The Rancher's Holiday Hope

by Brenda Minton

  “Thank you, Sierra. I hope you know how much we love and appreciate you.”

  “Patsy, you and the kids mean a lot to us.” She gave the other woman a quick hug. “I’ll see you at the café. One hour. Oh, and will you stop and pick something up for me in town? I know this sounds crazy but I just remembered that I’m supposed to get cookies from a church member who lives on Sunset Drive. Do you know that street?”

  “I think I do. It’s off Lakeside, to the left.”

  “That’s the one. The house is the last one on the left. They have a lot of Christmas lights.”

  “Just get them and bring them to the church?” Patsy asked.

  “If you don’t mind. I know that’s a hassle, but it would help me out so much.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  Sierra said a final goodbye and walked out, feeling very pleased with herself. She’d pulled it off. On her way to the car, she saw a trailer backed up to the barn. She slid the muffins in the back seat and again glanced in the direction of the barn. Everyone was supposed to be in their places. Isaac loading horses wasn’t on the schedule.

  She headed his way, ready to tell him that he was supposed to be in town. And then she saw the flash of gray as Isaac led a horse forward. The horse whinnied and fought against the lead rope. She ran the rest of the way to the barn.

  “What are you doing?” she yelled as she ran.

  “Loading Buckshot.” Isaac turned the horse in a circle and took aim at the opening, leading the horse again.

  “Why? Why are you loading him up? What are you doing?”

  “We sold him.” Isaac stepped the horse through the opening and closed the back. Buckshot whinnied, thrashing against the side of the trailer.

  “No. You can’t do this to him. This is his safe place. This is where he belongs, where he’s loved.”

  “Sierra, calm down. You have to get yourself together. He’s a horse. He has a new owner.”

  She pounded on him, crying. She felt herself losing the battle with Isaac and her emotions.

  “You can’t do this.” She leaned against him and felt his hand on her back. “Isaac, don’t.”

  Bub circled them, trying to figure out the situation. He growled low at Isaac and moved in behind Sierra.

  “Call off your dog.”

  “I don’t think I can. I’m so angry and hurt. I can’t even talk to you. I have to go. I have somewhere I have to be, something I can’t walk out on. But please, Isaac, please don’t.” She wiped away the tears that were falling.

  Buckshot whinnied softly. She climbed up on the side of the trailer and brushed his velvety-soft nose. “I’ll get you back. I promise.”

  “Sierra...”

  “He’s mine,” she told Isaac.

  “I know, just listen.”

  She kept walking, whistling softly for her dog to follow. She wasn’t going to fall apart again. Tonight was about Patsy and her children. She was going to make it through this night, this week, this life.

  Her heart desperately wanted Max. She’d never needed anyone, or so she’d always told herself. But tonight she wouldn’t lie to herself.

  She needed Max.

  She needed to confide in him, lean on him, tell him she was lost without him.

  * * *

  Max had a plan, even if it seemed crazy. It had taken time. It had taken resources. Somehow, someway, it would work out.

  He watched as Isaac backed the trailer up to the lot next to the feed store. The horse inside whinnied and stomped the trailer floor, raising a ruckus that could probably be heard all over town. Maybe this hadn’t been such a great idea. It was starting to look downright dangerous.

  Isaac jumped down from the truck and headed his way, looking meaner than a snake. That didn’t make a lot of sense.

  “I might never forgive you for this.” Isaac glared as he opened the back of the trailer.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “She caught me. I thought she was gone. I knew her car was there but I thought she was with Kylie.”

  Max groaned. “Sierra saw you loading this horse?”

  “Yes, she did, and let me tell you, I’m holding you responsible for my bruises and her tears. Man, she’s upset. I had no idea this horse meant that much to her. I’m surprised you noticed.”

  “Yeah, I noticed. I didn’t want her to be upset. You should have just told her.”

  “You told me to keep it a secret, so I did.” Isaac stomped around, still fuming.

  “Okay, well, hopefully she’ll forgive us.”

  “Yeah, well, maybe she will and maybe she won’t. But I’ve never seen her that upset.”

  They led the horse from the trailer and hitched him to the small buggy they’d been training him to pull. “So you’re sure he’s safe.”

  “He’s safe. I couldn’t believe it myself. I think he’s definitely pulled a wagon or a cart, something.” Isaac settled the harness and they backed Buckshot to the cart with its solar-powered Christmas lights.

  Isaac glanced back at Max. “The one who isn’t safe is you. Sierra is going to hurt you.”

  “Yeah, well, I hope that’s not the case. I hope that, after we talk, she’s going to see that we can have a future together.”

  Isaac slapped him on the back. “You know, I kind of hope so, too. First I want her to give you the same thrashing she gave me. But I do hope that in the end she gives you a chance.”

  “Thanks, I think.”

  “I mean it, Max. I want the best for both of you.”

  They finished harnessing the horse and Max was surprised by how calm the animal was. He climbed into the buggy and took a seat on the narrow bench, gathering up the reins.

  “You’ve got this?” Isaac asked as he stepped away.

  “I’ve got this. We practiced earlier today. I’m going to drive the buggy up and, just a few houses down, Matt will watch it for me. Text me when you get there and let me know if Sierra is there.”

  “Will do. See you there.”

  After Isaac walked away, leaving his truck and trailer parked, Max sat on the bench seat thinking about Sierra and this plan of his. He’d prayed about it, often. He’d prayed for her, to be happy, to be whole. He had considered that maybe that was his purpose in her life, to pray for her. And then he’d prayed for guidance. So here he was, sitting in a wagon behind the gray horse she loved.

  The horse shifted from hoof to hoof and the harness rattled a bit.

  Max understood the animal’s impatience. He had never been this impatient in his life. He had never missed anyone this much. He had prayed about this moment, prayed for her and for himself. His phone buzzed and he glanced down at the text from Isaac with a kissing emoji at the end. He chuckled as he gave the reins a little flick and Buckshot took off at a sedate walk.

  The air was cold and damp as he rolled up Lakeside Drive. It was Christmas Eve, all the stores were closed but Christmas lights decorated the tiny town of Hope. The tree at the end of the street was strung with lights and decorated with large red and silver ornaments. In the distance he could hear piped Christmas music playing from a hidden speaker.

  Ahead he could see the cars streaming onto Sunset Drive. He waited until the traffic slowed and cars were parked, then he gave Buckshot the cue to move forward. The horse picked his way down the road, his hooves beating out a steady rhythm.

  Max didn’t want to take anything away from Patsy’s moment so he drove the horse to the driveway of one of her neighbors and hopped down from the seat.

  “Nice-looking horse, Mr. St. James.”

  “Thank you, Matt. You sure you don’t mind holding him for a few minutes?”

  “I don’t mind at all. I hope someday you’ll let me take my girl for a ride using this buggy.”

  “You’ve got it.”

  He left the teenager a
nd the horse and walked up the sidewalk to the house that had been renovated for Patsy and her children. Patsy wasn’t due to arrive for another fifteen minutes.

  He entered the house through the back door and saw Sierra standing with friends from church and the ranch. His parents were there, too. Max circled around, finding a way to get near Sierra.

  When he walked up behind her, she stiffened and then turned around, as if she’d known it was him. Her eyes were rimmed with red. She’d been crying over the horse. He wanted so badly to take her in his arms.

  “Max,” she whispered. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

  “I couldn’t miss this,” he explained.

  “No, of course not.” She took a breath. I’m sure your family is glad to have you home for Christmas.”

  “They are. They think that if I’m home, it means you’ll be joining us for Christmas dinner. I told them that would be up to you.”

  “Here she comes,” someone called out from the front of the house. The lights were off except for the Christmas lights inside and out. The house smelled of new paint, new carpet and lemon-scented cleaners.

  From outside he could hear car doors slamming, then children talking and laughing. As Patsy approached the porch, a light came on and the door opened. Kylie and several others greeted Patsy and told her to come inside. Others yelled, “Surprise!”

  The living room light came on, illuminating a living space furnished, decorated and ready for a new family. The tree in the corner twinkled with lights, and presents were wrapped and ready for Christmas morning. Patsy looked around the crowded room and started to cry.

  Next to him, Sierra sobbed.

  He pulled a tissue from his pocket and handed it to her. “Good thing I planned ahead.”

  She took it and wiped her eyes. Then she moved closer to him and he put his arm around her.

  Patsy drew her children close. “I’m not sure what’s going on.”

  “Patsy, we hope you will be very happy in this new house.” Jack West, with his housekeeper Maria’s help, approached Patsy, holding out a set of keys. “A lot of work went into this old house but we hope it will be a home you and the children enjoy for years to come.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I can’t pay for this.”

  Jack patted her back. “I think we’ll figure something out.”

  “Can we sleep here?” Linnie asked.

  Kylie moved in, taking her by the hand. “Let me give you a tour of your new home, Linnie. And it even has a fenced-in backyard. It also has dressers filled with clothes and there are sheets and blankets on the beds. Unless you want to be at the ranch tomorrow morning, you can definitely stay here tonight.”

  “Linnie, we’re home.” Patsy hugged her daughter. The little girl broke loose to wrap her arms around Sierra.

  “Goodbye, Sierra.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Linnie.”

  The room remained crowded with those still wanting to give Patsy their well-wishes.

  Max took Sierra by the hand and led her out the front door. “Do you mind if we talk?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “I don’t mind.”

  He led her down the sidewalk. As they walked, snow began to fall.

  He’d planned this moment for days. Each scenario had been different, some ended with him alone, others ended with her telling him how much she’d missed him.

  As long as she was here by his side, he felt as if he had a fighting chance.

  * * *

  The snow had begun to fall as they walked away from Patsy’s house. It was the perfect snow, with big flakes that fell softly to the ground, blanketing everything in whiteness. The perfect Christmas snow. Everything was strangely silent but in the distance she heard a bell and the jangle of a harness. It couldn’t be a sleigh, not with this slight amount of snow, but someone was definitely out for a carriage ride.

  She envied them. But thinking of a carriage ride made her think of Buckshot and how sad and confused he must be. The ranch had been his home for several years. He’d been loved at the ranch. He’d felt safe there.

  She and Buckshot were very much alike. And just as they’d started to feel safe, someone upended their lives. She wiped at the tears that started to fall again.

  “Sierra, are you okay?”

  She sighed. “I’m fine. Isaac sold my horse.”

  “Oh.”

  That was it? He wasn’t going to offer words of comfort? She really needed to be comforted. “Max, why are you here?”

  “To give you this,” he said in a mysterious voice. Then she realized he’d led her straight to the horse and buggy. A gray horse.

  “Buckshot?”

  The horse whinnied a little and jerked away from the boy who had been holding him. The horse dribbled the apple he’d been chomping and shook his head, clearing the snow that had settled on his steel-gray coat.

  “How did you get my horse?” Sierra asked the teenager.

  Max put an arm around her. “I left Buckshot with him.”

  “You have my horse?” She looked from Max to the horse and buggy. “You have him harnessed to a buggy?”

  “Yes, I do. I have your horse harnessed to a buggy.” He handed Matt another twenty bucks and took the reins from him. “Sierra, will you go for a drive with me?”

  “Go for a drive?”

  He took her hand and led her forward. “Please.”

  She looked up at him, the snow swirling around them, catching the light from nearby streetlamps. Most of his face was shadowed by his cowboy hat, but she saw his dark eyes, saw a depth of emotion that took her by surprise.

  “Please,” he repeated.

  She nodded and he helped her into the buggy.

  “There’s hot cocoa in thermal mugs in the basket,” he told her. “There’s also a blanket to cover your legs. The snow is extra, even I couldn’t plan that.”

  “That’s God’s handiwork,” she told him as she opened the basket and pulled out the mugs of cocoa.

  Max led the buggy through the yard and then went at a gentle trot down the road. Buckshot didn’t seem to like to be ridden but he acted as if he enjoyed pulling the buggy.

  “You took my horse.” There was an accusation in Sierra’s tone.

  “I bought him,” Max corrected. And, after a pause, he added, “For you. He’s your horse now and no one will take him from you.”

  “I was so afraid he’d been sold to strangers. And the whole time I was thinking I needed you here with me.” She sipped on hot cocoa as tears fell. “You shouldn’t make a girl cry, not if you intend to say nice things to her.”

  “I’m sorry for making you cry, but my intentions were to make you happy. That’s what I want to do, Sierra. Every single day, I want to make you happy. I want you to know that you can love my family as long as you love me, too.”

  “I do love you, silly man.” She kissed his cheek. “I love you so much and I’ve been miserable without you.”

  “About that... I’ve been pretty miserable myself. I realized I can actually commute to Dallas when necessary but operate my business from Hope. A funny thing happened to me in the past week. This business has been my life for several years, but now I want something more. I want a life with you.”

  Snow continued to fall as Max finally brought the buggy to a stop near the church. Snow covered the ground and decorated the evergreens that stood next to the church. The snowflakes sparkled in the lights as they drifted slowly to the ground.

  “Sierra, I love you. I know that this happened faster than either of us ever imagined. I know that we need more time to get to know each other. I also know that I want that time with you.”

  “I want that, as well. I don’t want you to go away again, not unless I’m going with you.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  She put a h
and to the warm skin of his cheek. “I trust you with my heart, with my future.”

  He captured her mouth in a hot cocoa kiss as snowflakes covered their hair, their jackets, their faces.

  Sierra was home. In this town, in his arms, she was home. She’d never considered what it would feel like to find a place and a person that she wanted forever. Now she knew. It felt like the world had righted itself and Max was there, holding her steady.

  Slowly he kissed her. When he pulled away, Sierra looked up at the night sky and said a silent thank-you.

  Epilogue

  Thirteen wasn’t supposed to be a lucky number. Max didn’t believe in luck. He wasn’t superstitious. He had a faith in God, for his life, his future and for this day. Thirteen months ago, he’d helped find a little girl who had gone missing. And he’d found Sierra.

  She’d been almost as lost as the child that they’d both wandered upon that day.

  That day had changed so many lives. It had changed his life. It had changed Sierra’s life.

  Thirteen was just a number, but today it meant everything to him.

  Thirteen was the number of roses in Sierra’s bridal bouquet. Red and white roses in a bouquet of freesia and wildflowers. Because he always thought of Sierra when he smelled wildflowers.

  Next to him, Isaac laughed a little. “You going to make it through this, St. James?” Isaac asked.

  “I’ll be just fine.” He stood a little taller with his groomsmen at his side. Isaac and Carson West. His business partner, Roger.

  The bridesmaids stood silently, not joking, not teasing. They were waiting for the bride. As was he. He couldn’t wait to repeat the wedding dance they’d learned last year. Nonni had made them practice just two days ago and she’d smiled as she’d paired up the guests. Roger might think he was happily single, but Max was certain Nonni had plans for him.

  Suddenly the “Wedding March” began and the bride stepped forward, her hand on Max’s dad’s arm. She had invited her mother to the wedding, not her father. She was working on forgiving but she still struggled with the pain her father had caused.