A Randall Thanksgiving. Judy Christenberry

sometimes he has to use a gun.”

      “Yes, I suppose, but not often. First of all, everyone knows he’s a crack shot. Mike tests his men every month. Secondly, have you seen Harry’s muscles? They’re very impressive.”

      “Actually, I have. He was doing some weight lifting when I got to the station.”

      Tori’s eyebrows rose once again. “But that was in the men’s facility, right?”

      “I didn’t go in,” Melissa hastily said. “I just peeked in to see if I could spot him. And I did. He had his shirt off while he lifted weights.”

      Her cousin smiled. “And was it worth the look?”

      “Oh, yes,” Melissa said with a sigh. “Unfortunately, the guys got so perturbed that I opened the door to a ‘men’s facility,’ as they kept calling it, that I had no choice but to close it.”

      Tori laughed out loud. “Honey, if that story makes its way to your dad, you’ll never hear the end of it!”

      “He wasn’t naked.” Instead of saying it in a defensive tone, Melissa wore a small smile, making Tori think she was imagining that very picture.

      “It’s a good thing,” she said. “But I think you’ve hit on the problem you’re having with Harry.”

      “What do you mean?”

      “I think you may have embarrassed him. Harry’s a very modest person.”

      “Tori, it was just his chest. If we went swimming, I’d see that much of him. That can’t be it.”

      “Maybe it’s the way you looked at him that disturbed him.”

      “I don’t know what you mean,” Melissa said nonchalantly.

      “Did you gaze at him as if you were imagining him without the shorts?”

      “I did not!” Melissa protested. But her reddening cheeks told a different story.

      Tori broke out in laughter. “Maybe you should try for more modesty when you see him at Sunday dinner.”

      “Are you sure he’ll be there?”

      “I think so. He may even be there for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

      “Oh.” It came out more of a moan than a reply.

      As if saving her from further embarrassment, their food was delivered just then, along with Russ’s pie.

      “Will Russ come back for this?” Melissa asked.

      “If he doesn’t, I’ll get it boxed up and take it back to the office.”

      They ate in silence for several minutes, before Tori asked, “Did Camille mention her health problems to you?”

      Melissa’s head jerked up. “What are you talking about? Mom’s fine.”

      “Okay.” Tori lowered her eyes, staring at her sandwich.

      “Don’t brush me off after asking that question. What’s going on with Mom?”

      “You really ought to ask Caroline. But it appears Camille will have to have a complete hysterectomy. Apparently she’s asked them to hold off until after you’ve gone.”

      “Why does she have to have it? And who will take care of her?”

      “I don’t know the answers to those questions. Again, you need to ask Caroline.”

      “Will she tell me? Does Dad know?”

      “I’m not sure, Melissa. I’ll probably get in trouble for telling you, but I thought you should know.”

      “Of course I should!” She pushed her plate away. “I’m going to go see Caroline right now.” She reached into her purse for her wallet.

      Tori stopped her. “No, Melissa, it’s my treat. Consider it a welcome-home present. I’ve missed you.”

      “Thanks, Tori,” Melissa said, standing and bending down to kiss her cousin’s cheek. Then she rushed toward the door, anxious to find out about her mother.

      In her mind she debated the information Tori had given her. If her condition was serious, wouldn’t her mother have told her? Wouldn’t she have gone ahead and had the surgery? Why would she wait until after Christmas? It came every year. Surely she would—Maybe that was it. Maybe they’d told her there would be no more Christmases.

      Melissa started sobbing as that thought took hold. She’d been away for six years, and she’d missed all that time with her mother. But her mom wasn’t old. What was going on?

      She wasn’t even aware of the tears that streamed from her eyes. Arriving at the hospital, she reached for the door just as someone came out. She pushed past him and was surprised when he caught her arm.

      It was Harry Gowan.

      “What’s wrong? Can I help?”

      “No. I have to find Caroline.” She tugged on her arm, but Harry didn’t let go.

      “She’s patching up the guy who got cut. You’ll have to wait a few minutes. Come in and sit down. I’ll tell them you’re here to see Caro. Is it— I mean, are you sick?”

      “No, but I need to see her at once!”

      He led her to the waiting area. “Just sit here. I’ll be right back out as soon as I talk to her.”

      Melissa wondered why he could talk to Caro and she couldn’t. Caro was her cousin, not his!

      She fixed her gaze on the door through which he had disappeared, trying to be patient, but her thoughts were bouncing off the walls of her mind.

      Harry came back out and sat down beside her on the couch. “She’s got about ten more minutes of stitching up the guy. Then she’ll be out to talk to you. I told her what you said, that you needed to speak to her.”

      He pulled out a handkerchief and started wiping her cheeks as if she were a child. Leaning closer, he said, “It won’t do me any good to mop you up if you keep crying.”

      Melissa stared at him as if she couldn’t comprehend his words.

      When he reached out to her again, she tried to pull away, but he held her in place and pressed his handkerchief to her cheeks once more.

      One of the nurses opened the door. “Harry?”

      He stood. “Come on, Melissa. Caroline’s free now.”

      Melissa followed him, so anxious to see her cousin she didn’t even think about why Harry was with her.

      Caroline turned as they entered her office. “Melissa, what’s wrong?”

      “You have to tell me! Mom—”

      “Did your mother say anything to you?” Caroline’s tone changed from a concerned cousin’s to that of a physician.

      Melissa shook her head.

      “Then I can’t discuss her case with you, not without her permission.”

      Melissa took a deep breath, gathering herself together. “Give me the phone. I’ll call her and get permission.”

      “Melissa, she didn’t want to spoil your holidays at home,” Caroline said softly.

      Melissa ignored her and dialed. As she did, she heard Harry ask Caroline, “Is she going to be okay to drive herself home? She was sobbing as she came in, and the tears haven’t stopped.”

      “I’ll make sure she’s okay, Harry. Thanks for taking care of her.”

      “My pleasure. Call me if you need me.” He left without a word to her. Before she could call out to him, her mother answered the phone.

      Without preamble, Melissa blurted, “Mom,