Judy Christenberry - Randall Renegade

“So she’s raising her sister’s baby?”

“Yeah,” the sheriff said, rubbing his chin. “I wish I could help her, but by law, Kane has rights to the boy.”

“So he’s living in the mountains? At a camp, not in a house?”

“Right. He’s camped out with his men.”

“His men?” Jim asked.

“He’s got himself a group of followers, ‘soldiers’ he calls them. But so far, they’ve kept to themselves. And we’re short-handed here. Otherwise, I’d go talk to the man. But I wouldn’t go alone, and it’d take us a couple of days to get there.”

“Is he violent?”

“Don’t know. But I don’t like being completely outnumbered. That’s why I told that little lady to give it some time. I can’t believe she went after him. Why, the weather alone could kill her. There’s a storm coming.”

“Can you give me directions? I need to make sure Patience is all right.”

“Well, I’ll give you the information I have.”

An hour later, after visiting Mrs. Anderson briefly to tell her he’d try to check up on Patience, he headed back to his family’s ranch. He had some preparing to do.

Megan, Jim’s mother, was sitting with Red at the big kitchen table, coffee cups in front of them, when he walked in.

“Where you been, boy?” Red immediately asked.

“I wanted to talk to Patience. She was the one who called me yesterday. I found out she may be in some trouble. Where’s Dad?”

“He went with your uncle Pete to deliver some bulls to Cheyenne. They were going to stay overnight and visit with some other customers.”

Jim didn’t need an explanation. His uncle Pete had run his business for a number of years, supplying animals for rodeos. But that meant he couldn’t discuss things with his dad. Well, he had been complaining about Red treating him like a child. Here was an opportunity to make his own decisions.

“Red, could you rustle me up some breakfast? I’m starving.” He knew he’d need food to eat before he set out. “And then I’m going after Patience.”

“Where is she?” his mother asked.

“Up in the mountains. By the way, did you hear about her sister Faith’s death?”

“Yes, of course. Your aunt Anna was terribly distressed about it. Especially since Faith’s life could’ve been saved.”

“Patience is raising her sister’s boy.”

“Of course she is. I’m sorry the two of you broke up. She’s a wonderful person.” Megan cast a look at him. Then she asked, “Why is Patience up in the mountains?”

“The boy’s father took him up there. Patience has gone after him.”

“Did she call the sheriff?”

“Yeah. But it seems that the man is within his rights. Patience doesn’t have legal guardianship of the boy.”

“Oh, no,” Megan said. “Poor Patience.”

“Yeah.”

“Who’s going with you?”

Jim was distracted by the plate of scrambled eggs and bacon Red set in front of him, along with a big glass of milk.

“Thanks, Red. Looks great.”

“Jim? Who are you taking with you?” his mother asked with more urgency.

“I’m going by myself. I’m just going to convince Patience there’s nothing she can do if the man wants his son.”

“But exactly where are you going?” Megan persisted.

“I’ve got directions from the sheriff. I know what I’m doing, Mom.”

“But there’s a storm brewing. I heard it could be bad.”

“That’s why I need to be on my way. I need to get out of the foothills before the storm comes. I’ll be all right.”

He’d been eating while she questioned him, and now he finished the milk and stood. “I’m changing clothes, grabbing some supplies, and then I’m on my way.” He leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek. “I’ll take the walkie-talkie with me. I’ll be in contact for a while, anyway.”

“Be careful, son.”

“I will, Mom. Oh, by the way, when the boy’s father took the kid, he left some of these worthless coins.” Jim handed her one. “I think it’s made of tin.”

“What does the ‘p’ stand for?” Megan asked.

“Your guess is as good as mine.” He kissed her again, and hurried to get his things together.

THE RIDE ON HORSEBACK up the mountain was taking much longer than he’d anticipated, but Patience was at least half a day ahead of him and he wanted to make up time. He’d found some signs of her earlier, but the new snow obliterated everything now.

He finally made camp underneath a rocky overhang, which provided shelter for him and his horse from the snow and wind. After building a small fire to heat some coffee and toast the sandwich Red had packed for him, he fed the horse and unfurled his bedroll.

It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep. But he found himself waking to nightmares in which he was unable to save Patience.

When a nightmare woke him for the third time, it was four-thirty, and he decided to give up sleeping.

He broke camp half an hour later. The sun still wasn’t up and he had to go slowly. Snow was still falling, but the farther he moved up the mountain, the less snow there was on the ground. That would continue to be true until he hit the tree line. According to the sheriff’s directions, the camp was near the tree line. So he’d know when he was getting closer by the amount of snow.

He was preparing to stop again for the night when he thought he heard something.

He reined in his horse and listened, but was met with silence. Then his horse nickered softly. “Easy, boy,” Jim whispered.

He still heard nothing but decided to go on a little farther. The sheriff had told him to turn north when he was close to the tree line. He’d also warned him to approach Kane and his men cautiously.

Jim had taken the warning seriously. He’d hidden a small pistol in one boot and a knife in the other. He also wore a gun and had a rifle on his saddle, but they might take any visible weapons.

He hoped not. He wanted to handle this situation peaceably. He only hoped Patience would cooperate. He’d always teased her that she didn’t live up to her name. She had a quick temper that matched the red streaks in her blond hair.

Jim brought himself up short. He didn’t need to think about Patience’s temper or her beautiful hair. He needed to focus on what was important.

Which he did.

And then he heard a woman scream.

“I told you to stand at attention!” Joseph Kane yelled at the little boy crumpled in the snow, sobbing against Patience’s leg.

“Stop this!” Patience yelled. “He’s not even three yet.” Dear God, if she didn’t get her nephew out of here quickly, he’d die at his crazy father’s hand. How had her sister ever loved this man?

Faith had died because of him, and Patience wasn’t about to leave Tommy to the same fate. He was such a good little boy, so well behaved and loving. He was even already learning to read. And Kane had struck him because he couldn’t stand at attention for an hour at a time. It was outrageous!

“He’s too young to play soldier,” she told Joseph.

“Because you spoil him. He’s my son. He will do as I say!”

Tommy shivered against her and Patience knew it wasn’t from the cold. He was terrified. She crouched down and hugged him. She had no idea how she was going to get them out of here.

She knew Joseph Kane wasn’t ready to give up his child. By the time she’d arrived at the camp, however, Tommy had been abused both physically and mentally. Kane’s brutality was already changing Tommy’s open, loving nature. Oh, how she hated Kane.

But that wasn’t anything new. Her sister’s death had instilled in her a hatred for this man that had never gone away. Faith had been so gentle and kind. And that monster had taken advantage of her goodness.