The Texas Sheriff's Family Blessing (Testament Creek Book 2)

by Maya Stirling

  The doc nodded. "A long while, I reckon. I've done what I can to make sure there's no chance of infection, But we'll have to wait and see."

  "You've got help," Tyler said.

  "Hope has helped me out a couple of times since she arrived in the summer," the doc explained. He seemed genuinely pleased that Hope had come to his home. "She's offered to be here for a few days. And I have accepted."

  "Seems like you're doing everything possible to get Mary back on her feet."

  "I'm trying, Tyler," the doc said. Tyler had worked with the doc a few times since he'd taken over as town sheriff. Doc Clanton was a good man with plenty of experience. He was also a widower. His wife Alice had died a few years ago. Now the doc did his best to keep himself as busy as possible.

  "Is it okay if I say hello to Mary?" Tyler asked.

  "Make it brief," the doc said.

  Tyler went to the open door and knocked on the wood panel. Hope came to the door. Smiling, she gestured for Tyler to enter. He walked into the small room. There was a single bed and two small tables in the room. The curtain was drawn over the one window, softening the early morning light. An odor of medicines filled the air. Tyler knew this was the only room in the doc's house where he could look after patients.

  On the bed lay Mary Hardesty. She was covered in a thin cotton blanket. On her left side was a raised area. Tyler figured that must be to protect the wounded part of her side. Her dark hair was spread out on the pillow. The darkness of her hair only made the pale color of her face even more obvious. When she looked up at Tyler he saw how tired she was. There were shadows beneath her eyes. Tyler felt his heart sink. She looked like she was having a hard time. But Tyler knew he'd had to come. If he was going to tell the children the truth he had to know it for himself.

  "Sheriff," Mary Hardesty said in a quiet voice. "How nice of you to come visit me."

  "I just wanted to see how you're doing, ma'am," Tyler said.

  She smiled. "Please call me, Mary."

  Tyler nodded. "I surely will, Mary." Tyler glanced across at Hope. She was watching the proceedings with a steady expression. Tyler figured Hope was probably counting the seconds and waiting to shoo him out of the patient's room.

  "I won't stay long. Just wanted to tell you I'll be seeing the children this morning," Tyler said.

  Mention of the children made Mary Hardesty's eyes widen, "The children?"

  For a moment Tyler thought she might have forgotten that they were safe at the Circle T. "I'll be at the ranch this morning. Is there anything you want me to tell them, Mary?"

  Mary thought for a long moment and then looked at Tyler. "Tell them I'm sorry," she murmured.

  Tyler glanced quickly at Hope and saw her eyes widen. Tyler wasn't sure what he could say. But he didn't want Mary Hardesty to blame herself for what had happened. "There was nothing you could have done to stop the gang, Mary. Those men were determined to rob the train. But we've got them where they belong. Behind bars."

  Hope came to the edge of the bed as Mary coughed quietly. She leaned closer to Mary and tried to help her. Tyler took a step back and watched as Hope worked with Mary for a few moments.

  Mary coughed once more and then looked up at Tyler. "Tell the children I love them and that I'll see them real soon." Her voice was weakening by the second.

  Tyler knew it was time to leave. "I'll do that, Mary."

  Hope glanced up at Tyler and smiled. Then Tyler made his way out into the corridor. He found Doc Clanton standing there with his arms folded. Tyler followed the doc to the front door. As the doc opened the door, Tyler knew that there was nothing more to say. What he'd just seen confirmed everything the doctor had told him. He knew the truth now. It would be a while before Mary Hardesty would be back on her feet. She faced a long recovery.

  He bid farewell to the doctor and made his way to his horse. Mounting up, Tyler rode down the street and out onto Main Street. The he headed up the northward trail toward the Circle T.

  He knew Grace and the children would be waiting for him.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Tyler arrived on horseback just as Grace and the children were making their way out onto the porch of the Circle T ranch house. Grace, Jack and Katie took their seats on the porch bench while Tyler reined in and dismounted.

  Grace felt butterflies tumbling in her middle. She placed a hand gently on her belly. She was pleased to see Tyler. But she was also worried about what they were about to say to the children.

  Tyler stepped up onto the porch and smiled at Jack and Katie. "Good morning," he declared. He gazed out across the rangeland. "And isn't it a fine morning?"

  "It sure is," Grace agreed. She smiled at the children. They'd slept well last night. And, this morning they'd both had a ravenous appetite. Lucia had cooked a huge breakfast. Jack and Katie had acted like they hadn't had a decent breakfast in years. Maybe they hadn't, Grace reflected. If so, she found that mildly shocking. What kind of an orphanage would starve little children?

  Tyler leaned casually against the porch support post. Tyler was dressed in jeans, plaid shirt and light jacket. Grace figured he looked mighty handsome. But then she usually thought that when he came calling. "Did you both sleep well?" Tyler asked the children.

  Jack smiled up at Tyler. "It was pretty cozy," he said.

  Katie nodded in agreement. "I like ranch houses."

  "You do?" Tyler asked and grinned. "So do I. Now isn't that a coincidence." He laughed quietly and the children giggled along with him.

  Grace wondered when Tyler was going to get to the point. Maybe he was just trying to put the children at their ease, she realized.

  Tyler lifted a brow and looked from Jack to Katie. "I have some good news for you both." Jack and Katie looked expectantly at Tyler. "You know how I said I'd find Miss Hardesty?"

  Jack and Katie nodded but didn't say a word. To Grace it looked like they were almost too scared to say anything.

  Tyler continued: "Well, me and my friends found Miss Hardesty. How about that?" Tyler said his brows rising in a line.

  Jack and Katie gasped in unison. They both stood up and went to Tyler. "You found her?" Jack asked.

  "Is she okay?" Katie added.

  "Where was she?" Jack continued.

  "Where is she now?" Katie asked breathlessly.

  "Whoa there," Tyler said and laughed quietly. "I can only answer one question at a time." He smiled at Grace who stood and went to stand behind the children.

  She laid a hand on each of their shoulders. "Sheriff Smith went with some other men and they found the people who robbed the train," Grace said.

  Jack's eyes widened with amazement. "Was there a shootout?" he asked Tyler.

  For a moment Tyler seemed genuinely taken aback by that question. Maybe, while he'd been living at the orphanage, Jack had heard stories about train robbers.

  "I won't tell a lie," Tyler said. Now he was suddenly serious. The time for joking was over. "Those robbers put up a fight. Just like I expected they would. But me and my friends won that fight, fair and square."

  Grace peered at the children. "Miss Hardesty got hurt," she said quietly. Sometimes it was best to just come right out with the truth, she told herself.

  Jack and Katie each dragged in a sharp breath. Before they had a chance to say another word, Grace continued. "Not badly, mind you. She's going to be okay. She's down at the doctor's place in town. He's looking after Miss Hardesty for now."

  "I went to see her this morning," Tyler announced.

  Not knowing he'd done that, Grace looked quizzically at Tyler. "Did you see Hope?"

  Tyler nodded. "I sure did. She's looking after Miss Hardesty. And doing a fine job, if you ask me."

  "When can we go to see Miss Hardesty?" Katie asked.

  Tyler and Grace exchanged looks. She saw Tyler shake his head imperceptibly. "Maybe we should give Miss Hardesty some time to recover," he said. "The doctor will let us know when is a good time to visit."

  Grace's heart sank when
she saw the disappointment on the faces of the children. They were desperate to see Miss Hardesty.

  "Her first name is Mary," Tyler revealed.

  "We already knew that," Jack declared firmly. He turned to Katie. "Didn't we?" Katie nodded.

  Grace squatted down to the children's level and gazed into their eyes. She could see the worry still lurking there. "We'll keep you both up to date on how Mary is doing. Okay?"

  Jack and Katie nodded. Jack's brows furrowed. "Does that mean we're going to be staying here at the ranch?"

  Grace masked her surprise at the question. She gazed up at Tyler and saw his equally blank expression. Grace rose and faced Tyler. He looked thoughtful. Had he been wondering about what it would mean for himself and Grace if the children had to remain on the ranch for an extended period of time? Since last night Grace had hardly been able to think about anything else. The arrival of the children, while welcome, would also change the way life was lived around the ranch house. Grace knew she'd have to spend less time running the ranch and more time attending to the children. Of course that prospect also held some real delights. But it was going to mean a huge change to life around the Circle T.

  Grace glanced down at Jack and Katie. There was no way they were going anywhere else, she told herself. "You can stay here as long as you like," she declared.

  Both children smiled. Grace glanced at Tyler and saw him nod his head. There was no other option that made sense.

  "Can we go and tell Lucia?" Katie asked. All this morning Lucia had talked constantly with the children. The fact that they were remaining at the ranch wouldn't be news to the kindly housekeeper. Grace had already mentioned the possibility to her. But Grace also knew Lucia would share her delight with the children once she knew for sure that they were staying.

  "Of you go," Grace told them.

  Jack and Katie raced into the house, talking excitedly as they went. The door closed noisily behind them. For a long moment Grace savored the silence. Then she looked at Tyler. "How is Mary? Really."

  Tyler's features darkened. "The gunshot wound is bad. But the doc thinks it'll heal. Provided there's no complications with infection."

  Grace sighed heavily and stepped out onto the yard. She started to walk toward the corral. She didn't want to take any chances that the children would overhear her speaking with Tyler.

  Tyler walked alongside Grace. "Mary is going to be staying at the doc's place for a while longer. Maybe for weeks."

  Grace frowned. "What are we going to do about the children?" she asked.

  "What do you mean?"

  Grace walked on in silence. Reaching the corral she leaned against the wooden fence. "I don't know how to look after children," Grace admitted. "I haven't the faintest idea what I'm supposed to do."

  Tyler looked puzzled. "You just do what you'd normally do if you want to make someone feel at home."

  His words triggered an instant sensation of unease. "This isn't their home, Tyler," Grace complained. "And I can't have them thinking it is ever going to be their permanent home." For a moment she was shocked at herself. How could she have uttered such cruel words? Of course she'd been worrying about the long term presence of the children. But she hadn't really considered what it would mean if they stayed a long time.

  She wrapped her arms around herself and dragged in a deep breath. Inexplicably, she felt panic rise inside herself. Her throat was suddenly tight, making it impossible to swallow. Her heartbeat quickened noticeably.

  Tyler frowned and reached out, taking her gently by the shoulders. "Hey, there," he breathed. "There's no need to worry."

  She lifted her chin and peered at Tyler. "Who says I'm worried?" When Tyler quickly withdrew his hands she knew she'd snapped at him. "I'm sorry, Tyler, I didn't mean it like that."

  Tyler smiled sympathetically. "No need to apologize." Tyler thrust his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He thought for a moment and then said: "I can help out."

  "How?"

  Tyler shrugged. "I can come out to the ranch most days. That way I can spend some time with Jack and Katie. I can get to know them. And I've got plenty of ways I can keep them busy."

  "You?" Grace asked.

  Tyler nodded. "I can keep them up to date on Mary's recovery." He gazed out across the rangeland. "Maybe I can learn a thing or two about ranching."

  "But you're the sheriff. You can't just be taking time off to help me out," Grace objected.

  "Call it part of my patrol duties," Tyler said brightly.

  There were times when her heart sang when she was around Tyler. And this was definitely one of those occasions. He was offering her a solution and she was tempted to take it. The thought of her, Tyler and the children spending time together filled her heart with hope and anticipation.

  "Are you sure you can do that?" she asked.

  Tyler leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Do you really want to try and stop me?"

  His gaze softened. Usually that was the prelude to a kiss. But she knew there might be curious eyes watching from the kitchen. A kiss was out of the question. Disappointment wrapped soft fingers around her heart.

  Grace smiled at Tyler. "Okay. That seems like a sensible solution." Her voice quivered.

  Tyler smiled and shook his head. "I need to be getting back to town. But I'll be back this afternoon." He started to walk away from her and then halted. Turning to face her he added: "I'm looking forward to being with you and the children." His brows lifted. "It's almost like we're a family already. Don't you think?"

  Grace felt her heartbeat quicken when he uttered those words. Family. It was such a simple word. But it promised so much. Since she and Tyler had started stepping out together, she'd kept thoughts of where their friendship might be leading well and truly under control.

  Now though, the prospect of being with him and the children filled her mind with a tumult of thoughts. She felt her cheeks flush with heat. "I'll see you later," she said.

  Then she followed Tyler back to his horse and watched him mount up and ride off.

  Grace turned back to face the house and started planning what she, Tyler and the children could do when he returned.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Things were getting complicated, Tyler told himself as he headed down the trail toward town. First there had been the robbery; then the rescue of Miss Hardesty and her injuries; then the capture of the outlaw gang. And finally he and Grace were facing a domestic crisis of their own.

  In the distance he could see Testament Creek. It looked pretty in the mid-morning light. He was glad to be coming back to town. But he knew he'd have work to do at the jailhouse. The sooner they dealt with the gang members the sooner he and Grace would be able to concentrate on dealing with the children's needs. That was so important.

  He thought about what had happened up at the Circle T and frowned. Grace looked worried. The reality of what it would mean to look after two young children for possibly the next few weeks was just starting to sink in. Tyler realized he'd never seen Grace so concerned. Not even back during the summertime when they'd dealt with their neighboring rancher, the dangerous Rafael Largo. Grace's legal training back in Kansas City had given her a strong sense of justice, Tyler reflected. Largo's nefarious activities were one thing Grace could understand. And she'd dealt with that situation with an admirable determination which had won Tyler's respect.

  Being temporary mother figure to Jack and Katie was something entirely different. And it looked like Grace was having trouble coming to terms with it. Tyler was glad he'd be able to go to Grace later in the day and help her in any way he could. Although, it wasn't as if he had experience of looking after children. Tyler had lost his own parents at an early age. He'd been raised by his uncle John, who'd had two boys of his own to raise. Growing up in that household hadn't been easy. Tyler had never fitted in. And, when the time had come, and he'd reached maturity, Tyler had left to seek ranch work.

  Dealing with a household of children wasn't easy, even at the best of
times. But he really wanted to help in any way he could. As far as he was concerned, any excuse to be with Grace was good news.

  It was Friday. Forty-eight hours until Tyler could attend church. He figured he might be able to persuade Grace to bring the children to church. Knowing that Grace's personal faith wasn't as strong as his own, Tyler knew he might have some work to do if that was going to happen. But it would be good to stand in church next to Grace and the children. Riding toward town, with hope lifting his spirits, he decided the time had come for him to pray. Lifting up his heart, he prayed silently.

  Lord. I thank You for giving me the strength and wisdom to save Mary Hardesty. I am truly grateful. Bless Mary and grant her a full recovery, Lord. She's a brave woman.

  I thank You for bringing Jack and Katie into our protection. Lord, I ask that You grant Grace the wisdom and fortitude to provide for the children while they're at the ranch.

  Grace is a good woman, Lord. And I know she has drifted from the faith over the years. She told me that herself. But I know You are drawing her back to the faith, Lord. And I am happy to be the means for You to do that. Because there is one thing I know, Lord. I love Grace. And I believe she may have feelings for me, too.

  Grant me the patience and strength I need to face the coming days with wisdom and love. Amen.

  Tyler sighed contentedly. Prayer was important to him. Every time he prayed he felt his spirits lift. Prayer brought renewed hope to his heart. Tyler knew he and Grace would be able to face the coming difficulties, and make something good come out of them. But it wasn't going to be easy. Tyler knew that for a fact.

  Reaching town, Tyler rode up Main Street. The boardwalks on both sides of the street were busy with townsfolk going about their daily business. The stores were open, as were the saloons. Tyler frowned when he heard loud noises coming from inside the saloon on the west side of the street. But that would have to wait. He needed to check up on Clint over at the jailhouse.

  Tyler reined up at the hitching rail of the jailhouse and dismounted. As he strode up onto the wooden boardwalk, Tyler could hear the sounds of raised voices coming from inside the jailhouse. It was loud. Tyler shook his head, wondering how the prisoners could have kept up that racket since he'd left earlier that morning. Clint's ears would be aching, Tyler told himself as he started to open the jailhouse door.