Read Online Randall Honor by Judy Christenberry - Free Book Online Page A

into the sunshine.
    She’d lost Abby. They all had. But she wasn’t going to sit back and lose Russ, too. Her mother had once told her she’d win her battles if she fought for what she wanted. She wanted Russ safe.
    By Friday night, she’d made her decision. She was going to find Russ the next morning. On Thursday, she’d expressed her concern to Uncle Pete, but he’d been adamant that he’d promised his son and he was keeping his word.
    Tori was pretty sure Janie, Russ’s mother, wasn’t in agreement with her husband, but her aunt didn’t know what to do.
    Well, Tori did. She was going out to the ranch and would steal a couple of horses and trek over the mountains to the cabin. The trip would take all day.
    A knock on her door brought her to a halt. She checked her watch. It was almost nine o’clock. “Who is it?”
    “Jon.” When she didn’t respond, he added, “I need to talk to you.”
    She stood and opened the door a few inches. “Yes?”
    “What are you doing in there? Sounds like you’re rearranging the furniture. Need some help?”
    “No, thank you,” she said coolly, and started closing the door.
    He quickly stuck his foot in the way. “You never told me what you found out about Russ. Did you ask his dad?”
    “Yes, and he’s still convinced he should wait for Russ to come back.”
    “And you agree?”
    She said nothing.
    “Tori?”
    “I’m busy, Jon. Go home.”
    “You’re hiding something.”
    “How would you know? You don’t know me. Leave me alone. Mind your own business.”
    “When are you going?”
    She stared at him. He couldn’t know. “What are you talking about?”
    “When are you going to find Russ?”
    She licked her lips and looked away. “This is none of your business.”
    “You didn’t think I should go by myself. I don’t think you should, either.”
    “I live here.”
    “I’m a doctor. Suppose you get there and he needs medical help? Wouldn’t it be good if I was with you?”
    “There’s no reason he’d need medical help. You’re just trying to scare me.”
    “Then why are you going to find him, if you don’t think he’s in trouble?”
    She walked away from the door. “I think he’s sad.”
    “Of course he’s sad. Look, I just want to help.Russ has been good to me. I want to do what I can for him. Let me go with you.”
    “Have you ever been on a horse?”
    “Yeah. I’m no expert, but I can ride.”
    “You’ll have to be ready at six-thirty in the morning. Pack one change of clothes. I’ll add enough food for you. And be prepared to face Uncle Pete’s wrath. I haven’t told them I’m going.”
    “You sound like a general,” he said with a grin.
    But she wasn’t smiling. “You’d better believe it. I’m going to be in charge. If you go, you’ll do what I say.”

Chapter Six
    When Tori thought about Jon going with her, she was torn between relief and fear. She hadn’t wanted to make the trip alone. She couldn’t ask one of her male cousins to go against Pete’s wishes. But she was worried about spending more time with Jon. She was attracted to him. She didn’t want to admit it, but it was true.
    After she’d spent the night on his sofa, she’d realized she had a problem. First of all, she didn’t know how she’d gotten to the sofa. And secondly, her pillow carried his scent. She’d slept like a baby, and she’d dreamed she’d been held in Jon’s arms.
    Now she was taking him on an overnight trip?
    But nothing would happen. Russ would be there. At least she prayed to God he was there.
    She opened her door at six-thirty that morning and the sun was peeping over the horizon. If the man wasn’t ready, she was leaving him there. But he was sitting in front of his door, calmly waiting.
    He stood, and Tori held her breath. This was her first time to see him in tight-fitting jeans. He alwayswore slacks while he worked as a doctor. Now he was dressed like a cowboy, with a jacket on his arm. He held a backpack and his doctor’s