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

by Maya Stirling

  Chloe gasped. "Jake Armstrong?"

  The sheriff nodded. "He and his son, Ethan have been a great help in sorting this mess out, once and for all."

  "How? I thought Jake was having problems with his memory. He's been very unhappy lately," Chloe said. "I spoke to him recently, and he just seemed so miserable. What with not being able to remember what happened when he had that terrible fall from the horse." Chloe glanced at Eugenie. "I tried to help him, but it was to no avail, I'm afraid."

  Eugenie shook her head. "Jake is better now, Chloe," she said. "He remembers everything that happened when he took that fall." Eugenie looked up at the sheriff. "Isn't that right, sheriff?"

  Sheriff Cameron smiled. "It sure is, Eugenie. And the good news is, Jake has been able to identify the person behind all this trouble. In fact, the one person who has been responsible for engineering this fake feud between the Buchanans and the Armstrong."

  Chloe stared disbelievingly at the sheriff. "Fake feud?" Chloe glanced at Eugenie who smiled back at her.

  The sheriff nodded briskly. "That's what it has been, Miss Forsyth. A feud manufactured by one person who stood to gain from causing harm to the Buchanan family."

  Chloe saw Caleb lift his head and gaze intently at her. "Brett Calhoun," he said. When he said the man's name, Caleb's voice was heavy with disgust.

  Chloe thought about the scene she'd witnessed that afternoon. Ethan and Jake Armstrong apparently talking in a friendly manner with Brett Calhoun. Was this the explanation? Had there been more to that scene than she had realized?

  "He's been making a fool of all of us," Caleb added quietly. He lifted his head and looked up at the sheriff. "Ain't that right, Nathan."

  The sheriff nodded. "I'm afraid so, Caleb. I know it hurts to hear the truth, especially after all you folks went through with the man all those years ago." The sheriff shrugged. "But, it's true. Brett Calhoun has been identified by Jake Armstrong as the man behind the feuding between your two families."

  "But, how can you simply take their word for it?" Chloe asked.

  "We got corroborating evidence from one of the men who worked with Calhoun." The sheriff grinned. "It's amazing what a little bit of pressure will do to a man who is facing long jail time. Usually, the men Calhoun employs to do his dirty work either keep silent or disappear."

  "This time is different," Caleb said. There was a smile on Caleb's face, now. "I knew Calhoun would get caught one of these days."

  "Where is he now?" Chloe asked the sheriff.

  "He's keeping one of our beds warm in the town jailhouse," the sheriff announced with obvious pleasure in his voice. To Chloe's amazement, the sheriff laughed quietly and then smiled at Caleb. "How does that feel, Caleb?" sheriff Cameron asked. "Brett Calhoun will be in jail at Christmas time."

  Caleb glanced at his wife, Eugenie, as if seeking permission. Chloe saw Eugenie smile at Caleb and then Caleb threw his head back and roared with laughter. He laughed so hard, tears started to flow from his eyes. Chloe gazed at Eugenie in amazement. Her aunt simply smiled back at Chloe and shrugged. Caleb's laughter continued for about a minute.

  Once Caleb had calmed down, sheriff Cameron explained that with Jake Armstrong's testimony matching up with the one from Calhoun's former accomplice, who would get favorable treatment by the judge, it was likely that Calhoun would face serious charges.

  That just set Caleb off laughing once again. Chloe hadn't seen her uncle this happy before. Having delivered his message, Eugenie, Caleb and Chloe escorted the sheriff out to the yard. Waving the sheriff goodbye, Chloe turned and saw Eugenie and Caleb hugging each other. It seemed like justice being served on Brett Calhoun was good news in the Buchanan household.

  Staying outside so she could give Eugenie and Caleb some quiet time alone in the house, Chloe sat down on the porch bench.

  Thinking about the day's events, it all made sense. What she'd seen had a perfectly understandable explanation, after all. Jake and Ethan must have been trying to maneuver Brett Calhoun to the sheriff's office so that he could be taken into custody. That was what she'd been witnessing. It must have been the end of a lengthy attempt by Ethan and Jake to make sure that Calhoun faced the consequences of his actions.

  God had led Calhoun into the hands of those who could deliver him to justice, Chloe told herself. It seemed that the man who had been described as the snake in the perfect Eden of Inspiration would finally get what he deserved.

  How she had misjudged Ethan! Chloe chided herself, immediately realizing that she had misjudged him completely. She hadn't been able to see past her own prejudices. She hadn't been able to trust her own instincts. Regret took hold of her.

  There was one bright spark in all of this, though, she told herself. Jake had made a recovery. She recalled her quiet words to him. Maybe he'd been moved by her plea that he try reawaken his faith. That he put his trust in God. With the way things had turned out, Chloe was in no doubt that God had looked kindly upon Jake Armstrong. And in doing so, had chosen Jake to be the instrument of His justice. In the feud between Brett Calhoun and God, there was always going to be one winner.

  Chloe lowered her head and rested her hands in her lap, offering up a heartfelt prayer.

  O Lord. I thank You for Your almighty wisdom. And Your gracious help in bringing the good back into the life of Jake Armstrong, to the life of my beloved family, and to our precious town at this special time of the year. Blessed be my Almighty Father. But, O Lord, forgive me for judging Ethan the way that I did. Lead me to heal my friendship with him with love and kindness. Amen.

  Chloe lifted her head and gazed out across the snow-covered yard, out beyond the corral and into the darkness of the rangeland. Lifting her eyes up to the sky, she saw the brilliant, shimmering stars. Her heart filled with joy at the sheer beauty of the world. Now, all she needed was for the part of her world into which Ethan had come to be made equally as perfect.

  Chloe stood, drew in a breath of cold evening air and turned toward the front door. It was at that moment when she saw a tiny stone landing at her feet. Someone had thrown it. She looked to the far end of the ranch house and gasped.

  Ethan was standing there and he was beckoning her toward him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  As Chloe came running toward him, Ethan ducked back into the shadows at the end of the ranch house. Moments later, Chloe came around the corner of the building. To his astonishment, she smiled at him. "Ethan! What are you doing here?"

  Ethan took Chloe's outstretched hands and tugged her gently toward him. "I had to see you," he explained. Her hands were cold. He resisted the urge to rub her skin and take away the chill. To his delight, he noticed she did nothing to loosen his tender grasp.

  In the half-light, he could see the brightness in her eyes. Minutes earlier, he'd watched from the shadows as the sheriff had ridden away from the ranch house. Ethan could guess the news the sheriff had delivered. Judging by Chloe's reaction, the news had been well-received.

  "The sheriff told us, Ethan," Chloe exclaimed, her voice louder than he would have liked. He didn't want anyone discovering them here. It wouldn't look good for him. But, it would especially reflect badly on Chloe. And he wasn't about to let that happen.

  Ethan grinned. "Did he tell you Calhoun is in the jailhouse?"

  Chloe nodded. "And that you and your father had something to do with making it happen."

  "We did what we had to, Chloe," he replied.

  "Is your father feeling better, now?" she asked.

  "Thanks to you," Ethan said nodding.

  "Me? What did I have to do with any of this?" she asked.

  "It was you talking to my father about his faith and the need for him to regain his hope in God that made all this possible," Ethan explained.

  "Was that why the pastor came to visit him?"

  Ethan smiled. "The pastor confirmed every word you said to my father. Apparently, pastor Joseph is impressed with your persuasive abilities. Particularly in matters of faith."<
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  Even in the semi-darkness, Ethan could see Chloe's cheeks flush with embarrassment. Still holding her hands, Ethan savored the quiet intimacy of being with Chloe again. The days during which he and his father had worked together to deliver Brett Calhoun into the hands of the sheriff had been long. Being apart from Chloe had made them feel interminable. And there had been times when he'd doubted he would ever be this close to her again. But, now she was here with him, he felt a simple joy in his heart. There was nothing to compare with being next to this woman, he told himself. All he wanted to do from now on was share every moment with her. But, he still wasn't sure if that was possible.

  "I saw you today in town," Chloe said. She leaned in closer and Ethan released her hands. She settled back against the ranch house wall. Her gaze met his. There was a mixture of excitement and hesitation in that gaze, he told himself. He knew he'd have to tread very carefully during the next moments. He'd worked too hard to throw this all away by acting impulsively. "I wondered what you were doing talking with Calhoun. You and your father seemed so happy with him."

  "It was all an act," Ethan explained. "We had to persuade Calhoun that we were interested in working with him to bring down the Buchanans."

  Ethan heard Chloe gasp. "You didn't say that to him, did you?"

  Ethan shook his head. "We'd arranged it all beforehand with the sheriff. After Jake told sheriff Cameron about what he remembered, it turned out that one of the men my father remembered seeing on the ranch was the same man who came forward later to accuse Calhoun. Seems they had a disagreement over money."

  "I heard Calhoun was ruthless when it comes to dealing with men who betray him," Chloe said. ""Uncle Caleb told me some terrible stories. I didn't even know if I could believe them, they were so horrible."

  Ethan sighed. "No matter what folks say about Brett Calhoun, the truth is twenty times worse." Ethan saw Chloe's beautiful eyes widen with horror. "Never mind any of that now. Calhoun is going to be safely locked up for Christmas. And beyond."

  "That's a real Christmas gift for the town," Chloe said.

  Ethan laughed quietly. "You could say that it's the best Christmas the Buchanans have had in a long while."

  Now it was Chloe's turn to laugh quietly. "Thanks to the Armstrong family."

  Ethan smiled at Chloe. "God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform."

  "He surely does," Chloe agreed.

  Then Ethan lifted his hand and tidied a loose lock of hair which had fallen from her neat bun of blonde hair. He tucked the hair behind her ear. He felt her shiver as he did so. "Are you cold?" he asked.

  Chloe wrapped her arms around her middle and shook her head. "Not really."

  He grinned. "I don't believe you," he said. "Come here." He slid his arms around her and drew her close to him. She settled her hands on his shoulders. Up close, he caught her intoxicating scent, a delicate perfume which made his senses reel. He felt her warmth against his body. Her eyes brightened and he thought he could see a hint of moistness in them. Was she happy or even sad? He still couldn't tell. The last thing he wanted was to do anything which would make her feel sad.

  Suddenly, hiding in the shadows like this felt somehow awkward. As if, after all they'd been through, at the very least they should be in each other's arms in the light. And not hiding in the dark. He shifted away from her, but she reacted by holding more firmly on to his shoulders. She didn't want him to let go, he told himself. That realization made his heart warm with delight. She wanted him to be here. Wanted to be with him. All the pain of the last few days vanished in an instant. All the doubts he'd harbored about whether he could win her back were washed away by her tender smile.

  Ethan leaned his head closer and kissed Chloe. He felt his entire being flare into life. Her lips were soft and tender. Just like he'd remembered them. This was where God wanted him to be. With this precious woman who'd been brought into his life.

  What did it matter that they had only known each other a brief time. They had found each other and come to know one another while healing the lives of those they loved. Nothing could be clearer to Ethan that being with Chloe was God's will. It was what Ethan was meant to do. What he was being called to do.

  He lifted his head back and gazed into Chloe's eyes. There was as much love in those eyes as there was in his own heart, he told himself. Over the last few days he'd had plenty of time to think about what life would be like if he was to be separated forever from Chloe. That thought had made sleep impossible. It had clouded his judgment. Luckily, his father had talked sense into Ethan. His father knew how special Chloe was, having benefitted from the goodness of her heart. And he wasn't going to let his son pass up the chance to win Chloe's heart.

  "Can you ever forgive me?" Ethan asked.

  She frowned. "What for?"

  "For not making it clear to you just how much I love you," he murmured.

  Chloe's mouth opened into a shocked O shape. For a few long moments, she didn't say a word. She glanced away from Ethan. He placed his fingertips beneath her chin and gently guided her face back to him. She looked inquiringly into his eyes. He wondered what she was looking for. What she needed to hear from him.

  Finally, she narrowed her eyes. "You love me?" she whispered. Her soft voice made his spirits lighten.

  "I love you, Chloe Forsyth," he declared.

  He felt her breath against his cheek. Once again, the scent of her perfume made his senses weaken. Ethan leaned closer and kissed her again. This time he felt her respond to the kiss with ardor of her own. He wrapped her in his embrace. The kiss seemed to last an eternity. Finally, she leaned back and smiled up at him. Seeing her smile like that, he realized he'd never felt such happiness.

  "I love you, too, Ethan," Chloe whispered.

  The earth shook beneath his feet for a brief few seconds. He dragged in a breath, scarcely able to believe what she'd just said to him. She lifted her chin and smiled at him, expecting a kiss. He dipped his head and kissed her lips tenderly.

  Suddenly, Ethan heard the sound of a door being thrust open. Then, a voice called out. "Chloe? Where are you, Chloe?" It was Eugenie. Ethan felt Chloe's body go rigid. She gasped and slid away from him. For a moment, he didn't want to let go of her. And, for an instant, he considered doing something so reckless, he knew they might both regret it afterwards. He wanted to walk out from the semi-darkness, holding Chloe's hand in his. He wanted to make it absolutely clear to Eugenie and to the whole world that Chloe was his.

  But, he felt Chloe ease away from him, and the moment passed. Chloe smiled at him and gave Ethan an apologetic look. He could see she didn't want to leave him like this. But she had no choice. Ethan took a step back into the darkness, watching Chloe step out into the light.

  "There you are," Ethan heard Eugenie say. "Where did you get to?"

  "I just went for a walk, aunt," Ethan heard Chloe explain.

  "Come on inside, Chloe," Eugenie instructed. "It's too cold to be outside. Especially dressed like that."

  Ethan waited until he heard the door close. He leaned back against the wall and thought about what had just happened. Chloe had told him she loved him. Ethan smiled and lifted his head up to the heavens.

  Thank you, God, he prayed. You have brought healing to my family and love into my life. Surely, you are my God. My gracious God. Thank you God for bringing Chloe into our lives.

  Ethan's heart filled with joy. He wanted to cry out with delight, but knew being caught on the Buchanan ranch would cause questions to be asked. He moved into the darkness, heading for the tree where he'd tied his horse. Mounting up, he rode off into the night. And on the trail home, more than once, he cried out with joy at the realization that Chloe loved him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  "You did say the children were due to arrive at midday, didn't you, Chloe," Eugenie said to Chloe in the parlor of the Buchanan ranch house on Christmas Eve.