A New Life

by Mildred Colvin

  He turned his attention to Kim. “Yeah, we need to finish getting things packed. We’ll have to saddle the horses again and load them. Should be a lighter load since we’ve eaten about everything we brought.”

  She smiled. “I’m sure they’ll appreciate that. I need to find Jamie and make sure he has his stuff together.”

  Travis looked at the campsite. The tents were down and bagged. Looked to him like everything was pretty well ready to load. “I’ll check the horses. I saw Jamie and Trixie head off, but they should be around close.”

  Kim stood and turned in a circle. Her brows drew together, and she shaded her eyes with her hands as she again looked out in the distance. “Travis, I don’t see him anywhere.”

  Other than the few bushes several yards from camp, nothing blocked Travis’s vision. The cattle they’d passed earlier had moved closer, but were still a hundred or so yards away. Travis scanned the land until he saw a couple of dark dots beyond the cattle. As he watched, he recognized Jamie following one of the young steers. “There he is.”

  He pointed. At that moment the steer ran back toward the cattle, and Trixie darted in front of Jamie, turning to block him. “There’s something wrong. Trixie’s shielding him. I’m going down there. Stay here with Gran.”

  Travis ran for Midnight. He’d have to ride bareback. As he ran he saw something move forward in the grass ahead of the steer. A large animal that crept with the stealth of a housecat stalking a mouse. The blood in his veins chilled when the cougar’s head rose and turned toward Jamie. He stopped only long enough to grab his rifle from his gear. Fear gave him strength to jump on Midnight’s bare back, and he kicked him into a run.

  “Lord, protect them. Keep Jamie safe. Please, don’t let me lose Jamie. Not again.” He turned to the only One who could help as visions of Steven, broken and bleeding, overshadowed Jamie’s healthy, happy face until it seemed they became one child. “Please, Lord Jesus, please.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kimberly turned wild eyes toward Gran. Travis said to stay, but she couldn’t. Jamie was in danger. “I’ve got to go. Jamie.”

  “I’ll be fine. Go on. Can you ride bareback?”

  Kimberly was almost at the horses. Could she? A horse would be faster. She slowed to a stop. Would it be faster to saddle? Her brain wouldn’t function. She swung to see what was going on. Travis was halfway there. Trixie barked at Jamie as if to tell him to stay put, then she darted toward the big cat. She was attacking that huge animal. Its snarl and Trixie’s barks echoed across the prairie. Would Travis get there in time to rescue any of them?

  “Let me help you.” Gran reached for the saddle.

  Kimberly felt her world focus again. Together they saddled Brandy, and Kimberly mounted. “Gran, pray. There’s a cougar down there.”

  “I will. You get going.” Gran smacked the rump of the horse, and Kimberly held on with everything she had.

  “Lord, go before me. Go before Travis. Give him courage and strength to stop that cat from hurting Jamie. Keep Trixie safe, too. Please don’t let me lose my son.”

  Kimberly prayed every step of the wildest ride she’d ever had. She forgot every rule of riding that Travis had taught her and simply hung on as Brandy raced across the land. She squinted against the sun. Trixie ran at the cat again. Travis still hadn’t reached Jamie when cougar and dog became a blur of fighting. In the next moment, Travis stopped beside Jamie and lifted him from the ground to sit in front of him on Midnight. The breath rushed from Kim’s lungs in a painful release. She’d been holding her breath and hadn’t known.

  Thank you, Lord.

  Trixie rolled from the cat with a pitiful yelp and sprang back into action with scarcely a pause. Travis lifted his rifle and aimed at the cat.

  Kimberly sucked in her breath as she rode closer. Lord Jesus, don’t let Travis hit Trixie. She’d never had a pet before. Never even known a dog she cared about, until that moment. Trixie had saved Jamie’s life. For the first time, she knew what loving an animal felt like, because she loved Trixie. Her prayers became a plea for Trixie’s life as she closed the distance to Travis and her son.

  Again the cat swiped Trixie to the side. A loud pop sounded scarce seconds before the cougar roared. Another popping sound and the cat fell over with a thud. Kimberly drew up beside Midnight.

  Travis turned to look at her. “Didn’t I tell you to stay with Gran?”

  “I want my son.” Kimberly swung from her horse and reached for Jamie. He fell into her arms, and she held him close. Tears clogged her throat when he wrapped his arms around her neck and held on tight. She stood squeezing him while tears streamed down her face. “Are you okay, baby?”

  He lifted his head from her shoulder and gave her a searching look. “Momma, don’t cry. I’m okay.”

  Kimberly wiped tears from her cheeks. She gave a shaky laugh. “Trixie saved your life, Jamie. Trixie and Travis.”

  Travis had dismounted and was walking toward the animals. Her gaze darted ahead of him. Trixie lay still on the ground. “No!” She cried out. “Trixie.”

  “Momma, let me down.” Jamie squirmed against her tight embrace.

  She wouldn’t let him go. Not yet. “Is she all right, Travis?”

  He knelt beside his dog. “She’s still breathing.”

  Jamie fought against Kimberly’s restraint. She set him down, and together they ran to see about Trixie. An ugly gash oozed blood across her chest and leg, matting in her long hair. She lay quiet, each breath shallow. Her eyes were closed, but she opened them when they knelt beside her. Jamie touched her head, and she licked his hand. Kimberly’s vision blurred. She brushed away the tears.

  “She’s got to go to the vet, Travis.”

  He nodded. “I know. I’ll carry her on Midnight. Can you and Jamie ride double back to the campsite?”

  “Yes.” Kimberly took Jamie’s hand and stood. They stepped back. Travis lifted Trixie and carried her to his waiting horse. He laid her across Midnight’s back then led his horse to an outcropping of rock and used it as a step onto the big horse. He led the way to camp where Gran waited. She’d be as upset about Trixie as Travis was. Silent tears filled Jamie’s eyes and spilled over. Kimberly held him close as they rode away from the big cat.

  Jamie’s close call occupied Kimberly’s mind as they headed back to the ranch house. They left their supplies to be picked up later. Trixie’s need for attention outweighed everything else. She’d been hurt badly, but it could’ve been Jamie. Life held no guarantees. Death held no respect for youth. That fact came close to Kimberly’s heart every time the image of that wild cat staring at Jamie invaded her memory. She could’ve lost her son so quickly. Travis could’ve lost his son without ever knowing Jamie was his. Guilt accused her, and she vowed to tell him everything as soon as he had time to listen. As soon as Trixie was taken care of.

  ~*~

  Travis left Trixie at the vet and called the conservation department to report the killing of the cougar. The big cats lost their protection when they became a threat as that one had. After the conservation agent left, Travis went in for supper. Thankfully, the ranch hands wouldn’t be there. He didn’t feel like rehashing the day’s events.

  Kim set a large bowl of stew on the table. Travis gave her a teasing grin. “You didn’t by any chance make biscuits, did you?”

  Her smile looked tired. Or sad. Both were probably accurate. “Of course, I made biscuits. I knew you’d want them.”

  “You were right.” He shrugged. “But anything you fix is fine.”

  Jamie looked across the corner of the table at him with large, solemn brown eyes. “I miss Trixie.”

  “I do too, son.” Travis swallowed the lump that rose in his throat. “She’ll be home in a couple of days. The doctor said she’d be fine. She was sleeping when I left her. He said mostly she needed to rest so her body can heal.”

  “I know.” Jamie sighed from deep inside.

  Kim returned to the dining room with the biscuits and s
at down. Travis reached for her hand and for Jamie’s. Gran completed the circle at the other end of the table. Travis took a deep breath. “If you want me to, Gran, I can pray tonight.”

  Gran’s eyebrows lifted. She smiled and nodded before lowering her head. Kim and Jamie did the same.

  Travis closed his eyes. He hadn’t prayed out loud in years, but he felt as if he had to or something inside might snap. His voice faltered at first then grew stronger with each word. “Father God, thank You for Your protection today. For keeping Jamie safe from harm. For limiting the injuries that Trixie suffered. Thank You for those who sit around this table. Thank You for the food You’ve provided and for the one who prepared it with loving hands. Bless the food to our use and draw each of us closer to You. Amen.”

  “Amen.” Gran’s agreement rang out. She wore a satisfied expression as she waited for her turn at the stew.

  After they finished eating, Travis rose and gathered his dishes and Jamie’s. Kimberly took hers and Gran’s to the kitchen, and he followed her.

  When he reached the café doors, he heard Gran ask Jamie, “Would you watch a movie with me, Jamie?”

  “Okay.”

  The usual lilt to Jamie’s voice was gone. He was probably worried about Trixie. She’d be all right. They’d almost lost her, but she would come through her injuries. Jamie wouldn’t have. He cringed from the thought of little Jamie facing that cat without Trixie’s protection. He’d felt as if he were losing his own son all over again when he raced to his side. Why wasn’t Jamie his? The timing was right. He looked enough like a Graham to be one. Kim had married so soon after he left. He wanted Jamie to be his, but we can’t have everything we want. He should know that. Still, if he married Kim, he’d be Jamie’s dad. A dozen thoughts churned inside his head. He loved them both, but he couldn’t claim them. He’d failed his first family. What made him think he’d do any better with Kim and Jamie?

  “I need to talk to you, Travis.” Kim stood holding the edge of the sink as if she’d fall without it.

  He set his load of dishes on the counter and nodded. “All right. Now?”

  “Will you let me get the dishes in the washer first?” Her eyes appeared dark and troubled.

  He nodded. “I’ll help you. Why don’t I rinse, and you put them in?”

  “That would be great.” She turned on the water and opened the dishwasher.

  As soon as she put the last dish inside, she closed the door and gave him a shaky smile. “Could we take a walk outside?”

  Sounded private. He nodded. “Sure. Let’s go.”

  She walked ahead of him with her arms clutched in front as if she didn’t want to get too close. He respected her wishes and walked beside her without touching.

  Kim went around to the front of the house toward the pond. She stepped out on the dock and he followed. When she sat on the end, swinging her feet above the water, he did the same. “Would you like to go out to the island?”

  She shook her head. “No, this is fine.”

  “Okay.” He waited.

  She looked out toward the gazebo for a moment before she spoke. “I was pregnant when I got married.”

  He stared at her profile. His heart picked up an extra beat. What did she mean? He didn’t want to hear about her relationship with her husband. Or did she mean something else?

  Her voice never changed pitch as she spoke without emotion. “I didn’t know. When Jamie was three, Colin started accusing me of being unfaithful to him. I thought he was covering for his affairs. That went on for a couple of years and then he said he’d been doing some research. Two blue-eyed people can’t have a brown-eyed child. But Grandfather has brown eyes. I thought Jamie took after him.”

  She gave a short laugh. “Maybe he does. Grandfather and you.”

  Travis felt as if Kim had just sucker punched him. He gasped for air. “What are you saying? Is Jamie my son?”

  Kimberly jerked as if he’d hit her. “I didn’t know until just before Colin died. A few months before I came here. That’s why I came.” She turned pleading eyes on him, but he didn’t care.

  “You’ve been here on my ranch for well over two months, Kim. Two months you’ve kept my son from me. Not physically, but emotionally.” He glared at her. “How could you do that?”

  She shrugged. “You said you didn’t want him. You said to keep my city-bred son out of the way.”

  Her words came as a physical blow. She was right. He had said that.

  Tears welled in her eyes. “I thought we were going to lose him today. He could’ve died, Travis, and you would’ve never known he was yours.”

  The anger that had been ready to explode within him subsided. Regret took its place. She should’ve told him, but she’d come as soon as she could when she knew. Then he’d the same as told her he didn’t want his own son.

  Her face appeared white, her eyes deep blue as she looked at him. “I’ll leave if you want me to. Gran doesn’t need me. She proved that on the campout.”

  “No, I don’t want you to go.” Travis stood and looked down at her upturned face. “I knew he could be mine, but I didn’t dare let myself believe it. He doesn’t look like Steven. The coloring’s all wrong.”

  She gave a sad smile. “The coloring is the only difference, Travis. I wondered why you didn’t see it. Maybe you were afraid to.”

  “Afraid?” Why would he be afraid to recognize his own son?

  She nodded and stood to face him. “Yes. Afraid you had fathered a weakling. A city boy who would never fit into your life.”

  He snorted. “Jamie’s no weakling. Didn’t you see him today? The way he held up when Trixie was hurt? He never thought of himself, only of Trixie.”

  “I’m sorry, Travis. I don’t want you angry with me, but I didn’t know what to do. I was afraid to tell you the truth. Today, when I realized . . .” A tremor passed through her body. She took a deep, shuddering breath, and her voice dropped to nearly a whisper. “I realized how close we came to losing our son. I knew I had to tell you while I had time.”

  Travis battled conflicting emotions. He wanted Kim more than he’d ever wanted her before. Yet he wanted to hurt her as she’d hurt him, not just today, but seven years ago when she’d married another man. At the same time, he wanted to thank her for giving him the greatest gift a woman can give a man—his own son. He wanted to run in the house, hold Jamie in his arms, and tell him how much he loved him. But the loss of Steven held him back. He’d failed Steven. He’d failed Rosalyn. And he’d failed Tom. He didn’t deserve another son. She shouldn’t have told him. She should’ve left well enough alone.

  “I need time, Kim.” He turned from her. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got some thinking to do. I’ll talk to you later.”

  He walked back down the dock and into the grass. He passed the house, went to the barn, and climbed the stairs to Gran’s room. There, he sank to the floor and stared out the window.

  ~*~

  Kimberly sat with Gran in church the next morning, but her thoughts were with Travis. She hadn’t seen him since he walked away from her on the dock the night before. She tried to concentrate on Tom McMilin’s sermon.

  “Turn with me to Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38.” He grinned at the congregation. “While you’re finding those passages, I will tell you that each contain the key words of my message this morning. When I find a thought or command has been repeated three times in my Bible, I begin thinking there’s a reason for it. Maybe God wants us to learn something here. Something about the just who must live by faith.”

  Kimberly found the scriptures and kept her fingers in the pages.

  “Momma.” Jamie whispered. “Travis’s late.”

  She frowned at her son. “No, Jamie. He doesn’t come to church.”

  “Uh-huh.” Jamie looked over his shoulder. “See. He’s back there.”

  Kimberly’s heart jumped. She turned. Sure enough, Travis sat slumped on the back pew as if he wanted to disappear into the floor. Why h
ad he come?

  “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” Tom McMilin read the scripture in Hebrews and Kimberly scarcely found her place in time. “First, we’re going to answer the question, who are the just?”

  Her mind continually strayed to the back pew while she caught enough of Tom’s message to know she should be listening. Gran said Travis hadn’t been to church in two years. Had he come now because of Jamie? Had he made a decision about Jamie? About her?

  Gran stood, and Jamie jumped up bringing Kimberly to the realization that church had ended. She stood with the others, sneaking a peek toward the back as she did. The spot Travis had occupied was empty. He’d already slipped out the door. Had he even stayed through the sermon?

  “I’ve just been given an announcement you’ll all be pleased to hear.” Tom rolled his wheelchair to the side of the pulpit and sat before the ramp leading off the raised platform. “Lee and Beth Reynolds were conspicuously absent this morning for a reason. Seems their young son has chosen today for his birthday. Lee took Beth to the Granby hospital. Please keep her and her little one in your prayers. Brother Crawford, will you please dismiss?”

  After the closing prayer, Kimberly walked with Gran and Jamie to her van. Gran climbed in the passenger side and closed her door. She grinned at Kimberly. “I’ll pay for dinner and a trip.”

  Kimberly laughed. “Let me guess. To Granby?”

  “Where else?” Gran laughed. “First babies take a while, but if they went before church, he could be here early this afternoon. If we go after we eat, we should be there just in time.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Kimberly started her car. “Where will it be? The Diner?”

  “Of course.” Gran snapped her seatbelt in place.

  Kimberly pulled into the nearly full lot at The Diner and parked. Jamie got out on her side of the van. He tugged on her arm and pointed across the street. “Momma, there’s Travis talking to some lady.”