A Randall Thanksgiving by Judy Christenberry Read Free Book Online

ten years ago.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
    “It’s okay. It’s not a sensitive subject for me. They’re much happier since they split up.”
    “Are you an only child?”
    “No, I have a younger sister. She had a harder time with the divorce. She was just fourteen. She’s married now and I don’t see her that often. I don’t much like her husband.”
    “How old were you when your folks divorced?”
    “Eighteen. That makes me twenty-eight now.”
    Melissa flashed an embarrassed smile. “I guess I wasn’t subtle enough.”
    “So how old are you?”
    “Twenty-six.”
    “You moved to France when you were twenty? Was your dad crazy?”
    Her spine stiffened. “He wasn’t crazy at all. He and Mom realized what a great experience it would be for me.”
    John, who had just hung up the phone, entered the conversation, “You mean, Mom decided it would be a great experience for you, and forced Dad into agreeing.”
    “How did she do that?” Harry asked.
    John rolled his eyes, but Melissa said, “She stopped speaking to him until he gave in.”
    Harry looked at John, “How long did that take?”
    “A couple of days,” Melissa stated. Suddenly she noticed John smiling and Harry looking at him, nodding.
    “What?”
    Her brother shrugged. “I didn’t say anything.”
    She turned to stare at Harry. “Why were you nodding?”
    “I was just acknowledging what you said,” he replied. He certainly didn’t want to tell Melissa that her mother might have withheld more than her conversation. Sleeping on a lonely sofa could convince a man quickly.
    “Is this soup all we’re having, sis?” John interjected. Harry recognized the subject change.
    “Oh! I forgot the steak.” Melissa jumped up and headed into the kitchen.
    “Good save,” Harry whispered.
    “I see you thought what I thought. I didn’t ask Dad, but I figured if she wasn’t speaking to him, even Dad wasn’t going to try anything.”
    Harry laughed.
    When John went to help with the steak, declining Harry’s offer of assistance, Harry thought about the conversation. Clearly, Melissa’s parents had a good marriage. They still loved each other and their children. He wondered how a marriage like that would feel. And if he’d ever find out.
    “Here we go,” Melissa announced, setting a thick steak down in front of Harry, steam rising from it.
    John had followed her to the table, carrying his own plate.
    “This looks great. Thanks. I’m just afraid I’ll fall asleep before I can finish. Have you noticed that when you warm up after being out in the cold it makes you sleepy?”
    “Yes,” Melissa said with a chuckle. “Mom used to let us play outside in winter just before lunch. Then she’d feed us and put us to bed at once. We never even complained about naps.”
    “Sometimes I wish I was still that young,” John said with a sigh.
    Melissa frowned. “Why, John? Is something wrong?”
    “No, not really. It’s just…Dad wants me to take over running the ranch, but I can feel him staring over my shoulder all the time.”
    “Have you told him how you feel?”
    Harry cleared his throat. “That would be a little difficult, Melissa.”
    “Why?” she asked, turning to gaze at him.
    Harry sought for words. “It would be like you taking over the cooking. Even if your mother ate what you fixed, you probably would think she was criticizing your cooking in her head.”
    “No, I wouldn’t think that.”
    Harry looked at John. “I tried.”
    “Thanks,” John said, before he turned to his sister. “It’s a macho thing, sis.”
    “Oh, well, I think that’s silly. Dad wouldn’t turn it over to you if he didn’t believe in your ability.”
    “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s me having doubts, not Dad.”
    “I can only tell you your dad always brags about your ranching knowledge when he’s talking with the other Randalls,” Harry said to reassure his friend.
    “See?” Melissa echoed. “Just assume you know the best way