Randall Wedding (9 page)

“Okay, sure.” He figured he could hear the car returning more easily down there than he could shut up in the house.

“Remember, Mom, no talking to Isabella’s family. It will just be Randalls on Saturday. You promise?”

“I promise.” But he could see she still wasn’t happy about it.

“I’ll leave these packages here, okay?”

“Okay. What are they?”

“Cowboy gear for Isabella.”

“I’ll keep an eye on them.” Janie watched as her son and Red left the house. So he was only marrying Isabella because of the baby? But it was Isabella he was impatient to see, not the baby. And
it was Isabella for whom he’d bought cowboy gear. Janie was feeling better about this marriage with every passing minute. But she wished they’d agree to invite Izzy’s family.

“O
H
,
MY
, I
HAD NO IDEA
there would be so much work involved,” Isabella protested as she collapsed in a stuffed chair.

“I know,” Megan agreed. “We’ve finally finished the living room, but we have a lot more rooms to work on. And there’s so much stuff. I don’t know where we’ll store it.”

Mildred nodded. “Though I sure wouldn’t mind buying that painting of the mountains.”

“Oh, Mildred, please take it. You’ve all been so good to me. I was afraid…I mean, I didn’t think you would welcome me like you have.”

“And why wouldn’t we?” Mildred challenged. “Not only are you sweet and beautiful, but you make Russ want to live again.”

“It’s not me. It’s Angel. While I was sick, he took complete care of her. Then, as I got better, I had to fight just to get to feed her,” she told them with a smile on her lips. “He’s promised to keep my baby safe.”

“You, too, I hope,” Megan said.

“I don’t want him to get hurt,” Isabella said.

“What is it your father wants so badly?” Megan asked.

“My aunt owned the majority of shares in the family company. She gave him the power of attor
ney, so he controlled her vote. Now that I’ve inherited the shares, he’ll want my power of attorney. I don’t trust him.”

“Ah. A power struggle. Sounds dangerous to me.”

“I know. And Russ said I should just give the shares to him. But that would be giving away Angel’s birthright.”

“And letting him win,” Mildred added.

“Yes,” Isabella agreed, nodding firmly. “That’s not right.”

“No, but it might be smarter. We want you and Angel to be safe. And Russ, too.”

“I know,” Isabella said. “That’s my dilemma.”

“Well, if you’re going to be there when Russ arrives, we’d better hurry back to the ranch,” Mildred said. “It’s ten till four already.”

Mildred couldn’t have said anything that got Isabella moving faster than that. Both women noticed her eagerness to see Russ again. They figured it was a good sign.

Red watched as Russ ran out of the barn at the sound of a car, their conversation completely forgotten.

He followed Russ and stood with Megan and Mildred as Russ grabbed Isabella’s hand and tugged her toward the house. “Wait until you see what I bought you.”

“But you shouldn’t have bought me anything, Russ.”

“Yes, I should’ve. You’ll need them.”

The pair disappeared into the house.

“Well, well, well, so he’s marrying for the baby’s sake, is he?” Red said.

“That’s what he says,” Mildred said. “That’s what she says, too. But when I told her she’d be late, she rushed around like the house was on fire.”

“I think Janie’s right. I think Russ cares about Isabella, but he’s afraid to admit it,” Megan said.

“Yep,” Red agreed. “Let’s follow them. We’ve got to start dinner.”

Once inside the house, they found Janie at the table, but no sign of Russ and Isabella. “Where did the kids go?” Red asked.

“Upstairs to try on her new things,” Janie said, seemingly satisfied with their action.

“We all agree with you about what’s going on,” Mildred said.

“Good. Oh, Red, I invited Rich, Samantha and Mom over for dinner.” Janie smiled. “I gave them my opinion about what’s going on.”

“I hope you told them not to say anything,” Red said.

“Of course.”

“R
USS
, I
CAN’T
come out,” Isabella called through the door.

“Why not? I want to see you in the jeans.”

“They’re too tight, Russ. I guess I’ve gained weight since I got to Rawhide.”

He knew better than that. She’d only eaten for the past couple of days. And then not much. “Open the door and let me see,” he ordered.

She finally opened the door a couple of inches. From the way she’d talked, he’d expected to find the jeans unsnapped. But they fit her perfectly. He pushed the door all the way open. “You look great!”

“Russ! I’m afraid to bend over. They’ll split if I do.”

“No. That’s the way they’re supposed to fit. Now let’s try on the boots.”

“But I don’t have any socks. I’ll have to—”

“Mom!” Russ called down the stairs. “We need a pair of socks for Izzy.”

“Russ! I have socks, but—”

“You need thick ones for the boots. Here comes Mom. She’ll get you some.”

Isabella tried to close the door. “I don’t want her to see me! These jeans are too tight.”

“Mom, tell Isabella her jeans aren’t too tight. They look great.” Russ motioned his mother over.

“They do look good, Isabella,” Janie said. “We all wear our jeans a little tighter than your tailored pants.” She went into her room and came out with a pair of thick socks. “These should work with the boots. Oh, I invited Rich and Samantha and your grandmother for dinner tonight, Russ.” Then she disappeared back down the stairs.

“I thought your grandmother was dead,” Isabella said, distracted from her difficulties.

“This is my mother’s mother. You’ll like her. She lives with Rich and Samantha on her ranch, the one Rich and I and Casey will inherit. Rich runs it.”

“Oh. Is it big?”

“Fair size.”

“Does that mean you’ll quit your job?”

“Gosh, no! Rich does a good job of running it. I might go help during roundup each year, but he managed this year without me.” He guided her to the bed. “Sit down and I’ll put your socks on you.”

“I can do that.”

“Yeah, but I’m going to do it. Cute toes,” he said as his warm hand cupped one foot. Her toenails were painted pink, like her fingernails.

“Th-thank you.”

After he had that sock on, he took the boot for that foot and pulled out the packing material. He flexed the boot to loosen it up a little. Then he ordered, “Slide your foot inside.”

She had to stand up to do as he asked. After a struggle, she got her foot completely inside the boot. “I suppose you wear these tighter than normal shoes, too.”

“It just feels like it because they’re closed in. Sit back down and we’ll get the other one on.” He slid the sock on and then presented the boot. She put one hand on his shoulder as she stood and slid her foot in. “Okay,” she said, a little breathless, “I’ve got them on. What are the other packages?”

“Well, you can’t wear your mink coat on a horse, so I bought you a ski jacket. It’s blue to match your eyes.” He held it out for her. Then he opened the last package and plopped a black Stetson hat on her head.

“I need a cowboy hat? Why?”

“I started to get you a knit cap, but when the sun’s shining down on you, you need the shade. Or if it’s raining or snowing, you need it, too.”

“Why would you ride if it’s raining or snowing?”

“You might not have a choice. Weather can change quickly. You have to be prepared.” He
stepped back and studied her critically. Then he smiled. “Perfect.”

“What?” she asked him, a little confused.

“You,” he said succinctly. Then he stepped forward and dropped a kiss on her lips.

“Russ!” she protested.

“We’ll have to do that at the wedding. I thought we should practice beforehand, that’s all. Besides, you look real cute as a cowgirl.” He took her hand. “Let’s go show everyone.”

Reluctantly, she followed him.

All the mothers and Mildred and Red were in the kitchen. B.J. had just come back from doing vet work and was dressed quite similarly to Isabella, which relieved Isabella’s mind about how appropriately she was dressed.

“You look wonderful, Izzy,” Janie said.

“I feel rather bizarre,” she said, slanting a look at Russ.

He simply grinned. Then he said to the others, “We’re going to the arena to give Izzy her first riding lesson.”

“Dinner is at six, boy, so don’t be late,” Red warned.

“I figure she’ll only manage an hour today, Red. I don’t want her to get too sore.” Russ took Isabella’s hand as he spoke and started pulling her toward the door. She almost tripped on the boots, since she wasn’t used to walking in them.

“Son, take things slowly, okay?”

“Sure, Mom.” He agreed cheerfully, not slowing down at all.

Isabella gave them all a fleeting wave, apprehension on her face.

“Y
OU’VE NEVER BEEN
on a horse?” Russ asked again as they strode down a path to one of the larger buildings.

“No. I’ve seen the police riding them, that’s all.”

“Okay, we’ll start by introducing you to some horses. You want to see the babies first?”

“You have babies? Yes, I want to see the babies.”

They entered the second barn. “This is where we put the mamas when it’s time. I think Red said this one was born yesterday.”

Isabella looked over the half door and saw a mare with a tiny, fragile-looking horse only a couple of feet tall standing next to her.

“Oh,” she said, letting go of some of her fears, “he’s beautiful.”

“She. This is a filly.”

“Can I pet her?”

“Probably not. She’s her mama’s first baby. They’re both a little nervous.”

Russ tugged Isabella along to the next stall. “This lady is an old hand at having babies. Besides, the baby is almost a week old. We wouldn’t have him in here except for the early snowstorm. You can pet him.”

This foal was a little bigger and seemed much more comfortable on his wobbly legs. Isabella reached over the door to pet him, but he was too far away.

Russ undid the gate, startling her. “Don’t let them out!” she protested.

“I’m not, honey. I’m letting you in.”

She took a step back. “You want me to go in there? The mother is so big. What if she gets angry?”

“I’m going with you. I’ll protect you.” He led the way into the stall. “Hello, Marmie,” he said softly, rubbing the mare’s nose.

“Her name is Marmie?”

“No. Her name is Marmalade. Come rub her nose. It’s very soft.”

“But I wanted to pet her baby.”

“You have to make friends with her mother first. Take off your gloves.” He took them from her and stuck them in her coat pocket. “Now, reach out and rub her nose.”

She hesitantly did so. “She won’t bite me?”

“Nope, not Marmie. We have a few horses that might do that, but not her.”

Isabella rubbed her hand back and forth. “You’re right. Her nose is very soft.”

“Yeah. Now that you’ve got his mama’s scent on you, the colt might let you pet him.” He reached out slowly to the colt and put a firm hand on his back. “Try him.”

She stretched her hand out and gently rubbed the
colt’s nose even as he stepped back toward his mother. The mare moved several steps, too, which scared Isabella and she jumped back, landing against Russ’s solid body.

“Easy there. You’re okay.”

“I th-think I’ve petted him enough.” She pressed even closer to Russ.

He put his arm around her and moved them both out of the stall. “You did fine for the first time. Did you like it?”

“Yes, but the mother is so big! What if she steps on me?”

Russ grinned at her. “You’ll walk with a limp for a few days.”

“Oh.”

She looked so worried, even though they’d left the stall, he couldn’t resist kissing her. His lips touched hers, and this kiss was a little longer, a little more intimate and definitely hotter than the last kiss.

He turned her around and pulled her against him, and he kissed her again. When he raised his head, he said, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

“It’s very nice, but…but it worries me.”

“Why does it worry you?”

“We’re not supposed to…to…you know.”

“We didn’t say we couldn’t. Just that we weren’t planning on it. But we’re going to be married a long time. Are we going to do without for the rest of our lives?”

“I hadn’t thought about it.”

“Well, I think you’d better think about it. Because if you don’t like me kissing you, you probably won’t like anything else.”

Isabella gave him a quick look. Then she stepped away. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it. But I’ve had a lot of changes. I just hadn’t thought… Do we have to right away?”

“No, I guess not. Come on, let’s go put you on a horse.”

“Why?”

“How else will you learn to ride?”

“Why do I have to learn to ride?”

“Well, when Angel grows some and we’re going on a camping trip, are you going to want to stay at home every time?”

“Can’t we go camping in a truck?”

He took her hand and pulled her to the door of the barn. Then he put his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward the ridge of mountains that ran along the western horizon. “See those mountains? That’s where we like to go camping. A truck can’t get up them. There are no roads.”

“Oh. But can’t we take things more slowly? I have so much to worry about that I can’t think about horses now.”

He ran his hands through his hair. “I didn’t realize it required so much thought.”

“It’s hard to learn new things when you’re an adult.” She shivered in the cold air.

“Okay, I guess we can wait until after we’re
married. After all, Angel isn’t likely to ask to go camping in the next two years.”

“But when she’s three, she will? I don’t think that will happen. And even if it does, I won’t let her go when she’s that young.”

“You’re not going to mollycoddle her, are you?”

“What does that mean, mollycoddle?”

“It means treat her like a baby.”

Isabella frowned at him, her hands on her hips. “She
is
a baby. Of course I’m going to treat her like one!”

“I don’t want her to be afraid of her own shadow.”

“And I don’t want her to get hurt!”

“I’m not going to hurt her. What’s the matter with you?”

“Nothing’s wrong with me! You’re the crazy one, the one not keeping his promises! I’m beginning to think I’ve made a huge mistake!”

By now they were both shouting.

“If you think you’ve made a mistake, just take your baby and go. I’m certainly not going to hold you to anything!”

“Fine! I will!” She pushed her way out of the barn and stomped down the path in her new boots.

“Fine!” Russ hollered after her. “See if I care!” He was determined this woman was not going to hurt him.

Halfway to the house, he was joined by his twin
brother and his wife, Samantha. “Hey, Russ. Congratulations. Mom told us the good news.”

“Don’t congratulate me! The wedding is off!”

Rich and Samantha came to a halt, staring at Russ, who continued to the house.

I
SABELLA WAS DEVASTATED
. She dashed into the kitchen, tears running down her cheeks, forgetting about all the people in the house.

She was halfway through the kitchen when reality hit her. “Oh!” That made the tears fall harder and she ran for the bedroom she’d used the night before. Though, if she was breaking off the marriage with Russ, they probably wouldn’t want her there any longer.

She had no place to go. No one to help her. It would just be her and Angel against the world. She cried even more.

She fell across the bed, trying to keep her sobs quiet so she wouldn’t wake the baby.

“Izzy? Come in to our room so you won’t wake the baby,” Janie said softly, taking her arm to guide her.

She’d obviously followed Isabella up the stairs.

Isabella was scarcely conscious of movement. She didn’t know what to do or where to go, but someone did. That was a comforting thought.

“What’s wrong?” Janie asked as she and Isabella entered her room. The other three Randall women were there, waiting for them.

“Russ refuses to marry me because I can’t ride a horse.”

Isabella fell into a chair, covering her face.

“But I thought he was going to teach you,” Megan said.

“I didn’t want to learn now. I’m…I’m scared of horses.”

She sobbed several times. “He said he and Angel would go camping without me. I said I wouldn’t let Angel go and he yelled at me!”

“The beast!” Janie said, biting her bottom lip.

Surprised by Janie’s sympathy, Isabella looked up to see laughter in Janie’s gaze. “I guess it wasn’t a good idea. I don’t think I can…he changed his mind. And I said not now. And…and he…”

More tears.

“He changed his mind about marrying you?” B.J. asked in surprise.

“No. He changed his mind about…kissing and s-stuff.”