brides for brothers 15 - a randall hero (14 page)

“Yes, I’m anxious to meet her and to see Harry again.”

“And this little girl is anxious to eat,” John said as he came to the table with a bottle.

“Here you go, Lucy. It’s all ready.”

“Thank you, John. I’ll go in the den and—”

“No, sit here with us. I’ll fix you a glass of iced tea,” John said, interrupting her. “Why not visit for a while?”

“I don’t want to be in the way,” Lucy said, trying to sound nonchalant, though she felt anything but.

Camille looked at her. “You could never be in the way, Lucy.”

Somehow Lucy doubted that.

Chapter Eleven

John hoped his sister wasn’t difficult tonight. He was afraid she was pregnant and wanted to replace Emma in his parents’ hearts. He didn’t want that to happen. They had room for more than one baby. But he feared Lucy would be hurt if that happened.

When six-thirty arrived, he heard his sister and brother-in-law at the back door. They came in before he could get to the door. He greeted them both and led the way into the breakfast area.

Lucy had been in the kitchen, but she wasn’t now. He wondered where she’d gone. “Where’s Lucy?” he asked his dad quietly as Camille was greeting her daughter and Harry.

“She went to comb her hair,” Griff said. “I think it was an excuse to let Camille greet her daughter alone.”

“I’ll go—”

“No. She’ll be back in a minute.”

So John stood there waiting for Lucy’s reappearance. As his father had said, Lucy slipped into the room without much notice. She immediately started putting dishes on the table.

When Camille noticed Lucy’s activity, she called on her to meet her daughter.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Melissa. Hello, Harry.”

Harry came around the table and hugged Lucy. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived. But I’m sure Camille and Griff did all that was necessary.”

“Yes, they’ve been wonderful.”

“I had no idea you were so pretty,” Melissa said.

“Nothing to compare to you, Melissa. I can see how you drew Harry’s attention at once.”

“Why, thank you, Lucy. Where is your baby?”

“She’s sleeping right now, but she’ll be up around eight o’clock for a bottle if you don’t mind waiting until then.”

“Oh, no, not at all. I wouldn’t want to disrupt her schedule.”

“I think dinner is ready, everyone,” Camille called, herding her family to the table. “What a nice table we have with Melissa and Harry back.”

“Thanks for getting our place all cleaned and ready. And for the groceries, too. It was nice to have things there,” Melissa said.

“Oh, I just made a phone call, dear.”

“I’m going to hire Macey to clean for me full-time,” Melissa said. “I think I’ll be more productive working on my jewelry.”

Lucy smiled at her sister-in-law. “Oh, I’d forgotten you make jewelry. Did you make what you’re wearing? It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you. Yes, I made these.” She touched her earrings.

John smiled. He hadn’t realized how good Lucy would be, complimentary, relaxed, cordial, as the newlyweds entertained with stories about their European trip. Finally, over dessert, Harry turned the conversation to Lucy.

“So what do you plan on doing now, Lucy?”

Before Lucy could answer, Camille said, “I want her to stay here with us.”

“Oh, Mom, we have news for you,” Melissa said, beaming at her mother.

“What would that be, Melissa?”

“We’re pregnant!”

“That’s wonderful, dear, but that would make it all the more important that Lucy and Emma stay here.”

Melissa stared at her mother. “I’m sure we could make room for them.”

“I’ll be excited to have
another
grandbaby, dear,” Camille pointed out. “But Lucy is like my daughter, and Emma is the dearest thing. You’ll love her.”

“Of course,” Melissa said.

“I was with Lucy when she gave birth to Emma. We count both of them as part of our family,” John said.

“What do you mean, you were with her?” Harry asked.

“Well, Lucy didn’t know anyone but me and she asked me to stay by her side,” John explained.

“Why?” Harry seemed determined to get all the details.

“Because she was scared. I held her hand during the delivery. And I gave Emma her first bottle.”

“You’re not breast-feeding?” Melissa interjected. “I heard it’s best for the baby.”

Lucy didn’t say anything.

Harry looked at his sister. “Melissa didn’t mean to criticize you, Lucy.”

“It’s all right. I made my choice because I wasn’t sure I would survive to feed her. It seemed more important to make sure someone could take care of her without me being there.”

Melissa stared at Lucy. “You—you thought your husband would kill you?”

“Yes.”

“And he tried,” John pointed out. “Mike said if he got her away a second time, she wouldn’t survive.”

“I didn’t realize—” Melissa began.

“It’s all right, Melissa,” Griff said. “We don’t want to talk about those things. But Emma is a happy baby.”

“But you haven’t said what you want to do,” Harry said. “Do you want to stay here with Camille and Griff?”

“I would never want them to feel unappreciated. They’ve been wonderful to me. But I think I need to stand on my own for my own growth. I married Cecil after only two years of college. I’ve never held down a real job. But I may need a little financial help in the beginning. I can pay back a loan as soon as possible.”

“Lucy, money isn’t a problem,” Harry assured her. “But it won’t be easy. Do you want to stay here in Rawhide?”

“I’d like to, if—if my being here won’t cause problems.”

John almost laughed out loud as everyone’s gaze, except Lucy’s, went to Melissa.

Fortunately, Melissa realized she was the only one who would keep Lucy from staying in Rawhide. “Oh, no, Lucy, I wouldn’t want you to leave. I hope we can get to know each other.”

“I can find another small town and—”

“No, of course not. Why not have more family in Rawhide?” Melissa grinned. “Just don’t be surprised at having so much family.”

“I don’t think I can claim the Randalls, though they are very impressive, but I would like the chance to get to know Harry again, and you, my only sister-in-law.”

“We’d love that, too. And you can help me get through my pregnancy and show me how to care for my baby.”

“Thank you, Melissa. That’s very generous of you,” Lucy said, quietly wiping away the tears that flooded her eyes.

John wanted to wrap his arms around Lucy. But he feared she’d reject him if he tried. But he was so proud of her.

“I think you should stay here, Lucy,” Camille said, “at least for a little while. Emma is only six weeks old.”

“I know, but a lot of women go back to work even earlier,” Lucy said.

“Give us at least two more weeks,” Griff suggested. “That will give us all a little time to adjust to your departure.”

“Of course, Griff. That’s very generous of you and I appreciate it. It will take me a little time to find a job and a place to live.”

“I’ll look for what’s available in Rawhide,” Harry said. “Maybe my old apartment over the sheriff’s office.”

John shook his head. “No, that’s rented. Besides, it only has one bedroom. Emma wouldn’t sleep well without her own room. You should see the one Mom made here.”

“The baby has her own room? Is she in my room?” Melissa asked.

“No, I’m afraid I’m in your room, Melissa. But Camille made a special room next door. Would you like to come see it?” Lucy offered.

“Yes, I would. Will we wake up the baby?”

“She’s due up at eight, and it’s almost that time now.”

“I’ll come along, Lucy, if you don’t mind,” Harry said. “I’d like to meet my only niece.”

Camille began clearing the table as those three left the room. John wanted to go with them, but he couldn’t abandon his mother with all the work. Griff got up to help, also, and they quickly cleared the table.

Then John headed for Emma’s room, anxious to see how the meeting had gone.

When he reached the door to Emma’s room, he came face-to-face with Harry, carrying Emma.

“Look, John, isn’t she great?”

“Yeah, she looks like her mama,” John said with a smile.

“She does, doesn’t she? I didn’t meet Cecil but once or twice, but I really didn’t like him much. I’m glad Emma looks like Lucy.”

“Me, too.”

Emma reached out for John. “Ah, come here, baby girl. I’ll carry you.”

“Hey, no fair. You’ve had six weeks with her,” Harry protested, but he gave Emma up to John.

“She’s a little partial to John,” Lucy said softly.

“Yeah, I can tell,” Harry said with a grin.

“I really like this room, Lucy. When you move out, I hope Mom will keep the room for when Emma visits and when my baby comes to visit.”

“Yes, I’m sure she will. I need to fix Emma’s bottle.”

“Of course.”

When they reached the kitchen, they discovered Camille had already fixed Emma’s bottle.

“Oh, thank you, Camille,” Lucy said, taking the bottle. But John took it from her and sat down at the table to feed Emma.

Lucy settled in the chair beside him, in case her baby needed her.

“I suppose Dad is the only one who hasn’t fed her,” Melissa said.

“Not true. I fed her her first day home from the hospital,” Griff said. “She loved it.”

“She always loves her bottle,” John said. “I fed her that first bottle while Lucy slept.”

“Was the childbirth difficult?” Melissa asked, concern in her gaze.

“No, not really. Caro gives good drugs,” Lucy told Melissa.

“I know she’s a good doctor, but thanks for telling me that,” Melissa said, smiling warmly at Lucy.

“Of course, she was only in labor for about half an hour,” John added.

Melissa’s eyes grew large.

Before she could say anything, Lucy said, “That’s because I was in labor off and on during the night before I got to the hospital.”

“Oh. That must’ve been difficult for you.”

“Yes, it was, but John…I mean, I got to the hospital in plenty of time.” Lucy smiled at Melissa.

“I guess it’s been a long journey for you.”

“Yes, but your journey will be much nicer. I hope Harry is being a good husband.”

“He’s the best,” Melissa said with a big smile for her husband.

Camille sent a big smile to Harry, also. “I knew he’d be a good husband.”

“Thanks, Camille,” Harry said.

“Now, when is your baby due?”

“We’re not sure. She’s going to go see Caro next week. She’ll help us with the details.”

“I think they do a sonogram early these days,” Camille said. “Will you call us with the date?”

“Of course. But I think we’d better head for home. Melissa still has to catch up on her sleep.”

They all said their goodbyes, even John. Emma looked at them leaving but didn’t stop taking her bottle.

“Really, Emma,” Camille teased, “at least you could take a breath.”

“I’m afraid she’s hungry. Of course, her uncle John encouraged her to keep eating,” Griff pointed out. “If only he’d taken the bottle out of her mouth for thirty seconds!”

John immediately did so. “You want to see what she’d do?” John asked. “What do you think, Emma, my love?”

Emma began cooing to John.

“That’s right, sweetheart. I knew you would be a good girl.”

Lucy stepped forward. “Maybe I’d better finish giving her the bottle. You’re too distracting, John.”

“To Emma or to you, Lucy?” John asked, winking at her.

A
T BREAKFAST
the next morning, Griff asked Lucy, “Have you figured out anything that you want to do?”

“I took a lot of accounting courses. Is there an accounting office in Rawhide?”

Camille was eating some scrambled eggs, but she almost choked at that question. When she could speak again, she said, “You met Tori, didn’t you? Brett and Anna’s daughter?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

“She and her cousin Russ own the accounting firm in town and she does the investing for a lot of the family, conferring with Griff, of course.”

Lucy stared at Camille. “Really?”

“Yes, dear, I’m sorry, I thought you knew.”

“She met a lot of Randalls that first week,” Griff said.

“So if I wanted to work for them, they might try me out? If they needed someone.”

“Just happens they do. And I guess I could recommend you,” he said with a grin.

“But you don’t know whether I’m any good or not, Griff,” Lucy protested. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“Hmm, maybe I could give you a test? How much is twelve times twelve?”

Lucy laughed with him. “All I’m asking, Griff, is a fair chance to take a test and see if they would give me a chance.”

“Okay, how about we go into town this morning. You can talk to Russ and Tori.”

“Today?” Lucy asked. Then she gulped. “Okay. Can we be back in time to feed Emma?”

“I can feed Emma,” Camille said. “I’d be happy to. It’s been hard for me to get a chance to hold her when John’s around.”

“Okay. I guess we could go. I have to get ready. I’m not sure I have anything to wear.”

“I think I can loan you a few things.” Camille got up from the table. “Let me go lay out a couple of things for you to borrow.”

“I should—” Lucy began, but Emma still had to finish her bottle.

“Hand me the little girl. I don’t need to look at clothes. The two of us will be right here when you finish,” Griff said, leaning over to take Emma from Lucy.

“Thank you, Griff. I’ll hurry.”

L
UCY, DRESSED IN
her own black pants and Camille’s black shirt and herringbone jacket, looked and felt good when she got to the accounting office. She was accompanied by Griff.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Lucy whispered as he opened the door for her.

“I’m sure.”

“Hi, Griff,” Tori greeted him. “Hello,” she said to Lucy.

“This is Lucy, Harry’s sister. She’s staying with us.”

“Welcome. I was getting a cup of coffee. I needed a break. Can I interest either or both of you in some?”

“I’ll take a cup. How about you, Lucy?”

“Uh, no, Griff, I mean, Tori. Thanks anyway. I’m here to talk to you about possibly working for you and Russ.”