A Randall Hero. Judy Christenberry

little room next door for Emma.”

      “No! No, John, I can’t move in with your family. It would be too dangerous. M-My husband may come after me.”

      “I know that, Lucy. My dad and I will protect you, and Mike—the sheriff—came down to the hospital to assure you of his protection, too. You’ll be safe with us.”

      “I can’t do that, John. You’ve given me so much support when I needed it, but I can’t continue to rely on you.”

      “What do you think you’re going to do? Go back on the road? Your car won’t work without a new radiator, and Emma is too little to be out on the road. You can’t recover that quickly, either.”

      “I don’t know what I’ll do, but…I couldn’t live with myself if I brought trouble on your head.”

      “You don’t know the trouble you’ll cause if you take Emma away from my mother.” John grinned at her. “She’s been wanting a grandbaby so badly. They thought I’d hidden my girlfriend’s pregnancy until today.”

      “Oh, no! John, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to cause you so much trouble.”

      “Lucy,” he said, standing and moving to the bed so he could touch her. “Calm down. Mom and Dad weren’t upset. Well, they might have been upset for keeping such a thing secret, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t welcome my baby or her mother, if that were true.”

      “But surely they were disappointed in you.”

      “No, they’re not that way. And they’re happy to welcome you and Emma into the family. Like I said, Mom’s rearranging so you’ll be welcome.”

      “John, I can’t stay here. I think my husband will come after me. I don’t want you to suffer because you took pity on me.”

      “You’re not thinking clearly. You can’t run all your life. That would be terrible for Emma. Stand and fight now, where you’ve got support. It’s the only way.”

      “I’m not sure.”

      “It’s what Harry would tell you. He’ll be back in six weeks. Don’t run away before he returns, Lucy. Surely you can stay that long.”

      The nurse walked in then with two lunch trays and put them on Lucy’s table. “Here’s your tray, too, John.”

      “Thanks, Heidi,” John said.

      Lucy looked at him after the nurse went back out. “Why do you get a tray? I mean, I think it’s great but I’ve never been in a hospital like this one.”

      “Yeah, I told you everyone’s great in Rawhide.” He lifted the cover and took a sniff. “Mmm, we’re eating well today. Fried chicken from the café.”

      “You mean a café provides the meals?”

      “That’s right. Eat all your food so you can gain some weight. You need to get stronger.”

      “I will. It’s so nice to have someone make my meals. If I were home, I wouldn’t get any food unless I prepared it.”

      “Don’t worry. Mom will take good care of you.”

      “No! I’ll cook and clean for her. If I go there, I can do things to make life easier for her.”

      John smiled at Lucy. “Whatever you can get her to let you do is fine, Lucy, but your first job is to take care of Emma. And share her a little with my mom and dad.”

      “Of course, if they want to see her,” Lucy said, sounding unsure of that.

      John sighed. “Weren’t you listening to me, Lucy? They’re so excited to have a baby in the house. It’s going to be just fine.”

      Lucy still worried.

      “Eat your dinner before it gets cold,” John said, handing her a chicken leg.

      She took his advice, knowing she needed to get her strength back. But, she wondered, when the time came, could she stay and fight?