Randall Riches Read Online Free Page B

seat.
    “Why?”
    “Well, since your right leg is the one hurting, we need to put it on the seat.”
    He insisted on putting the pillow against the door and putting both his feet on the seat next to her. She didn’t argue. She took the other pillow and put it under his foot. Then she got a soda and opened it, passing it to him. He assumed they were ready to go, but then she pulled the pills the doctor had given her out of her purse. “Take this,” she ordered, handing the small pill to him.
    “I don’t need it,” he said.
    “You’re already hurting. There’s no need to suffer.”
    With a sigh he took the pill, then sipped some soda. “Fine.”
    She didn’t reply.
    Once she started the truck, he relaxed against the door. The pillows had been a good idea. He began to feel bad about his difficult behavior. He noticed The Hot Skillet ahead. Thinking to make up for his boorishness, he said, “We can stop at the restaurant so you can tell your friends goodbye.”
    “No!” she replied sharply. “No, thanks, that’s not necessary.”
    “Why not?”
    “I don’t want them to know where I’m going.”
    “You didn’t take anything you shouldn’t have, didyou?” He regretted the question. Her face paled and her jaw tightened.
    “No.”
    “I didn’t mean—” He broke off, remembering why he was still wary of her. “Hey, why did the doctor call you my fiancée?”

Chapter Three
    “You sure must be popular with the ladies,” Samantha said, not directly answering his question. “Relax and go to sleep. I promise I won’t marry you while you’re napping.” Okay, so she shouldn’t be sarcastic, but she was tired of this man accusing her of something.
    “I didn’t mean to sound so suspicious,” he apologized, turning on the charm. “But a man gets alarmed when he’s told he’s engaged to a stranger. An attractive stranger, I’ll admit, but still a stranger.”
    “Like I said, you don’t have to worry. I’m not looking for a husband. Just a ride. So you can save your cowboy charm for someone more susceptible.”
    He chuckled, even as his eyelids began to droop. “You think I’m flirting?” His voice grew softer, a little slurred.
    Sam watched him out of the corner of her eye until she was sure he was down for the count.
    It wasn’t the first time she’d been falsely accused, though no one had ever suggested she was trying to trick a man into marriage. She’d discovered the newest person on the job had to walk a straight line or all kindsof sins would be heaped on her head. She kept her gaze on the road and he remained silent also.
    A couple of minutes later, he gave a little snore. She gradually relaxed. It took energy to resist that charm she’d accused him of using.
    At least she didn’t have to worry about Brad anymore. He had no idea where she was now. Thanks to Rich Randall. She looked at him once again noting how handsome he was. Frowning, she turned back to the road. He looked familiar, but she knew she hadn’t met him before.
    With a shrug, she shoved that thought away. The less she looked at him or talked to him, the better off she’d be.
     
    R ICH SLEPT all morning. He awoke a couple of minutes around two when she stopped to fill up. She’d grabbed herself a hot dog while she was paying the bill. As she started to leave the station, she thought she ought to buy one for Rich, too. If he didn’t want it, she’d eat it. Breakfast seemed a long time ago.
    When she got in the truck cab, he was awake, frowning.
    “Is your ankle hurting?”
    “My ankle and my head. Where are we?”
    “We’re in Utah. Want a hog dog?”
    Still frowning, he sat up a little bit, reached for the hot dog with a thanks, and ate it quickly.
    When Sam held out another pill, he intended to refuse it, but the annoying pain had him reaching for it. Two minutes later, he was sleeping again.
    Samantha waited until he’d nodded off to eat her own hot dog. Then she nursed her soda, making it last as she