Lone Star Christmas. Jolene Navarro

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       Chapter Four

      Standing up from working on the fence, Max tried to roll his shoulder, but the pain was too much. It was taking him longer to recover from broken bones than it had in the past. Age was not a bull rider’s friend.

      He went to his truck and dug around in his bag until he found the painkillers. Pills were not his first choice for controlling the pain. Too many cowboys started relying on them to live. Depending on anything but himself was a no go for him.

      After throwing back three pills, he swallowed and glanced around the barn area for the boys. Ethan was standing with the two horses, but he didn’t see Tomas or Isaac anywhere. He glanced at his watch and was surprised to see it was way past one o’clock. Jackie should have been here. She didn’t seem like the kind that would be late.

      “Ethan. Where are the boys? It’s time to head back to the house.”

      “Yeah.” He pointed to the barn. “They were in the old tac—”

      A scream came from the loft area. BAM! Something hit hard.

      “Tomas! Max!” Incoherent yelling from Isaac followed.

      With Ethan right behind him, Max raced into the barn. Tomas was in the middle of the floor. Shattered pieces of wood surrounded the small body. He wasn’t moving.

      Falling to his knees beside the still figure, Max put his hand on the slight shoulder.

      Tomas cried out. Okay. That meant he was breathing. That was good. Max said a silent prayer of gratitude. He was alive and conscious.

      “Tomas. Where does it hurt?” He removed his work gloves and scanned the area for blood as he assessed the boy.