Western Christmas Wishes

by Brenda Minton

  He tried to keep his composure until he got to the mudroom. Then he threw on his coat and boots and jogged straight to his truck.

  His heart was expanding and contracting to the point he thought something might be seriously wrong with it.

  Then it hit him.

  Something was seriously wrong with it.

  He’d fallen in love.

  And she’d rejected him.

  Or maybe he’d misread the situation from the beginning.

  Either way, she wasn’t interested. And, once more, he was stuck with a broken heart.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Thanks for watching her for me.” Leann found Sunni and Patty upstairs in Hannah’s room a few minutes later. The three of them were singing Christmas songs and playing with Bumbles. Leann had barely composed herself before coming to find them.

  “Mama!” Sunni ran to her.

  “Were you a good girl?”

  Her daughter nodded happily.

  “She’s always good. We just love having her around.” Patty’s tone was so tender, it brought a lump to Leann’s throat.

  “Thank you. We’re going to rest a bit. Tell Miss Patty thank you.”

  “Fank you, Gwammy.” Sunni hugged Patty and toddled back to Leann. So sweet. As if Leann’s heart could take any more...

  She gave Hannah and Patty what she hoped would pass for a smile and left the room. Hannah hurried out to the hall. “Leann, is everything all right?”

  “Not really.” She should tell Hannah everything was fine, but she didn’t have it in her. “I got some bad news.”

  “Is there anything we can do to help?”

  “You and your family have helped me more than you know. I appreciate how you took us in. You’ve gone above anything I could have dreamed.” Leann hugged Hannah, who stood there with a worried look on her face. Then, holding Sunni’s hand, she continued down the hall to their room.

  Inside, she boosted Sunni onto the bed, then spread out on top of the comforter as Sunni snuggled into her side.

  “I wuv you, Mama.”

  “I love you, too, Sunni.” Mindlessly, she stroked her daughter’s soft curls and let her thoughts have free reign.

  She had the feeling she’d hurt Michael just now. But how? What had she said that was so bad? She’d been trying to tell him she cared about him, and because she cared about him, she didn’t want him to give up on a career he found rewarding. But the words must have come out all wrong.

  Why had Michael been so abrupt when she’d told him his job was important? Got it... Point taken. She hadn’t been trying to make a point, and he acted like she was blowing him off.

  Leann squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe she was blowing him off. She didn’t believe he’d stay in Sunrise Bend. Why would he? Regardless, she’d ruined it. All of it. The Sassy Lasso. The guy. The new life in the cute new town.

  Glancing down at Sunni, she felt a yawning sense of failure.

  God, what do I do now? I thought I had it all figured out. I was so sure this was the right move.

  The days after Luke announced he’d fallen in love with Deb and moved out whizzed back to her mind. She’d been dumbfounded. Blindsided. She’d become unimportant and insignificant in a split second.

  Kelli’s words had produced the same effect.

  Why in the world had Kelli decided Leann wasn’t right for the job?

  Was it because of Michael? Or was Kelli some kind of control freak?

  Oh, what did it matter? The result was the same.

  And just like she’d been forced to do after Luke left, Leann was going to have to figure out how to pick up the pieces and move on.

  Her conscience prodded, poked, and she tried to ignore it. Michael had said he was staying, that he wasn’t going to Alaska. Why didn’t she believe him?

  Because he so obviously loved what he did for a living.

  But...why else would he stay?

  Not because of Kelli. That was obvious now.

  The moment in the apartment over the candy shop hit her again. He missed having a home. Wanted a place of his own.

  She looked at Sunni, who was on the verge of sleep. Even if Michael stayed, it might not be long term. He’d miss researching fish. He’d be off again. Living like a nomad.

  And if she explored a relationship with him, she’d have to watch him pack up and leave. It would break her heart. Knowing no matter what she did or said, he loved something else more than her. Only this time Sunni would be old enough to understand what was going on, and her little girl would truly know what it meant to lose an important man in her life.

  Leann’s heart was being crushed on all sides, but for her daughter’s sake, she couldn’t fall apart.

  She’d do whatever it took to give Sunni a good, happy life.

  She just needed to figure out how.

  * * *

  Michael shivered as he hiked on the public nature trail outside town. The sky was growing dark, but he had no desire to head back home. Although he’d been trying to pay attention to the various animal markings—coyotes had left scat at a crossroads on the trail and elk had been this way recently—nothing could divert his thoughts from Leann.

  Was he rushing things? So desperate for love and a family that he’d projected his feelings onto Leann?

  He thought back on the week they’d spent together. She was easy to talk to, hardworking, a loving mother. She had integrity. And whenever he was around her, he felt like he belonged right there by her side.

  He’d handled things badly this afternoon. Walking in on Kelli destroying Leann’s dreams had made him want to call down thunder and lightning on his ex. It was bad enough she’d hurt him, but needlessly hurting Leann? Unforgivable.

  Kelli didn’t need to manage the store. She had it all—a successful doctor for a spouse, a thriving business, three cute kids and a mini mansion. Yet, it hadn’t been enough. So unwilling to share anything, she’d snatched Leann’s future from her. He wanted to wring Kelli’s neck.

  He kicked at a clump of brush. Maybe he wasn’t being fair. He didn’t know Kelli anymore. She’d been ambitious back when they’d dated. She’d done well for herself, and he’d give her her due there. She probably had her own reasons for wanting to continue managing the store.

  One thing this week had given him was clarity.

  He could see Kelli was all wrong for him. And all right for David.

  Michael liked quiet nights and simple pleasures. Kelli and David liked friends and social gatherings and...

  He didn’t really know. He didn’t know them anymore.

  But he did know how he felt about Leann. He hadn’t put up much of a fight back there. So convinced she was blowing him off, he’d shut down and left.

  He shoved his hands into his pockets and picked up the pace toward where he’d parked his truck.

  He hadn’t told her about missing the ranch and the work that went with it. Hadn’t explained that Sunrise Bend was a part of him, and he missed it more than he’d realized. He hadn’t told her how he felt about her. And he hadn’t given her much of a chance to tell him how she felt about him, either.

  How did she feel about him?

  Well, considering she’d just heard terrible news, he shouldn’t have expected her to fall into his arms declaring her undying affections.

  She had told him she liked him. But she’d been concerned about his feelings for Kelli and for his job and...

  He stopped in his tracks.

  She did care about him. Enough to want him to be happy.

  Maybe she’d needed reassurance. A declaration. Maybe she’d been feeling him out to see where his head was at. And he, stupidly, had taken it as a rejection.

  Turning his face up to the sky, he let out a growl. Why didn’t he understand these things? He was an idiot when it came to women.

/>   Slowly, he pressed forward. What Leann had told him about her ex-husband began to fit into his mind better. How he’d left her for another woman who worked closely with him, and then he’d left the country, not caring that he wouldn’t have a relationship with his daughter.

  Didn’t the guy have a clue how blessed he was to be able to call Sunni his own? Michael would give about anything for the same right. The precious toddler had stolen his heart.

  And her mother had, too.

  Leann had told him she needed a man who would stick around. And what had Michael done? He’d walked out the door.

  God, I don’t know what to do. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Am I being selfish for wanting Leann and Sunni in my life? Maybe I’m not what she needs. Help me get this right. Will You do like the pastor said and make my path straight?

  His truck came into view. One thing was for sure—he didn’t want to be another source of pain in Leann’s life. She’d been through too much already.

  Chapter Twelve

  Leann shot up in the bed. The clock said 7:45 a.m. Sunni still slept beside her with Bumbles tucked in her arms. Her rosy cheeks made Leann want to stare at her for hours. Instead, she kissed her finger and touched Sunni’s forehead with it.

  It was Christmas Eve, and she didn’t know how to salvage her plans. She needed to clear the air with Michael...if only she knew how. All night her mind had kept tromping around old hurts and new questions. She squeezed her eyes shut. God, I’m scared. I’m scared I’m not enough for him. What if I take a chance and he decides I’m not good enough like Luke did, like Kelli just did?

  Maybe a shower would give her fresh insight.

  She grabbed a towel and locked the bathroom door. She wasn’t giving Michael the credit he deserved. Luke had made promises without backing them up. Michael was the exact opposite. His actions spoke for him. He would never let her down the way her ex-husband had. Michael had shown her he was a man of his word.

  As she stared at her reflection in the mirror, her fears melted away. Instead of seeing blue eyes and messy hair, she saw a woman who spent too much time believing the worst about herself.

  God, I have to give myself more credit, too, don’t I? I have to believe I’m enough for him because I know I’m enough for You. Help me figure out how to tell him.

  Fifteen minutes later, freshly showered and dressed, she bumped into Hannah in the hall. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

  “I heard what Kelli did.” Hannah was shaking her head. “I can’t believe she went back on her job offer. I am this close to telling her off.”

  Leann swallowed the lump in her throat. Funny, how good it felt to have someone on her side. “Oh, no. Please don’t.”

  “She’s been going on and on for months about wanting to spend more time with the kids, then she hires you and all of a sudden she needs to be at the store? I get the store is a lot quieter than being at home with Owen howling all day, but...”

  Leann blinked, not hearing the rest of Hannah’s words.

  That was it! Kelli wasn’t worried about the store failing, nor did she believe Leann was incompetent. She was scared. Scared of taking care of those kids all day by herself. With Owen’s colic, who could blame her?

  God, I’m right, aren’t I?

  An idea blossomed, and as it grew, Leann knew she was going to fight for it—all of it. The job she’d longed for. And the man of her dreams.

  Her new life in Sunrise Bend was no longer cancelled.

  “Thank you!” Leann threw her arms around Hannah. “I have another huge favor to ask of you, and I’ve already used up too many to count.”

  “What are you talking about?” Hannah’s forehead scrunched.

  “I need to talk to Kelli. Can you keep an eye on Sunni for me? She’s still sleeping.”

  “Of course! What do you have in mind?”

  “Another option. One we both might like.” She continued down the hall. “Don’t worry. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back.”

  “Wait, Leann?”

  “Yeah?” She paused at the door to her room.

  “How will you get there? You don’t have a car. And Michael’s truck is gone. I have no idea where he went. He’s acting strange.”

  Another thing she’d deal with today. But later.

  “Um... I have no idea.” There went her plan. Her spirits dropped to the floor.

  “I’ll drive you. Mom can keep an eye on Sunni.”

  “But it’s Christmas Eve...”

  “So? We have nothing going on until dinner tonight.” She grinned. “Let me know when you’re ready to leave.”

  “Give me ten minutes.”

  “You got it.”

  Leann hustled to her room. Michael was the real deal. She’d gotten so used to believing she couldn’t trust men, she’d forgotten good ones were out there. And she’d been blessed to find one of the best. A future with Michael appealed to her more than anything. If he really was staying here, she’d do everything she could to stay here, too. She wanted a strong man by her side. A daddy for Sunni. A friend to share her ups and downs with.

  She wanted a lasting love. And Michael was the only man for her.

  Grabbing her phone, she texted Kelli.

  First things first.

  Get her job back.

  Then claim her man.

  * * *

  Michael took long strides down the sidewalk outside the bakery. He held a box of doughnuts in one hand and a list in the other. He’d spent a restless night bogged down by confusion. After midnight, he’d finally prayed about his life. He’d thanked God for bringing him home for good. And he’d realized he’d needed six years to get over the betrayal of his brother and Kelli. Time had healed his broken parts.

  He was finally free from the negative feelings that had kept him away from home in the past. He was ready to take a chance on love. With the right woman this time.

  He was going to convince Leann to stay in Sunrise Bend. Once he did, he would spend as much time as necessary proving to her he was the guy she needed—one who would stick around for her and Sunni.

  To do that, he needed to help her find a job.

  He’d gotten up early, driven to town, grabbed a copy of the Sunrise Sentinel and asked every store open what jobs were available in town. The list in his hand held several options. He hoped Leann would consider staying.

  Unlocking his truck, he stowed the doughnuts on the passenger seat. Glancing back through his rearview, he glimpsed Sunni’s car seat. His throat grew tight. Towing her and Leann around had breathed new life into him. He loved the kid. And he loved her mama, too.

  If Leann decided not to stay, he wasn’t giving up on her. His relationship with his sister had thrived even though they’d lived far away from each other. He’d make a long-distance relationship work with Leann, too, if she’d let him.

  She’d told him she liked him. Yesterday, he’d barely processed her words, but now that he’d had time to think about the way she’d looked at him and talked to him all week, he believed her. It filled him with hope.

  He backed out of the parking spot and drove into the blinding sunlight on his way home. It was a beautiful Christmas Eve. It would be even better if his talk with Leann went well.

  Lord, please grant me grace today. Let me get through to Leann. And no matter what, help me to trust Your plan for my life.

  This Christmas was already shaping up to be the best one in years.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Michael burst into the kitchen with the box of doughnuts. His mom sipped coffee at the kitchen counter.

  “Where have you been? You were out awfully early for Christmas Eve.” She smiled at him. He set the box on the counter and kissed her cheek.

  “Just out getting doughnuts.” Frowning, he glanced around. “Where’s Leann?”

&nb
sp; What if she’d left? Packed her and Sunni’s few belongings and left town? Wait, that didn’t make sense. Her car was still in the shop.

  “She and Hannah went out a little while ago. Sunni had breakfast then conked out on the couch while watching a cartoon. I think the ranch has worn that baby out.”

  Now that he had a plan to convince Leann to stay, he couldn’t wait any longer to tell his mother about the ranch. “Hey, Ma, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Uh-oh. I don’t like your tone.”

  “You’ll like this. I think you will, at least.”

  “Okay. What’s up?”

  “I have a little surprise for you.”

  “Ooh, I like surprises.”

  “I want to join Dad on the ranch. Dad and I discussed it, and when he’s ready to retire, I’ll take it over for good. I’m moving back home.”

  Tears instantly formed in her eyes. “Oh, Michael, do you mean it? To think all three of my kids will be back here...” Choked up, she pressed her fist against her lips and shook her head, trying not to cry. Then she clasped her hands, raising her face to the ceiling. “Thank You, Jesus! You heard my prayers!”

  One big teardrop slid down her cheek, then another, and she beamed, holding her arms wide open to him. He stepped into her embrace.

  “God is so good, honey. I’ve been praying for an answer for the ranch’s future and for your dad to not be so overworked, but never did I imagine God would send my own son as the answer to both prayers! This is cause to celebrate!” She looked around, grabbed another coffee mug and filled it to the brim. “Grab a doughnut, honey!”

  Stunned, he suppressed a laugh.

  “Cheers!” With her face flushed and eyes sparkling, she handed him the mug and clinked it with hers, then she took a huge bite of a chocolate-frosted doughnut.

  “Myco? Where Mama?” Sunni toddled into the kitchen in kitty pajamas. She rubbed her eyes with one hand and held Bumbles with the other.