Judy Christenberry - A Randall Thanksgiving

“Why?”

Melissa stiffened. What was wrong with the man? He should’ve been falling all over himself, apologizing. “Because my daddy said I owed you something for trying to warn me about Dwight Barnes.”

“You didn’t seem to appreciate it last night.”

Now she was really getting irritated. “This was my father’s idea!” she exclaimed, and shoved the box toward him.

“I can’t accept payment,” he said calmly.

Melissa felt steam blowing out her ears. She nailed him in his rock-hard stomach with the box. “It’s a damn box of cookies. I don’t care what you do with it!” And she stomped out of the office.

When she reached the sidewalk, she regretted her loss of control, but it was too late to do anything about it now. She just hoped her father didn’t come to town and run into Harry. She’d never hear the end of it.

Since her cousins’ accounting office was just across the street, Melissa went over there to see if Tori wanted to go to lunch. At least someone in Rawhide would treat her nicely.

Tori agreed to go as soon as Russ got back. He usually went home for lunch, Tori explained, since he and his wife had had a second child, a little boy.

“I’m looking forward to Sunday dinner so I can meet everyone who’s new to the family,” Melissa said.

“There’s a fair number,” Tori replied. “Including my latest.”

“Another baby? How many have you had?”

“Just three. And he may be my last.”

“You sound kind of sad about that,” Melissa noted. “I thought you intended to be a career woman.”

“I did. But Jon…well, he was just too hard to resist.” She laughed. “Men can be like that, you know.”

“I think I do.”

“I bet you just bat your lashes and they fall to their knees all around you.”

“Not exactly,” Melissa replied darkly.

Tori’s eyebrows soared. “Oh? Was it in France or here in Rawhide?”

“Here, and it’s no big deal. I think Dad was trying to play matchmaker like Uncle Jake.”

“And you went along with it?”

“Yeah. The guy was kind of cute and I thought I might enjoy my trip more if I had someone to go out with. I’m only going to be here for about six weeks.”

“And he wasn’t interested? The man must be made out of stone…or married. You wouldn’t try to date a married man, would you, Melissa? I mean, I know that some people are different about things like that, but it wouldn’t— I mean, here in Rawhide, it’s not—”

Before Tori could try again to explain the mores in Rawhide, Melissa told her, “Remember, I said my dad had set me up? I don’t think he’d choose a married man for me.”

“Oh, right, of course.”

“And just for the record, I wouldn’t go for a married man, either, here or in France.”

“I’m sorry for even thinking that, Melissa, but you’ve been gone so long and the French—”

“I know. But I’m a Randall, not a Frenchman.”

Tori smiled. “Good. So who gave you a hard time?”

“You probably don’t know him.”

“In Rawhide? You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Okay, it was Harry Gowan.”

“Harry? Harry was mean to you?” Tori asked in disbelief.

“I didn’t say he was mean. He was just…disinterested.”

“He must be going blind, honey. You’re beautiful, what with that hairstyle and your makeup.”

“Am I wearing too much makeup?”

“No. I keep staring at your eyes. They look so natural but they stand out. I’m impressed.”

“It’s because I got Mom’s blue eyes with Dad’s hair color. Around here, all the Randalls seem to be brown-eyed.”

“You’ve got a point there. But Jess and I don’t look like regular Randalls, either,” said the blond, blue-eyed Tori.

“I know. I always liked that about you two. How is Jessica?”

“She’s due any day now.”

“More babies? I’ll never keep them straight!”

“Yes, you will. Give it time. Just remember, we’re all family.”

As if on cue, the door opened and Russ entered the outer office.

“Hey, Russ,” Melissa said, hugging her cousin. “I haven’t seen you in six years. Looks like fatherhood agrees with you.”

He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You’ve certainly grown up.”

“Thank you, kind sir.”

“Where are you two headed?” he asked as Melissa and Tori walked toward the door.

“We’re going over to the café for lunch,” Tori said.

“I think I’ll join you. I can have a piece of pie while y’all eat your lunch.”

“I thought one of us was going to stay at the office all the time. Isn’t that what we decided?” Tori asked.

“Yeah, but today’s a special occasion.” He winked at Melissa. “I’ll just tell Cora to call my cell if something comes up.”

“Be quick about it,” Tori said. “We’re both starving.”

A few seconds later Russ held open the door, and the two women went out. They’d reached the other side of the street when, behind them, they heard Russ greet someone.

“Why don’t you join us? I’ll buy you a piece of pie,” Russ called out.

The women turned around, and that was when Melissa came face-to-face with the living, breathing cause of her irritation.

Harry Gowan.

Melissa held her breath as she waited for Harry’s answer. It confused her that she didn’t even know what she wanted most—for him to accept the invitation or to reject it.

“Thanks, Russ, but I’m on duty. Mike frowns on me spending all my time in the café.” He added a smile, which was more than he’d done for her.

“I understand. But let me introduce my long lost cousin Melissa, Griff and Camille’s daughter. She’s been living in France.”

Without looking her way, he replied, “I met her last night. She seems to be adjusting well.”

Melissa stomped her foot. “Quit talking about me like I’m not here!”

He finally looked at her. “Certainly, Miss Randall.” Then he quickly averted his gaze. “See you ’round, Russ, Tori.” And he walked away.

Tori and Russ stared after him, and looked at Melissa.

“What?” she demanded, feeling defensive.

Russ said, “Let’s get our table. Then we’ll talk.”

Once they were seated and had gotten their coffee and given their orders, Russ turned to Melissa. “You’ve only been here a few days. How have you managed to upset one of the nicest guys in town?”

“Are you referring to Harry Gowan?” Melissa demanded. “Because he hasn’t been so nice to me!”

Russ glanced at Tori. “What’s going on? Are they already involved?”

“No!” Melissa nearly spat out her coffee.

Tori put a calming hand on her arm, then explained, “It’s another case of a father matchmaking for his daughter, a Randall pastime, you know. And apparently, though I find it hard to believe, Harry wasn’t interested.”

Russ shifted his gaze to Melissa. “I’m surprised. I figured guys would be lined up for the opportunity to get close to you, Melissa.”

“Thank you, but apparently I only appeal to men with loose morals,” she said glumly.

“Who in particular?” Russ asked sternly.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re as bad as Harry.”

“Wait a minute. I’m getting confused. Where does Harry come in?”

Melissa sighed. “Harry warned me last night not to go outside with Dwight Barnes. And Dad said I should bake him some cookies to say thank you. So I did, because I wanted to please Dad. But Harry wouldn’t even take the cookies.”

“What did you do with them?” Russ asked.

“I hit him in the stomach with the box and walked out. I don’t know what he did with them after that. Probably threw them in the trash!”