Randall On The Run. Judy Christenberry

it’s wise to sit up in the front? I can’t hide you if you’re up here.”

      “We’re almost in Wyoming, aren’t we?

      “In an hour or two. But I’m afraid that man was suspicious. He asked where we were going.”

      “He was just hitting on you,” Steve said.

      “I hope that’s the reason, because you look like you’ve gone through World War III.”

      “I don’t think he even noticed me, right, Murphy?”

      Murphy had hung his head over the seat, almost resting on Steve’s left shoulder.

      “I can’t believe he didn’t bark when I first put you in the car. He growled at the policeman,” Jessica said, frowning.

      “He probably realized I was injured and couldn’t hurt you.”

      Jessica didn’t answer because her attention was focused on the rearview mirror.

      “What is it?” he asked quietly.

      “There’s a car coming up on us fast. I’m worried—” She broke off as the car roared past them. They could see two teenagers in the car laughing hysterically.

      She breathed a big sigh of relief. When she turned to look at Steve, he scarcely seemed aware of her panic. Pain was visible on his face.

      “I’m having trouble sitting up,” he managed to say.

      She eased the car off the road. “There’s a button that will lower the seat for you.” She released her seat belt and leaned over him to find it, which put her very close to him, a fact she noticed at once. Fortunately, she got the chair lowered quickly. Then she reached in the back seat for the pillow and put it under his head. Feeling his forehead told her his fever was still high. She pulled one of the blankets over him.

      “Better?” she asked.

      “Yeah.” His eyes were already closed and she didn’t think he’d be awake for long.

      Jessica pulled back onto the road and pressed down on the accelerator. She wanted to be in Wyoming as soon as possible.

      WHEN SHE NEXT STOPPED for food, they were in Wyoming. She’d headed north, working her way across the state. The sun had set and she’d considered stopping somewhere to sleep, but she’d decided to keep driving until she reached Rawhide.

      Beside her, Steve hadn’t uttered a sound since she’d gotten him settled hours ago.

      She pulled the cover up over his shoulder, entered a burger place drive-through and placed an order.

      The girl at the window looked at Steve. “What’s wrong with him?”

      “He’s not feeling well. He has a cold.”

      “It’s probably the cold front coming through. My mom always gets a headache when we have a change of weather.”

      “Are they expecting snow?”

      “In the mountains and farther north they are. Not here, though.”

      “I see. Thanks,” Jessica said as she took the drinks and bag of food, then pulled away quickly, wanting to be out of sight of the inquisitive young woman.

      “People ask a lot of questions, don’t they?” Steve muttered.

      “So you’re awake?”

      “Yeah. And hungry.”

      “As soon as we get out of town, I’ll stop and get you your food.”

      “Do you think you could raise the seat a little?”

      Jessica thought about that. Reaching over him would practically put them body to body again. Not a good idea. “How about I put another pillow under your head? After you eat, you’re going to want to lie down again. That’ll be easier.”

      “Okay.”

      When they were out of town, she pulled off the road and dug out Murphy’s food first. Opening up the paper the burgers were wrapped in, she put them both out for Murphy.

      “The dog gets served first?”

      “If I don’t fix his first, he eats mine…or yours. Do you want that?”

      “Nope.”

      “Now, here’s your hamburger and fries. I’ll put your drink in the holder. If you can’t reach it, let me know.”

      “We’re not going to stop to eat?”

      Jessica shook her head. “Didn’t you hear the girl? There’s a front coming in.”

      “But she said it wouldn’t snow here.”

      “We’re not staying here. We’re heading north.”

      JESSICA HAD BEEN driving for several hours. By her calculations, she had only three hours to go. That was when she saw the first snowflakes in the glare of her headlights. Since she was traveling northeast, she had hopes of outrunning the brunt of the storm.

      Some winters the snow held off until mid-November, but here it was only a few days into the month and it was snowing hard already. The farther north she drove, the heavier the snow fell. She pushed a little harder on the accelerator.

      The sight of flashing red lights in her rearview mirror made her stomach roil. Immediately she slowed and pulled off the road. Then she made sure the blanket was pulled up over Steve’s shoulder.

      It was too late to hide him.

      She lowered her window partway and waited for the policeman to reach her side. “Good evening, Officer,” she said.

      “Evening, ma’am. May I see your license and registration?”

      “Yes, of course.” She bent over and found her purse on the floorboard. Then she took out her license. Thankfully, she’d kept her Wyoming license in her billfold underneath her California license. Now she handed the man both.

      “You have two licenses?” the patrolman asked in surprise as he examined the articles with the flashlight.

      “I kept my Wyoming license when I got my new one in Los Angeles. Now I’m moving back to Wyoming.”

      “I see, Miss…Randall? Are you part of the Randall family in Rawhide?”

      “Yes, I am. My father is Brett Randall.”

      “Well, Miss Randall, I’m proud to meet Brett’s daughter. You were driving a little fast, but I’m sure— Is there something wrong with your friend?”

      Jessica swallowed. “Yes, my fiancé is suffering from the flu. That’s why I was hurrying. I wanted to get home to Rawhide and not have to stop because of the snow.”

      “And you’re bringing him home to meet the family? Well, I can see how that would be important. But you must promise me you won’t go too fast and if you have to stop because of the snow, do so. I wouldn’t want you to be wrecked in some ditch somewhere. Your daddy would never forgive me.”

      “I promise. I’ll be careful.”

      “And be sure to reapply for another license, okay?”

      “Yes, sir.” Jessica sent him a thankful smile and watched as he walked back to his vehicle. Then she eased back onto the road again.

      “Your family must be awfully important,” Steve muttered.

      “How long have you been awake?” Jessica demanded, grateful he hadn’t spoken while the officer was there.

      “Long enough to know you’re my fiancée now.”

      Jessica gasped. “I—I just told him that because I didn’t want him asking for your identification. Do you even have any?”

      “Yeah, I’ve got— Hey, it’s snowing!”