A Randall Returns (11 page)

And she thought her plans had been ruined before!

Bill and Margie Dunster reached the SUV arm in arm, happy smiles on their faces. He leaned over and kissed her just before they got in the SUV.

After the greetings, silence fell as Mike sped out of town toward Buffalo. Lost in quiet thought, Caroline decided to call her father. She wasn’t willing to accept the end of Mike’s job in Rawhide. She thought he was good for the town. Even if Bill wanted his job back, surely something could be done. And her father was the one to do it.

They were warmly welcomed at the restaurant by the maître d’, who obviously remembered them. When they sat down, Bill asked what was going on. Caroline stood. “I’ll let Mike explain our adventure while I excuse myself.”

Mike gave her a curious look, but she only smiled
and headed for the ladies’ room. Inside, she sat down on a couch and pulled out her cell phone.

Red answered and Caroline asked for her father. In seconds, Jake Randall was on the phone.

“Dad, Bill Metzger is back in Rawhide. He has been exercising and thinks his health is greatly improved.” She took a deep breath. “He wants his old job back.”

There was a moment of silence. Then Jake got to the heart of the problem. “What does he expect Mike to do?”

“I don’t know. But Mike said he couldn’t fight his uncle.”

“I can imagine that, and I’m glad he feels that way, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Neither do I. Is there anything I can do?”

“Well, you could marry him.”

“Dad! I’m being serious.”

He chuckled. “Me, too!” Then he cleared his throat. “I’ll talk to the family and see what we can do. Will you tell Mike to hold on for a couple of days?”

“Yes. If he’ll listen to me.”

“Give it your best, sweetheart. He’s a good man and we want him to stay.”

“So do I.”

B
ILL PUSHED BACK
from the table. “That was a mighty fine meal.”

“Yes,” Mike agreed. “It was very good. How about some dessert?”

“Ooh! I’d love some,” Margie said. “I just love French desserts. Those little fruit tarts. I’m sure they can’t be fattening, they’re so small.”

The older woman had been downright giddy with happiness. Before Bill’s heart attack, they had had a comfortable relationship that no one talked about but everyone knew was happening. Once he was gone, she’d been lonesome.

“Sure, we’ll have dessert if you want it, Margie. And a bottle of champagne,” Bill ordered from the waiter hovering near.

“Champagne?” Mike asked. “Are we toasting something?”

“I’ll let you know in a minute. Margie, I’ve missed you so much. Now that I’m better and I don’t think doing—well, you know what I mean. I want to marry you. Will you accept my proposal?”

Margie screamed, leaped from her chair and threw her arms around Bill’s neck, plopping down in his lap. “Yes, yes, yes! Oh, Bill, I thought I’d lost you. I’ve been so lonely.”

She gave him a big kiss. Then she asked, “When?”

“Right away! I’m going to be sheriff again.”

“You mean I don’t get to move to Arizona?”

There was a flicker of hope in Caroline’s heart, but it was quickly doused when Bill told her she wouldn’t like Arizona. “We’re going to be here. I’m going to be sheriff again. We’ll be here with our friends.”

Caroline looked at Mike, but he kept his gaze on the table and said nothing. But it wasn’t fair! Bill Metzger wasn’t thinking about Mike. He was casting him aside as if the change Mike had made in his life meant nothing.

Now Mike would return to Chicago. And she’d be left behind.

Mike had offered Bill his apartment—soon to be Bill’s—to stay in. Instead, he asked Mike to pick up his suitcase and take it to Margie’s house.

“My boxes should be here in a couple of days,” he added.

Mike nodded and said nothing.

After the couple got out and disappeared into Margie’s house, Mike drove in silence. Caroline didn’t speak till he parked beside her house. “I called Dad. He said for you to hang on for a couple of days and he’d see what he could do.”

“Caroline, I can’t do that. He’s like my father. After my dad died, Bill was there for me. I can’t oppose him.”

“So you’ve decided to go back to Chicago?”

“If they’ll take me. If not, I’ll have to find a police force that needs help.”

Caroline sat there, fighting tears. “So our…friendship doesn’t matter?”

“Caroline, there’s nothing I can do! I don’t want to go to Chicago. I don’t want to give up my job when I’m just getting started, but I have no choice.” He gave her a hopeful look. “Didn’t you want to return to Chicago?”

“No. I’ve finally found my way home, and I have no desire to go back there. Mike, don’t go, please!” She reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Honey, I don’t have a choice.”

“Maybe Dad can—”

“I told you I won’t fight Bill on this. I’ll be leaving as soon as possible.”

She pulled away from him. “I guess I overestimated your interest. Good night, Mike.” She opened the door and jumped out, running to her house.

Mike called her name and she heard him get out of the truck, but she couldn’t take any more. He wasn’t even going to try to keep his job. It was hopeless.

M
IKE GOT UP
and prepared to do his normal jogging at seven. Secretly, he hoped Caroline would join him again. He didn’t want to leave her. But he had no choice.

She didn’t appear. He jogged past her house twice, slowing down each time. No sign of life. When he got back to the office, he went upstairs to the apartment and showered. When he came down, he was pleased to see a couple of his deputies working out. But he supposed that program would be canceled.

On his run, he’d seen some of the men from the Randall ranch come to work, and he could hear sawing and hammering in the back. There was no sign of Bill yet. Mike knew he had to prepare his men for the change.

“I’m going over to see Harry,” he told one of the deputies. “Have everyone hang out here until I get back.”

“Yes, sir.”

He reached the clinic, knowing Caroline wouldn’t be there yet. He found Harry’s room. “How you doing?”

“Fine, boss,” he said, sounding almost normal. “But you gotta put Steve back to work. He’s driving me and everyone else here absolutely crazy.”

“Is he already here?”

“Yep. Susan sent him off on a task—” Harry nodded to the nurse at his bedside “—but he’ll be back anytime.”

“I’m sorry he’s a problem. I’ll get him back to the office.”

“Thank you,” the nurse said.

“You’re Susan?” Mike asked.

“Yes.”

“Thanks for taking such good care of Harry.”

She gave him a shy smile. “I have a vested interest.” Her cheeks reddened. Harry reached out and took her hand.

Mike grinned. It was good to see that someone would have a happy ending. “Would you mind if I speak to Harry alone for a minute?”

“Of course not,” she quickly said, and excused herself.

Harry immediately asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing for you. My uncle has come back.”

“Sheriff Metzger?” Harry asked in surprise.

“Yes. He’s doing much better and he wants to be sheriff again. I just thought I’d let you know of the change that’s about to happen.”

“You’re giving up your job?” Harry asked, his voice rising. “You can’t do that, boss. You were going to teach us a lot. Make life better here!”

“Yeah, and I did such a good job, I got you shot.”

“Hell, that wasn’t your responsibility. Steve just isn’t as seasoned as he should be.”

“And who decided Steve should participate in that undercover operation?”

“Me. I suggested Steve and I should work it.”

“I appreciate your answer, Harry, but Uncle Bill is going to take his job back. I just wanted to prepare you.”

“Can’t you fight him?”

“He’s like a father to me. I can’t do that.”

“Damn.”

“I’m going now. I’ll get Steve back to the office and save you from his guilt. And I’ll come see you before I leave.”

Mike stepped out of the room and almost bumped into Caroline. “Whoa!” he said as he caught her arms to steady her balance. “Sorry, I didn’t see you coming.”

“How is Harry?”

“He’s improving rapidly. Enough to complain about Steve’s guilt. I’m taking the rookie back to the office with me.”

“Good.”

“Are you doing okay?”

She stiffened. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

So she was going to act as if nothing had happened between them. Okay. “No reason. I’m going to find Steve. Thanks again for Harry’s quick recovery.”

She nodded, but she wouldn’t look at him. With regret, he strode down the hall. Damn. He was giving up a lot leaving Rawhide.

When he got back to the office, his uncle was there, sitting at Mike’s desk. Mike fought the urge to unseat him. Instead, he smiled and welcomed him back. “Have you talked to the men?”

“No. Gary said you wanted everyone to wait until you got here.”

“Yeah. You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

“Nope. I’m delighted to be back.”

Mike turned to go speak to the men, and came face-to-face with Jake Randall. “Hi, Jake. How’s the project going?”

“Really well.”

“What’s going on, Jake?” Bill asked, getting up to shake his hand. “It’s good to see you.”

“Good to see you, too, Bill. But what’s this about you coming back to work?”

“Yep! I’m just about recovered. Me and Margie are gonna get married and I’ll have another twenty years here.”

“What about Mike?” Jake asked.

Mike started to protest, but the rancher gave him a look clearly asking for silence.

“Why, I guess he’ll go back to Chicago. I’m sure they’ll take him on again.”

Jake glanced at his friend. Then he turned to Mike. “Leave me with your uncle. And don’t say anything to the men.”

Mike frowned. “Look, Jake, it’s Uncle Bill’s choice.”

“Not necessarily. Go.”

Mike saw his uncle begin to question Jake about his meaning, but he didn’t wait to hear the discussion. He closed the door behind him as he went out.

“Hey, Mike, what’s going on in there?” Willie asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“Is it true Bill’s coming back? I guess that means I don’t need to do those stupid exercises. Bill wouldn’t ask that of me.”

The man’s attitude angered Mike, but he held his temper. Until Jake and Bill had talked, who knew what would happen? He couldn’t help but hope something could be worked out that would leave him some kind of a job in Rawhide.

C
AROLINE CALLED
her mother at lunchtime, anxiously wanting to hear what her father was going to do. But B.J. wasn’t at home.

“She’s working today, child,” Mildred said.

“Oh. Have you heard from Dad? Is he working at the jail?”

“Sure is.”

“Good. I’ll go over there.”

She’d go on the pretext of inviting her dad to lunch. Surely he wouldn’t let Mike be sent away. She hoped.

She didn’t know if she and Mike were destined to share a life, but if they were, it certainly wasn’t working out easily. Especially if he refused to fight for their future.

She gathered up her new phone, which had arrived the day before. Then she talked with one of the nurses and went to check on Harry.

“Caroline? Have you heard anything about Mike leaving?” Harry asked at once.

“Yes.”

“Isn’t there something we can do? I like Sheriff Metzger, but Mike’s so good.”

Caroline slowly shook her head. “He won’t oppose his uncle, Harry. So there’s nothing we can do, as far as I know. I did tell my father last night. Maybe he’ll be able to change their minds.”

“If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”

“I will, Harry. I’m going to go meet my dad now.”

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”

She gave him a brief smile and hurried out the door. She couldn’t think of a better man than her father to keep Mike here. Except for Mike himself.

She hurried to the Sheriff’s Office. What if her father wasn’t there? What if he’d given up, or had decided to support Bill? What if Mike was already packing?

She opened the door with trepidation.

The first thing she saw was Mike, sitting at one of the desks. Why wasn’t he in his office? She looked at the closed door. “Is my dad in there?”

“Yes,” he answered, his voice clipped and unemotional.

Caroline debated her options. Finally she walked to Mike and pulled out a chair. “What’s going on?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“I don’t know. Your dad shut me out and they haven’t opened the door for almost two hours. But we haven’t heard any gunshots or yelling, so I assume they’re both okay.”

“Are my uncles here?”

“They’re working out back, I believe.”

Caroline got up and headed for the back room.

“Caroline?” Mike called.

“Yes?”

He didn’t respond at first. Then he said, “Never mind.”

Through the door, Caroline found a new world. They had knocked out the original walls and were quickly putting up new ones, making a much bigger room.

Everyone greeted her.

“Uncle Pete, may I speak to you?”

“Sure, Caro. There’s not anything wrong at home, is there?”

“Oh, no. Everything’s fine.”

She waited until Pete got close to her. “I don’t want anyone to hear, but what did Dad decide to do about…the sheriff?”

“We all thought it would be good to keep Mike and to talk Bill out of his decision.”

Caroline let out a big breath. “Oh, that’s good. Do you think he’ll be able to do that?”

“We hope so. We all like Bill, but we need a younger sheriff. Mike brings a lot of skill and energy to the job.”

“Mike won’t fight Bill. He says he’s been like a father to him.”

“We understand that, but I think he likes it here. We’re trying to work something out.”

“Good.” She hugged her uncle and kissed his cheek. “Thank you so much.”

“No problem, Caro. We’re all waiting to see if Jake makes progress.”

“How much longer do you think it will—”

“Caro?” Jake called.

Caroline whirled around and ran to her father’s arms. “Dad! What happened? Did you work things out?”

“I think so.”

“Is Sheriff Metzger leaving?”

“No, I don’t think so.” As Caroline gasped, Jake hurriedly added, “I think he’ll leave Mike as sheriff, though.”

“But what would he be?”

“That’s what he and Mike are talking about now.”

“Mike said he’d be going back to Chicago.”

Jake grinned. “If he does, it will be because he wants to go. Bill’s going to make that clear.”

Caroline gave a silent prayer of thanks and kissed her father’s cheek. “I came to take you to lunch. Can you go?”

“Of course I can, if you’re buying!” He grinned at her.

“Oh, yes. I owe you big time.”

She knew she couldn’t celebrate until she heard Mike’s decision. She should’ve gotten her head straight earlier, and should have talked to him about her feelings, she decided with a pang of regret.

“Okay,” Jake said. “Lunchtime, guys!” he called out. “Caroline’s buying. Everyone to the café!”

When he winked at his daughter, letting her know he was teasing, she shook her head. “It’s worth it, Dad.”

“No, you need to save your money. I always buy lunch, anyway. Let’s go see if Mike and Bill want to join us.”

“Do you think we should?” Caroline asked, thinking of that closed door.

“Yeah. I’m not prepared to wait any longer.”

Caroline wasn’t, either.

As all the men, including her uncles, began putting away their tools, Jake took her arm and led her to the big room where several deputies were working. The door to the Sheriff’s Office was still closed.

Jake strode over and gave a brief knock. Then he opened it. “We’re extending an invitation to lunch. My daughter has promised to treat. Anyone interested?”

Bill gave Jake a rueful look. “I’m supposed to be at Margie’s for lunch. You try to convince my best man to keep his job.” Shaking his head, he exited the Sheriff’s Office.

Caroline’s heart sank.

Jake glanced at her. “Give me a minute with Mike.”

Caroline watched as her dad went in and closed the door behind him.

J
AKE STARED AT
M
IKE
. “So, you’re going to abandon my daughter?”

“Sir, your daughter told me she only wanted us to be friends. That’s the kiss of death, and you know it.”

Jake grinned. “Yeah, that’s a killer. So you think my daughter asked me to help because she’s concerned about law enforcement in Rawhide?”

“Probably.”

“Mike, wake up. Not only does she not want you to leave, but your uncle doesn’t, either. Didn’t he tell you that?”

“Sure. But you didn’t see how excited he was about coming back.” Mike rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, Jake, the man’s been good to me. I can’t take the job he wants.”

“He’s not being offered the job.”

“What?”

“We’re all glad he’s back, but not as sheriff. We want you as the sheriff. We like your energy, your superior training, your heart.”

“Sir, if you’re arguing this because you think Caroline will decide she wants to marry, I can’t promise—”

“Mike, I want you because you believe in not using guns without just cause. And you want to raise the entire staff to that level. I approve.”

“But Caroline—”

“I’m not demanding anything from you on the subject of Caroline. I want her happy, but only if the man feels the same way.”

Mike stood and stuck out his hand. “Thank you. I accept.”

Jake took it in his. “Let’s go eat.” He clapped Mike on the back as they stepped out into the main office.

Caroline sat behind a desk. “Everyone else is gone.”