Authors: Judy Christenberry
“Doc says he’s fine. But they’re going to keep him overnight to be sure.”
“Damn. I should’ve had him tested before I ordered him to work out.”
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. “Boss, don’t feel too bad. He didn’t do much jogging. He mostly walked.”
“You went with him?”
“Yeah,” Harry said with a grin. “I jogged in circles waiting for him to catch up. Two blocks and he said he couldn’t go on. I’m the one who insisted he keep going, so it’s my fault if it’s anyone’s.”
“I gave the order,” Mike reminded him. “Anyway, everyone is going to be checked before there’s any more jogging.”
“We are? Hmm, I hope I get to see Caroline instead of Jon,” Harry said with a grin.
Mike tried to keep a calm face, in spite of the jealous pang he felt. “She’s too old for you, boy.”
“I think that’s up to her, boss.”
“No harassing, you hear?”
Harry feigned shock. “I’d never do that!”
“Okay. I want you to go over to the general store. They’ve been losing inventory. Give them some ideas about catching shoplifters, and look for ways they can improve surveillance.”
“Yes, sir. Shall I take Steve with me? He worked there when he was in high school. Might have some insight.”
“Good idea. Check with me when you get back.”
“Yes, sir.”
After the men left, Mike reminded himself how much he liked Harry and how he thought he’d turn out to be one of his best deputies. He shouldn’t let his judgment be altered by jealousy.
He drew a deep breath and tried to concentrate on his paperwork. Not on Caroline.
“T
OMORROW AT EIGHT
? At the Sheriff’s Office?”
Jon nodded. “I thought that would be more efficient. I approve of Mike’s intention to keep his men in good shape, but Willie shouldn’t have overdone it the first day.”
“Willie jogged for an hour?”
“Well, actually, that’s what
he
told me. Harry brought him in, and, privately, he said Willie walked all that time. I think I’ll recommend his walking for half an hour and maybe some weight work for fifteen minutes. It ought to improve his health quite a bit.”
“Yes, of course. I noticed the weight he carried. In
his present state, he’s a heart attack waiting to happen. The rest of them are in pretty good shape, aren’t they?”
“I think so, but I’m sure several of them don’t do any exercising. Starting can be a shock to the body.”
“Okay. I’ll be there at eight in the morning. Will we see everyone?”
“I think we can check the two coming off duty before they leave and then get the two who go on early duty. The others report in at noon. I reckon they’ll come over to the office.”
“So we’ll see our police jogging all over town now?”
“Harry said Mike is planning on turning the back storeroom into a place to work out. I may offer free exams if he’ll let me work out there, too.”
“So I’d be the only bad guy, charging for my work?” she teased. “I’ll just donate mine without demanding anything in return. Then you’ll be the bad guy.”
Jon laughed. “Somehow, Caro, I don’t think you’ll be considered a guy, no matter what.”
“Oh, you!” She shook her head and went back to work.
Caroline left the clinic at five and, after stopping to check on Mr. Gambil, hurried home. She made her bed when she got there, trying not to recall what had tangled the sheets last night. Then she took a hot shower. It felt so good. Afterward, she dressed in wool slacks and another sweater. She was sure Mike wouldn’t be dressed in a suit tonight. Not if he’d told the truth and he was going to her home to do police business.
She wrinkled her nose as she dusted it with powder.
She didn’t bother with much makeup. Her naturally dark lashes needed no mascara, so she just used a little lipstick and powder.
She checked her watch as she heard a knock on her door. Though Mike was a bit early, she wasn’t going to complain. But she’d changed her mind about talking to him on the way out to the ranch. They’d talk on the way home. Then she wouldn’t have to spend the evening with him after he was repulsed by her situation.
She opened the door. “Mike, you’re early.”
“Not much,” he assured her. As if it were a natural reaction, his arms slid around her and his lips covered hers in a passionate kiss. She didn’t intend to respond. She told herself that even as she did. When he lifted his lips, he buried his face in her hair and drew a deep breath. “I’ve been waiting for that all day.”
“Mike, we can’t—I mean, we were going to forget about—”
“Like hell we were. You may be able to, but I can’t. I haven’t thought of much else all day.”
She shoved her way out of his embrace, feeling chilled when she left his warmth. “We’ll talk after we have dinner.”
“We will?”
“On the way home. Yes, we need to clear the air.”
“I like the air just fine.” He studied her, making the blood rush to her cheeks.
“I—I need to braid my hair.” She hurried from the room, thinking she would leave Mike behind for a few minutes so she could regain her composure.
“Want me to do that for you?”
She spun around. He had followed her. “No. Go sit down. I’ll be out in a minute.”
He shrugged his shoulders and went back into the living room.
She drew a deep breath. The man was going to drive her crazy. Every time he touched her, she lost control. That had never happened with Don. Another condemnation of their relationship.
After braiding her hair, she gave herself a pep talk in the mirror. But whatever confidence she’d instilled evaporated the moment she reentered the living room. Just being near Mike made her unsteady.
Best to keep it on a professional level, she told herself. “So I hear you’re starting a new physical program for your deputies.”
Mike shrugged. “I want them to be in good shape. Makes it less likely they’ll resort to gunfire.”
The respect she felt for his lawman abilities increased. “I think that’s good. I’ll be over with Jon in the morning to check out your men.”
“I appreciate that. You ready?”
“Yes, of course.” She grabbed her coat from the hook by the door.
He took it from her and held it out while she slid her arms in. “Thank you,” she said, trying to avoid his touch.
Once they were driving to the ranch, silence reigned. Finally Mike cleared his throat. “You sure you don’t want to talk now?”
“I’m sure,” she said firmly. “You’re going to talk to Dad after dinner?”
“Actually, to Jake and all three of his brothers, and Toby. I understand he has an equal role in decisions on the ranch.”
“And Jim, too. He has his own herd, but he also works with the family.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“So your conversation has nothing to do with me?”
Mike gave her a long look before he turned back to his driving. “Anything I have to say about you will be said to you. At least right now.”
“Okay,” she said, relief flowing through her. She hadn’t quite believed that their dinner tonight had nothing to do with her.
They were warmly greeted when they entered the Randall house. “You’re all still acting like I live miles away,” Caroline complained. “I’m just in Rawhide now.”
Her dad put his arm around her. “We’re still glad to see you, honey. And always will be.”
She hugged him again. “I’m glad to see you, too.”
Jake turned to Mike. “Red said you needed to talk to us?”
Mike shook his extended hand. “Yes, sir. I’m going to make the rounds of all the ranchers to see if they can help out.”
“Good. I look forward to hearing what you’ve got in mind.”
The children were gathering around the table, their parents helping them get settled. When Casey saw his basketball coach, he hurried over to shake his hand.
“Coach, I didn’t know you’d be here. How are your ribs?”
Mike actually blushed, which amused Caroline. It was good to see him embarrassed for a change.
“They’re fine, Casey. I should be back at practice next Monday. How’s it going?”
“I tried that move you showed me and it worked like a charm. You should’ve seen it!”
Pete came and put his hands on his youngest son’s shoulders. The high school senior was as tall as his dad. “Casey raves about your help, Mike. We appreciate it.”
“My pleasure, Mr. Randall. Casey works hard, which makes it fun to teach him.”
Pete beamed. “Make it Pete, Mike. There are too many Randalls.”
“All you Randalls better get to the table,” Red warned. “And guests, too,” he said, looking at Mike. “Or you’ll be missing dinner.”
“Okay, Red,” Casey said. He looked at Mike. “You joining us?”
Pete answered before Mike could. “He’s going to eat with us, son. We’ve got business to take care of.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ll see you Monday, Coach.”
“Okay, Casey.”
“Actually,” Jake said, coming back to Mike, “we could talk now while the children eat. We usually eat in here after them. Unless you think it will take more time?”
“Not at all. That will be fine.” Mike figured it might give him more time alone with Caroline. He’d never complain about that.
Jake said a few words to his brothers and his son, and they all moved into Jake’s office.
Mike took one of the chairs offered and waited until everyone was seated. “I won’t make this long. I want my staff to maintain a certain physical ability. I’ve offered to pay them to exercise an hour a day on duty. I believe it lessens the thought of relying on guns to enforce the law. It will require hiring one more deputy, provided we can find someone qualified. And I’d like to turn the storage room at the office into a workout room. I have some equipment and I wondered if maybe the ranchers in the area would be willing to pay for a few other machines.”
Jake was frowning, and Mike thought he might not have convinced the Randalls. That would be a problem, since many of the local ranchers would follow their lead.
After a moment of silence, Jake said, “Is that all?”
“I beg your pardon?” Mike replied, not sure what he was asking.
“Is that all you’ll need? Money for another deputy and a couple of machines?”
“Well…yes. I realize it’s asking a lot, but—”
“I don’t think so,” Toby answered. “I like your attitude toward violence. When our boys reach the stupid age—or the teenage years, as most people call them—I’d hope they’d get a second chance, instead of being shot.”
“That’s what I hope, too,” Mike said, appreciating his support.
Pete spoke next. “We all like what you’re suggesting. We want to be sure you have what you need. Tell us how much money it’ll take.”
“Well, I hoped…” Mike drew a deep breath. “I was going to ask for donations from all—”
Jake cut him off. “We’ll take care of it, Mike, with pleasure. Now, let’s go enjoy our meal.”
And with that, Mike’s pitch was successfully over.
Mike wasn’t quite sure what the Randalls had agreed to with Jake’s promise. Were
they
going to canvass their neighbors for him? He would appreciate it. If he hadn’t felt his program was important, he wouldn’t have forced himself to approach the ranchers.
Once he and Caroline were back in his SUV, all thought of Jake and money for his deputies’ training flew out of Mike’s mind. Anytime he was alone with Caroline, she took center stage.
“Did you enjoy dinner?” he asked, hoping to start slowly.
“Yes. Mike, we can’t see each other.”
She’d just plunged into the deep end.
“So I’m supposed to close my eyes when you go by?” he teased, hoping to lighten the moment.
“You know what I’m talking about. Our…actions got out of hand last night and it mustn’t happen again.”
“Why?”
“Because nothing could ever come of it.”
She was staring straight ahead, never looking at him. He reached out and caught her left hand. She jumped as if he’d struck her, and tried to pull her hand away. “What is it, Caro? We’ve held hands before.”
“But we’re not going to do that anymore.”
He let her hand go and sped up.
“Why are you going faster?”
“Because I’m not going to have this discussion while I’m driving. It wouldn’t look good for the sheriff to veer off the road.”
She said nothing, and he concentrated on his driving, determined to get back to her place as soon as possible.
When they reached her house, she didn’t open her door. “Wait. We need to talk here. I don’t want you to come in.”
“That’s not very hospitable of you.”
“I’m not trying to be hospitable. I’m trying to make my situation clear. And when I get near a bed with you…or a sofa, I forget what I was going to say.”
He liked her confusion. It gave him hope that he might be able to talk her into something. “You affect me the same way, sweetheart. Certain men and women strike each other that way.”
“I’m not going to marry, Mike. And any liaison between us would ultimately end. I don’t want to be hurt.”
He sat there, staring at her. “You think I’d dump you? Are you out of your mind?”
“Probably,” she agreed with a weary sigh.
“Tell me why you won’t marry. Do you think you can’t do your job if you’re married? I don’t see a problem with that. We’re both adults. We both function just fine now. Why wouldn’t we be able to carry on as married people?”
“You wouldn’t want to stay married to me.”
She made that remark with such sad conviction, he
stared at her again. Then he reached for her shoulders and swung her around to face him. “Are you seriously ill?” he demanded, the agony in his heart echoing in his voice.
“No,” she whispered.
Now he was getting angry. She’d scared him and he didn’t like being scared. “Tell me right now, Caroline Randall. What are you talking about?”
“I can’t have children.”
He frowned and waited for her to continue. Finally, he said, “Is there more?”
“Isn’t that enough?”
“No.” He didn’t elaborate. There was no need to in his mind.
“You say that now. But you’ll change your mind. Most men do,” she assured him. “I don’t want to go through that heartache.”
“Caroline, I’m thirty-five. If having babies was a priority for me, don’t you think I would’ve done something about it earlier?”
“Maybe you haven’t met the right woman yet.”
“I’ve met you.”
“I can’t be the right woman for you, Mike. I can’t have children!” She was practically screaming by the time she finished.
“And do I understand this right? If I say I don’t care about having children, you think I’m lying?”
“Not lying,” she said carefully. “But the day will come when you’ll want children.”
“And if I married you, there would be no way to have kids? Adoptions can’t be considered? Surrogate moth
erhood would be impossible? My choice, according to you, would be to dump you for another body?”
She nodded, trying to look away, which was difficult since he still held her shoulders.
“Who did this to you?”
She gave him a sharp look. “What do you mean?”
“What slimeball left you because you can’t have children? And how dare you lump me in with him!”
“It wasn’t—okay, but I’d been honest and then…his nurse became pregnant. We’d been together for two years and—he had to do the right thing.” Caroline was shaking by now, as if it were all her fault.
Mike shook his head. “You come from the Randalls, where every one of the men are stand-up guys, and you fall for some lowlife who treats you like that? And he’s stupid, too, if he can use the expression ‘doing the right thing’ when he obviously has no concept of the right thing!” As if he couldn’t stand to be close to her, Mike opened his door and got out into the cold night air. He paced briskly for several minutes, clearly talking to himself. Then he turned and rounded the truck to open her door.
“Get out, Caroline.”
She did so, and stood there, waiting for what he would say next.
“I don’t know what to call our brief relationship. I know I’m very attracted to you. I know I like you. And I’ll be damned if I’ll let you compare me to this stupid man of your past. You need to get over him, and stop thinking you have nothing to offer a man. When you do, give me a call! If I’m still available.”
Without another word, he rounded the truck, got behind the wheel and drove off into the night.
C
AROLINE HAD NO
difficulty awakening early the next morning to meet Jon at the Sheriff’s Office. In fact, she was relieved to crawl from the torture chamber formerly called her bed. She’d tossed and turned all night long, Mike’s words playing in her mind.
She was over Don; that much she knew. But she’d accepted his behavior as condemnation of her womanhood. And she’d made Mike mad because of it. Was he right? Did life hold the possibility of a happy marriage even though she couldn’t have children?
She’d always known about the options of adoption or surrogate motherhood. But she’d felt she would be offering something second best. Randalls always went first class! Her mind was in a jumble, and facing the man who’d made her so crazy wasn’t exactly number one on her list of fun things to do.
When she was ready to go, she called Jon to see if he’d left home yet. She didn’t want to turn up at the Sheriff’s Office alone.
Jon was just about to leave.
“I’m going to stop by the clinic and pick up a scale we’re not using,” he told her. “I think they’ll need one. Then I’ll be there.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in about five minutes.”
“Right.”
She bundled up for the cold weather and waited another four minutes. She was sure Jon would be there
now. Walking briskly to keep warm, she went to the Sheriff’s Office.
When she opened the door and realized her partner wasn’t there yet, she tried to back out, but Mike had come out of his office and greeted her.
“Morning, Caroline.”
“Good morning, Sheriff. Jon isn’t here yet?”
“No, but I’m sure he’ll arrive soon. Care for a cup of coffee?”
“Yes, thanks.” Maybe coffee would help her think more sharply. She needed something.
“Close the door,” he reminded her as he walked to the back where they kept the coffeepot.
She closed the door and started after him. Several of the deputies were standing around and she greeted them, relieved to see them there. At least she wasn’t alone with Mike.
When the door opened behind her, she assumed it was Jon and turned to greet him. Only Nick and Gabe Randall walked in.
She still didn’t know how to tell her twin cousins apart. She smiled. “Nick, Gabe, what are you doing here?”
Before they could answer, Mike put a mug of coffee in Caroline’s hand and greeted the two men.
“You don’t know which one of us is which, do you?” one of them asked.
Mike grinned. “Seeing the two of you together, frankly, I don’t. I hope you’re going to give me a hint so I don’t make a fool of myself.”
“I’m Gabe,” one of them said. “I look older because my wife and I have twins. They age you quickly.” He
immediately pulled out pictures of two babies about eighteen months old.
Nick pulled out a picture, too. His baby boy was about nine months old. “Mine is catching up fast,” he assured them.
Caroline couldn’t help looking at Mike as he admired the pictures. He glanced up and caught her stare. “Congratulations, guys. Those are good-looking babies.” He handed back the pictures. “But it still doesn’t tell me why you’re here.”
“We’re meeting Jake and the crew here. Didn’t he tell you?” Nick asked.
Mike stared at them. Then he looked to Caroline for some explanation, but all she could do was shrug.
“What crew? To do what?” Mike asked.
Just then, the door opened and Jake and his brothers, plus Jim Randall and six other cowboys, piled into the office.
“Morning, Caro,” Jake said, hugging his daughter. “This is a bonus. I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“I’m helping Jon check out the deputies before they begin their exercise regime,” she answered.
“Hey, good thinking. Hi, Mike,” Jake said, shaking his hand as his brothers had done.
“Did I miss something?” Mike asked. “I mean, did you say last night you were coming today? And why?”
“Well, I should have called you this morning, but I was afraid you wouldn’t be up yet. Thought we’d just surprise you.” He waved at the group of men around him. “We’re here to get started on our exercise room project.”
Mike frowned. “But we’re going to clean it up and bring down the equipment I have. Then we’ll be able to tell you what we’ve got room for. I’m sorry you came all this way for that. I’m not sure when we’ll get it done.”
“Son,” Jake said, putting his hand on Mike’s shoulder, “we’re here to do some real work. Things are slow on the ranch in the winter. Toby keeps working in the arena training his horses, and two of the hands stayed with him. But the rest of us don’t have much to do. So we’re going to build you a bigger workout center.”
Mike appeared stunned. “Build a new center? But that would cost money and take a lot of time.”
Jake’s brother Chad winked at him. “Everyone’s pitching in so it won’t take so long. Besides, Jim and I, in particular, have a debt to pay.”
“No, Mr. Randall—I mean Chad—that’s not necessary.”
Pete grinned. “You just go ahead with whatever you’re doing and we’ll let you know if we run into snags.”
The men all followed Jake’s lead and walked into the storeroom, closing the door behind them.
Nick and Gabe still stood there, with grins on their faces. Gabe said, “I’m used to the way Jake and his brothers do business. Nick is still learning.”
“Yeah,” his twin agreed. “And we’d better catch up with them, because I’m the one who has building experience.”
Mike looked even more confused. “But you’re a lawyer.”
“Yeah, but every summer for seven years I built houses to earn money for college.”
Gabe smiled even more broadly. “Now, don’t you start feeling sorry for him. His daddy had plenty of money. But he wanted his son to be well-rounded. I’m the one who grew up poor. Not old moneybags here.” Both men laughed.
Mike was confused, and it must have shown on his face because Gabe launched into an abbreviated family history. He told Mike how their widowed young mother had given up Nick for adoption to a wealthy family with the resources to correct his club foot. Gabe had been raised by their mom until she died, when he was thirteen, at which point he’d left to follow the rodeo. It wasn’t until after Nick’s adoptive parents died that he’d found his twin in Rawhide.
Even families like the Randalls had their share of hardship, Mike thought as he watched them follow Jake into the back room.
When Jon came in moments later, he looked at Caroline and then Mike. “Anything wrong?”
He was carrying a doctor’s scale. Mike reached to help him.
“Wrong? I guess not. I’ve just been invaded by Randalls.”
Jon came to an abrupt halt and stared around him. “Where are they?”
“In the storeroom. I guess you and Caroline should set up in the snack room. That will at least give you some privacy. You’ll need to start with my two night men. They’re anxious to get home.” He waved to a couple of deputies.
Caroline, delighted to move away from Mike, im
mediately carried her coffee to the snack room. Jon and Mike followed with the heavy scale. The two men Mike had mentioned followed.
Jon looked at the two deputies. “I’ll take one of you and Caroline the other. You’ll need to step on the scale and then unbutton your shirt.”
Both deputies looked at Caroline skeptically, but she’d seen that reaction before. “I really am a doctor, gentlemen. Think nothing of it.”
Then she turned her back to them to provide a little privacy until they adjusted to the idea.
“Boss, you gonna get checked?” one of them asked.
Caroline froze, waiting for Mike’s answer.
“Nope. I’m not starting something new. Though I guess I could get my stitches removed, couldn’t I, Doc?”
She turned to see if he was talking to her. Instead, he was looking at Jon.
“When did you get them?” Jon asked.
“The other doc put them in last Friday night.”
The other doc?
Was he going to pretend they didn’t even know each other?
“What do you say, Caro?” Jon asked.
“The other doc says wait until next Monday.”
Jon shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry, Mike.”
“So I come in Monday morning?”
“If you call my office and make an appointment,” she said crisply, not looking at him.
The back door opened. “Hey, Mike,” Nick called. “Can you spare us a minute?”
“Sure, I’ll be right there.” After the door closed, he looked at Jon. “Everyone okay in here?”
“Sure,” Jon said, sparing Caroline a sideways glance. “We’re fine.”
After Mike walked away, Jon leaned over and whispered to his colleague, “Did Mike and ‘the other doctor’ have a fight?”
“Of course not,” Caroline replied. “We’re just going to approach friendship more, um, cautiously.”
“Okay,” Jon agreed, his curiosity obviously not appeased.