Randall Pride

“Chad,” Megan reprimanded with a frown, “I don’t think that’s any of your business. I’m sure Elizabeth would tell us if there’s a problem.”

Elizabeth smiled politely and said nothing, keeping her gaze averted.

Before the silence grew too strained, Toby said, “Elizabeth has big plans for the Halloween party this year.”

That topic got the family’s attention, for which Elizabeth was grateful. The twins spoke up at once.

“Yeah, we’re going to be auctioned off,” Russ said.

“Oh, really?” Mildred exclaimed. “Remember when we auctioned off lunches for the church roof fund? Is it the same kind of deal?”

“Uh, yes. The men will bring a picnic dinner and the single ladies can bid on them. To raise money for the teachers’ fund. And Toby, Russ and Rich have agreed to participate.” Elizabeth flashed a grateful smile at the three.

“Hey! What about us?” Josh demanded. “Jim and I should get to sign up for it, too. After all, we’re college men.”

“But you’ll be away at college, Josh,” Elizabeth pointed out.

“We could come home for the weekend.”

Elizabeth looked at her mother, Megan, for guidance.

“It would help raise more money,” she pointed out.

“But you probably should limit it to twenty-one or older,” Chad suggested, “for legality’s sake.”

Elizabeth didn’t know what to say. “I’d better consult with Abby Gaylord before I make any decisions. She’s in charge of our projects.”

“Abby? I should’ve known she was involved in this,” Russ said in disgruntled tones.

“Why do you say that?” Janie, his mother, asked. “Abby is a very nice young lady.”

“Yeah. Too nice,” Rich contributed. “She was always getting us in trouble at school.”

“I didn’t hear about you getting in trouble at school,” Janie pointed out, staring at her sons with speculation in her eyes. “Do you want to explain?”

“Uh, no, Mom. Rich was just kidding. Right, Rich?” Russ added. Then he looked at Red. “Dinner is really great, Red. Did you put something different in the meat loaf tonight?”

Several of the adults, including Toby, smiled. Elizabeth, too, realized Russ was trying to redirect the conversation.

“Is Cleve going to participate in the auction?” Chad asked. He stared at Elizabeth.

“Um, I doubt it. He doesn’t know anyone around here except for the family,” Elizabeth said, again avoiding her father’s gaze.

“It would give him a chance to make new friends,” Jake offered.

His wife protested. “Elizabeth and Cleve might be married by then. Honey,” she added, looking at Elizabeth, “have you and Cleve looked for a place to live?”

“No, not really. I don’t think we’ll be married before Halloween, so there’s plenty of time.”

Elizabeth changed the subject, telling about people asking about Toby coming home, centering the attention on him instead of her.

When dinner was over, Toby volunteered to be in charge of cleanup. Red and Mildred were seldom allowed to do the cleaning. After all, Red was seventy-four and Mildred seventy-one. It was enough for them to do all the cooking.

In spite of the younger guys’ complaints, everyone else began to leave the room. Then B.J. noticed her husband and his brothers were remaining at the table.

“Aren’t you coming, Jake?” she asked.

“Aw, honey, we want to watch the boys, see if they take care of everything. It does our old bodies good to see them working more.”

The ladies all left the room, chuckling.

Once the door had closed, Toby looked at his stepfather. “You don’t trust us to clean up?”

“Hell, boy, I’d trust you with anything. But Chad has something he wants to ask you and, well, I’m supporting him.”

“Us, too,” Brett added. Pete nodded.

Toby frowned, worried about what they were going to ask. He was already trapped into the bachelor auction. He didn’t need any more traps.

Chad cleared his throat. “Boy, you remember how you took care of Caro and Lizzie when you were younger? How those two little girls followed you around, willing to do anything you told them to do?”

Toby nodded, but he was getting a sinking feeling in his stomach. “Yeah, but that was a long time ago.”

“I know it was, but—but I’m desperate.”

“What is it, Dad?” Jim asked. “Drew and I could help.”

“I appreciate the offer, Jim, but I don’t think you and Drew could convince Elizabeth.”

“Uh-oh,” Jim muttered. “You’re right.”

Toby looked at Jim sharply, but he didn’t ask what they were talking about. He was pretty sure he knew.

“Toby,” Chad said, “I want you to talk to Elizabeth about marrying this Cleve. She needs to take some time to think about what she’s doing. The man is a stiff. He doesn’t fit in around here and never will. I think he’s marrying her because he thinks we’ll give him money.”

“Well, he could be right,” Brett said, grinning. “You’d give him money to get lost.”

“Yeah, if I thought it would work. But Toby could talk her out of it. Couldn’t you, Toby?”

“I don’t think—that is, Elizabeth is a woman now. As hardheaded as any of them, Uncle Chad. I don’t think she’d listen to me.”

“But would you just try?”

While Toby was trying to figure out how he could turn down Chad’s plea, Pete said, “Makes me glad I only had boys, even if they are ornery.”

“I think maybe we’re not giving Cleve a chance,” Toby said carefully. “After all, he’s the first one to want to marry into the family. Maybe we’re all over-reacting.”

Jake shook his head. “It’s not that, son. We’d love to have more babies in the family. But his babies? Ugh! I think you should help Chad out here.”