Free Randall Pride by Judy Christenberry Page A

rough.”
    “Come on, Toby, they all know Elizabeth.”
    “Strangers come in sometimes.” He stared straight ahead, driving fast.
    “None of the guys would let anyone hurt her,” Russ assured him.
    Toby didn’t respond. He didn’t want to tell Russ he was afraid Elizabeth wouldn’t want to be touched. That she might panic. And no one would understand. That he didn’t want anyone to touch her…except him. To protect her, of course.
    They reached the edge of town.
    “Better slow down. Sheriff gives lots of speeding tickets. Not a good way to start the evening.” Russ had himself braced, in case Toby threw on the brakes in a hurry.
    He sighed as Toby took his advice. In a couple of minutes Toby parked near the bar where most of the singles in the area hung out. After all, there wasn’t much to do at night in Rawhide. The picture show only offered one movie every two weeks.
    Toby and Russ stepped to the sidewalk, two impressive figures that drew the eye, especially Toby with his rodeo fame. When they crossed to the entrance and moved past the cowboys smoking outside, there were murmurs following them.
    “I think you’re about to be recognized,” Russ whispered beside him.
    Toby could hear the excitement in his voice, but the idea of people wanting his autograph was old hat. He had other things on his mind.
    “I can’t see much. Have you found them yet?” he muttered at Russ.
    “Who?” Russ asked, his gaze scanning the room.
    “The girls, of course!”
    “Hey! It’s Toby!” a cowboy called from the bar. A mad rush of men and women started, wanting to shake his hand, ask for an autograph, and, most of all, press the flesh. The women in particular kissed his cheek, his lips if they were very bold, or asked for a hug.
    Toby tried to be patient, but over their heads he kept looking for Elizabeth. He figured she’d be sitting against the wall, half hiding from the sharks that cruised the room looking for women without dates.
    But he couldn’t find her.
    Then, one of his friends from his youth stepped away, leaving an opening that showed the dance floor. There, in a cowboy’s arms, was Elizabeth, throwing her head back and laughing.
    Toby stepped forward, closely followed by the crowd. Why wasn’t this cowboy rushing to shake his hand? With a rueful smile, he reminded himself he wouldn’t choose shaking a rodeo star’s hand over holding Elizabeth.
    “Listen, handsome,” one of the women whispered. “I’ve got a free dance when you’re ready.”
    “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. Excuse me,” he added as he moved forward again. Breaking free, he reached out and tapped the cowboy’s shoulder. “My turn.”
    An old friend turned around. “Why, Toby. Welcome back,”
    “Hi, Joe. Mind if I cut in?”
    “I sure do! She’s been engaged until tonight. Why would I want to share her with her cousin?” the man asked, grinning.
    “Because if you don’t,” Toby said, smiling grimly, “I’m going to ram your tongue down your throat.”
    His friend looked a little startled, then relented.“Plenty of dances to go around, Tobe. No need to get violent.”
    Elizabeth, who’d said nothing so far, smiled at Joe. “I’ll save you the next one.”
    “All right, darlin’,” Joe agreed, looking happier.
    Toby slid his arm around Elizabeth’s small waist and moved her away.
    “Why did you do that?” she demanded in a whisper.
    “Do what?”
    “Stop Joe from dancing with me? He’s a nice guy and a friend of yours.”
    “I have a better question. Why are you dancing with people after what happened to you last night?”
    “These are my friends. They wouldn’t hurt me,” Elizabeth protested.
    He frowned even more deeply. “Damn it! Why do you want to dance with them? Why couldn’t you just stay put, rest, hell, I don’t know, join a nunnery or something?”
    Elizabeth stopped in the middle of the dance floor, her hands on her hips, which only drew notice to the short denim skirt that fit her