Read Online A Randall Returns by Judy Christenberry - Free Book Online

about her “date” with Mike that night. She knew it was a mistake, because she was way too fascinated by the man. And it was a fascination that would only lead to heartache. She already knew any relationship with Mike Davis—or any other man, for that matter—would die a premature death. She would never marry. To her it didn’t matter if a man said he didn’t want children. There’d come a time when he’d change his mind. And that was the time their marriage would end.
    For that reason she’d stay single. She didn’t want her heart broken.
    That thought made her stop and think. She’d believed her heart was broken when Don had married his pregnant nurse. So why had the thought been of the future?
    Because you never really loved Don, an inner voice said. They’d gotten along, had understood each other’s hectic schedules. But that was all that was between them, she realized.
    Now she wouldn’t have him even if he were served up on a gold platter. She knew his true worth now—zero. She felt ashamed of her relationship with him.
    With a determined nod, she vowed in her heart she would have nothing to do with the male half of the world. And she’d explain that to Mike Davis tonight. That would circumvent her father’s tricks.
    Once the sheriff understood, he’d leave her alone.
    She picked him up at seven, having made their reservations for seven-thirty. She figured she could make her explanations during the half hour drive and be able to relax for the rest of the evening.
    Ha!
    It took five seconds to realize the man affected her senses. Like her father, he also wasn’t a man who could be ignored. She was getting tired of those comparisons.
    “Evening, Caroline,” he said. Dressed in a navy blue suit, a crisp white shirt and a red-and-blue tie, he looked like a powerful CEO.
    “I—I didn’t dress up.” She stumbled over the words, embarrassed.
    To her surprise, he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful.”
    She’d worn navy slacks topped by a winter-white sweater that hugged her hips.
    “In fact,” Mike said, “I think we match.”
    She couldn’t argue with him, but she didn’t want to agree, either. “Mike, we need to talk.”
    That eyebrow slipped up. She forced her gaze away from his hazel eyes. He tucked his arm under hers and led them to her SUV. “I can drive if you want me to,” he offered.
    “No, that’s all right. I invited you.”
    He opened her door for her before he circled thevehicle to the passenger side. He waited until she had driven them out of Rawhide before he asked, “How’s Tracey?”
    Her mind flew to her patient. That morning, Tracey’s parents had arrived from Denver. Beth and Jenny didn’t know their grandparents very well, but the girls had stayed out of school and gone with them to pack their belongings.
    “Tracey is much better. I’m going to release her in the morning.”
    “Good. Because the judge set the bail this morning and I imagine her husband will come up with the money by tomorrow.”
    “You can’t hold him longer?”
    “Not according to the law.”
    “Isn’t there anything you can do?”
    He grinned. “I’m afraid even sheriffs have to obey the law.”
    She couldn’t hold back a smile in appreciation of his easygoing attitude, his good nature.
    “How do you do it?” she asked.
    “Do what?”
    “Stay so relaxed.”
    He gave her a serious look. “I learned a long time ago that the best I can do is control myself. Everyone else is in charge of their lives. I can only do so much. I’ve heard that’s a difficult concept for doctors.”
    “Yes, it is,” she admitted. “After you save a life, you begin to think you have the power of life. But you do learn you have limitations after you lose a patient for no explicable reason.”
    “That must be tough.”
    The sympathy in his voice brought tears to her eyes. What was wrong with her? She’d given up crying after her two rotations in the ER. She cleared her throat. “Yes,