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

lured Mike to the army a couple of years after high school. After having been an M.P., he’d considered the jump to the police force a natural one after the military.
    Throughout his life, no one had ever handed anything to Mike Davis. Not even his job. He’d worked to distinguish himself in the Chicago PD, to build an untarnished record of service that made him a viable choice to succeed Bill as sheriff of Rawhide.
    It was that same tenaciousness and righteousness that forced him to see how wrong he was for Caroline Randall. How they could never have anything but a secret dalliance. And wasn’t it she who’d said nothing was ever secret in this town?
    No, he’d just have to stay away from her—socially, anyway.
    He’d check on her and the children because he’d said he would. But that was it. Doing his duty. That was all he’d do.
    The phone rang. “Sheriff’s Office,” he said briskly, trying to erase his thoughts about Caroline.
    “Mike? Is that you?”
    Mike recognized the voice. “Yes, Mr. Randall. How may I help you?”
    “You the only one on duty?”
    “Yes, sir. I can call in some men if I need to.”
    “No, not necessary. Are you being relieved at noon?”
    Mike was becoming a little irritated because Jake Randall hadn’t yet told him what was wrong. “Yes, Mr. Randall. But if you’ll tell me the problem—”
    “Sorry, son, I didn’t mean to mislead you. There’s no problem. We just wanted to ask you to join us for Sunday dinner about one o’clock.”
    Mike was pleased to be welcomed so warmly into the community, but Caroline wouldn’t be happy about this invitation. “Uh, Mr. Randall, that’s very nice of you, but I don’t want to put anyone to any trouble.”
    “No trouble, boy. But you can do me a favor. I was going to go by and pick up Caroline. Could you bring her for me? She’ll show you where to go.”
    “Of course I will, if that’s what she wants. But she has two children with her. Will it be okay if they come?”
    “Children? Whose children?”
    “One of her patients. Tracey Long. I believe she and Caroline went to high school together.”
    “I’ll call Caro. But if you don’t hear from me, pick up her and the kids at twelve-thirty, and we’ll all dine together.”
    “Yes, sir.” Mike hung up the phone, wondering what Caroline’s reaction would be.
    Probably he shouldn’t have accepted the invitation, because he suspected it would upset her, but he needed to get to know the people he served. Besides, his uncle had had a special relationship with the Randalls.
    If Mike kept his hands off Caroline, maybe she wouldn’t object to his presence. She hadn’t objected last night, his inner voice reminded him. And it was true. Until he’d cautioned her about continuing.
    “Big mouth!” he muttered to himself. Then she’d immediately shown him the door. It had been coldoutside, but no colder than his heart as he’d heard her reject him.
    “That’s because you have no business starting anything with Caroline Randall. And Jake Randall will be the first one to tell you that.”
    Mike piddled with some paperwork, sure Caroline would call and tell him she didn’t need him to pick her up. The phone rang three times, and each time he expected to hear her sexy voice. Instead, he turned down two invitations to Sunday dinner, one from a rancher and his family on the outskirts of town, and another from a widow down the street.
    “I appreciate the invite, Mrs. Dunster, but I’ve already accepted an invitation. It’s thoughtful of you to offer, though.”
    “I bet it was from those Randalls! They not only gobble up all the land, but they also trap all the single men for their girls! It’s not fair.”
    “I think they’re just being neighborly, ma’am.”
    “Humph! We’ll see.”
    When Mike hung up the phone, he laughed. The widow didn’t seem to realize any of the Randall women could manage to find suitors on their own. They were all very attractive, not to mention