they heard boots racing toward the house.
Toby jumped to his feet and ran out to the porch, his gaze eagerly searching for Jake.
“Dad!” he cried and the two men met in a rough embrace.
“’Bout time you got home, son!” Jake scolded.
“I know, Dad.”
Jake wrapped an arm around Toby’s shoulders and started into the house.
“Hey! Don’t we get a hug?” Pete called.
Toby turned and greeted his three uncles, Pete, Brett and Chad, and then his cousins, before they all entered the house. His cousins left to shower before dinner, telling him they’d catch him later. They couldn’t ask their questions about the rodeo scene, buckle bunnies and all, in front of the women.
Toby always downplayed the glamorous part of rodeoing. He didn’t want his cousins out on the circuit.
The men of the family sat down with coffee and cookies.
“How long can you stay?” Jake asked.
“He said he’s taking a break,” B.J. answered for him, a big smile on her face.
Toby cleared his throat as his father continued to stare at him. “Actually, I was wondering…Red said you were thinking about hiring some more help. I wondered if I’d do?”
Stark silence fell around the room. Toby had done well in rodeo. He’d won Cowboy of the Year at Nationals twice. His winnings had provided much more than a nest egg. He could buy his own ranch now. In addition, he’d done a number of ads for jean companies, boot- and hat-makers, and would still be in demand for a number of years, even if he retired today.
He’d realized his request would surprise them, but he’d hoped they would welcome him.
He filled the awkward silence. “If you don’t think I’d be of any use—”
Before he could finish Jake shoved back his chair and pulled Toby into another hug. “Damn it, what do you mean be of any use? Of course we want you, son.”
Since his uncles were just as enthusiastic, the questions Toby had melted away.
He’d finally come home.
BEFORE DINNER, Toby stood on the back porch with his cousins and little brother. The next generation of Randall males were questioning Toby about the lifestyle he was abandoning.
“Man, I can’t believe you’re giving up all that money. And the ladies,” Russ, one of the twins, said. “’Course, you’ll be a legend for a while, but—”
“It’s pretty tiring being a legend,” Toby said. “I missed being at home with you guys. And Mom and Dad.”
“You’re crazy,” Rich, the other twin, exclaimed. “We work like dogs.”
“It’s good, honest work,” Toby said, smiling. He understood the attraction of making a name for yourself. But he’d been there, done that.
“But what about—” Josh, his brother, began, but he stopped when he heard a car coming from the road. “Damn, that’s got to be Lizzie and that city dude she’s going to marry.” The disgust in his voice was clear to everyone.
Toby froze, his attention on the car topping the hill now. But he took note of the others’ attitudes.
“Yeah,” Jim, Elizabeth’s younger brother added, “I can’t believe my own sister would choose a jerk like him.”
Toby looked at the twins, the oldest in the group, but there was no anticipation on their faces.
What kind of man had Elizabeth chosen?
The car pulled to a halt and the passenger door opened. Elizabeth Randall stepped out of the car. His cousin in everything but blood.
Toby stopped breathing as the slim, auburn-haired young woman appeared. Elizabeth had always been beautiful. As a child, her delicate features and glowing skin had drawn attention. But grown up, with a woman’s body, hair halfway down her back, she was stunning.
He drew in a deep breath.
Elizabeth eyed her brothers and cousins as she waited for her escort, until she caught sight of Toby. With a shriek of joy, she ran straight for him. His arms automatically reached to catch her, and he found himself holding her tightly as she rained kisses on his face.
Heaven and hell.
ELIZABETH was almost as surprised by the rush of emotion she felt at seeing Toby back home as anyone else. She’d scarcely seen him since before she left for college. Somehow, her trips home had not coincided with his rare visits. But she’d worshipped him as a little girl. Five years older, Toby had seemed all-knowing. And he’d been her protector. Hers and Caroline’s. Even her brothers and cousins knew better than to pick on either of them, or Toby would find a way to punish them.
That’s what it was. She’d missed Toby not being in her life.
“Excuse me, Elizabeth, but who’s this man you’re hugging?”
The stiff voice belonged to her fiancé. Reluctantly, Elizabeth turned to smile at him. “Sorry, Cleve, but this is my oldest cousin, Toby. I haven’t seen him in years.’
“Good thing,” Cleve muttered even as he extended his hand.
Elizabeth cringed inside. It seemed important to her that Toby approve of her fiancé. No one else in the family did. She’d apologized to Cleve. His superior air, as if his sophistication made everyone jealous, annoyed her. And made her question her choice. But they’d only been engaged twenty-four hours when he’d first met the family. She figured they’d all get along once they got to know each other.
“Kids—” Jake began, opening the back door. Then he started again. “Oh, Mr. O’Banyon, I didn’t realize you’d arrived. Elizabeth, you should’ve brought Mr. O’Banyon through the front door.”
Toby looked at her fiancé and realized the man had no idea he’d been insulted. Family, even friends and neighbors, never used the front door.
Instead, Cleve swelled with importance. Then he said, “It’s all right, Mr. Randall. I’m sure Elizabeth will remember the next time.” Then he added, with disapproval, “She appeared to be excited about this gentleman’s arrival.”
As if Cleve wouldn’t know, Jake wrapped his arm around Toby with a warm smile, and said, “My oldest son.”
Cleve stared at the two of them.
“He doesn’t look like the rest of you.”
Toby said nothing. Their coloring was close, but his eyes were more golden than the warm brown of the rest of the Randalls. Being known as a Randall was the proudest thing in his life. He had worked harder than anyone, been the most accomplished of the Randalls because he’d had the gift of becoming a Randall. He hadn’t ever wanted to disappoint Jake. But he knew he really wasn’t a Randall.
His family, however, immediately responded to Cleve’s comment. They all assured Cleve, in various ways, that Toby was a Randall through and through. It was Elizabeth who ended the protest. She stepped back to Toby’s side and wrapped her arm around his waist.
“Toby is part of my family, a very important part.”
There was a finality in her voice that told everyone within hearing, even Cleve, how Toby fit in the family. For her efforts, she received a beaming smile from Jake and corroborating nods and grunts from the others.
She didn’t receive any appreciation from Toby. He pulled away and moved to the back door. “We don’t want to keep the ladies waiting.” She supposed it was his excuse for his abrupt movement, but it struck Elizabeth in her heart.
Everyone funneled into the kitchen after him. Elizabeth watched him move to his mother’s side, wondering if he’d changed so much in the