Randall Renegade. Judy Christenberry

up his collar. It was late October and it wasn’t unusual to have northers blow through, some of them with snow.

      He parked in front of the sheriff’s office. Jim knew Sheriff Metzger well. He’d had one or two minor run-ins with the law as a teenager, but he’d become a model citizen.

      “Sheriff Metzger,” he said as he entered, sticking out his hand.

      “Jim, how are you?”

      “Fine. I have some questions, though.”

      “Well, sure, son. Come on in and have a seat. How about some coffee?”

      “Thanks. I’d like that.” Jim settled into the chair beside the sheriff’s desk. He glanced at the only other man in the office, an elderly deputy. “Hi, Dick. How’s it going?”

      “Just fine, Jim. Tell your daddy hello for me.”

      “Sure.”

      The sheriff set down a mug of coffee beside Jim and circled the desk to take a seat. “Now, then, what’s bothering you?”

      “It’s about Patience Anderson. She’s an old friend and—”

      Sheriff Metzger held up a hand. “I told her I couldn’t help her,” he said.

      “Sheriff, I talked to Patience briefly last night. But her mother says she left to go after the boy and I’m—”

      “She left? Surely she hasn’t gone up to Kane’s camp! I told her she’d just have to wait. He’ll get tired of a little boy, I said. He won’t want to take care of him.”

      “Who is this man?”

      “You don’t know? Do you remember Faith, Patience’s older sister? She married a man named Joseph Kane. When Faith died—”

      “Faith is dead?” Jim asked, shocked. He hadn’t heard anything about that. He would’ve called Patience if he’d known…

      “I thought you said Patience was a friend.”

      “She was. But apart from last night, I haven’t talked to her in three years. What happened to Faith?”

      “She died in childbirth. That husband of hers didn’t want her to see a doctor. She bled to death. The baby was saved because Patience got there in time to get him to the doctor.”

      “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