Randall Honor by Judy Christenberry Page B

soldier, he nodded and got on the horse. His muscles protested…a lot. But he said nothing. Now that he knew Tori, he wasn’t surprised that she took care of him as well as Russ. She would deny no one her care whether she was happy with him or not.
    After making sure the door was firmly closed, Victoria mounted Snowflake and took Snoopy’s reins to lead them down the trail. Jon imagined her shouting “Wagons, ho!” as they always did on television. He’d ride in her wagon train anytime. Not that he’d say that. He knew he wasn’t supposed to say—or do—anything other than what she ordered. But maybe that stolen kiss would ease the pain he felt in his legs and butt from yesterday’s long ride.
    Something needed to.
     
    A T TEN O’CLOCK , Tori found a level, grassy area to stop for a break. She wanted Russ to get his medicine when he needed it. So far, things had gone without a hitch, thank goodness.
    She swung out of her saddle and walked to the litter. “How are you, Russ?”
    He’d been asleep, and he looked at her blankly. “Tori?” he asked in a whisper.
    “That’s right. It’s time for you to take your medicine and maybe take a break. Is the ride too bad?”
    By that time, Jon had dismounted and he joined her at the litter in time to hear her question.
    “If it is, I’ll trade with you, buddy. My rear is going to be black and blue for a month, at least.”
    Russ almost managed a smile.
    “I’m going to untie the litter, so keep him balanced until both sides are untied.”
    “Why are you untying it? I can get him out without doing that,” Jon protested.
    “But Jack can’t eat with the litter in his face,” she explained, continuing to untie the first side. Jon grabbed the pole as it came loose. Then, as she finished untying the second side, he lowered it to the ground, leaving Russ at a slant.
    “Do we untie Snoopy, too?” he asked.
    “Nope. Okay, Russ, we’re going to get you up. Here are your boots.” While he’d lowered the litter, she’d opened the bag and gotten Russ’s boots
    Jon unzipped the bag so he could find Russ’s sock-covered feet.
    “I don’t have on jeans,” Russ fretted.
    “We thought you’d ride more comfortably without your jeans. I’m sure all the deer will blush, cousin, but I won’t,” Tori told him, hoping to see a smile. No such luck. She tossed him the blanket he’d been wrapped in that morning. She’d slipped it onto the litter under the tarp. “Preserve your modesty with that. But hurry up. We can’t rest too long.”
    Jon helped him up once the boots were in place,holding the blanket to shield him from Tori’s eyes, then wrapping it around him. In the meantime, Tori untied Jack’s reins and put them on the ground so the horse could graze.
    “Do we have anything for lunch today?” Jon asked in a low voice.
    “Yes.” She didn’t explain it was only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Any kind of meat would’ve spoiled by now.
    She stretched out a little. Then she passed around the sandwiches. Russ showed no interest in his.
    Jon gave Russ his pill. Then he asked, “How come the jelly hasn’t bled through on the sandwiches? Mine always do.”
    “I coat both sides of the bread with peanut butter. Then I spread the jelly on and smash the sides of the bread together so the jelly can’t get to the bread.”
    “Good thinking, Tori. I’ll remember that.”
    She frowned at him and shook her head. Really! It wasn’t rocket science. He was a doctor for heaven’s sake. And a very patient one. He hadn’t complained about anything the entire trip.
    Once again they started down the trail. She had saved her sandwich for a late lunch. She planned to stop again at two. Unless everyone was doing well. Jon could give Russ his pill from the saddle and they’d only be a couple of hours away, maybe even less. She toyed with the idea of not stopping again. She’d have to wait and see.
    There were a few level places where they couldpick up speed, but