The Rancher’s Christmas Miracle

by Maya Stirling

  "Josh left," Grace stated, her voice cracking slightly with emotion. "He hasn't been back since." The words hung in the air for a few long moments.

  Emma glanced at Jake. "I see," was all she said in response.

  "But now he's returned," Matilda said with forced enthusiasm. "Wyatt must be pleased to have his brother back at the ranch. Especially so soon after their pa died." Matilda sighed and looked at Emma. "Obadiah passed a couple of months ago. God rest his soul. He was a good man."

  "Obadiah was Josh and Wyatt's father. Josh's mother died when he was young," Grace explained, looking at Emma. "Obadiah married again and had Wyatt. But Wyatt's mother died giving birth to him."

  Emma frowned. "How sad," she moaned quietly.

  Matilda shook her head. "Obadiah brought the boys up to be good. That's for sure. He was a great father to those boys."

  "They're a ranching family," Jake added. He smiled. "Just like us. Their spread is about the same size as ours."

  "I've never heard you talk about it," Emma said glancing at Jake.

  Jake shifted on his chair. He cleared his throat. "It's out to the east of town. We don't have much cause to go there."

  "Maybe we should visit them," Emma suggested brightly.

  Grace, Jake and Matilda exchanged looks. "Josh is probably going to be busy. I'm sure he's got catching up to do with Wyatt. We wouldn't want to get in the way."

  "But, it's coming up to Christmas," Emma enthused. She smiled at Jake. "Shouldn't we try and be neighborly?"

  Matilda sighed and leaned her elbows on the table. "You're right, Emma. It's the time of year when we should be doing all we can to be good to people."

  Emma smiled. "I think so. Perhaps we could invite Josh to the ranch. Make a nice lunch." Grace saw Emma peering bright-eyed in her direction, seeking approval. "I'm sure everyone would enjoy that."

  Something heavy sank in Grace's middle and she felt a sudden panic grab hold of her. Grace schooled her features, determined that Emma wouldn't notice her grave concerns about the idea of Josh setting foot on the Buchanan ranch for the first time in over three years.

  Grace looked at Matilda. Her mother's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she was weighing up the proposal. And also trying to tell if Grace was amenable to her former beau making a social call, Grace told herself. "What do you think, Grace?" Matilda asked, her gaze softening with concern.

  Grace tilted her head. "I don't know, ma," she replied hesitantly. Grace thought for a long moment, trying to figure out how she would be able to deal with the presence of the man who'd almost broken her heart. Out on the trail today, it had been easier. She'd known they were just passing, that she could get away, if need be. But, a social call was a different thing entirely. There'd be no running away from him. Nevertheless, she realized it would be impossible to reject the idea without awkward questions being asked. And, for the moment, she wanted to avoid any inquiries about her and Josh. Grace nodded. "I agree with Emma. We should be friendly this time of the year."

  Grace saw Jake's brows shoot up in a line. "Really?" he exclaimed. He scooped some vegetable into his mouth with his fork.

  Knowing how Jake felt about the way Josh had abandoned Grace, she wasn't surprised at his astonished reaction. Grace nodded. "It'll be nice to see him here again." Grace turned to Matilda. "Won't it, ma?"

  Matilda nodded and smiled sagely. "It will be, Grace. Josh is a fine young man."

  The sound of Jake choking on his food filled the room. His coughing was loud and harsh. As he coughed, Emma patted him on the back and peered at him with a quizzical expression. Jake took a drink of water and placed the glass back down on the table. Grace saw him gaze across at her with complete disbelief written across his features.

  After the meal was over, Grace helped with the clearing up and the washing in the kitchen. She left Emma, Matilda and Hettie, the housekeeper, talking in the kitchen and made her way into the sitting room. She found Jake sitting on his favorite chair by the fire. He was gazing thoughtfully into the flames.

  Grace sat down on the chair opposite him. "You got something you want to say to me?" she asked him.

  Jake lifted his head and peered at Grace. "Are you crazy?"

  "Because I'm going to invite Josh Munro over to the house?" she asked.

  Jake nodded. "You know what I think of him."

  "I know you said you wanted to teach him a lesson in how to be courteous to young women," Grace replied. "Especially those you're related to. Like me."

  "I didn't like what he did, Grace," Jake said. "You know that. He shouldn't have left you the way he did."

  Grace leaned back in the chair and wrapped her arms across her middle. She sighed. "You know he was having a hard time with his pa, Jake. Him and Wyatt were battling to see who would take over the ranch. And, for some reason, Obadiah, was happy to see both of his boys arguing with each other over who'd do the best job looking after things when he was gone."

  "That doesn't excuse the way he treated you," Jake countered. "Leaving without saying goodbye isn't the action of someone who's decent."

  "That's not true, Jake," Grace retorted. "Josh is a good man. A godly man, too. Obadiah made sure both his sons grew up as believers."

  Jake lifted a brow. "That's not what I've heard about Wyatt. He hasn't been seen in church since his pa died."

  "Maybe he's been working so hard keeping the ranch going," Grace suggested, although she suspected the truth might be more unpleasant.

  Jake shook his head. "The rumor is that Wyatt has turned his back on his faith. That's what I heard at the church."

  "When did you start paying attention to gossip, Jake Buchanan," Grace replied, giving him a disapproving look.

  Jake shrugged and gazed into the fireplace. He was lost in thought for a few moments. When he looked at Grace, she saw a familiar determination in his gaze. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Grace," Jake said. He leaned forward, clasping his hands. His eyes contained a look of steady resolve. "You're my sister. And I love you. I've always done my best to stand by you. To protect you. And I aim to keep on doing that, until it falls to someone else to take on that role."

  Grace frowned. A rush of irritation swept through her. She gripped the sides of the chair. "You mean when I eventually find a husband."

  Jake tilted his head and grinned. "There's only you left. God provided for me and for Abigail."

  Grace thought about her sister, Abigail. She and her husband Noah lived on a neighboring ranch. Abigail had married Noah last year. And she was due to deliver her first baby. Maybe it would be a Christmas baby. That thought cheered Grace. It softened her indignation at Jake's suggestion.

  "I'm sure ma would be happy to see you getting married," Jake said.

  Grace sighed heavily. "I know that." She thought about the various local men, and how only a few of them had even tried to court her. Not one of them had proven to be of any interest to Grace. Neither had any of them impressed Jake, who seemed to believe he would have the final word on who Grace would wed. Being the eldest sibling made Jake think he had responsibilities, Grace told herself. And one of those duties was to make sure Grace picked the perfect man as a husband.

  The sound of footsteps coming from the kitchen prompted an end to the conversation. Jake rose and went to greet Emma. He hugged his wife and kissed her gently on the cheek.

  "What were you two talking about?" Emma asked.

  Matilda entered behind Emma. "I think I can guess," she suggested. Matilda looked at Grace. "Have you made up your mind?"

  Grace stood and clasped her hands and nodded. "I'll ride over to the Munro ranch tomorrow," she announced.

  Grace saw Jake's brows lift at that news. Jake slid an arm around Emma's waist. "You want me to come with you?"

  Grace shook her head. "That won't be necessary." She strode out of the sitting room and headed up the stairs. Reaching her room, she closed the door behind her and leaned back against it. She sighed heavily and gazed up at the ceiling, wondering what she had le
t herself in for. Her heart was racing fast and a torrent of confusing thoughts had been loosened in her mind. She hadn't felt like this for years. Not since Josh had left.

  Today, God had delivered a surprise into her life. The possibility of being with Josh Munro again. Why have You brought him back into my life, God, she asked. I thought You had taken him away from me because he wasn't the right person for me. But, You know, that in the entire time Josh has been away, there has been no-one else who comes close to making me feel the way Josh did. No-one who could bring back that joy. But, I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I'm not sure I want to go back to those times.

  Grace strode to her bed and threw herself down onto it. She lay her head back on the pillow and asked herself one simple question.

  Would there be other surprises in the coming days?

  CHAPTER FOUR

  "So, that's what happened," Josh concluded and gazed at Wyatt who was sitting across from him in front of the fireplace. "Now you know everything." It was the morning after Josh's arrival. The sounds of Ryan in the kitchen, talking to the housekeeper, Miriam, drifted into the sitting room. Josh had just explained the whole situation to his half-brother and now all he could do was wait for the reaction.

  Wyatt sighed and furrowed his brows. He straightened in his chair and was silent for a few long moments. Finally, he peered at Josh. "You telling me you agreed to become Ryan's permanent father because you made a promise to your dead friend?"

  Josh nodded. "That's right."

  Wyatt shook his head. "It's unbelievable, Josh. Why would you do such a thing?"

  "I gave Jeb my word. That's why." Josh frowned. "Pa brought us up to be men of our word, didn't he?"

  "Well sure," Wyatt replied. "But, this is a whole different thing."

  "How is it any different to keeping your word, no matter how hard it is to do that? We can't pick and choose when to honor our promises."Josh responded.

  Wyatt ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "What does the boy think?"

  "Ryan?" Josh replied sharply. From now on, Ryan would be treated with respect, Josh told himself. After all, the five year old was his responsibility now. A wonderful one, Josh reminded himself. One he'd accepted, even though he already knew there would be many challenges ahead. The last thing he needed was his brother doubting him.

  "What does he make of it all?" Wyatt asked. Josh could see Wyatt was struggling to come to terms with the news.

  "Ryan's been through a terrible time," Josh explained. "Losing his pa is bad enough. But the way Jeb passed wasn't good." Josh peered at Wyatt. "There was violence involved, Wyatt. It was bad." Josh felt the pain rise up inside him. Jeb had died in a gunfight. And Josh hadn't been around to save him. Guilt tugged at Josh. Just like it had done every day since Jeb's passing.

  "I can understand this is a shock to you, Wyatt," Josh said leaning forward. "But, you have to understand, I've taken this boy into my care. He's my son, now. And I aim to bring him up right." Josh narrowed his eyes at Wyatt. "Just like pa taught us to do."

  "And you're planning on doing that on Ranch Munro," Wyatt stated in a flat voice.

  "Of course," Josh replied firmly. "You got any objection to that, Wyatt?"

  Wyatt drew in a deep breath and gazed at Josh for a long moment. Josh felt like Wyatt was sizing him up. "Pa meant for me to look after this place, Josh. You know that, don't you?"

  Josh shook his head. "He knew I'd return some day."

  Wyatt's eyes flashed with sudden indignation. "He thought you were gone for good." Wyatt's voice shook with emotion. "He didn't expect to ever see you again. He meant for it all to come to me."

  Josh schooled his features, holding onto his composure as best he could. He peered steadily at Wyatt. "You know that's not true. I have the same rights to this place as you have." Josh tilted his head. "Unless you're telling me he cut me out of his will."

  Wyatt's gaze met Josh's. Muscles twitched at the corner of Wyatt's jaw. Josh wondered about just how much Wyatt had changed in the years since his leaving. There was a weariness in Wyatt's eyes. Darkness. A bitterness which Josh had never seen before. It looked like the hardships of recent life had affected his half-brother.

  "Well?" Josh prompted.

  Wyatt lifted his chin and peered across at Josh. Wyatt shook his head. "I didn't think you'd ever come home, Josh," Wyatt said slowly. "I'd gotten used to the idea that this whole spread would be mine."

  "You're working it, aren't you?" Josh asked.

  Wyatt shrugged. "The best I can," he admitted.

  "Well, now you've got some extra hands," Josh suggested, trying to brighten the tone of his voice. He could see that Wyatt would take a whole load of convincing. It would take time for Wyatt to get used the idea, Josh told himself. His relationship with Wyatt had always been complicated by the fact that they only shared a father. That they had different mothers. The truth was, Josh and Wyatt were different kinds of men. Wyatt was good in many ways, though. But, there were times when a wildness took hold of his half-brother. Over the years, faith had reined that tendency in.

  "You still go to church?" Josh asked.

  Wyatt peered at Josh. There was a sudden coldness in Wyatt's gaze. "Why you asking that?"

  Josh narrowed his eyes. "Just that pa always wanted us both to be God-fearing." Wyatt frowned. A hard sensation settled in Josh's gut. "You telling me you've turned your back on God?"

  Wyatt stood quickly and walked to the sitting room window. He stood with his back to Josh and folded his arms. "There's no sense in talking about that, right now."

  Josh rose and went across to Wyatt. He rested a hand on Wyatt's shoulder. Wyatt stiffened. "When was the last time you were in church?" Josh asked.

  Wyatt glared at Josh. There was a grim determination in Wyatt's eyes. "I told you. There's no use discussing that now," he reiterated firmly.

  Before Josh had a chance to disagree, his eye was caught by movement out along the trail which led to the ranch house. A rider was heading toward them. The horse's hooves pounded on the trail, sending up plumes of loose snow. Josh wondered who could be visiting this early in the morning.

  He made his way out to the porch. In spite of the heavy plaid shirt he wore, the cold bit into him as he stood and watched the rider draw to a halt in the yard. Now that the rider was near, he recognized who it was. Grace Buchanan.

  Josh felt his heart quicken. He leaned against the porch support beam and watched Grace dismount. She was dressed in a heavy red hooded coat, riding pants and boots. She tied the horse to the hitching rail and glanced at Josh from beneath the hood of her coat. Throwing the hood back with a dramatic gesture, she tilted her head. The sight of her brown hair tumbling to her shoulders made Josh's chest hitch.

  Wyatt came to stand at Josh's side as Grace advanced toward them.

  "Morning," Grace announced with a forced brightness in her voice. Her face was pink with the chill of the air. It must have been a cold ride over from the Buchanan ranch. Josh felt his spirits rising as he looked at Grace.

  "What brings you here on this cold winter day?" Josh asked.

  Grace stepped up onto the porch. She rubbed her gloved hands together and nodded to Wyatt. "Morning, Wyatt," she said. "How are you today?"

  Josh saw Wyatt force himself into being civil. The conversation inside the sitting room would have to continue later. ""I'm fine, Grace." Wyatt glanced at Josh. "You want to talk with Josh? I can leave you two together, if you like."