Read Online Randall Honor by Judy Christenberry - Free Book Online

Tori was avoiding him. But he had a good reason for coming this afternoon. Russ had been gone a week, and he was worried about him.
    Jessica looked up when he came in. “Hi, Jon. It’s a little late for lunch.”
    “Yeah, it is. Is Victoria in?”
    “Yes, but she’s working.”
    “So am I. Please tell her I need to see her about Russ.”
    Jessica frowned but picked up the phone and punched in two numbers. She repeated his words into the phone. Then she hung up the receiver. Before she could say anything, the door on the left opened and Victoria stared at him.
    “Come in, Dr. Wilson.”
    His gaze swallowed her whole. Her face looked pale and she had shadows under her eyes. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and promise to take care of her.
    He walked into the office. The last time he’d seen it, it had been empty. Now there was a rug on the floor, a large desk with a computer and several wing chairs in front of the desk. “You furnished the office. It’s nice. Is that why you’re so tired?”
    “I thought you had questions about Russ.”
    “I do. I was just making conversation first. Trying to be polite.” He could tell she wasn’t buying that excuse.
    Putting the desk between them, she sat down afterwaving him to a wing chair. “What do you want to know?”
    “Has Russ been heard from?”
    She looked away. “No. He hasn’t.”
    “Is someone going to go check on him?”
    “Uncle Pete says no. He said he promised Russ that no one would bother him.”
    “I think he’s been out there by himself long enough.”
    She leaned forward with a sigh. “I know. I’m worried about him, but I’m not sure what to do.”
    “Could you draw a map to this place?”
    “What? Why?”
    “Why? Because I want to go see him.”
    “Doctors don’t make house calls. Did you forget?”
    “And you didn’t even crack a smile.” He studied her face. “What’s wrong, Tori? I thought we were becoming friends last week.” He watched her closely. He’d been wanting to ask that question for a long time.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “At one time you called me Jon. Now we’re back to Dr. Wilson. Why?”
    “I’m trying to keep the town from thinking there’s anything between us.” She glared at him, as if he were mentally deficient.
    “Fine. You didn’t answer my question.”
    “Which one?”
    “Can you draw me a map?”
    “Of course not. I can’t let you go out into the wilderness on your own. You’d get lost and would never be seen again.”
    “Then go with me.”
    “Jon, forget it. You can’t go looking for him.”
    “But I’m concerned. Russ was in bad shape when he left. Without anyone to talk to, he may go off the deep end.”
    “I’ll talk to Uncle Pete again. That’s the best I can do.”
    She stood and opened the door to her office.
    “Does that mean I’m supposed to leave?”
    “Yes. I’m trying to finish up some work before I stop for the evening.”
    “Want to have dinner with me later?” He couldn’t resist giving it another try. He didn’t intend to marry anyone, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy female company.
    “No, thank you.”
    With a sigh, he walked out, saying goodbye to Jessica as he went.
     
    T ORI THOUGHT ABOUT Jon’s words the rest of the day. It was difficult to go against any of the brothers. Her father and uncles were so dear. But she’d been wondering if it was wise to leave Russ out there all alone.
    She decided tomorrow evening she’d go to the ranch and have dinner. Tomorrow morning, she’d call her mother and see if that would be all right. She had good reason. She’d invested in Russ’s business. If the business fell through, she’d lose a lot of money.
    Then she shook her head. That wasn’t why she wasworried. She loved Russ, as she did all her cousins. But she and Russ were close because they were both quiet. Well, she used to be. He’d been in Rich’s shadow. When he and Abby found each other, it was as if he had moved