Free Randall Renegade by Judy Christenberry

to think everyone was her foe, and she’d never recover from the agonizing ride. When she heard hoofbeats and horses neighing, she thought she was imagining things. When Jasper patiently turned a corner on the trail, she was suddenly confronted with two riders.
    Jasper came to a halt and threw his head up. Patience held on for dear life, afraid the horse was going to finally give her trouble.
    The first man dismounted and came toward her and she realized it was Toby Randall.
    “Oh, Toby, I didn’t recognize you for a minute,” Patience said with a gasp, sagging momentarily, which caused Jim to shift.
    Toby hurriedly reached for Jim, giving Patience some assistance.
    “I’m sorry. He’s heavy,” Patience said.
    “Well, I guess. We wondered why you didn’t answer the walkie-talkie, but I reckon I understand. You couldn’t let go of Jim.”
    “Mommy wouldn’t even hold me,” Tommy added, wanting some sympathy, too.
    “How about Drew and I help with Jim? That will free your mom to see about you,” Toby soothed. He turned to Patience. “We’ve got acarrier rigged up to fit between the horses. We’ll put Jim on that.”
    “But the trail’s not wide enough,” she said in concern.
    “I know. We’ll show you.” He motioned to Drew, who had some long poles tied to his saddle.
    Drew jumped down from his horse and walked to Patience’s side. “How’s old Jasper holding up?”
    “He’s been wonderful, never complaining.”
    “Yeah, he’s one of Jim’s favorites.” As he talked, his eyes were examining his brother. “Has he come to?”
    “Occasionally, but he’s running a fever and still bleeding a little. I’m so sorry he got hurt. I never wanted…” She was on the verge of tears as she made her apology, but both men waved her words away.
    “We know that, Patience. And you’re bringing him home. Aunt Megan will be thanking you for a long time.”
    “We’ve been worried about Jim since he left,” Drew said. “I should’ve volunteered to go with him, but when he told me he was leaving I was still half-asleep. I’m not too brightuntil about 10 a.m.,” he added, his cheeks turning red.
    Patience smiled slightly, too exhausted to talk anymore.
    “I’ll go put my horse in the lead position and put the carrier on his back. Drew’s horse will get the other end of the carrier. Then we’ll transfer Jim to it,” Toby explained.
    Patience and Tommy watched the two men get ready to transport Jim.
    As soon as the stretcher was ready, both men eased Jim off the horse and carried him to the stretcher, putting his feet at the front so his head would be on the high end as they went down the mountain.
    Patience rubbed her arms to restore circulation. When she finally bent them, she cried out in pain.
    “You okay?” Toby asked.
    “My arms are a little stiff,” she explained, embarrassed.
    “Mine would be, too.” Toby’s gaze moved to Tommy. “Say, Tommy, since your mom needs to rest, why don’t you ride with me for a while? We’ll beat your mom to the bottom if you ride with me.”

    Her normally shy little boy took the bait and agreed at once. “I like to be first,” he declared.
    Toby crossed to Tommy’s horse and held out his hands. Tommy reached for him, delighted to be out of the saddle.
    “I think it’s my nap time, ’cause I almost fell off my horse.”
    Toby grinned. “You can go to sleep on my shoulder if you want.”
    “Okay.”
    “Toby,” Patience said, “Jasper has taken the brunt of the weight. Should I transfer to the other horse?” she asked.
    Toby looked at Jasper. “No, I think he’ll be okay. It’s only about an hour’s ride away. They can get the vehicles close these days.”
    Before she could speak again, Jim roused and she heard him mutter, “Patience? Tommy?”
    Drew answered. “They’re here. They’re safe, bro. You did it. You got them back.”
    Jim closed his eyes and sighed. “Thank God.”
    The rest of the ride was completed in just under an hour.