Randall Pride Read Online Free PDF

wouldn’t come back. He, uh, sneers at the way people dress here. He actually made fun of Mr. Holliwell when he came in while O’Banyon was here.”
    “Oh, I’m so sorry, Bill. But deciding not to hire him won’t affect your friendship with my family. Have you spoken with Cleve?”
    Bill nodded. “Yeah. He didn’t take it well.”
    “I’m not surprised. He thinks he would be an asset to any company.”
    Bill looked at her sharply, and she knew she hadn’t hidden her disgust well.
    “Uh, well, I appreciate your understanding.”
    “Do you still need help?”
    He stared at her warily. “Yeah, but—”
    “I was going to suggest you talk to my cousin, Russ.”
    “Russ is looking for a job as an accountant?” Bill asked, surprise in his voice.
    “Not exactly. But he majored in accounting, and I think he’d like to work in town part-time.”
    “I had no idea. That’s a great idea! I’ll call him this evening.”
    “Mmm, could you wait until next week?”
    “Why?”
    “I need to talk to my family after I’ve talked to Cleve, and I won’t be able to manage all that until the weekend.” She really felt she should tell Cleve first that she’d changed her mind.
    “Okay, as long as you don’t think anyone else would snap him up. He’ll be perfect.”
    “How do you know? He might not know enough accounting,” she pointed out.
    “Randalls breed true, Elizabeth. There hasn’t been a bad one yet.” His grin was wide and warm.
    Elizabeth smiled back. But she realized she might’ve broken that chain if she’d married Cleve and had his children. Why hadn’t she realized that earlier? She stood. “Thanks for your cooperation, Bill. We’ll have everything settled very soon.”
    “I appreciate that, Elizabeth.”
     
    D ARK WAS STARTING to come earlier, and Toby was glad. His first day back in the saddle took a lot of stamina. He was strong and skilled, but he was tired.
    “Good job today, Toby,” his Uncle Pete said, pulling up beside him. “I figure we got a lot more done today with your roping skills.”
    “You’re no slouch yourself, Uncle Pete.” His uncle was the only one of the Randalls before Toby who had rodeo experience.
    “I wanted to tell you I appreciate you not encouraging the boys to head out for the rodeo, too. Rich has mentioned going several times, but Russ always reminds him about what you said.”
    Toby grinned. “I didn’t want them making that their life. It’s too hard, and it can lead them down the wrong path.”
    “True. So why did you stay so long?”
    Toby stiffened. He hadn’t been prepared for that question. “I wanted to earn enough to pay for my own place.”
    “Oh. Have you talked to your dad about land around here? I’m sure he’d be glad to help you.”
    “I’m in no hurry.” He’d already decided if Elizabeth and Cleve settled down in Rawhide, he wouldn’t be doing the same. He told himself she’d be married then, but it didn’t seem to affect his hormones.
    “Your dad—”
    Toby interrupted. “I’d appreciate your not mentioning this to Dad just yet. I want to enjoy being home with the family for a while.”
    “Sure thing, boy. Jake loves having you home.”
    “I love being here,” Toby returned as they reached the barn, and he caught sight of Elizabeth’s car. She was home. He started trying to stifle the desire that rose up in him. Damn, he only had to know she was there, without even seeing her, to start yearning for her.
    After taking care of his horse, he headed for the Pad with Russ and Rich, telling his father he was going to clean up.
    “Okay. Red will ring when dinner is ready,” Jake assured him.
    With a wave, he walked with the cousins.
    “Hey, we didn’t have a chance to ask last night,” Rich began. “You haven’t told us about any of the women.”
    “What women?” Toby asked, his mind on Elizabeth.
    “The women that chase all the rodeo guys,” Russ explained.
    Toby shrugged his shoulders. “There’s not much to