Read Online A Randall Returns by Judy Christenberry - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Judy Christenberry
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shock in her voice.
His eyes narrowed, and he leaned back in his chair. “Some. Enough to recognize a Frenchman would commit suicide after that recitation.”
“I didn’t mean to be insulting, Mike. But we’re a long way from Gay Paree. You surprised me.”
“I would think a doctor would know better than to take everything at face value,” he said softly. “You’d better make your decision, Caroline. Our waiter is approaching.”
She nodded and looked at her menu. When the young man stopped by her chair, she said, “I’ll have the roast beef and vegetables.”
“I’ll have the same,” Mike said smoothly, handing him his menu.
With a look of relief, the waiter hurried away.
“I wonder if he has to catch the snails if we order them,” Mike said in amusement, as if he didn’t think she’d insulted him. “The relief on his face that we ordered the roast beef indicated he’d just avoided something unpleasant.”
Caroline laughed. “So tell me, how do you know French?”
“I lived next to a Frenchwoman. She was having trouble making a living and I asked her to give me French lessons.”
“So that’s why you wanted to come here? Because you can speak French?”
“No. Any French restaurant that requires its patrons to speak French had better not be located in Wyoming.”
They smiled and nodded in unison. Mike really was a charming dinner companion. A charming man, she corrected herself. Every moment with him could be enjoyable. But—
“Mike, we need to talk,” she repeated abruptly. Shedecided if she didn’t speak now, he’d change the subject and she’d forget what had to be said.
“Over dinner?”
“No, now. I…it’s awkward, so I guess I’ll just blurt it out. My father is known for his matchmaking. He managed to get all three of his brothers married. As the Randall family has expanded, he’s taken credit for all the marriages. And you’re in his sights.”
Her dramatic finish didn’t affect Mike’s expression in the slightest. He took a sip of the iced tea he’d ordered. “I see.”
“No, I don’t think you do. That’s why you were invited to dinner yesterday, and it’s the reason I was seated beside you. I’m the one you’re supposed to marry.”
Again there was no response, except for a half smile crossing his lips. “Really?”
After a moment of staring at him, she said, “You figured it out, didn’t you?”
“Your father isn’t known for his subtlety.”
“Then why did you accept the invitation?”
“I heard Red’s cooking is something special. You won’t find many lawmen who turn down a free meal, much less one like Red cooked.” His smile widened.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Mike Davis. My father may not be subtle, but he’s also not weak.”
“I know.”
“Then—”
“I’m counting on you being stronger than him.”
“I am. That is, I intend to be. I’m not going to marry, but—”
“Why?”
“I don’t have to give a reason!” she snapped.
“Okay.”
“Why aren’t you upset?”
“Caroline, we came for a nice meal because you felt bad about how you behaved when you first arrived. Let’s just enjoy the evening.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. He acted as if there was no problem. She started to warn him again, when he nodded toward a couple walking outside the restaurant.
“I know that guy but I can’t place the name. Eric…”
She followed Mike’s eyes and saw the man and woman through the window as they stepped into the pool of light from the streetlamp. “Yes, he’s Eric Williams. He works on my uncle Griff’s ranch.”
“Do you know the woman he’s with?”
“No, but I thought he was engaged to Holly Gambil. I guess they broke up,” Caroline said slowly, trying to remember if she’d heard anything about that relationship.
The nervous waiter brought their salads.
Just as Caroline was about to begin her meal, a blur of movement outside made her look up.
“There’s Holly now,” she
His eyes narrowed, and he leaned back in his chair. “Some. Enough to recognize a Frenchman would commit suicide after that recitation.”
“I didn’t mean to be insulting, Mike. But we’re a long way from Gay Paree. You surprised me.”
“I would think a doctor would know better than to take everything at face value,” he said softly. “You’d better make your decision, Caroline. Our waiter is approaching.”
She nodded and looked at her menu. When the young man stopped by her chair, she said, “I’ll have the roast beef and vegetables.”
“I’ll have the same,” Mike said smoothly, handing him his menu.
With a look of relief, the waiter hurried away.
“I wonder if he has to catch the snails if we order them,” Mike said in amusement, as if he didn’t think she’d insulted him. “The relief on his face that we ordered the roast beef indicated he’d just avoided something unpleasant.”
Caroline laughed. “So tell me, how do you know French?”
“I lived next to a Frenchwoman. She was having trouble making a living and I asked her to give me French lessons.”
“So that’s why you wanted to come here? Because you can speak French?”
“No. Any French restaurant that requires its patrons to speak French had better not be located in Wyoming.”
They smiled and nodded in unison. Mike really was a charming dinner companion. A charming man, she corrected herself. Every moment with him could be enjoyable. But—
“Mike, we need to talk,” she repeated abruptly. Shedecided if she didn’t speak now, he’d change the subject and she’d forget what had to be said.
“Over dinner?”
“No, now. I…it’s awkward, so I guess I’ll just blurt it out. My father is known for his matchmaking. He managed to get all three of his brothers married. As the Randall family has expanded, he’s taken credit for all the marriages. And you’re in his sights.”
Her dramatic finish didn’t affect Mike’s expression in the slightest. He took a sip of the iced tea he’d ordered. “I see.”
“No, I don’t think you do. That’s why you were invited to dinner yesterday, and it’s the reason I was seated beside you. I’m the one you’re supposed to marry.”
Again there was no response, except for a half smile crossing his lips. “Really?”
After a moment of staring at him, she said, “You figured it out, didn’t you?”
“Your father isn’t known for his subtlety.”
“Then why did you accept the invitation?”
“I heard Red’s cooking is something special. You won’t find many lawmen who turn down a free meal, much less one like Red cooked.” His smile widened.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Mike Davis. My father may not be subtle, but he’s also not weak.”
“I know.”
“Then—”
“I’m counting on you being stronger than him.”
“I am. That is, I intend to be. I’m not going to marry, but—”
“Why?”
“I don’t have to give a reason!” she snapped.
“Okay.”
“Why aren’t you upset?”
“Caroline, we came for a nice meal because you felt bad about how you behaved when you first arrived. Let’s just enjoy the evening.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. He acted as if there was no problem. She started to warn him again, when he nodded toward a couple walking outside the restaurant.
“I know that guy but I can’t place the name. Eric…”
She followed Mike’s eyes and saw the man and woman through the window as they stepped into the pool of light from the streetlamp. “Yes, he’s Eric Williams. He works on my uncle Griff’s ranch.”
“Do you know the woman he’s with?”
“No, but I thought he was engaged to Holly Gambil. I guess they broke up,” Caroline said slowly, trying to remember if she’d heard anything about that relationship.
The nervous waiter brought their salads.
Just as Caroline was about to begin her meal, a blur of movement outside made her look up.
“There’s Holly now,” she
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