Randall Renegade by Judy Christenberry Read Free Book Online Page B

her knees. “Thank you, sweetie. What would I do without you!” She kissed her little boy’s cheek. Then she inserted the key into the lock and opened the door.
    “Mommy, it’s cold in here, too.”
    “That’s because we haven’t built a fire.” She discovered a wood box with kindling and enough logs to keep the fire burning for several hours. She’d have to look for a wood box outside, too.
    With Tommy’s eager help, she got the fire started in the old black stove, warning him not to touch the stove. “Now, while the fire makes things warmer in here, I’m going to go feed thehorses. I want you to sit on this chair and not move while I’m gone.”
     
    J IM WATCHED Patience and Tommy ride away, hoping he’d made the right decision. He didn’t think Kane and his men could be too close, because if they’d gone down the mountain to look for them, as he thought, they’d have to retrace their steps back up before looking for their tracks. Then they’d have to spread out at least a mile from camp to find their tracks.
    He figured the closest anyone would get tonight was across the canyon he and Patience had climbed out of. It would be crazy to try that at night.
    He stared over at the next ridge. In the waning light, he could see nothing. He grabbed a fallen branch and began brushing away the tracks, as if they’d never climbed to the top of the ridge. Soon he moved into the woods, out of sight, which made him feel a lot better. His thoughts constantly flashed to Patience and Tommy. He felt sure she would find the cabin if she just headed toward that big rock. His dad had taught him that trick when he was a boy and afraid of getting lost.
    Hiding their tracks was hard work, and he actually began to sweat. He sure had better be out of the cold once he stopped working. But for now the heat felt good.
    He seemed to work for hours, thinking he’d never reach the cabin. It was pitch-dark now, with the clouds covering the moon. He wouldn’t mind some snow during the night to perfect the job he was doing. Then again, he didn’t want to be snowed in.
    He wanted to get Patience and her son to safety. He’d done a lot of things on his own. But being responsible for the lives of others was something new. He would fight for Patience and Tommy with his last breath. He just hoped they got lucky and got away from that madman.
    He caught the scent of a wood-burning fire. He must be nearly there, he thought.
    He also caught a movement in the darkness. Wolves, he was certain. He pulled out his pistol, wishing he had his rifle with him. He began to work faster. When he reached the clearing for the cabin, he dropped the limb he’d been using and backed his way to the cabin.
    He saw the horses in the corral. His dad and uncles had repaired the corral before they’d repaired the cabin. “Got to take care of our animals first,” his dad always said. They wouldn’t get home tomorrow without their horses.
    Patience had fed and watered them, he could see. He rubbed Jasper’s nose affectionately and then climbed the porch. When he opened the door, Patience was standing near it, a narrow log in her hands.
    “Building up the fire?” he asked.
    “No. If it wasn’t you, I was going to hit whoever it was on the head.”
    “I’m glad you recognized me,” he said with a grin. Before he could say more, Patience put down the log and threw her arms around him.
    “I’m so glad you’re here!” she exclaimed, burying her face in his neck.
    “Easy, sweetheart,” Jim soothed, holding her against him. “Did you have any problems?”
    She backed away slightly to meet his gaze.
    “No…except you didn’t mention the key.”
    “I’m sorry. But it looks like you found it.”
    “Well, actually Tommy did. He reminded me that my mother hides a key over the door outside.”
    “Where is the little guy?”
    “He fell asleep as soon as he ate.”
    “You found enough food?”

    “Yes. I’ve got it all ready for you. There’s canned