Randall Wedding (16 page)

“I’m here to see the two prisoners you have for setting a fire. I’m their lawyer from Chicago.”

“Well, they’ve gone to bed. Why don’t you come back in the morning.”

“Young man, I have appointments in the morning. I must see them tonight. They won’t mind losing sleep for me.”

“Well, I guess it’s okay.” He opened the locked door to the jail area and then went back to watching television.

A few minutes later, the lawyer came back through the door. The deputy never even looked at him. The gun with the silencer came up and he fired. Then he left the sheriff’s office followed by the two men the sheriff had arrested. The three men climbed into the Cadillac, no hurry or alarm in their motions. The Cadillac quietly drove out of town.

It was three a.m. in New York when Russ and Isabella arrived at the hotel in Manhattan. Isabella had fallen asleep on his shoulder in the taxi and he gently awakened her.

“Sweetheart, we’re at the hotel. Come on. You’ll be in bed soon.”

At the check-in desk, the night clerk welcomed them and efficiently handed them a key. “Oh, there’s a message for you, Mr. Randall,” he said as Russ was about to turn away.

Isabella, having leaned sleepily against Russ, straightened immediately. “Angel? Is something wrong with Angel?”

Russ unfolded the note, apprehension in him, too. “No, sweetheart. It’s from Dad. He thought it would make you feel better if you knew Angel is doing fine.” He put the folded note in his coat pocket and led his wife to the elevator.

Half an hour later, when Isabella was again asleep, Russ slipped from the room and went down
stairs to the bank of phones off the lobby. His dad answered the phone on the first ring.

“It’s Russ. What’s wrong?”

“I didn’t want to tell you, but I thought you should know before you faced Isabella’s father,” Pete said hurriedly. “The two witnesses escaped. A man who claimed to be their lawyer came into the jail about 10:30 last night. The deputy didn’t even search him,” Pete pointed out in disgust. “He went into the cell area and released the men. Then he came out and shot the deputy, who was watching television.”

“Who was it?”

“Jack Hayes. He didn’t die, though he’s injured. He managed to dial the sheriff’s number after the phone fell to the floor. Otherwise, he would’ve bled to death.”

“I intend to go straight to the airport from Isabella’s father’s office. I understand Isabella’s wanting to face him, but I don’t like the idea.”

“I know. A few of us should have gone with you.”

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll take care of her. I don’t think I’ll tell her until we’re on the plane coming home.” Russ hadn’t made up his mind until that moment.

“All right. Take care, and give us a call when the plane has taken off.”

“Will do. Thanks for the warning.”

Russ hung up the phone and returned to the elevator. He had some thinking to do. Isabella had
wanted to warn her father of her appearance at his company, but Russ had talked her out of the warning. Russ still liked the idea of surprising Paloni.

He entered their room and stared down at Isabella’s peaceful, beautiful face. How could anyone be so mean to her? He changed and got in bed beside her, pulling her into his arms. It was getting difficult for him to sleep without holding Isabella. And tonight he needed what sleep he could get.

Russ forced himself out of bed at nine. He took his shower and dressed before he woke Isabella.

“Time to get up, honey. It’s nine-thirty. We need to catch a taxi by ten o’clock.”

She opened her eyes and sat up, staring at him.

“Do you remember where we are?”

“Of course I do, but…but you’re dressed like a…a businessman.”

Russ looked down at his white dress shirt, maroon tie and gray suit. “I
am
a businessman.”

She scrambled to her knees and peered over the side of the bed to see his shoes, polished black wing tips. “Where are your boots?”

“In the suitcase. I think you’d better hurry if we’re going to keep to our schedule.”

She gasped at that reminder and hurried to the bathroom. He sat down on the bed, a grin on his face, and called room service. Their breakfast arrived fifteen minutes later.

Isabella emerged from the bathroom in the simple navy suit and shoes Sarah had provided. “Very
nice,” Russ told her with a smile. “No one would guess you’d had a baby two months ago.”

Izzy blushed, but smiled and thanked him. They ate a quick breakfast and hurried outside to claim one of the many taxis cruising the streets of Manhattan.

The driver was reluctant to drive to Queens, but Russ gave him a fifty-dollar bill and promised him another one when he took them to the airport. He explained that the driver would have to wait at the company they were going to. If it was longer than five minutes, he’d pay even more.

Isabella’s eyes were wide at his generosity. “You could’ve gotten him for less,” she whispered.

“I want to be sure he’s waiting for us. I don’t want you to worry about anything. It’s all going to be fine.”

When they arrived at the factory her father ran, the man at the gate wasn’t going to let them in. Isabella leaned forward. “Hello, Mike. It’s me, Isabella Paloni, only I’m married now. We just want to see my father for a few minutes.”

“Miss Isabella! Yeah, sure, sorry, I didn’t see you.”

He waved them through.

“Your dad runs a tight ship.”

“Very tight,” Isabella murmured.

At the large entrance, the cabbie turned and looked at them. “I wait longer than five minutes and I get more money?”

“Exactly. Just be here when we come out.
You’ve got our luggage in your trunk,” Russ reminded him.

“Will do, pal.”

“I feel better knowing we have our escape planned,” Isabella whispered to Russ. This time, she initiated their handholding, which pleased him.

Isabella indicated the executive offices. “My brother’s is the office on the left. Dad’s is on the right.”

The woman guarding the entrance to both offices looked up. “Miss Paloni. May I help you?”

“I’d like to see my father—at once, please.”

Russ was proud of her. He knew she was scared, because he could feel her hand trembling in his. But she held her head up and kept her voice calm.

“I’m sorry. He’s in a meeting and—”

“Interrupt him. Or I will.”

“Well…well, all right. Just a minute.” The woman picked up the phone and spoke in a low voice. They could hear enough to realize her father refused to see her.

“Your father said for you to go home. He’ll talk to you tonight.”

Russ stepped to the door on the right and opened it. The two of them entered.

“Who are you?” Isabella’s father demanded.

Russ could see the similarities between father and daughter, but Isabella showed no signs of the meanness on the man’s face. “I’m your daughter’s husband, Russ Randall. We won’t take much of your time, but we’re on a tight schedule.”

“I don’t have time for social visits. I don’t care who she married this time. She’s out of my life.”

Russ smiled. “That’s the way I want it, too.”

Isabella stepped forward. “Dad, I wanted to tell you face-to-face what I’ve done with the stock.”

“You have it?” he asked tightly.

“Yes, Great-aunt Maria left it to me. But I don’t want any part of your company, so I’ve sold the stock. A competitor bought it all and is planning a hostile takeover. I realize it will affect your control. So I thought you should know.”

“By the way,” Russ added casually, “I wouldn’t do any traveling in Wyoming, if I were you. You might not ever get back to New York.” Then he and Isabella walked out, leaving a dumbfounded Antonio Paloni staring after them.

Isabella laughed with relief as they got back into the taxi.

Russ leaned forward. “Let’s go.”

When the cab reached the company gate, the driver waved to the guard and he waved back, and then they were through. Russ looked over his shoulder and saw the guard pick up the phone and try to wave them back. He said nothing to Isabella.

“We did it!” she declared. “Your threat was wonderful! The perfect threat! Oh, Russ, thank you for helping me face him. I feel very good about that.”

“I’m glad you do, honey. You were very brave.”

“Because you were there with me,” she told him with a beautiful smile.

“I’m your husband. We work together. I expect you to protect me when some woman hits on me.”

He was teasing, but Isabella took his words seriously. “I will,” she promised.

He liked the thought of Izzy fighting off other women. It pleased him that she agreed they were a team. One he could rely on for the rest of his life. He intended to hold her and Angel close. It had even occurred to him that they might give Angel a brother or sister. A delicious, but scary thought.

When they got to the airport a few minutes later, Russ tipped the driver generously. The man’s gratitude embarrassed Russ, but Isabella laughed. “Next time we come to New York, I’d better be in control of the tipping. Otherwise we’ll have taxis following us around to see if we want a ride.”

“If it’s raining, it might be worth it,” Russ drawled.

“You’ve been to New York before?” she asked curiously.

“Abby and I were here for our honeymoon. She wanted to see the Big Apple once.”

Immediately Isabella sobered. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I should’ve come alone.”

“I’m your husband, Izzy. Don’t forget that. It’s my job to protect you.” He picked up their two suitcases. “Let’s go get checked in. The lines will probably be long.”

Their plane took off two hours later. They’d had lunch at one of the restaurants in the terminal. Once they were settled on the plane, Isabella fell asleep,
exhausted, apparently, by the morning’s confrontation.

Russ took out his credit card and initiated a long-distance call to the ranch.

“Red, it’s Russ. Is Dad there?”

“He sure is, boy. He’s been pacing the floor.”

“Russ? Is everything all right?” Pete asked a moment later.

“Everything’s fine. Isabella was terrific. Her father was too surprised to even say anything.”

“Wonderful. We’ve been worried. Your brother is here.” He handed over the phone.

“Russ? Why didn’t you take me with you?” Rich demanded. “You know I would’ve watched your back.”

“Sometimes a man has to stand up for his woman by himself, Rich. But thanks for the offer.”

“You’re on the plane?”

“Yes. New York is a speck on the ground below. Izzy’s asleep. We didn’t get much last night. We’ll get to Denver about five. Then we’ll catch the next flight to Casper. Can someone meet the plane?”

“Sam and I will. We can have dinner in Casper when we pick you up. Gram will watch our baby.”

“That sounds good. How’s Jack?”

“Hurting from the sheriff’s lecture more than the wound. He’ll be on his feet in a few days.”

“Good. Okay, we’ll look for you in Casper,” Russ said. “Tell Dad I appreciate his concern.”

“If you talked to Mom, you wouldn’t say that. She’s been driving us all crazy.”

“I hoped Angel would keep her busy.”

He could hear the grin in Rich’s voice. “It’ll take more than one baby to do that. She raised twins, remember?”

“Yeah. I’ll have to see what I can do about that.”

R
USS DIDN’T SLEEP
at all on the plane. All he could think about was the future, his and Izzy’s future. Would she stay with him? Could he continue to share a bed with her and not make love to her? Would she ever want him the way he wanted her?

He had no answers. He’d promised to wait a year. He was an idiot! He would be out of his mind if he slept beside her an entire year but didn’t make love to her. But he’d promised.

When they got off the plane in Casper, his twin and Samantha were waiting for them. “I hope you’re starving,” Rich said, a grin on his face, “because I am. We found a good restaurant right on the edge of town as we came in. Is that okay with you two?”

“Oh, yes, that would be wonderful,” Isabella said. “I’m hungry, too. Did you go by and check on Angel before you left?”

“We stopped by,” Samantha said, “but it was to ask Pete and Janie if they wanted to come with us. Janie had Angel in her arms, talking to her. She seemed very happy.”

“Mom or Angel?” Russ asked.

“Both of them,” returned Samantha.

Isabella smiled. “Good. Then we’ve got time to eat.”

They settled into a booth at the restaurant and discovered a varied menu. Isabella ordered a barbecue sandwich with fries. Russ stared at her.

“I didn’t know you liked barbecue.”

“I didn’t know I did either until I moved out here. They don’t serve it in New York.”

“What else is different from New York?” Samantha asked.

Isabella laughed. “The availability of cabs. I haven’t seen any in Wyoming. And delivery of food. In New York you can order food by phone and it will be there in fifteen minutes and still be warm.”

“You mean pizza?” Samantha asked.

“Any kind of food. For any meal. You can order breakfast.”

“I didn’t know that. But we’re so spread out here.” Samantha looked at her husband. “I might like to go to New York for a visit someday.”

“Are you homesick?” Russ asked Isabella warily.

“A little,” she said.

Russ worried about the homesickness growing.

“But we’ll be home in two hours, so I guess I can wait,” Isabella added.

Russ froze. Then he looked at his wife. “You mean you’re homesick for Wyoming?”

“Not Wyoming exactly, but Rawhide. It’s a neat little town, full of good people.”

“I thought you meant you were homesick for New York.” Russ took her hand in his.

She squeezed his fingers. “No. I don’t have good memories of New York. But my time in Rawhide has been full of good experiences.” She paused, then added, “Even the blizzard was exciting, from what I can remember. And everything turned out all right because you came along and rescued us.”

“That’s kind of like my driving Rich home when he hurt his ankle. I didn’t intend to fall for him, but then we both moved to his grandmother’s ranch and I couldn’t help falling in love with him. In the end, it turned out all right,” Samantha said with a big smile. “In fact, it turned out so right that we’re expecting another baby.” Her cheeks were bright red.

Rich put his arm around his wife and smiled, too, a satisfied look on his face.

“Congratulations,” Russ said. “Are you hoping for a girl this time?”

“I’m hoping for twins,” Rich said.

“I’m not,” Samantha protested. “I don’t think I can manage two babies at once.”

“It sounds tough, but I’ll help you if you have twins,” Isabella promised.

“Or you could have another baby, too,” Rich suggested.

Now it was Isabella’s turn to blush.

Russ said, “Angel is only two months old. I think Izzy would like more time not being pregnant. There’s no rush.”