LITMIR.BIZ

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      Russ spun around. He saw his wife lying on the floor, not moving.

      He ran to Abby’s side, wrapping his arms around her.

      Tori grabbed the phone and called 911. Saying it was an emergency, she asked for a doctor. After she gave the directions, she asked for her mother, but her mother wasn’t working that morning.

      Russ was kneeling on the floor, rocking Abby in his arms, tears streaming down his face.

      Tori lifted the phone again and dialed the Randall ranch. Her mother answered the phone. “Mom, come quick to Russ’s house and bring Janie. There’s something wrong with Abby.”

      Chapter Four

      Abigail Randall was dead.

      It didn’t take a genius to know that. Jon was pretty sure Russ knew that, but he had to tell him anyway. He was going to transport her body back to the clinic. He turned and entered the den where Anna and another lady sat with Russ.

      “Russ,” Jon said gently. His gaze met Tori’s first. She was standing behind the couch. Finally Russ looked up at him. Jon could tell he was still in shock. His movements were slow, his eyes glazed.

      “Yes?” he whispered.

      “Your wife has…passed away. I’m going to take her back to the clinic and try to determine what happened.”

      Russ continued to stare at him. “She was pregnant.”

      “I know, Doc told me.”

      “Russ?” Rich Randall shouted as he came through the door. He didn’t know what was wrong, but his mother had called his house on the way to Russ’s. As his twin, Rich probably felt the closest to his brother.

      Jon turned and caught Rich by the arm. Whispering, he said, “His wife died. I’m taking her away now. He’s in shock.”

      It appeared Rich was in shock, too. He stood there, his mouth open.

      Tori appeared on Rich’s other side. “Russ needs you, Rich. Abby was—p-pregnant and—he was so happy.”

      Anna moved from Russ’s side, leaving room for Rich to comfort his brother. She came to Jon. “Is there anything I can do to help? She was so young!”

      He squeezed Anna’s arm. He wanted to offer comfort to Tori, too, but he didn’t feel he could. “I know. I’m going now. But Anna, I want you to keep an eye on Russ. He’s in shock. If he needs medication to sleep, let me know, okay?”

      “Of course, but I can go to your office if you need me.”

      He knew she meant to help on the autopsy, but he wouldn’t ask that of her. “Thanks, Anna, but I’ll manage. I’m very sorry for the family’s loss.” His gaze traveled to Tori, also, but she didn’t look at him.

      The phone rang. Tori looked at her mother. “Shall I get it?”

      Anna nodded.

      Jon watched her step to the phone. She was a strong woman. His mother had always expected every crisis to revolve around her, but Tori was different.

      “Uncle Pete, Abby—Abby’s dead. We found her collapsed on the kitchen floor. The doctor’s about to leave. Aunt Janie, Rich and Mom are here with Russ…yes, I’ll tell her.”

      She told her aunt Janie that Pete was on his way, then turned back to her mother. “That phone is going to start ringing off the wall,” she murmured.

      “I know.” Anna gave her a steady look. “Can you handle the phone? We sure don’t want Russ having to do that.”

      “Yes, of course. I’ll find a pad and pen and make a list.”

      She walked away and returned as the phone rang again, the necessities in hand.

      “She’s very composed,” Jon muttered to her mother.

      “Yes. We aren’t used to tragedy. We’ve been very fortunate. But we’re strong. Don’t worry. We’ll take care of Russ.”

      He nodded. “If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

      ABBY’S FUNERAL WAS HELD Sunday afternoon. The rest of Friday and Saturday, Tori handled the phone, answering curious questions and talking to all Russ’s and Abby’s friends. Everyone was shocked at Abby’s sudden death.

      Dr. Wilson, in his secondary role as medical examiner, had let them know that her death was caused by a brain hemorrhage. She’d died instantly and nothing Russ could have done would have changed the outcome. Tori hoped those words comforted her cousin. They helped her, but it was such a waste of a good person. Abby had been so happy to be a part of the huge Randall family. Thrilled to be pregnant.

      Tori tried not to think about the loss, but it was impossible not to. She constantly teared up. On Sunday afternoon, when they buried Abby, she stood with the family, lined up with Russ in support, to say goodbye to Abby. It was a difficult time.

      She was worried about Russ. He had a blank stare and never spoke. His parents had convinced him to return to the ranch to sleep, giving him a room in the main house so they could insure he got rest and decent food. And that he wasn’t constantly reminded of his dead wife.

      Tori closed the office on Monday, but opened it on Tuesday. She thought staying busy would be the best thing to do. She spent part of her day talking to people who stopped by to commiserate with Russ, and accepting potted plants from people who hadn’t heard before the funeral and wanted to express their sorrow.

      She was closing at five when Dr. Wilson came to the door. With a sigh, she opened the door. “Yes, Doctor? I’m just closing.”

      He gave her a sympathetic look. “Busy day?”

      “Yes. Do you have more questions?” Her voice was strained from her exhaustion, but she couldn’t help it.

      “I wanted to check on you and see how Russ is doing.”

      She was surprised, but she’d been checked on so much the entire day, frequently by people wanting to share in the drama even if they hadn’t known Abby, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She used her standard answer. “Russ is doing as well as can be expected.”

      “Which tells me exactly nothing. Have you been using that expression all day?”

      “Yes.”

      Instead of demanding more detail, he asked to borrow the phone. He had a pager and a phone in his SUV, but he didn’t carry a cell phone. She nodded and he picked up the receiver and dialed. When he received an answer, he asked for Anna.

      “Hi, it’s Jon. How is Russ doing? Does he need some help?”

      Tori had talked to her mother that morning, but Russ had still not arisen.

      “He’s what? Are you sure that’s safe?”

      “What?” Tori demanded, rising.

      He shook his head at her. “Yeah. Well, let me know.”

      “What?” she asked again.

      “Okay. I will,” he said into the speaker, and then hung up the receiver. “Your mother is worried about you.”

      She shrugged that off. “What did she say about Russ? Is what safe?”

      He studied her, making her angry. “Tell me,” she demanded.

      “I will if you’ll have dinner with me at the café. I promised your mother I’d make sure you ate.”

      “Don’t be ridiculous. You don’t want to be seen in public with me. Gossip is rampant right now.”

      “Did you eat lunch?”

      “There wasn’t time.”

      “Well, there’s time now. If you go upstairs, you’ll be answering

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