The Rancher’s Christmas Wish (Brides 0f Inspiration Book 8)

by Maya Stirling

  "Can you wait here a few moments, until I come back?" Ethan asked Chloe.

  She frowned, clearly puzzled, but nodded in agreement.

  "I'll return soon," he stated. Making his way out the barn door, he closed it softly behind him. Striding across the yard, Ethan saw the tall, dark-suited pastor Joseph getting up onto his horse and preparing to leave. Lilian saw Ethan heading toward the house.

  Ethan halted next the pastor's horse and peered up at him. "You leaving?"

  Pastor Joseph nodded and smiled warmly. "I am, indeed, Ethan," he said.

  Waiting for the pastor to elaborate, Ethan paused. But the pastor seemed determined not to discuss what he'd been talking about with Jake.

  The pastor touched the brim of his black hat. "Hopefully I'll see you in church, Ethan," he said. Then Joseph flicked the horse's reins and headed away from the ranch house.

  Ethan frowned, feeling frustration bubble up inside him. He went to the porch, seeking explanation from his mother, but she seemed equally reluctant to discuss what had gone on inside the house.

  As if reading her son's mind, Lilian shook her head. "I'll let your father tell you all about it," she said cryptically. Then she headed back into the house, leaving Ethan burning with curiosity. His mind whirling with a thousand questions, he headed back toward the barn. At least there was one thing from which he could take consolation, he told himself as he strode across the yard.

  Chloe had come back to him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Waiting for Ethan to return to the barn, Chloe tried to regain her composure. Her senses were heightened after the kiss. And her mind was full of warring thoughts. Confusing impressions. She'd come here seeking answers. In fact, she'd come with accusations on her mind. Accusations that Ethan and his father might be involved in rustling cattle.

  Even as she considered that more carefully, she felt, in her heart, that it could not be true. Now that she'd gotten to know Ethan and his father, Chloe found it hard to believe they could be behind the trouble. And, the last few days with Ethan had been amazing. Piece by piece, Ethan had dismantled the barrier which Chloe had erected between herself and the handsome rancher. She gazed around at the beautifully arrayed nativity scene. Working with Ethan to help this happen had been a wonderful experience. She thought about her first encounter with Ethan at the station. The animosity she'd felt on that day had vanished. She and Ethan had formed a strong attachment in a short time. Maybe it was true what people said about love. That it could strike in an instant.

  God had brought her into Ethan's life. It was that simple, Chloe told herself. And, He had granted her a precious gift. The possibility of love.

  That word made Chloe drag in a deep breath and sigh. Love. Was this really love she was feeling? It certainly felt wonderful whenever she was in Ethan's arms. Whenever he kissed her. And, day by day, she felt closer to the rancher. But, could it really be love?

  That was what made the events of today even more frustrating. How could she have fallen for a man who seemed to be the sworn enemy of her nearest family members? It didn't make sense that she would be brought into the life of such a man. But, it was true. Just as her growing feelings for Ethan could not be denied. She needed answers.

  The door to the barn opened and Ethan stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Immediately, Chloe could tell that something was bothering Ethan. Was he worried about what she might be about to say to him?

  Ethan ran a hand through his hair. "I just spoke with the pastor. He wouldn't tell me why my pa asked to see him." He sighed. "I'll have to speak with my pa and find out." Ethan blinked and shook his head. "Sorry, Chloe. You came to see me about those missing head of cattle."

  Chloe's throat tightened. Swallowing had become impossible. "So you had nothing to do with it?"

  Ethan frowned. "Of course I didn't. How can you even say such a thing?"

  "Caleb and Zane seemed pretty sure it was your doing," Chloe countered.

  Ethan's eyes widened with incredulity. "And you? What do you think? You believe it was me or my pa, or some of our ranch hands who broke into the Buchanan spread and stole those cattle?"

  "The fence was damaged," she replied.

  Ethan scoffed. "That happens all the time. Even some of the cattle can damage the fencing. If they go on the rampage themselves when no-one is looking."

  Chloe thought that last part didn't sound at all convincing. "If there had been a stampede, I think the ranch hands would have known something about it."

  Ethan was thoughtful for a few moments. Then, he peered steadily at Chloe. "There is another explanation."

  Chloe squinted at Ethan. There was something about the way he was looking at her that made her think he knew something he hadn't yet revealed to her. "What do you mean, Ethan?"

  He sighed and rested his hands on his hips. "You remember when we went to cut the Christmas trees? How I acted after we kissed?"

  Chloe felt her face flush with heat. Even just the memory of that kiss was enough to make her blush. "Of course, I do."

  "Didn't it strike you as odd?"

  Chloe shook her head. "I just put it down to the fact that it was our first kiss."

  Ethan grinned. "Well, there was that. But, it isn't the reason why I got antsy."

  "Is that how you'd describe it?" Chloe teased. "I thought you'd realized you'd done something you shouldn't have." She paused a moment and then added in a quieter voice. "That you regretted what you'd done."

  Ethan's eyes widened abruptly. He gasped. "That's not it at all, Chloe. I didn't regret kissing you. Not for one moment." Ethan's gaze became steady. "There was another reason why I acted like I did." He moved closer to Chloe. "There was someone else there."

  Chloe dragged in a sharp breath. "Someone else?" she exclaimed.

  Ethan nodded. "At first I thought I was hearing things. I heard the crack of branches under foot. Movements. But I didn't see anyone. Then, when we were leaving the forest, I saw horse tracks in the snow by the trail. And they were recent."

  "Why didn't you tell me at the time?" Chloe demanded.

  "I didn't want to concern you," he explained.

  "So you let me think you felt bad about kissing me," Chloe stated firmly. "Do you know how much that has bothered me these past couple of days?"

  "I'm sorry if I made you worried," Ethan offered. "Maybe I should have told you. But I didn't want to say anything."

  Chloe turned away from Ethan and walked toward the nativity scene. The peacefulness of the scene contrasted starkly with the turmoil raging inside her now. How could he have not told her? If he had explained his reaction at the forest, she would have been spared the last forty-eight hours of anguish and doubt.

  Suddenly, she felt Ethan's hand on her shoulder. His touch sent sensations racing up her spine. She steadied her breathing and turned to face him. She looked up into his dark, steady gaze. "I truly am sorry, Chloe" he murmured. His voice shook with a hint of emotion. His apology sounded sincere, but it didn't take away the sense of disappointment. The feeling of hurt still lingered.

  "Who do you think it could have been?" she asked, admitting that she believed him now.

  Ethan shook his head. "I don't know. The only thing I'm sure of is that, whoever it was, followed us there for a reason. I could see the tracks of the horse most of the way back on the trail." He sighed. "It was too much of a coincidence."

  "Did you tell anyone else?"

  Ethan frowned. "Who would I tell?"

  "Your father, for one," Chloe replied. "Or, if you thought someone might have wanted to cause us harm, you could have reported it to sheriff Cameron in Inspiration. Maybe he's heard of similar incidents."

  "I wouldn't do that," Ethan objected.

  "Not even if you thought someone was following us?" Chloe retorted. "That same person might have something to do with the trouble on the ranches."

  Ethan nodded. "I was figuring that myself," he admitted. He frowned. "But, who could it be? And why would they b
e doing it?"

  "I guess that's why my uncle and Zane have gone to speak with the sheriff," Chloe declared.

  Ethan stared at Chloe. He looked shocked. "They're getting the law involved again?"

  Chloe nodded. "They left before I came here."

  Ethan took a few steps away from Chloe. Fury lingered in his gaze. "Are they going to accuse me of being involved? Or maybe my father?" He glared at Chloe. "Is that why you came here? To threaten me on behalf of your Buchanan relatives?"

  Chloe gasped. "I would never do any such thing, Ethan Armstrong. You know that."

  Ethan shook his head violently. "I don't know that for sure, Chloe. Seems like you've made it clear whose side you're on." He scowled and ran his gaze down the length of her gown. "Once a Buchanan, always a Buchanan, I guess."

  Chloe felt the color drain from her face. How could he be accusing her like this? Didn't he realize she'd come here to find out the truth? A thought drifted into her mind. Maybe the story about the mysterious rider had all been a lie. Perhaps, Ethan had concocted it, just so he could avoid any accusation she might make.

  Suddenly, she felt the need to leave. She strode toward the barn door and pushed it open. Ethan followed her outside. "Chloe!" he called out. "Wait."

  Striding away from him, she turned her head and glanced back at him. "Why should I?" she blurted out. "You've made your opinion about me quite clear."

  Ethan's brows furrowed with disbelief. "You've got me all wrong, Chloe," he countered. "That's not how it is."

  She didn't want to hear another word. She'd heard enough inside the barn. She'd come seeking the truth, but it seemed she'd discovered another truth than the one she'd expected. Ethan thought she was no better than his rivals. The pain of that realization settled in her middle like a heavy stone.

  The carriage seemed as if it was a mile away. Her steps felt heavy. Eventually, she hauled herself up onto the seat and grasped the reins. She didn't even look down at Ethan as she flicked the reins and drove the carriage away from the Armstrong ranch house.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  His heart sinking, Ethan watched Chloe's carriage thunder along the trail. He felt terrible. There was no other way to describe the painful sensations rippling through his entire body. And, worst of all, Chloe seemed to think that he was responsible for stealing Buchanan cattle. Even after he'd explained to her that the presence of the rider at the forest suggested otherwise. All his work had been in vain. Chloe wanted nothing to do with him.

  Frustration coursed through him. He asked himself who could stand to benefit from trouble between the Buchanan and Armstrong families. One man came to mind. One man who would have the resources and the malice to try to sow discord between two otherwise law-abiding families. The image of Brett Calhoun's face floated into Ethan's mind. He thought about his recent encounters with the man. How Calhoun had taunted Ethan. And how interested Calhoun had been in Ethan's friendship with Chloe.

  That thought caught Ethan up short. Chloe was much more than just a friend. He knew that now. Twice they'd kissed, and each time he'd felt true affection for the beautiful Buchanan. Because she was every bit a Buchanan, Ethan told himself. And he didn't care about that. All that mattered was that she had found her way into his heart. Affection had grown, rapidly and inexplicably, into love.

  Ethan strode up onto the porch and hesitated before entering the house. Did he love Chloe Forsyth? Even as he asked himself that question, he already knew the answer. Of course he did. There was no doubt about it in his heart any longer. Did Chloe feel the same about him? A short time ago, he would have said yes. He'd seen the way she'd looked into his eyes. He'd felt the way she'd settled into his embrace. And he'd sensed the passion in the way she'd responded to the kiss.

  So, what was he going to do, now that she had left him? The thought of never seeing her again triggered an ache inside him. It seemed it was possible to instantly fall for someone. To give your heart to a beautiful woman, even though he'd only known her a short time.

  The door to the ranch house opened. Gretchen came out. "Pa wants to see you, Ethan," she told him.

  Ethan wasn't surprised. He'd seen the way the pastor had looked at him. Ethan knew his father had something important to tell him. He nodded and made his way into the house, along the corridor and knocked on the door to his father's study. Hearing his father grunt his permission, Ethan opened the door. Jake was seated behind his desk. He had a pen in his hand and was scratching inky words onto a large piece of paper. He looked up as Ethan entered. Jake jammed the pen into the ink pot and pointed to the padded leather chair facing the desk. "Sit down," Jake muttered.

  Ethan dropped down into the seat and peered at his father. In spite of the familiar gruffness in Jake's voice, Ethan thought he could see an unusual brightness in his father's eyes. Jake leaned back in the chair and eyed Ethan carefully.

  "You've no doubt been asking yourself why I asked the pastor to come visit me," Jake stated.

  "I was thinking about it," Ethan replied nodding. "Can't say I've got any idea what you might have wanted to say to him."

  Jake leaned forward and rested his elbows on the leather surface of the wide desk. "I had to speak to the pastor because of something that Buchanan woman said to me."

  "Chloe?"

  Jake nodded. "She and I got to talking."

  Ethan felt suddenly tense. "What about?"

  Jake sighed. "Faith. That young woman said some things to me which got me thinking. She made me realize where I might have been going wrong."

  Jake's admission impressed Ethan. It wasn't often that his father would admit to being wrong. In fact, since his fall, Jake had done everything possible to blame others for the trouble in his life.

  "Chloe does have a strong faith in the Lord," Ethan agreed.

  "Have you and her been getting along?" Jake asked.

  Ethan was shocked that his father would even ask such a question. "If you mean, have we been seeing one another, from time to time, then the answer is yes. Chloe is real friendly and helpful."

  Jake's brows furrowed thoughtfully. "Friendly," he said slowly.

  "Uh huh," Ethan replied. He squinted at Jake. "What's all this about?" Ethan glanced at the sheet of paper. "What have you been writing down?"

  Jake's eyes narrowed, as if he was considering his next words carefully. "Memories, Ethan. I've been writing down what I can recall about that fall I took off the horse."

  Ethan felt himself sink heavily into the chair. He grasped the arms of the chair and stared incredulously at his father. "You remembered!"

  Jake sighed and glanced down at the sheet of paper. He nodded. "It's all come back to me, Ethan. The whole thing. And I have that young woman to thank for it."

  "How?" Ethan asked.

  "She spoke to me about the importance of hope. Of never letting go of my faith." Jake's brows furrowed. "Even if times became dark. That God might be trying to bring good into my life. No matter how much pain I might be suffering." Jake leaned back in the chair. "So I did something I stopped doing a while back."

  Ethan tilted his head. "What was that, pa?"

  "I prayed, Ethan. Like I haven't done in a long time." Jake smiled. Ethan's heart swelled with joy when he saw the expression on his father's face. There was a delight in his father's features. As if something long dormant had been reawakened.