Randall Wedding

“But her instincts were good,” Russ reminded his cousin. “She kept herself and Angel safe until I came along to save them.”

“Probably the fever you had helped keep your baby warm.”

“Am I running a fever now?”

“A very slight one. I think an antibiotic would be a good thing just in case. Russ said he fed you breakfast this morning. Any difficulty keeping it down?”

“No.”

“Okay, I’ve got some samples here so Russ won’t have to dig his way clear to the drugstore. Why don’t we see if that will get you back on your feet again? Is that okay with you?”

She nodded.

“Not a big talker, are you?”

She shook her head. “Thank you.”

“She has good manners,” Russ muttered.

A knock sounded on the front door. Isabella glanced at Russ, seeing a worried look on his face. The other two seemed amused.

When Russ didn’t move, Tori said, “I think you have more company, Russ. Want me to open the door?”

“No, I’ll get it.”

In no time he returned to the bedroom with two women. “Isabella, this is my mother, Janie Randall, and my aunt, Anna Randall. She’s a nurse.”

Isabella nodded to the two women, but she didn’t say anything.

Janie sat on the side of the bed and patted Isabella’s arm as if they were old friends. “Who are you visiting in Rawhide, dear? Maybe we know her.”

“She doesn’t live in town, so probably not,” Isabella said quickly. She wasn’t sure her great-aunt would keep her arrival a secret, and secrecy was essential. She knew that once she explained everything to her great-aunt, she would. But she wasn’t sure she’d get the chance before her father called.

“None of us live in town, but we’re a tight-knit community,” Anna said.

“My aunt is elderly. I don’t want anyone to surprise her.”

Anna’s eyes grew large, worrying Isabella. “Don’t tell me you’re Maria Paloni’s great-niece? Of course, I should have remembered.” Anna turned to Janie. “Remember, Janie? I told you about her wanting to talk to her great-niece that last time.”

“She wanted to talk to me?”

“Yes,” Anna said, turning to face Isabella, “but—” She stopped abruptly. “I’m sorry to have to tell you, Isabella. Maria died two weeks ago.”

RUSS HADN’T REALIZED Maria Paloni had died. She was a charming old lady who’d lived near Rawhide for almost sixty years. She’d participated in community events for as long as he could remember. Taken food to those in need. Offered to take care of children in times of stress.

Lately she hadn’t been well, and his mother and the other Randall women had taken her food. Maybe that was why Isabella had heard the Randall name.

He convinced his mother and Anna to leave Isabella to mourn. She’d certainly looked stricken at the news. As they were leaving, pointing out the prepared food they’d left in his kitchen, Anna whispered that Nick was handling her estate.

“Okay. I’ll check with him this afternoon.”

“You’ll be all right taking care of the baby?” Janie asked.

“I’ll be fine. Angel is an easy baby.”

“That’s what people always say. If you get in trouble, call.”

“Right, Mom.”

Jon and Tori moved to leave, too. “Isabella seems to be getting well quickly, but make sure she takes all the antibiotics. Her fever should be completely gone in a couple of days,” Jon said.

“Thanks for coming. I’ll make sure she does.”

“I can come stay with her if you need to go out,” Tori said.

“How? Aren’t you coming in to work this week?”

“Oh, yeah,” Tori said with a grin. “I’ll be in in the morning. Shall I stop by and say hi?”

“Up to you. I can’t guarantee she’ll be glad to see anyone.”

“Okay. See you then.”

Obviously he hadn’t convinced Tori to stay away.

Russ walked back to check on Isabella. She’d fallen asleep. She still had a couple of tears on her pale cheeks. He moved closer and gently wiped them away with his thumb.

He decided he’d better call Nick right away. Nick was a cousin who hadn’t known he was a Randall until last summer. He was, in fact, Gabe Randall’s twin. But they’d separated at birth and Nick had been adopted. Now the two were reunited. And Nick was a lawyer.

As the only lawyer in Rawhide, he handled everything.

“Nick? It’s Russ. Are you handling Mrs. Paloni’s estate?”

“Well, I’m trying. I sent a letter to her beneficiary asking her to contact me, but I haven’t heard from her.”

“Is the beneficiary named Isabella? Um, I think she said her last name was Walker?”

“No, it’s Isabella Paloni.”

“Ah. I think she married and her aunt didn’t know.”

“Great-aunt. Are you sure we have the right woman?”

“I don’t know. I found her on the road during the blizzard. She was sick and I brought her back to my place.

“I didn’t find out Maria Paloni was the person she came to visit until today. And I didn’t know Mrs. Paloni had died.”

“Hmm. Maybe I should come talk to her. Or she can come here if she wants.”