Free Randall Renegade by Judy Christenberry Page A

When they got close enough to see a SUV and a truck with a horse trailer attached parked at the bottom of the trail, Patience knew their ordeal was about over.

    She was so grateful that the two men had come up to meet them because she wasn’t sure she could’ve made it this far supporting Jim in the saddle and taking care of Tommy.
    She recognized Jim’s mother Megan and his aunt Anna as they rushed up the trail on foot to Jim’s side. Anna immediately began checking his pulse and the status of the wound. Megan leaned over his other side, held his hand and talked to him.
    Patience was too far away to even know if Jim responded to his mother. She was amazed to feel envy when it should’ve been a relief to be rid of the responsibility. But she wanted to be the one who made him well, who spoke to him, who roused him from his misery. Patience shook her head. Obviously she was over-wrought.
    By the time she got to the bottom of the trail, they already had Jim transferred to the SUV. She dismounted. Fortunately she kept hold of the saddle horn. That was all that kept her from sprawling on the grass, facedown. Both her arms and legs were shaking.
    Suddenly arms were around her.
    Megan told her to lean against her. “I oweyou so much for bringing Jim home,” she said as she walked her to the SUV.
    “Oh, no, Mrs. Randall. I owe Jim. I would never have gotten away without him. I’m so sorry he got hurt.” The tears began flowing this time. She couldn’t stop them, adding to her embarrassment. “I’m so sorry. I never cry,” she told Megan between sobs.
    Suddenly, Anna was by her other side. “Patience, Toby will take Tommy to the ranch. You will ride with us to the clinic. You need to be checked over after that ordeal.”
    Then Patience was in the back seat of the SUV with Megan beside her and Anna up front driving. Jim was resting comfortably in the third back seat. Toby and Drew were getting the horses together to take them back to the ranch, along with Tommy. Patience closed her eyes and dozed.
     
    “D O YOU THINK Jim will be all right?” Megan asked Anna softly.
    Anna looked in the rearview mirror. “Megan, he’s going to be fine. It looks like the bullet didn’t hit anything major. He’s lost more blood than I would’ve liked but Patience got him downthe mountain the best she could. That wasn’t easy.”
    “I know. Both she and Tommy deserve a reward.”
    Anna smiled. “We’ve got our reward, getting Jim back. He’ll be up and around in no time.”
    Megan sighed. “You know, Anna, I just want all my kids to be safe and happy. That’s all.”
    “I know. I used to worry about Tori, but now that she’s settled with Jon and they have their baby, I don’t worry as much. Now Jessica, that’s another situation.”
    “Yes. Elizabeth’s marriage to Toby is wonderful. We know him so well. But I’ve still got two to settle down.”
    “I think we’re all spoiled. We all have such good kids.”
    “We do. We really do.”
    Anna hit the paved county road and increased their speed. In a few minutes they’d reached the clinic in Rawhide. An exhausted Patience had fallen asleep. Jon Wilson, the only doctor in Rawhide and Anna’s son-in-law, had been watching for them. He met the SUV as Anna cut the engine, helping the one orderly they had move Jim onto the gurney to wheel him into the clinic.

    “How’s he look, Anna?” Jon asked.
    “He’ll need transfusions, hydration, antibiotics. I’ll let you take over the rest. And we want to admit Patience, too. She’d needs hydration, food and some rest.”
    Since Jon had been there when Patience’s sister died and Tommy was born, he knew Patience. “Where’s Tommy?”
    “Toby is taking him to the ranch. He and Davy can play together. Elizabeth will look after him. He’ll be fine. Oh, and his grandmother is staying with us, of course.”
    Jon looked at Megan. “You have Mrs. Anderson at the ranch? I hadn’t heard that.”
    “I looked in on her after