Another Chance

Disclaimer: This story is fictional. Some of the things that happened or will happen with Jim are inspired by bits and pieces of my life, but parts of the character are fictional as well. All other characters were made up and any similarities are just coincidental. This is gay romance between teenage boys, there may be sex, but for the most part, it's about their true love of each other so if that offends you, please discontinue reading. Also, if it is illegal for you to read such material, you have been warned. Continual reading could cause a knock at your door.

I hope you're enjoying it so far and that the story draws you in wanting more. This story was "inspired" by another story, a great story, here on Nifty, "Riding Lessons" by Andrew Todd. Some people have compared my writing style to that of Mr. Todd's and for that, I am flattered. While Another Chance does pay tribute to "Riding Lessons", it is a story of its own and has its own plot and agenda. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don't hesitate to email me at zarek@roadrunner.com mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com . Thoughts and suggestion are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

AND, if you enjoy the stories on Nifty.org, please give a donation to help cover their expenses. While the site is currently free, only donations from loyal fans can help keep it that way. Any amount will help.

Another Chance

Chapter 88

Patrick was released from the hospital on Monday afternoon. He had fun using the robot, but was disappointed that he didn't actually control it. Tuesday, Jim went to school and Zac was getting ready to take Jake to school as well as go to his classes. He looked at Patrick and remarked, "Dad and I talked and we think you're old enough to stay at home by yourself. After all, you'll mainly be doing your schooling, and you can heat up something in the microwave for lunch. If you do need someone, you can call me."

Patrick gave Zac a hug, "Thanks, Papa. I won't let you and Dad down. Mom and Daddy always told me that I couldn't be left at home by myself until I turn thirteen, but I'm glad you trust me."

Zac returned Patrick's hug, "Well, Dad and I think you're mature enough. We did look on the internet and only three states actually have a law on it. Maryland says eight, Oregon says ten, but Illinois thinks fourteen. The rest of the states think for an extended period, eight to ten is old enough, depending on the maturity of the child."

Patrick chuckled, "I'm glad we don't live in Illinois."

"I'll be home around two, after my last class. Do you want me to pick anything up for you?" Zac offered.

Patrick thought for a minute, "Can I get some colored pencils? I actually prefer them to crayons."

Zac smiled, "Sure, Dad wanted to get you colored pencils to begin with, but Jake thought you would want crayons."

Patrick gave Zac one last hug before letting his papa leave, "Thanks Papa, I'll see you when you get home."

The rest of the week, Patrick proved he could be left at home by himself. Jim had set up an appointment with Dr. Bashir for Friday after school. Kids that Patrick didn't know stopped by his desk or commented to him as the robot went from class to class. Some girl even kissed his face on the robot screen. Patrick thought, "Yuck, I'm glad it wasn't my real face.

On Friday, Patrick was told to be ready to head for his appointment as soon as his classes were done. Patrick was ready.

Jim took Patrick and Zac stayed home with Jake. They both wanted to go, but didn't think Jake would like waiting all that time in the waiting room. Once Jim and Patrick were in one of the exam rooms, the nurse took Patrick's vitals and informed them that the doctor would be in shortly.

It was almost half an hour later before he came in. Dr. Bashir stated as he walked in, "Patrick, I don't recall ever seeing you in here before."

Jim spoke up, "He would be a new patient for you, Doctor, but seeing how you're my doctor and he's my son..."

Dr. Bashir looked at Patrick, "I'm guessing that this guy adopted you. How did he get so lucky?"

Patrick smiled, "I'm lucky that I was placed with him after my parents were killed."

Dr. Bashir got a solemn look on his face, "I'm so sorry. Your dad is a good guy. I've been seeing him ever since he and his mom moved to Cody."

"Obviously, he likes you to bring me to you," Patrick remarked.

"Well hopefully, all of my patients do," Dr. Bashir said. "Can you lift your shirt up and lower your pants just enough so I can see your sutures?" Patrick felt a little weird, but complied. He undid his jeans and lowered them about two inches and Dr. Bashir told him that was enough. "They did excellent work on stitching you up after surgery, and it looks like you healed nicely. I'll leave the stitches in for another week to be sure you've completely healed. How are you feeling?"

Patrick pulled his jeans back up and fastened them. "I'm feeling better than I did last Friday."

Dr. Bashir laughed, "That's not really saying much. >From reading the hospital report, I'm guessing you weren't feeling very good."

Patrick snickered, "No, I didn't feel good at all last week, but I feel back to normal. Can I go to school on Monday?"

"Nope," Jim stated. "Sunday is Easter and then Spring Break. We won't have classes until the following Monday."

"I'm guessing you like school as much as this one," Dr. Bashir said as he pointed at Jim with his thumb.

Patrick explained, "I got to use a robot so I could go to school all week, but it's not the same."

Dr. Bashir looked at Jim and commented, "I can't believe that you are married and have a son. It wasn't that long ago when I was treating you for the concussion. How is Zac?"

Jim smiled, "Zac is good. He wanted to join us but stayed home with our six-year-old son."

"Two sons?" Dr. Bashir was surprised. "Are the two blood related?"

Jim shook his head, "No, Jake joined us before Zac and I actually got married, but he was Mom's foster son. All I can say is, Zac and I were double blessed with our two sons." Patrick smiled.

"Well, I can tell how much you love them, and while I can't say anything about Jake, I can tell Patrick loves you as well," Dr. Bashir concluded. "Make an appointment for next Friday and I'll see you then. Otherwise Patrick, you're free to go back to being a regular kid."

Patrick stood up and held out his hand, "Thank you, Doctor." Dr. Bashir shook his hand, told him that he was welcome and left. Patrick asked, "Dad, can we stop by the ranch? I want to see Jackson."

Jim chuckled, "You've been cooped up in the house all week. I'm guessing some fresh air will do you some good. Let me call Papa and see if he wants to join us."

When they arrived at the ranch, Jackson was hooking up some horses to one of a few sleighs. Jim was a little surprised since he's never seen a sleigh at the ranch, "Where'd these sleighs come from?"

"I bought them," Jackson responded. "We had snow two days ago, and then again today, and since winter is technically over, they were on sale, so I bought them. I figured that you and Zac could rent them out next winter when regularly riding is closed. And these sleighs have small wheels, so they can actually be used without snow, too. I'm thinking of using them during our anniversary week."

Patrick's face lit up, "Cool!!!"

"I think someone likes the idea," Jim chuckled.

"We have three, would the two of you like to take one out?" Jackson offered.

Jim accepted, "Sure, but Zac and Jake are on their way, so we'll get one ready, and then take it out once they get here."

"I wish Ryan was here to ride with us, but he had to go to South Dakota yesterday. I guess a gay couple was denied the ability to adopt and they're fighting it. Ryan listened to both arguments and made his decision. He'll be home tonight. So, Colt and I are going out, and I'm letting him work the reins."

"Dad, can I?" Patrick asked.

Jim grinned, "I'll discuss it with Papa, but whatever we decide, know that it'll be because we agreed. If the answer is no, I will be as much to blame."

Patrick pouted, "You're already voting no, aren't you?"

Jim shook his head, "I didn't say that, but if we decide to let you, you won't be upset, so I'm only preparing you."

"So are you thinking of letting me, then?" Patrick inquired.

Jim explained, "I don't know. Papa knows more about wagons and sleighs than I do, so I want to hear from him about how safe it would be before I make up my mind. If we do agree, I think he should sit up front with you."

Zac was walking up behind Jim as he spoke, "In a wagon, if one of us sits by the brake, he should be alright. It is slightly different than riding, but not that much different. You just want to use the brake as you slow the horses down. With a sleigh, I think you just gradually slow the horses down soon enough to stop where you want."

Jim asked, "So what do you think?"

Zac looked at Patrick and then Jim, "Do you think Patrick can safely handle a sleigh?"

"You said that it's not much different than riding. If you sat with him to give advice, I do," Jim admitted.

"Then we shall see," Zac responded. Then he looked at Patrick and added, "One big difference, a sleigh will not turn as easily as a horse or even a wagon. You'll need to plan for wide turns, and listen to everything I tell you to do."

Patrick was grinning, "I will Papa."

Jim finished hooking up the horses to the sleigh and he put Jake in the back and sat beside him. Patrick had the biggest grin as he sat in front and Zac handed him the reins. Zac informed Patrick, "If you have well trained horses, you should never have to slap them with the reins. When you see them doing that on TV, that's just wrong and abuse. Just like when you're riding, you can loosen or tighten the reins. Or you can use voice commands."

Patrick loosened the reins and gave a kissing noise. He smiled as the horses started pulling the sleigh. At first the sleigh didn't seem to move, Zac jumped out and gave it a sideways nudge. Once the sleigh started moving, he jumped back in. "The runners were frozen to the ground. We should have checked that before getting in. With a wagon, the wheels rarely freeze to the ground and with rolling, it's easier to start moving. We stop anywhere, we may have that issue again."

Jim said, "That's good to know. You know, Jackson bought three of these sleighs for the ranch. He said we can give sleigh rides during winter. I'm not sure who all will be driving them, but that's something for you, Joe and me to talk about before next winter hits."

"Will I be allowed to drive one with guests?" Patrick asked.

Zac smiled and said, "Not until you are older, insurance wouldn't allow it. Once we can put you on payroll, then we may be allowed to let you."

Patrick pouted a little, "How old will I have to be?"

Zac patted him on the shoulder and replied, "With parental consent, you can go on payroll when you turn fourteen. But until you turn sixteen, you can only work three hours a day on school days and eighteen hours max during a school week."

Patrick inquired, "And after I'm sixteen?"

Jim was looking at his phone and said, "Then you can get twenty hours a week during a school week. And Zac, did you read the exemption?"

Zac shook his head, "No, I just read the pamphlet in the office. I didn't see an exemption."

Jim read it, "It says, minors of any age may work a farm or ranch owned by their parents."

"Seriously?" Patrick exclaimed. Jim handed Zac his phone.

Zac responded, "IT does say that and this is Wyoming's child labor laws site."

Patrick started smiling really big, and just commented, "Cool."

Zac laughed, "You may still be too young to drive a sleigh with guests, but we'll check into it." Patrick started grinning. Zac gave him a warning, "You may want to slow the horses down a bit and turn. Remember, make your turn wide."

Patrick tightened up on the reins a little and started to turn. He went wide but not quite wide enough and the sleigh tipped over, sending everyone flying. Zac and Jim were almost beside each other. They got up and found Patrick a few feet away. Jim helped him up and gave him a hug while Zac went to check on Jake. Patrick started crying, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to wreck the sleigh."

Jim patted his back, "I know you didn't, you just need to practice. I thought you were doing a great job and made the turn wide like Papa suggested. If I were the one driving, I may have done it just like you did, or worse. Everyone is alright. See, look at Jake; he's laughing about it."

Patrick wiped his eyes while Jim and Zac righted the sleigh. Once it was upright, Patrick started climbing in back. Zac asked, "Why are you going back there? You can't drive the sleigh from back there."

Patrick looked down, "I didn't think you would want me to drive it any more. What if I dump us again?"

"If you don't drive it now, you may end up too scared to drive it ever," Zac advised. "The saying, `When thrown from a horse...' doesn't only apply to horseback. Hopefully you've learned that you'll need to take turns a little wider."

Jim shook the snow off the blankets they were using and then he and Jake got in back and Patrick sat up front with Zac. Zac gave Patrick the reins and the boy seemed nervous but loosened the reins to let the horse know they were ready.

They made it back to the barns and saw Jackson limping. "What happened to you?" Jim asked.

Jackson put his hand on Colt's shoulder and said, "Colt needs practice. He took a turn too quick and dumped the sleigh."

Patrick's face lit up, "That's what I did. At least now I know that I'm not the only one."

Jackson chuckled, "Colt did fine after the second spill. You boys just need practice."

Zac smiled, "Yeah, Patrick was afraid to drive after he dumped us, but he did a fine job, too." Patrick smiled at the praise, and he gave Zac a hug.

Patrick asked Jackson, "Are we going after Patrick Henry's horse this weekend?"

Jackson just shook his head, "You want your grandmothers to skin me alive? Sunday is Easter. Then you have Spring Break and we'll be doing our anniversary week, but if your dad and papa want to take a couple of days to go after him, I suppose I can spare them any time from Tuesday to Thursday."

Zac looked thoughtful, "What if we leave Monday after four? And then we should be back late Tuesday."

Jackson nodded, "That would work. I mainly want you here in the morning when we will be the busiest. Are you sure you'll be rested enough for the drive?"

Zac smiled, "As hard as my boss drives me, I don't know."

"Do I need to have a talk with him like I did for you boys to attend my wedding?" Jackson started chuckling.

Patrick gave Jackson a funny look, "I thought you were the boss."

"He is," Jim responded. "He had us cracking up as he carried on a conversation with himself. You should have seen it."

Patrick smiled, "OH, I bet that was funny."

"And speaking of Easter," Jackson started, "I'm inviting all employees and their families this year. We'll be doing an egg hunt and each family will have a basket. Ryan will be here tomorrow and we are preparing hams. Jim, your mom offered to make her potato salad."

Zac smiled, "Will the egg hunt be as lucrative as it was for Colt last year?"

Colt grinned, "I made two hundred forty dollars last year on that egg hunt. I wanted to keep looking but Dad said that I found them all."

Zac concurred, "I remember the ranch hands saying that they were hiding a dozen eggs."

Jackson chuckled, "No. I'm not giving anyone else that kind of money, that was just for Colt. These eggs will be plastic and some may have a dollar, some will have candy. And I have a few bigger eggs that may have stuffed animals in them."

Jake asked, "Will I get to hunt eggs?"

Jackson nodded, "I will have three fields set up. One will be for children under eight; one will be for children eight to twelve and one will be for children twelve to fourteen. Every family member will get to hunt eggs if they fit into those age groups."

Jake blinked his eyes a few times and then questioned, "Do I fit into those age groups?"

Jim picked Jake up, and replied, "You will be in the under eight age group."

Jake gave Jim a hug and said, "OK."

Jim and Zac took care of the horses they used while Patrick and Jake talked to Jackson more about the egg hunt.

Saturday morning felt good to Patrick. He liked being at the ranch helping Jim with the horses again. In fact, he told Jim as they were working, "The hardest part about being in the hospital last week was when I thought you were here with the horses and I was there. When you, Papa and Jake walked into my room and told me that you had the day off, I actually felt relieved."

Jim chuckled, "I can imagine. Remember Dr. Bashir commenting about me having a concussion? I hated that I was stuck at home and I couldn't even use any electronics for a couple of those days. Not being with the horses however, was the real torture."

Patrick had a scared look on his face, "Remember when you were going to ground me from electronics? That must have been torture for you."

"I thought so," Jim acknowledged, "but I also knew that Dr. Bashir was doing it to help me heal quicker."

Patrick looked thoughtful and stated, "If I ever have to choose between the horses and my computer, I would rather be with the horses."

Jim teased, "Oh, so if Papa and I ever need to punish you, we should ground you from the horses."

Patrick looked petrified, "Please Dad, don't even joke like that. I love them almost as much as I love Scott."

Jim gave him a smile, "OK, we'll only use that one if you murder somebody."

"Get real Dad," Patrick shot back. "If I were to murder someone, I would have a whole lot more than just being grounded from the horses to worry about."

Jim agreed, "I know, I'm just saying that you would have to do something very serious for us to ground you from them."

"Thanks Dad," Patrick offered as he gave Jim a hug.

After having the horses taken care of, Jim prepared a sleigh with two of the horses. Jake walked over and asked, "Daddy, what are you doing?"

Jim looked at his youngest son and said, "Patrick needs to practice and so do I. Do you want to come with us?"

Jake looked thoughtful, and questioned, "Will we go flying again?"

Chuckling, Jim replied, "I hope not. It's colder today than yesterday so the ground is harder."

Patrick walked over and was puzzled by the sleigh. Jim looked at him and simply said, "Get in."

"As small as we are, can Jake and I sit up front with you, or is Papa coming too?" Patrick inquired.

Jim responded, "You and Jake can sit up front with me." He grabbed the reins and drove the sleigh quite a distance. A few times, he felt one side of the sleigh coming up as he turned, but he straightened the horses and made the turn wider.

The first time, Patrick was congratulatory towards him, "That was an awesome save, Dad. Next time I'm driving, I'll know how to save it if I turn too quickly."

Jim turned to him and said, "That's good. When it's time to turn around, you're taking over the driving."

"I am?" Patrick asked, not sure if he was excited or nervous.

Jim winked at Patrick, smiled and averred, "You are and I have faith in you that you'll do a better job than me."

Patrick smiled back, "I will, if for no other reason than because you're already proud of me."

"Yeah!!!" Jake yelled. "I'm proud of you, too." Patrick put his arm around Jake.

Jim brought the sleigh to a halt and handed Patrick the reins. "I get to turn the sleigh around? Are you sure that you don't need to practice?" Patrick asked.

Jim laughed, "Yeah, I probably do, but you can do this."

Patrick gave Jim a smile and took the reins. Jim was surprised when Patrick didn't turn the sleigh around but did a complete circle. Patrick handed Jim the reins back and said, "OK Dad, I know I can do it. Now you can practice. And then I'll drive us home."

Chuckling, Jim took the reins and followed the path Patrick had made. Once they were facing towards the ranch, Patrick accepted the reins back from Jim and he drove the sleigh back. He had one incident where he started to make his turn too sharp, but he corrected it and laughed.

Once the sleigh was back at the barns, Patrick helped Jim unhitch the horses and Jake ran towards Zac, who was heading towards them. Zac announced, "Jackson would like for two munchkins to go home so they can hide eggs for tomorrow. So did you have fun?"

Jake jumped into Zac's arms and replied, "I missed you! It was fun." Then Jake proceeded to explain exactly what happened, including Patrick's big circle. Zac congratulated Jim and Patrick on a job well done. Once the horses were put away, they drove home.

During the Easter egg hunt, Jake found one of the big eggs. It was so big that he struggled to carry it and was taking it to have Jim or Zac hold it for him. Jackson grabbed their attention and pointed to Jake rolling the egg. Jim started towards him when Jake stopped by a boy in a wheel chair. "Hi, I'm Jake."

The boy was surprised when Jake introduced himself, but he responded "I'm Bobby."

Jake questioned, "Does your dad work at the ranch?"

Bobby nodded his head and said, "Yeah, he's the foreman over on the other side. He helps take care of the cows."

"I bet it's hard for you to hunt eggs in that wheelchair," Jake stated.

"I can't hunt for any, but it's still fun watching everyone else," Bobby claimed, but Jake noticed a tear running down his face.

Jake offered, "Would you like this egg? I can go get others. Jackson said the bigger eggs have stuffed animals in them."

Bobby shook his head, "I couldn't take that. It's yours, you found it."

Jake insisted, "I can go get more, but you can't get any. You should at least get one."

"Seriously, you would give me this? I don't know what to say," Bobby started to sob.

Jake gave Bobby a smile and said, "I'll leave it here beside you and when I get more eggs, I'll share some of them, too."

Jackson watched the whole thing and started to cry. "Bobby turns eight in June and last summer, there was an accident that left the boy paralyzed. Robert almost didn't bring Bobby but Bobby wanted to come watch the other kids."

"Man, that's rough," Zac croaked out. "I'm glad that Bobby came, but it has to be hard on him."

Jackson concurred, "I'm sure it is, but at least Jake befriended him."

Jim walked back to them, with tears in his eyes, "Did you see what our son just did?"

Zac nodded his head and in a raspy voice said, "I did and Jackson told me the boy's story. I'm so proud of Jake."

Jim and Zac watched Jake going around grabbing eggs and talking to all of the other children. It surprised them when every child stopped and gave Bobby one egg. Robert had been watching the children interact with his son and he just cried.

Jackson stopped one of the kids and said, "Tammy, that was nice of you since Bobby can't get his own."

"That boy suggested it," the little girl responded and pointed at Jake. "He suggested that we all give him one since he can't get any."

Jackson "Still, you didn't have to, so it was nice of you, too."

The little girl went back to looking for eggs and Colt walked over to Jackson. He asked, "Dad, would it upset you if I gave Jake the big bunny that you gave me? I saw what he did for Bobby and I think he deserves it."

Jackson gave Colt a hug, "I think that's a splendid idea. You give him that bunny and I'll have another one made for you."

"I would like to pay for the new bunny," Robert offered. "I really didn't want to, but I'm glad that I brought Bobby. Look at him smiling and chatting with the other children. It gives me hope for the next generation."

After that group was finished hunting eggs, Jackson sent the next group into their field. He didn't let them all go at once as some families have many children and would want to watch all of their children hunt eggs.

Patrick found several different colored eggs but the ones he really liked were the golden eggs. Jim asked Jackson, "Is there anything special about those eggs?"

"Those are the ones with money inside. I probably put twenty-five in this field and another twenty-five of them in the field for the twelve to fourteen-year-old kids."

As he watched Patrick, Jim kept looking over at Jake chatting with Bobby. He would open an egg and ask Bobby if he liked the candy inside. Jim saw Jake putting some of the candy in Bobby's basket and some in his own.

All of the groups had plucked their fields of its eggs and everyone went to the party barn for a nice lunch. Jackson stood up and declared, "I hope all of you enjoyed the egg hunt. It was a pleasure doing it for you. Now I wanted to give one boy a real special prize for his actions, but Robert Kincaid asked if he could. Some of you know Robert as the foreman for the cattle section of the ranch, and some of you know about his son Bobby. For those of you who don't, I'll leave that for Robert to tell."

Robert stood up, "Before I say anything, I want to thank all of you children who went out of your way to make Bobby happy today. Last summer, I was teaching Bobby how to ride a horse and something spooked my horse. She reared up throwing Bobby. I guessed Bobby landed wrong and injured his spinal cord. The doctor said that Bobby will probably never walk again. There's only a ten percent chance at best but over this last year, he has slowly been regaining feeling in his legs so we do have hope. Today, I watched all of the children in Bobby's age group sharing with him since he couldn't get his own eggs. Jackson discovered that it was orchestrated by one boy in particular, but still all of the children did it on their own free will without any influence from their parents. So again, I want to thank all of those children."

Colt handed Robert the bunny and Jake whispered to Jim, "That's a big bunny."

Joe looked at Jake and said, "I think it's bigger than my bear. I wonder who he's planning to give it to."

Robert hugged the bunny and with a tear, he announced, "One boy found an egg with a stuffed toy inside. You would think that he would have wanted to keep it for himself, but no. He gave that egg to Bobby and then suggested to all of the other children to share an egg with my son. Jake Bolt, I would like to give this bunny to you for your selfless actions."

Everybody clapped. Jake looked so surprised when Robert called his name; he couldn't believe that he was the one getting the big bunny. Robert set the bunny beside Jake and it was taller than him. Jake hugged the bunny and said, "Thank you." Then Jake turned towards Bobby and asked, "Would you rather this bunny?"

Bobby held up the bunny that was in the egg and responded, "No dude, I'm happy with this bunny. It means more to me than that bunny could ever mean. You deserve that bunny."

Again, everyone clapped and Robert Kincaid sat beside his son. Jim could barely hear him tell Bobby that he was proud of him. Robert went to hug Bobby and without hesitation or thought, Bobby stood a little, but fell into his dad. "Bobby, are you alright?"

Bobby cried, "I'm sorry, I forgot that I can't walk and tried to stand. And then my legs really hurt and..."

Robert stopped him, "Your legs really hurt? Bobby, your legs hurt. I'm so happy."

Bobby smiled, "Dad, my legs hurt. I think I have full feeling back in my legs." Everyone in the barn started applauding Bobby. Bobby slowly moved his legs and wiggled his foot. You could see pain all over his face from the lack of using his legs for so long, but he was all smiles because all the physical therapy he had been undergoing seems to be finally paying off. "Dad, will you help me stand, even if it's only for a second? Please?"

Robert helped Bobby up. The boy wasn't really standing as most of his weight was being held up by his father, but then Robert slowly removed his hands. Bobby immediately grimaced from all of the pain and he sat back down. "I'm sorry, Dad. It was just too much."

Robert smiled, "You tried, and I believe that you just proved you will be able not only to stand but you will be able to walk again. I am so proud of you; you have nothing to be sorry for."

Joe grabbed his guitar and started playing an Easter song that he thought seemed appropriate. After playing a few cords, his angelic voice sang the words to "I'll Rise Again." Bobby chuckled as he heard the words and what they meant to him. Sure, the song was about Christ rising on Easter morning, but to Bobby, Joe was giving him hope of walking again.

Monday, Anniversary Week started off with good results. Ben Brodie was having demonstrations at the Rodeo Arena. He had asked Brandon Russell to demonstrate the barrel racing and the young man put on a spectacular demonstration.

After they had completed everything Jackson needed from them for the first day, Jim and Zac told Patrick and Jake to get into the truck. Jim was buckling Jake in when Patrick started getting in. Suddenly he grabbed his stomach and dropped to his knees. Zac rushed over to him. Jim just stared at him with horror, holding his breath. Zac put his hand on Patrick's shoulder and asked, "Are you alright?"

Patrick just laughed and said, "Psyche. I'm fine, just messing with you."

Jim let out his breath and begged, "Please don't do that. You had me so scared."

Zac looked stern, "Not only that, what if you really end up hurting and we think you're messing with us? You know the story about the boy who cried wolf?"

Patrick acknowledged that he did and then looked directly at Jim. In a faint voice he said, "I am sorry for scaring you. If I didn't already know that you love me, I definitely would now."

Jim replied, "If you want to try and scare me, that's fine, but never with either of you boys' life or health. Before you buckle in, I wanna give you a hug."

Patrick got beside Jake and as Jim placed his arms around him, he averred, "I love you, Dad."

Once Jake was buckled into his car seat and Patrick was buckled in, Jim and Zac started to buckle their seatbelts. Patrick Henry walked over with his parents. Mr. Henry looked at Zac and stated, "Patrick was wondering if he could go with you. Since it is just over night, and the fact that we trust the two of you fully, my wife and I wouldn't have a problem with it."

Zac grinned and replied, "We are going after his horse, so I think it would be appropriate."

Mr. Henry grinned and said, "I had a feeling you would say that. Hopefully you won't need it, but here is a notarized, signed letter giving you permission to take our son across the state border and authorizing you to give consent if any medical emergency should happen."

"I hope we don't need it too, but it's nice to have just in case," Jim agreed.

Patrick Henry ran to his parents' car and grabbed his bag. He put his bag in the back with everyone else's and sat between Jake and Patrick.

It was a long trip and they only stopped for fuel and to eat supper. Jim was driving when they finally pulled into the motel where they would spend the night. He woke everyone up and commented to Zac, "I don't think Jackson realized actually how far down Kanab is in Utah. Sure Cody is closer to Utah than South Dakota, but we're almost in Arizona. And it's almost four in the morning."

Zac stated, "I'm calling Jackson in the morning to let him know, we are NOT driving home without stopping for the night. With having to take the horse for walks, we're looking at a longer drive, so we will spend the night somewhere."

Patrick Henry looked at them and apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause all of this problem."

Jim shook his head, "It's not a problem and you have nothing to apologize for. I don't think Jackson looked on the map as to where Kanab was in Utah. When we went after the yearlings, he accounted for us driving almost completely across Wyoming. Sure, we were in Utah faster, but then we had to drive clear down the state. None of this is your fault."

Patrick Henry smiled back at Jim, "You sounded almost like my dad there. I can see why Patrick thinks so much of you and Zac. When I was first diagnosed with leukemia, I apologized to my dad and he told me that I had nothing to apologize for, that it wasn't my fault."

Zac chimed in, "It sounds like you and your dad love each other very much. Jim's right, this trip is not your fault; it's no one's fault. In fact, there's really no issue except it's taking longer than we thought. I just need to let Jackson know that we won't be home as soon as we expected."

"OK," Patrick H. said, "I can understand that, and thank you both for setting my mind at ease." Everyone went to bed with Patrick, Jake and Patrick sleeping in one bed, Jim and Zac in the other.

After just a few hours of sleep, Zac found the boys sitting at the little table in the room, playing cards that they had found in one of the drawers. He laughed when Jake asked, "Do you have any A's?" Patrick H told him to "Go fish."

Zac inquired, "Are you boys hungry? We can go eat while Dad sleeps some more. He didn't sleep during the last leg of the trip like the rest of us."

"I'm glad he didn't sleep," Patrick chuckled. "He was driving." Zac picked Jake up and put his arm around Patrick as they walked to the motel's restaurant.

Jim woke up and seeing no one else was there, he decided to get a shower. Being solo, it didn't take him nearly as long as normal. He finished his shower and started getting dressed as Zac and the boys walked in. Patrick was carrying a "to go" container. "Dad, did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, until I woke up to an empty room. I figured y'all went to eat breakfast," Jim responded.

"We had sausage gravy and biscuits with eggs, bacon and hash browns. We brought yours back with us," Patrick declared.

Jim took the container and sat at the table to eat. Jake squirmed onto his lap and Jim asked, "Are you after my bacon?" Jake smiled and nodded his head. "If you at this much food, why aren't you full?"

"I love bacon," Jake explained. Jim gave him one piece and Zac just shook his head.

After Jim finished eating, they drove to the Kanab Mustang Rescue and Shelter. They explained who they were and why they were there. The attendant took them back to the horse and started telling them about it. "I understand the Another Chance is a ranch with a rescue attached. Just so you know, this horse was brought to us at such a young age, he hasn't been broken yet," the attendant stated.

Zac acknowledged, "That is what Jackson said." Zac indicated Patrick H. and added, "This young man will be the owner, but we will be breaking the horse for him at the ranch."

"Very good," the attendant replied. "Even though this is a transfer from one rescue to another, I wouldn't feel right letting the horse go without knowledge that he will be treated right."

Jim gave the attendant a smile and said, "That's because you really care about your horses. I'm glad that we are able to put your worries to rest."

"So, how long is your drive home?" the attendant asked.

"Count adding in the time we stop to walk the horse," Zac started, "it would be eleven and a half hours. Then we also plan to spend the night somewhere in between."

The attendant smiled, "I'm glad that you're not planning to just drive straight there."

Patrick H. shouted, "Gosh no, that would be too hard on the horse."

"Exactly," the attendant stated. Jim noticed that the attendant seemed more relaxed. He really does care about the horses under his charge. Before putting the mustang into the trailer, the attendant placed fresh hay in it. He also made sure they had an ample supply of water for the horse for when they stopped.

The first time they stopped to walk the horse, Patrick H. asked if he could walk his horse. Jim asked him, "Do you know anything about walking a wild or unbroken horse?"

"I'm guessing that it's different than walking one that is broken?" Patrick H. surmised.

Jim nodded his head, "Yes it is. I'll let you walk him, but I'll walk with you. He may test you to see who is the leader, you or him. If he does, you need to show him right away that you are." Then Jim explained a few things that the horse might do to test Patrick and what Patrick would need to do to safely correct the horse.

With taking time to walk the horse every two hours, they arrived in Rock Springs, Wyoming, just before nine. Zac informed them, "We can stop here for the night and then we'll have about a four or five-hour trip home, taking into account walking your horse."

Patrick H. smiled. He was so happy that he was able to go pick up his horse, and he did all of the walking with the horse. Jim or Zac just accompanied him, and the horse was starting to respond to him.

Jackson was happy to see them pulling into the ranch at noon. He had called Patrick H.'s parents to let them know what was up so they wouldn't worry, and they pulled into the lot behind Zac.

Zac drove close to the barn where Patrick's Miracle would be kept and everyone got out. Patrick H. ran over to his parents, hugged them and almost dragged them to see his new horse. They weren't resistant of seeing the horse, but they weren't moving as fast as Patrick H. would have liked.

Once the horse was in his stall, Jackson took the Henry's over to The Rescue so they could fill out all of the paperwork. Patrick handed Jackson the full five hundred dollars and Jackson handed him back the difference. "I told you, I'm not charging you for us to break the horse for you. We would be required to break him for you anyway."

Patrick H. accepted the money back and said, "Thanks, Jackson."

I have created a mailing list. If you would like to be added to it to be informed of new submission, please contact me at zarek@roadrunner.com mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com . Please let me know that you read it on nifty.org.