A Randall Thanksgiving (10 page)

“But that doesn’t sound safe. What if you need help?”

With a grin, he said, “I’ll push the call button.”

T
HE SUN HAD JUST RISEN WHEN
Melissa got up the next morning. She went immediately to the nurse’s desk. “Have you talked to Harry this morning? Is everything all right?”

“It was at two, when I checked on the patients,” the nurse, Betsy, said. Her eyes looked a little tired, Melissa noted.

“Maybe I should go check now.”

“We were told not to let anyone in the room. It seems not all of the rustlers were captured last night.”

Melissa’s eyes widened. “Is it possible they might come here to see their friends?”

The nurse nodded. “According to the sheriff, that’s a possibility. So far, though, no one has even called to ask about them.”

“That’s good. I suppose you’ll order breakfast for them, too. You’re busy. Do you want me to go to the café, and get the food for you? I don’t mind.”

“That would be great, Melissa. I’ll call in the order and they’ll pack it up and have it ready in fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll just go on down there and have some coffee while I wait.”

Later, as Melissa was returning with the meals, she saw a pickup truck pull up in front of the hospital. It looked exactly like old man Lindstrom’s rusty green truck, she decided. As teenagers, she and her friends had thought it would fall apart, but apparently it was still going.

Only it wasn’t old man Lindstrom who got out.

Melissa immediately turned around and ran to the Sheriff’s Office. She explained her fears to the deputies on duty, and one of them ran to the hospital, while the other called the nurse to warn Harry, then called the sheriff.

Melissa hoped she hadn’t made a mistake, but she remembered Mr. Lindstrom had always left his key in the truck, figuring no one would steal it. But it appeared someone had.

Minutes later, when she reached the hospital with the food, she found all the excitement was over. The nurse told Melissa she’d spoken to Harry. He’d realized at once what was happening, pulled his gun, and hid by the door. He’d told the nurse to point the two men to their buddies room and then duck down behind the desk.

Harry had been holding the two visitors at gunpoint when two more deputies arrived. They’d put the rustlers in handcuffs and were leading them to the jail as Melissa walked in. Both thanked Melissa as she set the food down on the nurse’s desk.

“Why did they thank you?” Harry asked her.

“Because I told them the robbers were here,” she said, beaming at him.

“How did you know?”

“They pulled up in Mr. Lindstrom’s truck. He always leaves the key in it. I figured they stole it. I was afraid I was wrong, but I thought I should tell them, anyway.”

Harry hugged her right in front of the nurse and planted a quick but fervent kiss on her lips. “Good girl!”

“I wouldn’t have thought of it, but Betsy told me two of the rustlers had escaped, and I know Mr. Lindstrom never lets anyone drive his truck.”

Mike arrived just then, and Harry suggested he check on Mr. Lindstrom, relating Melissa’s role in the successful capture of the two other rustlers.

“Good job, Melissa. You just saved us a lot of trouble. It would’ve been bad if we’d had a shootout here.”

“Yes, it would have,” Caroline proclaimed. She’d followed Mike in, determined to protect her hospital. She handed Mike a gun she was carrying. “You can take this back home. I’ll just stay here.”

“No you won’t,” he said, reaching for his wife. “You’re going with me for breakfast.” He kissed Caro and led her away, leaving Melissa with a smile on her face.

A
S
M
ELISSA SHARED
breakfast with her mother, she told her about her exciting morning.

“My goodness,” Camille exclaimed. “That was very observant of you.”

“Well, when I was a teenager my friends and I speculated about how much trouble we’d get in if we ever took his truck one night. We knew he always left the key in it. Then I thought about Dad and decided it wouldn’t be worth it.”

“Good. I’m glad. Mr. Lindstrom would be very upset. I guess he’ll be upset now, too. Have they talked to him?”

“Harry said one of the deputies went out to his place
and checked on him,” Melissa explained. “He was sleeping soundly.”

Silence filled the room for a few minutes while they ate. Then Melissa said, “Mom, has Dad ever done something risky?”

“On a ranch, dear, most things are risky.”

“I know, but—”

“You mean has he ever put himself in harm’s way intentionally?”

“Yes.”

“Once.” She put down her fork and gave Melissa her complete attention. “Your cousin Jim went up into the mountains to save Patience and her little boy. The child’s father had taken the boy away, intending to make him a soldier. I think he was three or four. Patience went after them because the sheriff at that time said he couldn’t legally do anything.

“Jim went after her. When the other Randall men realized what he was facing, they formed a posse and followed his trail up into the mountains. Your father joined them.”

“I had no idea!” Melissa exclaimed.

“So, to give you a short answer, yes, one time. And I couldn’t disagree with your father for going. The Randalls have always stood together.”

“Yes, that’s one of the things I love about our family,” Melissa said. “How does Caroline manage when Mike is in danger?”

“She struggles with it. But she knows he’s really
good at what he does. And they seldom have injuries. Harry had a bad one, but it only happened because his partner wasn’t well trained. That’s when Mike started working hard on training and fitness.”

“Yes, Harry was telling me, but I just hadn’t realized… It finally hit me last night that he does dangerous work.”

“But he’s very good at what he does.”

“Yes, I guess so.”

“Caroline says she’d rather have whatever time she can spend with Mike than be with anyone else. I think all us Randall ladies feel the same way.”

Melissa nodded, not saying anything, while thoughts of Harry filled her mind.

Harry and Dale were ready to set out for the Randall ranch the next morning to pick up some furniture when they stopped off at the Sheriff’s Office to check in. “We’re on our way, Mike,” Harry announced.

He hadn’t realized Mike was on the phone. The sheriff held up his hand for them to wait.

“That’ll be fine. They’re ready to go right now. Okay, I’ll tell him.”

He hung up the phone. “That was Melissa. She wants to ride out to the Randall ranch with the two of you.”

“Sort of like taking a guide who understands the territory?” Harry teased, smiling.

Mike laughed. “More a case of her being on the bad side of the family. Apparently she hasn’t visited yet.”

Harry nodded. “Do we pick her up at the hospital?”

“Nope. She’s coming down here.” Mike turned to Dale. “Have you met Melissa yet?”

“Melissa who?” he asked.

“Melissa Randall,” Harry clarified, though he didn’t
want to. The last thing he wanted was for Dale and Melissa to get chummy.

“No, I haven’t met her.”

Harry whirled around as he heard rapid footsteps. Melissa hurried into the office. “I didn’t hold you up, did I, Harry?”

“No, Melissa, you didn’t hold us up. Uh, this is Dale Henry, our new deputy. Dale, this is Melissa Randall. She’s only visiting. She’s returning to Paris after the holidays.”

“How do you do, Miss Randall,” Dale said.

“Make it Melissa, please. There are way too many Randall women in town.” She gave him a bright smile, but as hard as Harry studied the two of them, he didn’t see any signs of flirtation.

“Are we ready to go?” he asked, starting toward the door.

“Yes,” Melissa agreed, and Dale followed along behind them. When they reached the truck, they piled into the cab, Melissa in the center.

“Have you talked to Red and Mildred to see what furniture they have?” she asked.

“No,” Harry answered, as he swung his truck onto the road. “I think Dale will pretty much take whatever they offer. He’s not picky, right, Dale?”

“Absolutely. I’m grateful for the assistance,” he said.

“Have you seen your apartment?” Melissa asked.

“No, Mike told me it was nice. That’s good enough
for me. By the way, there are two apartments up there. Do you know who rents the other one?”

“I haven’t heard,” Harry said, not too interested in the topic.

Melissa and Dale talked occasionally on the drive out to the ranch, but Harry didn’t say much. He didn’t like Melissa spending this time with Dale, but he couldn’t do anything about it.

When they reached the ranch, Melissa got out of the truck and began running toward the house.

Dale looked at Harry. “Why is she running?”

“She hasn’t been to the ranch since she got home. Her mother had surgery on Sunday and she’s been at the hospital with her.”

“She’s excited about seeing a couple of old people?”

Harry grabbed Dale’s arm. “Listen and listen good. You show any disrespect to Mildred and Red and you will have made an enemy of every Randall in the county. And that means you’ll be out of here before you can get settled.”

“I didn’t mean— I didn’t understand.”

“These two are the grandparents of the whole clan, even if they aren’t kin to most of them. So treat them as if they were your grandparents—or pay a price.”

“Okay, I’ve got it.”

“Then come along and I’ll introduce you.”

When they reached the kitchen, they found Melissa surrounded by several of her aunts, as well as Red and
Mildred. Harry was warmly greeted, too. He introduced Dale.

“Welcome to Rawhide, young man.” Red immediately filled two coffee mugs for them and offered them seats at the table, where a plate of cookies was waiting. “Help yourselves,” he said, indicating the cookies. “You’d better hurry before the rest of them start eating.”

“Red, we really appreciate what you’re doing,” Harry stated. “Dale was living in a furnished apartment in Cody, and he doesn’t have anything but a television.”

“Oh, good, ’cause we don’t have a spare one of those,” Red said.

Harry laughed, “I think a bed and maybe a sofa would be more important than a television, don’t you, Dale?”

“Yeah. I’m getting too old to sleep on the floor.”

“Anyone who can catch cattle rustlers deserves a good bed,” a deep voice said. They all turned to see a tall, middle-aged man in the doorway.

Harry stood and extended his hand. “Hi, Jake. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“We thought since you caught some cattle rustlers last night, maybe you deserved a little help today.”

Dale stood in turn. “I’m Dale Henry, Mr. Randall. I appreciate your offer to help.”

Jake shook his hand, too. “Welcome to Rawhide. I heard you did good work last night.”

“I just did what Harry told me to do.”

Jake smiled. “Harry’s a good man. One of our favorites.”

Melissa beamed at her uncle. “I think he’s a good man, too.”

“So I’ve heard, young lady,” Jake said with a grin.

They were soon joined by Jake’s three brothers, two of whom greeted their wives with a kiss. In short order they loaded three trucks with an assortment of furniture and volunteers.

When Harry turned to go, Mildred handed him a package of cookies. “Don’t know why he’s getting everything. Here’s something you can snack on.”

“Thanks, Mildred. You’re the best,” Harry said, and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

“Watch it, boy! She’s my woman,” Red teased.

Harry glanced ahead at Melissa and Dale. “I know exactly how you feel, Red.”

“W
HAT DO YOU HAVE THERE
?” Melissa asked as Harry got into the truck with a box.

“Mildred gave me cookies as my reward.”

“I’m glad you got something,” she said, a hint of irritation in her voice.

“Hey, I’ll share.” Dale offered hastily. “Anything they’re giving me you can have, Harry. I promise.”

“No, thanks, Dale, but I appreciate the offer.”

“I feel like such a fraud,” the new deputy admitted. “Without you and Mike, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

“Dale, just ignore Melissa. I hope that means she’s on my side. That’s more than enough of a reward,” Harry said, giving her a warm smile.

She smiled back at him.

When they reached town again, Harry pulled into the parking lot behind Dale’s apartment. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Russ Randall, your landlord,” he said.

Melissa stayed to guard the truck while the men went into the accounting office to see Russ. In no time, her cousin came out to help them unload.

“Hi, Melissa,” he said in greeting. “I didn’t know I’d get to see you today.”

“I rode out to the ranch with them so I could say hello to Red and Mildred. They were complaining, you know.”

Russ laughed. “Yeah, I know.” Then he noticed the other two trucks pulling up, and his parents in front. “Dad? Mom? I didn’t know you were both coming.” He turned to look at Dale. “I didn’t know you’d get such a welcome.”

Pete came over to greet his son. “Well, we’re happy to help Dale, but we also came to have enchiladas for lunch. It is enchilada day, isn’t it?”

Russ laughed. “Yes, it is, and I might just have to join you. I’ll call my wife and let her know.”

As he took out his cell phone, everyone grabbed something and began climbing the stairs. With all the willing workers, the furniture was unloaded and put in place in no time. Then Melissa joined two of her aunts, Janie and Anna, on a shopping trip.

“I’m glad you’re all helping Dale,” Melissa said to her aunts, “but Mike and Harry did most of the work last night with those rustlers. Harry even caught the other two rustlers this morning.”

Anna patted her shoulder. “We know, honey, but they’re going to be rewarded monetarily. They don’t need all this stuff.”

“Oh. Is that a secret?”

“I think so. I just wanted you to know that we’re not forgetting them. And Steve will get something, too. I’m not sure what.”

“Thanks for telling me, Aunt Anna.”

Aunt Janie grinned at her. “We know you’re just standing up for your man.”

“No,” she stuttered. “I mean, he’s not— We’re just friends.”

“Yeah, we heard,” Janie said with a laugh. “You go, girl!”

Melissa turned bright red and didn’t say anything else. Instead she focused on purchasing linens and kitchenware for the new deputy. Debating over what comforter to pick was a safer topic.

By now, Dale’s apartment was completely functional. He was quite stunned by the nice apartment and furnishings, and all the work donated by the Randalls.

“All right, it’s lunchtime. I’m buying. Let’s go,” Jake called to everyone.

“I think I should buy lunch for all of you,” Dale suggested.

“No, boy, you can buy after you’ve been here a few years.”

Melissa made sure she sat next to Harry at lunch. It wasn’t hard to do, since all the family expected it. And they made sure Dale was at the other end of the table.

Melissa didn’t care where Dale sat as long as she was sitting next to Harry. She was so glad her family hadn’t forgotten his role in apprehending the bad guys. The sheriff’s department had completely destroyed the ring of rustlers.

“Did Mike commend you for your work last night and this morning?” Melissa asked him.

Harry turned to stare at her. “Why would he?”

“Well, you were part of the raid last night. You guarded the other two men all night long and then caught the last two.”

“But I might not have caught the last two if you hadn’t noticed Mr. Lindstrom’s truck.”

“No, you would’ve caught them anyway. I know.”

“Honey, you might be a little prejudiced, which I’m pleased about. But Mike doesn’t sit around singing our praises because we do our job.”

Melissa stuck her nose in the air. “Well, I think he should. You could’ve been shot!”

“You mean like Steve?”

She nodded.

“That’s not going to happen.” Harry said in a soothing voice. “I take time to properly assess a situation, and use caution.”

Melissa looked up at him. “I hope you always do,” she said softly.

Harry leaned forward, and Melissa thought he was going to kiss her right there. But the waitress arrived with their food, and he turned away.

Melissa sighed. She wanted him to kiss her. It seemed to be all she could think about.

Her mother!
Melissa remembered then that she hadn’t told her she’d be gone for lunch. She excused herself from the table and walked outside, pulling out her cell phone.

“Mom? It’s Melissa. I didn’t think I’d be gone this long, but Uncle Jake took us all to the café and—”

She broke off as a strong arm slid around her waist. She looked up to see Harry frowning at her, a questioning look on his face.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

She nodded. “Yeah, Mom, I’m sorry. Oh, you do? Okay, thanks. I’ll see you in a little while.”

She hung up the phone and leaned into Harry’s embrace. The warmth of his arms heated her immediately. Looking into his chocolate-brown eyes, she whispered, “Should I say I’m going back to Paris?”

He smiled. “Honey, I can’t kiss you out on the street. We made that mistake once.”

“Just a little kiss?”

He bent over her and pecked her lips with his. “Maybe…you can come up to my apartment after lunch and I can really kiss you.”

“You don’t have to go to work?”

“Yeah, but I can take a minute or two. If I don’t get a real kiss soon, I may go into withdrawal. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

“Definitely not!” Melissa exclaimed, and reached up to give him a brief kiss as down payment.

“Okay, let’s go finish our lunch.”

She wanted to tell him she didn’t care about lunch, but Harry was a big man. He probably needed his food. So she returned to the restaurant with him, completely oblivious to the stares of everyone in the café, including a large number of Randalls.

She could barely eat, thinking about going upstairs to Harry’s apartment.

“Are you okay?” her aunt Janie whispered.

“Oh, yes! I went out to call Mom. I hadn’t told her I’d be gone so long. But she’s had lunch and is feeling fine. She told me to take my time.”

“Oh, good. Anna and I are going to visit her before we head back to the ranch.”

“I’ll probably see you there, but…I’ve got a few errands to run first.” Her one and only errand was kissing Harry Gowan.

“No problem. We’ll keep her company.”

“Thanks. She’ll enjoy that.”

Melissa finished her lunch quickly, but continued to chat with those around her, keeping an eye on Harry’s progress. When everyone stood to go, she breathed a sigh of relief and felt her heartbeat speed up. She was
going to be alone with Harry, where no one could interrupt them, even for five minutes.

She could feel her cheeks heating up, and hoped everyone would think it was exposure to the cold air. When Harry reached down and surreptitiously clasped her hand, she held on to his as if it was her anchor.

When they reached the sidewalk, everyone split up.

Harry turned toward the Sheriff’s Office. Melissa moved with him, anticipating her time alone with him.

Dale called out to Harry, “I’ll be right over, as soon as I change.”

Harry nodded. “I’ll see you there.” But he passed by the door to the Sheriff’s Office and headed for the stairs leading up to his apartment. He looked down at her. “Okay?”

“Oh, yes,” she said, smiling brilliantly.

They started up the stairs, only to be stopped by a booming voice.

It belonged to her father.