by Chloe Carley
In his travels, he’d completely lost all track of time. He’d spent the first few days hiding out during the daytime and only traveling under the cover of darkness, sure the posse would be hunting him down like a wild animal. He’d not relaxed until he’d put Texas behind him and entered New Mexico Territory.
His shoulder had healed up, although it still pained him some if he used it too much. Gideon wasn’t about to complain though; each twinge was a reminder of all that had been lost and could never be regained. An eagle cried out overhead. He looked up, realizing he’d once again let his thoughts get the best of him. He was home, and he needed to keep his thoughts directed at the future. The future. Here. On the Lazy L ranch. Where his pa and ma were.
If they could forgive him for his past. He hoped his ma would be delighted to see him home. He waited outside for her to emerge from the house again. When she did so and looked up, seeing him sitting on the stump next to the clothesline, he felt badly for not announcing his arrival another way.
His ma, Pearl Lawson, was the strongest woman he’d ever known but, when she saw him, she screamed and crumpled to the ground in a dead faint.
Gideon rushed to her side, calling for help at the same time. “Help! Somebody! Outside!”
Gideon knelt by her side, afraid to move her for fear of causing her any injury. His pa and Sara Jane both rushed out of the house and stopped in their tracks.
“What happened?” his pa asked as he knelt on the other side of his wife.
“I was hoping to surprise her, but I think it was too much for her heart. She took one look at me and fainted dead away.”
“That was a smart move,” Sara Jane teased him as their ma moaned and tried to sit up. Pa helped her and then she looked around, stopping when her eyes landed on Gideon.
“You’re back.” She began sobbing and Gideon felt like he was two inches tall for making her cry so.
“I am, Ma. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Gideon held out a hand to her and she grabbed it and pulled herself up and hugged him tight.
“I thought I was seeing a ghost. I had a dream and you were killed … hung … it was a horrible dream …”
Gideon swallowed. “I imagine so.” Ma, you don’t know how close that came to being a reality. He couldn’t tell her that. Not now. Maybe never.
He hugged her close and assured her, “I’m here and I’m fine. No noose around my neck.”
Ma released him then instructed her husband, “Help me up.”
Once she was on her feet, Gideon took a step back, but she grabbed him by the arm and held on. She clasped either side of his face and, with tears in her eyes, she kissed his forehead, forcing him to bend over more than half a foot. Pearl Lawson was a strong woman but contained in a very tiny package. The top of her head barely reached her husband’s shoulder.
Gideon ignored his protesting muscles and complied with her wishes. A tight knot began to ease in his chest. She flung her arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder. He awkwardly patted her back, relieved when his pa finally took mercy on him and pulled his wife away.
“It’s okay, Pearl. Gideon’s okay. He’s home now.”
She pinned Gideon with her gaze. “You’re not leaving again, right?”
“No, ma’am. I’m home for good.”
She forced herself to stand tall. “Sara Jane, you finish hanging up the wash while I goes and sees about something special for supper. We’re going to celebrate tonight and Gideon can tell us the stories about where he’s been.”
Gideon tried not to let his expression give away the fear provoked by his ma’s words. He couldn’t tell them that he’d been living the life of an outlaw, and yet, he’d never lied to his family before. He truly didn’t want to start now.
For the next hour, while everyone bustled around to finish up the chores and get dinner prepared, Gideon struggled with what to tell them about his adventures. As Ma called them in to eat, he was still confused and didn’t have the right words to say yet. He could only offer a silent prayer and hope that his plea was getting through. He needed help. Now. He needed to be welcome here, at home.
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Also by Chloe Carley
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