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.”
“I don’t think she’s strong enough for that, Nick, even if it is only across the street. She’s doing good to get to the bathroom on her own.”
“Sounds bad. I’ll be glad to come there. Is now all right? I’ve been worried about this.”
“Sure. I’ll get her sitting up so maybe you can talk.”
He hung up the phone and realized that the sound in the background was the shower. She was taking a shower?
He hurried into the bedroom to confirm his realization. The bed was empty and her suitcase was open. He waited until the water stopped. “Isabella?”
“Yes?”
“Nick is coming over to see you.”
“Who’s Nick?”
“He’s handling your great-aunt’s estate.”
“Let me guess. He’s another member of your huge family.”
Russ chuckled softly. He recognized the irritation in her voice. “I’m afraid so. Are you ready for some new pajamas? I’ve got some clean ones.”
“I’m getting dressed.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” he asked, concern filling him.
“Yes. I feel much stronger after eating breakfast.”
“All right. Come out when you’re ready.”
His mother had left one of Red’s famous chocolate cakes on the kitchen counter. He thought that might give Isabella some energy. And he knew Nick loved Red’s cakes. Besides, he wanted a piece, too.
When Nick got there, he found Russ happily chowing down on a huge piece of chocolate cake. “Is that Red’s chocolate cake?”
“Yep. And your piece is right there.”
Nick picked it up with a grin and settled on the sofa. He’d just taken a big bite when he looked down and saw Angel asleep in the carrier.
“What the hell?” he managed.
“DON’T HURT MY BABY!” Isabella shrieked from the door to the bedroom. She rushed forward, but Russ was already holding Angel.
“Hey! I wouldn’t hurt a baby. But no one told me there was a baby,” the stranger said, glaring at Russ.
“Sorry, Nick. I didn’t think it would be such a surprise.” Russ turned to Isabella. He opened his mouth to speak. Then he closed it again, his gaze going from her head to her toes. She’d put on a navy pantsuit with a striped knit top under the jacket and navy shoes. She wore makeup and had forced her wayward curls into a French knot, all sleek and sophisticated.
“Wow. That’s a big change, Isabella.”
She stiffened. “I don’t do lawyer interviews in my pajamas.” She held out her arms for her baby.
“Look, she’s still asleep. Let’s put her back in the carrier and put it in the bedroom. That way she won’t wake up.”
Reluctantly she nodded.
After he came back to the living room, he pointed out her cake and a glass of milk. “Thought you might need a little energy.”
Surprisingly, she felt hungry for the cake. Maybe because it was chocolate. “Did you make it?” she asked the stranger.
“No, Red did.”
“Another member of your family?” she asked as she looked at Russ.
“Sort
