Chapter 4
Angela Walker laid against her father a top of Amigo for the ride home her eyes closed as she finally slept. Alex rode beside them, nobody spoke they all knew there would be time enough for that later when they had rested.
Her mother had taken her in her arms almost the instant she had saw her and Angela hadn't protested.
"Mommy, Mommy," she had cried letting Alex hold her tightly as she cried too.
"Are you hurt?" Alex had asked seeing the blood all over her from holding Chris.
"No just Chris," she replied, "he saved my life. Mommy I'm so sorry."
"Shh," her mother had soothed her watching Sydney and Gage disappear down the trail with Chris her heart going out to them.
Walker had come over to where his wife held their daughter encircling both of them in his arms. They stood that way for a few moments before Walker picked up Angela to head back to the cabin and horses to head for home.
Angela had told them all about her and Chris' misadventure from start to finish. "Mommy, Daddy I'll never run away from home again," she tearfully told them as Walker drew her closer still.
Now as home came in site Walker gazed over at his wife both knowing that they had work ahead of them to make sure this never happened again. Nearing the house the door swung open as Piper came running out on to the front porch stopping short when her Mom, Dad and brother weren't there.
"Mommy, Daddy, Chris," she softly said a big tear rolling down her cheek.
Trivette was off his horse in an instant going to the child and picking her up in his arms. "Hey Piper Gage no tears," he told the child, "Chris got hurt and Mom and Dad went to the hospital with him. That is where I'm going to take you right now okay."
"Okay Uncle Jimmy," she said shaking her head as he hugged her.
~~~~~
Chris had been brought down to his room a couple of hours ago. Sydney had fallen asleep in a chair beside his bed; Gage sat on the opposite side Chris' hand in his. He let his mind wander as he looked into his son's face swallowing hard knowing they could have lost him. The bullet had gone clean through Chris' shoulder it was the fact that he had lost so much blood that had put his life in danger.
"God Chris I don't know what Mom and I would have done if we hadn't got there in time," he spoke his thoughts aloud. "We love you so much…" Gage's words choked in his throat and he squeezed his eyes shut.
"Daddy," Chris whispered his little voice reaching Gage's ears.
"Chris, hey how you feeling?"
"Okay. My arm hurts though," he confessed.
"It probably will for awhile too," Gage told him closing his eyes for a moment to try and stop still more tears.
"Are you mad at me Daddy?" Chris asked.
"No Chris I'm mad at me," Gage confessed. "I'm mad I couldn't see you were upset and I'm mad that I didn't take the time to listen to you. I'm mad that you had to take such a chance just to make me listen. I'm sorry Chris. I'm sorry you thought that you had to run away from home because your Mom and especially me didn't love you or care about you enough to listen. Will you ever be able to forgive me?"
"I love you Daddy it's just…" Chris' voice trailed off.
"What Chris?"
"I know you love Piper more…" again his voice trailed away.
"You couldn't be more wrong Chris," Gage answered back weighing his words as he spoke. "I love you every bit as much as I love Piper. When Mom and I thought you were lost it hurt so much Chris. I'm sure there are times when it seems like Piper is needing more of our attention but you can be sure a day doesn't go by that your Mom and I don't feel blessed that you are in our lives."
"That's right Chris," Sydney spoke she had stood up unnoticed by either her husband or her son and now placed her hand over both of theirs. "We love you Honey," she murmured leaning forward kissing his cheek. "We just love you."
Before another word could be spoken the door opened wide and in marched Piper. She walked by both Sydney and Gage and straight for Chris eyes wide as she spoke asking him, "Did it hurt? Did it hurt when you got shot?"
Chris shook his head yes smiling at his sister. Syd lifted her up so she could see her brother better but Gage never let go of his son's hand.
A couple of weeks later…
Gage wheeled the car into the Walker Ranch pulling up beside Trivette's car. Chris had pretty well recovered from the bullet wound and things were starting to get back to normal.
Alex and Walker had sat down with Angela feeling good about what had come out of their discussions as well.
The grownups sat on the Walkers' front porch discussing what had happened.
"Gage you're awful quiet," Trivette commented.
Gage half smiled before he spoke, "I just keep thinking how lucky we are how lucky I am to be given a second chance."
Sydney reached for and held his hand as the rest nodded in silent agreement each thinking of their own kids. Their thoughts were interrupted by the familiar sounds of their children's voices.
"Dad Chris and Angela won't let us play," yelled Piper.
"You're too little," Angela retorted.
"We are not," Marcus put in.
"Yes you are," Chris' voice could be heard.
Walker, Trivette and Gage looked at one another, got up and smiling went to break up the latest disagreement.
The End
