eyes on Janie. “No, I couldn’t. That wouldn’t be fair to Russ.”

Janie kissed her cheek. “Yes, it would. Go back to your room and lie down. We’ll go talk to Russ. You know, in spite of having been married, he doesn’t understand women all that well. Abby just agreed with everything he said.”

“No wonder he doesn’t like me,” Isabella muttered under her breath as she headed back to her own room.

The women all looked at each other. “The problem,” Janie said, “is that he likes her too much. He’s thawing out fast and doesn’t understand why she isn’t.”

“The poor girl is under so much pressure. Can we explain it to him?” Megan asked.

“Pete will.”

They headed downstairs for some masculine input.

D
OWNSTAIRS
,
THINGS WERE
just erupting. Russ said nothing about the argument when he came inside. His father headed across the room to ask him what he’d done to Isabella when Rich and Samantha entered the room and asked what had happened. That distracted Pete. By the time they had explained what they were asking, everyone turned to stare at Russ.

“What’s wrong with you, boy?” Red asked.
“That doesn’t sound like you. And Isabella is so sweet.”

“I don’t want to discuss it,” Russ said.

“But you’re going to have to. Is the wedding off?” his father asked.

“Yes! She refuses to marry me. It’s not my fault.”

“Well, I think it is,” Janie announced as she entered the room, followed by her sisters-in-law.

“Damn it! It’s my life. Leave me alone!”

“We left you alone last time, and you lost eighteen months of living. Now, when you’ve finally come to your senses, you want us to give you up again?” Janie stared at her son. “Well, I won’t do it. And I won’t let you hurt Isabella.”

“I’m not hurting her. She’s hurting me!”

Pete stepped forward before his wife and son came to blows. “Russ, go to Jake’s office. I’ll be there in a minute to talk to you.” When Pete used that tone of voice, his sons didn’t argue with him.

Russ silently left the room.

Then Pete turned to his wife. “Come on, Janie. We need to have a little chat before I talk to Russ.”

“Need any help?” Jake asked.

Pete smiled at his older brother. “I guess I’d better handle this one on my own.”

“Russ might want me there,” Rich said.

“You’ve been married almost two years. You think that makes you an expert?” Pete asked, grinning faintly.

“Nope. But Russ is my twin. If he’s hurting, I want to help.”

“Okay, son. Go on into Jake’s office and keep him company. I’ll be there in a minute.”

When Pete walked into Jake’s office, he found his twin sons chatting quietly.

“I’m glad you’ve calmed down, Russ. That was quite a scene you were creating out there.”

“I’m sorry, Dad, but Isabella…she backed out of the marriage.”

“Did she?”

“Yeah. She doesn’t even like it when I kiss her!” His voice was rising again.

“Keep your voice down. I thought you promised that you would be friends, nothing else. Did you change your mind?”

“Hell, Dad, I promised to stay married to her forever, too. Was I supposed to do without any sex forever? That doesn’t seem fair. Especially when she’s so beautiful.”

“I wondered about that.”

“So what was I supposed to do?”

“He’s got a point, Dad. His life would be miserable. He’d have to cheat on his marriage vows,
or Isabella would have to—and she said she didn’t want to,” Rich protested, staunchly on his brother’s side.

“Everyone draw a deep breath.” Then Pete began his conversation where his wife said the difficulty had begun. “Why did you decide to teach Isabella to ride today?”

“She doesn’t know how.”

“She needs to know how to ride today?”

“Well, no, of course not, but eventually she will.”

“I agree, Dad,” Rich added.

“Learning something new as an adult can be difficult. It requires a lot of energy and concentration,” Pete pointed out. “If a person, say, Isabella, had a lot of other problems to deal with, problems like her father trying to hurt her, taking care of a newborn baby, dealing with a husband who betrayed her and then died, moving away from home to a place where she didn’t know anyone, mourning an aunt she’d never met who died before she could get here, being ill, you know, a few problems like that, do you think it would affect her willingness to take on something else? Other than marrying a stranger, I mean.”

“I forgot about all the problems she was facing.” Russ ducked his head, embarrassed at his behavior.

“Not only that, son, but if she’s not going to marry you, who’s going to protect her from her father? Who will protect Angel? Do you think she’ll let you? Do you think she’ll stay here?”

Russ began to realize the enormity of what their argument had done. “Damn! I didn’t think. I just didn’t think.”

“But, Dad,” Rich said, “he can’t make that kind of promise! It just won’t work.”

“I know that. But he could promise a year. He’s gone eighteen months without any intimacy. I think he could wait a year, give Isabella a chance to settle in, resolve her issues with her father, let her feel at home here. She might look at everything differently then. Don’t you agree, Russ?”

“Yeah. I… Things have been changing so quickly, I let myself get out of control. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t think you need to apologize to me. But Isabella shed a few tears, you know.”

Taking a deep breath, Russ said, “I’ll go talk to her.”

“I knew you’d do the right thing, Russ. After you convince her, bring her down for dinner.”

“Yes, sir,” Russ agreed before he left the room.

“Man, that was masterful,” Rich muttered, thinking of his own role as father to his year-old son. “I’m going to need to take lessons before Andy gets much older.”

“No hurry. Girls complicate life, yes, but Andy won’t be interested in them for a while yet. You’ve got time. Let’s go get us some dinner.”

I
SABELLA HAD STOPPED
crying. She lay on the bed, trying to make plans for the morning. She’d have to see if her car was ready. Russ had called some
one after the blizzard stopped to have it towed and repaired. If it wasn’t ready, she’d buy a new car.

She certainly couldn’t hang around here. But she hated the thought of telling everyone goodbye.

A knock sounded on the door. She figured Janie was worried about her not eating. As if she could keep anything down. But she had to be polite. She slid off the bed and opened her door. Only to try to shut it again. She didn’t want to talk to Russ.

“Sweetheart, I want to apologize,” he pleaded.

“It’s not necessary. Just go away.”

“Not until I know you’re okay…and you’re still going to marry me.”

“I can’t.”

“Why? Because you’re afraid of horses? I shouldn’t have pressed you on that. You have lots of time to learn how to ride. Or never to learn if you don’t want to. And you have to marry me so I can take care of you and Angel. I promised.”

“But I don’t know if…I’m not ready to…”

“I know. We’ll give it a year, after things have had plenty of time to settle. I won’t pressure you in any way. We’ll work something out. Okay?”

“And if we don’t?”

“We will. Look, honey, I’ve been in the deep freeze for a long time. My life started changing so quickly I forgot things I’d learned. Like discipline, thinking about someone else’s feelings, giving instead of taking. Things got out of hand today. But it won’t happen again.”

“I told you I was taking advantage of you. Now you know it’s true.”

“No, it’s not,” he said. “Today I was taking advantage of you. Forgive me?”

Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to be difficult.”

“Lord have mercy. You’re making me feel even worse.” He put his arms around her and pulled her close.

She immediately stiffened.

“No, honey, I’m not trying to kiss you. I just want you to know I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” She eased out of his arms. “Are you sure you want to go ahead with the wedding?”

“Yeah. It’s going to be a big social event in Rawhide. We can’t disappoint people,” he added with a chuckle.

“That’s not a good reason—”

“I was just trying to make it easier. We’re going ahead for the best reason in the world. For Angel. We’re going to take care of her, and we’ll be happy, too. I’m sure of it. Now come downstairs and have some dinner.”

“Russ, I can’t face all of them! What will they think?”

“They’ll think I’m a monster. But if you want to eat up here, I’ll go down and fix you a plate.”

“No. If you can face them, I can, too. I have to learn to be braver.”

“You set out on your own with a little baby, Isabella. I don’t think your bravery is in question.
Come on.” He took her hand and turned toward the door. Then he reached out a hand to smooth her hair and led her downstairs.

“Any food left?” Russ asked as they entered the kitchen.

“Just a little,” Red answered, grinning. “Izzy, you make sure he serves you first. Otherwise, you won’t get much.”

Her cheeks were red, but Isabella held her chin high. “Russ will make sure I do. He’s very thoughtful.”

He squeezed her hand. “And she’s very forgiving. The wedding’s still on.”

Everyone cheered.

R
USS HELD HIMSELF
together until he returned to his apartment. Then, alone, he had to face himself. He’d acted badly this evening. Because he wanted Isabella. He’d been lying to himself all along. Oh, he loved Angel and would enjoy being her daddy. But he’d felt an attraction to Isabella all along.

Once he’d kissed her, he’d felt an overpowering craving to touch her again. And the way he’d lived the past months had left him with no restraint. He was like a river breaking its banks and flowing wherever it wanted. He’d told himself he could never love again. But he was still alive. Very much so.

He’d thought Abby would never forgive him if he looked for happiness with another woman, but
he’d been using her as an excuse because he was afraid of being hurt again.

Now it was too late. He wanted to be Isabella’s husband in every sense of the word. But he’d promised.

So, as his father wisely said, he’d have to give Isabella time to adjust to Rawhide and their lifestyle. He’d have to wait until she dealt with her father. What if she decided to go back to New York? That thought bothered him. He’d suffer again. Could he convince her to stay here?

He didn’t know. But he couldn’t act as he had this afternoon. That much he knew. He’d been given a second chance, and he wasn’t going to blow it.

T
HE NEXT FEW DAYS
were busy. They moved a lot of the furniture out of the house Isabella had inherited from her great-aunt and hired some women to give it a thorough cleaning. Isabella discussed modernizing the kitchen with him. He voted for the same for the bathrooms.

It was a lovely old home, but it needed a lot of work. More insulation would be good, too. The furnace had a hard time keeping it warm. He packed some of his clothes the night before the wedding so he’d have changes of clothes there, but he left most of his things in the apartment.

Saturday morning Rich showed up on his doorstep.

“What are you doing here?” Russ asked.

“You haven’t forgotten you’re getting married today, have you?” Rich asked. “I’m your best man. I thought I should make sure you get to the ranch on time.”

Russ grinned. “I’ll be there. But since you’re here, come on in. I’ve made a pot of coffee.”

“Good. I picked up some cinnamon buns.”

“Now I’m glad you came!” Russ teased as he stood back for his twin to enter. Soon they were seated at the table, enjoying their breakfast.

“Are you doing okay?” Rich asked. “I thought you might be having a hard time this morning.”

“No, I’m okay.” Russ chewed on the bun for several minutes. “I know Abby wouldn’t have wanted me to live like I have. I certainly wouldn’t want that for her. I think I was indulging in a long temper fit. But now I’m okay.”

“Good. I wouldn’t want to miss you again.”

They shared a smile.

“I only have one other question,” Rich continued.

“What’s that?”

“You’re not going to move to New York, are you?”

“No. And I’m going to try to convince Isabella not to do so, either. I don’t think she and Angel would be safe there.”

“You really think her father would harm either of them?”

“She’s a stubborn woman. And their difficulty involves millions of dollars. Her father’s ego is in
volved, too. She can take away his income and his job if she wants to.”

“When will he know she has that power?”

“Probably Monday.”

“Okay, we’ll work out a schedule to stand guard.”

“I don’t think he’ll be vicious right away. He’ll try to talk her into giving in to him. We can wait and see how he reacts.”

“You sure?”

“I think so.”

T
HE TWINS STOOD
at the altar beside their pastor in the same church where the two of them were married in the same ceremony two and a half years ago. This time, only Russ would be getting married. But it felt eerily similar.

Elizabeth had volunteered to be matron of honor, wearing the bridesmaid dress she’d worn for a friend’s wedding. The color was blue. It turned out to be Isabella’s favorite color.

When the music began, Jake, who’d volunteered to escort the bride down the aisle, entered the church with Isabella on his arm. She’d followed Russ’s wishes, wearing her hair down, the dark curls dancing on her shoulders under the veil.

She was beautiful.

Russ smiled at her, taking her hand as she and Jake reached him. Jake took his place on the second aisle across from Janie and Pete.

Isabella had a questioning look in her blue eyes,
and Russ squeezed her hand to reassure her. The minister led them through the ceremony. Russ was glad he’d cleared his mind about what he was doing. He could honestly repeat the vows now that he knew he wanted Isabella as his wife. Her fingers trembled in his as he slid the gold band he’d bought for her on her finger. But she managed to put his band on his finger. Her eyes had lit up when he’d shown her the matching bands.

Apparently she’d thought he wouldn’t be willing to wear a ring. She looked up into his eyes as she said the last of the vows. He smiled reassuringly. Then they reached the best part.

“Russ, you may kiss your bride.”

He slid his arms around her and his lips covered hers. The kiss was still as sweet as it had been the last time he kissed her, but he knew now it might be a while before he kissed her again, so he wasn’t in any hurry.

Some applause broke out and he reluctantly released her. Her eyes were wide and she continued to stare at him until the minister turned them both toward the audience. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Russell Randall. May God bless this union.”

The wedding march began again and everyone stood and clapped. Russ led Isabella down the aisle and out the church to the limo his father had hired from Buffalo. Isabella’s mink coat and his dress overcoat waited in the car for them. The driver
closed the door, climbed into the front of the car and started the trip to the ranch.

“We did it,” Isabella said in a disbelieving voice. “I didn’t really think we would actually marry. Are you sure you aren’t sorry?”

“No, sweetheart, I’m not sorry. We’re going to do fine. And you don’t have to whisper. He can’t hear us unless I turn on the intercom.”

“Should we have gotten Angel from your mom?”

“No, she’ll bring her home to us.”

“Did…did your mom tell you she asked me to call her Mom?”

“Izzy, you act like that will make me mad. That’s wonderful.”

“Yes. She…she’s so sweet to me.”

“She always wanted daughters.” He wanted badly to kiss Isabella again, but he didn’t dare. He might lose control. “Did you know Samantha is an orphan, too?” He laughed and added, “I guess technically you can’t be called an orphan since your father is alive, but it’s sort of the same.”

“Yes, it is. I like Samantha. She told me all about her life until she met Rich. I wouldn’t be nearly as brave as her being out on her own since she was sixteen. That was so young. And I imagine a rodeo life can be hard.”

“Yes, it is, but you’d do what you have to do, like Samantha.”

She was contemplating his response when her
stomach growled. “Oh, I’m sorry. I couldn’t eat before the wedding and suddenly I’m hungry.”

“There will be plenty of food at the ranch.”

“I know. Red and Mildred have cooked nonstop for three days, and the others have pitched in part of the time. I’m amazed at how well they work together. It’s so nice to see relatives living together and enjoying it.”