Come Home to Us, Randy

by Western Gal

How the events of Season Two's 'A Man Called Kane' solidified the love that Judge Garth, Betsy, The Virginian, Steve, and Trampas had for Randy before Season Three's new beginning. And how that love helped Randy deal with the near death experience caused by his outlaw brother

11. Chapter 10: Part 1

Come Home to Us, Randy: {Chapter 10: Randy's Story} [Chapter 10: Part 1]

When do you think your daddy'll be comin' back, Betsy?; Randy asked as they ate. Soon, I hope, Randy; Betsy replied. Do ya' think he'll want me to stay on, Betsy?; Randy

asked uncertainly. Of course he will, Randy; Betsy said reassuringly. And believe me, Randy, it won't matter to him one bit that your ''brother'' made the choices he made; Betsy

added. Daddy knows you and what you're like as a person, Randy; Betsy said, smiling at him gently. And Randy, before he left on business, Daddy told me that he thinks of you as

part of the family; Betsy added. Thanks for tellin' me that, Betsy; Randy said when she finished. I was glad to, Randy; Betsy replied. How come your daddy came out here when

he did, Betsy?; Randy asked next. Well, from what Daddy's told me, there was a wagon train heading out here and he and my mother decided to head west on it, Randy; Betsy

replied. That's all he's told me about it so far; Betsy added. Everybody around here calls him Judge, was he one, Betsy?; Randy asked. Yes, he was, Randy; Betsy replied. Until I

was five years old; she added. What happened to cause him to quit, Betsy?; Randy asked. Oh, there was a trial and Daddy had some trouble with the family of the accused, and after

it was over Daddy retired, built Shiloh, and we lived in this cabin until the house was finished; Betsy answered. And I almost had a new mother, but she chose someone else; Betsy

confided. What about you, Randy?; Betsy asked. What else led you to come out west?; Betsy asked gently. Well, for one thing I was tired of lookin' over my shoulder all the time,

Betsy; Randy replied. And I was tired of all the fightin' and feudin' that had been goin' since before I was born; Randy added. What do you mean by that, Randy?; Betsy asked.

Well, Betsy, for years an years there was trouble between some of my blood kin and the Claibornes; Randy said. What kind of trouble, Randy?; Betsy asked quietly. Just the worst kind

feud you ever saw, Betsy; Randy replied solemnly. One night one of em' set our barn on fire and burned it to the ground; Randy continued. Oh, how awful, Randy!; Betsy exclaimed softly.

Were your family able to save any of the animals?; Betsy asked. We got all of em' out except for one of our mules, Betsy; Randy replied. He was too far back an'd the flames

had already got to him; Randy finished. How terrible; Betsy said quietly. We had a barn fire at Shiloh going on two years ago; Betsy replied. The Virginian and the boys were able

to get the horses out but the barn burned to the ground; Betsy said. I stood right there and saw it so I know that sometimes there is'nt anything you can do if the barn is dry; Betsy added.