Randall Pride Read Online Free PDF Page A

single.”
    “That’s the last I’ve heard, too,” Elizabeth admitted reluctantly. “But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a lady. He’s not acting like himself.”
    “Ooh! I bet he has a broken heart! I’ll be glad to console him.” Abby’s gaze was intent on Elizabeth.
    “Did you want me to tell him that?”
    “No! Don’t be silly. He wouldn’t look at me. Not with you hanging around,” Abby said with a wry smile.
    Elizabeth concentrated on her sandwich. “He’s my cousin.”
    “Honey, there’s no blood kinship. Everyone knows that.”
    Elizabeth’s heartbeat sped up. She’d never admitted to anyone in the family that she’d finally figured that out when she was sixteen. Toby was considered a Randall in every way. For almost a year Elizabeth had held that information close to her heart. Then Toby’s behavior had told her it didn’t matter.
    “Do you think he’ll come to the big Halloween party?”
    Elizabeth stared at the other woman. “That’s two months away.”
    “I know, but we could get him to sign autographs for a dollar and make a lot of money for the teachers’ fund.”
    “I can ask him. I’m not sure he’ll be here by then, but I’ll check with him.”
    “Thanks, Elizabeth. Or he could have a kissing booth for five dollars a kiss. Then we’d really make a killing.”
    Elizabeth ended that idea. “No. Toby wouldn’t like that.” She wouldn’t like it, whether he did or not.
    “Okay. Just a thought. But ask him about doing autographs. That would be great. Oh, I’ve got a better idea. We could have a raffle and the winner gets a date with Toby. Yeah, he could do that and the autographs. It wouldn’t kill him to spend one evening with a local lady, Elizabeth. Please ask him.”
    Elizabeth didn’t like that idea either. But it was more reasonable than him kissing a hundred women. With a sigh she promised she would.
    “Is he still as good-looking as ever?”
    Elizabeth was fast developing a headache. “Yes.”
    “Come on. Aren’t you going to give me some details?” Abby asked, practically salivating as she waited.
    “No. Abby, you’ve known him all your life. He looks the same.”
    Abby sighed and lapsed into silence, staring into space.
    Elizabeth knew what her friend was seeing in her mind. A tall man, muscular, but rangy, with a singular grace, light brown, almost golden eyes, dark hair, strong features…and a beautiful smile that varied between cocky and sympathetic. The desire to be the center of his universe, to have that smile all to herself, had long been her secret wish.
    “How’s your class today?” Elizabeth asked, desperate to change the subject.
    For the remaining minutes before Abby’s next class, they discussed work. But when Abby left, the next arrivals wanted to talk about Toby, too. One of the teachers had taught him years ago and always thought of him as that same little boy. At least that was a better image than Toby in a kissing booth.
    When she was ready to go home, she checked her calendar for the next day and saw the note she’d written about Bill Johnson. Otherwise, she would’ve gone straight home, her mind focused on Toby.
    She drove the short distance to Bill Johnson’s office on the main street of Rawhide. He never used a receptionist or secretary, so she knocked on the open door of his office and he looked up from his desk.
    “Oh, Elizabeth, thanks for coming by,” he said, rising to shake her hand. “Sit down, please.”
    Elizabeth did so and waited for him to speak.
    “Uh, Mr. O’Banyon came in yesterday afternoon, you know. We’d corresponded, of course, and he has excellent skills.” He paused and stared at her.
    “And?”
    “Elizabeth, I’ve been friends with your family for a long time. I’d do anything I could to help them, but—” He broke off again.
    Elizabeth smiled. She realized his dilemma. “You don’t think you can work with Cleve?”
    Relief filled his face. “Not just me. My customers—they