The Rancher’s Christmas Miracle

by Maya Stirling

  Ryan's brows furrowed and he glanced hesitantly at Josh. It seemed like the boy knew his bid for temporary freedom had been thwarted by the town's lawman.

  Josh held his arms out toward Nathan. "I'll take my son off you now, sheriff," he said.

  Nathan looked incredulously at Josh. "Your son?"

  Josh nodded and kept his hands extended, waiting for the sheriff to hand Ryan over to him. "Come here, Ryan," he said.

  Nathan held Ryan's small figure toward Josh, who took the boy in his arms. Being used to surprises, the sheriff didn't press Josh for further explanation. Josh was grateful for Nathan's diplomatic silence. Especially since there was plenty he didn't want to talk about. The mercantile was no place to talk about Josh's dark past.

  "I didn't know you were back in town," Nathan said to Josh.

  Josh glanced at Ryan. "We just got into town a couple of days ago."

  Nathan nodded slowly. "I heard you were down in Buffalo, Wyoming. Working as a deputy."

  Josh masked his surprise. "You heard that?"

  Nathan nodded. "Spoke to some guy who was down there when you were working in the town."

  Josh nodded, saying nothing else for the moment. What else did Nathan know about those times?

  Nathan nodded silently. Josh could see more questions hovering behind the sheriff's eyes. This wasn't the time for answers, Josh told himself. "I'll speak to you some other time, sheriff," Josh said abruptly. He glanced back at Mr Murchison. "Sorry for the trouble, Mr Murchison."

  The elderly man smiled and shook his head. "No need, Josh."

  Josh hoisted Ryan up, holding tightly onto him. He peered at Grace and Emma. "I'm going to take Ryan outside with me. Are you all coming?"

  There was a sudden bustle of activity as Grace and Emma assessed the bundle of purchases they'd set aside. Payment was quickly made, and then they all followed Josh and Ryan out onto the boardwalk, leaving Sheriff Cameron to do what he'd originally intended to do in the mercantile.

  Outside, on the boardwalk, Josh placed Ryan down onto the wooden surface. Leaning down, he peered into Ryan's eyes. The boy had calmed down. Maybe the burning need to have his own way had subsided. Or had it been the presence of a lawman who reminded him of his real father which had caused the sudden change in Ryan? Josh could see confusion in Ryan's eyes. Josh wondered if he'd handled the situation well. He concluded that he might have handled it better.

  "You okay, now?" Josh asked Ryan.

  Ryan nodded. "Yes, pa."

  Josh felt his heart ache at the sadness he could hear in the little boy's voice. Then Grace leaned down and held out her hand toward Ryan. In her hand was a long, white candy stick. Ryan's eyes lit up. He grabbed the stick in his hand and instantly started chewing on it. Josh glanced at Grace and smiled. She grinned at him.

  Josh looked at Ryan. "What do you say to Miss Buchanan?"

  Ryan looked at Grace as he chewed. After a few more chews, he spoke: "Thank you, Grace," he muttered.

  "You're welcome, Ryan," Grace replied.

  Josh wasn't in the slightest surprised that Grace had made that gesture. It was the kind of thing she would have done years before. She was always able to handle trouble. Her generosity was boundless. Her heart was always in the right place.

  As Josh and Grace stood, facing each other, Emma came to them. "I think we've still got to do more shopping. Wouldn't you both agree?"

  Grace nodded at Josh. "I think we've only gotten started," she said. Now what had she meant by that choice of words? There was a familiar glint in Grace's eyes. The kind which, a few years before, would have set Josh's heart racing. Just like now.

  And, right then, Josh told himself, Grace was right. They'd only just begun to pick up the pieces from where they'd left off three years before.

  CHAPTER NINE

  The next day, Friday, in the bright, late-morning sunshine, Grace rode her buckboard over to the Munro ranch. She had an apple pie to deliver. Hettie had heard the story of what had happened in town the day before and had taken it upon herself to do some baking. Seemed like she didn't like the idea of a child going without sweet treats. Hettie had a special recipe for apple pie, a recipe she'd learned from her mother many years before. Matilda had instructed Grace to hand deliver the pie to Ranch Munro. And, in doing so, she had also told Grace that, until Christmas, she'd be making regular, even daily, visits to the Munro spread. Her mother was determined to play matchmaker again, Grace concluded. It was impossible to refuse her mother's instructions.

  As Grace rode southward along the trail, she thought about what had taken place during the visit into town. They'd all had a wonderful time after the brief disturbance at the mercantile. The children had delighted in seeing all the decorations in the stores. Emma and Grace had bought bags of roast chestnuts for everyone and they'd eaten them while strolling along the boardwalk. At one point, Josh and Grace had walked shoulder to shoulder. Close enough to touch. Briefly, Grace had felt a remnant of the good times she and Josh had once shared. The emotion of those times still tugged at her. But the moment of recollection had been broken by yet another one of Inspiration's townsfolk greeting Josh. There seemed to be an endless supply of people who wanted to welcome Josh back to Inspiration.

  They'd all visited more stores, buying small Christmas decorations and boxes for packing gifts. In one store, she'd bought Ryan a warm scarf. Josh had tried to pay for it, but Grace had insisted on buying it for the little boy. By mid afternoon, Grace had sensed they were all beginning to get fatigued, but they'd made one last stop at the town cafe and had eaten their fill of freshly baked cakes washed down with warm tea.

  All in all, Grace considered the afternoon to have been a delightful success. There was only one shadow hanging over it. In the mercantile, when Sheriff Nathan had mentioned Josh's former life in Wyoming, Grace had sensed a sudden and very real tension in the air. Josh had appeared evasive, even fearful of Nathan's wish to speak of those times. Not for the first time, Grace wondered if Josh had told her everything about his life down south.

  At night, back at the Buchanan ranch, Jake had shown a great interest in the details of Nathan's conversation with Josh. Later, Jake had asked Grace if she was worried Josh might be harboring some kind of secret from her. But, Grace quickly dismissed that idea. Josh had always been truthful with her. She was sure he had never lied to her. He wasn't that kind of a man.

  Before she'd fallen asleep last night, Grace had recalled how sweet it had been to walk so close to Josh again. When he'd courted her before, it had been the experience of enjoying simple things with Josh which had given her the most delight. Like sharing roast chestnuts on a crisp, frosty afternoon in Inspiration. She recalled how Josh had kept glancing at her during the ride into town. And how she had resolutely refused to look at him. He'd looked worried. But, she'd been thinking about what all of this change might mean for her. And for Josh and Ryan. She wasn't ready for change. No matter how much Josh wanted to reignite old feelings.

  She arrived at the Munro ranch. Snow had fallen again during the night. As she drove the buckboard into the yard, she reflected on how beautiful the ranch house looked, covered in snow. It was like the most perfect painting. She was momentarily disappointed when no-one emerged from the ranch house to greet her. She carried the cloth-covered pie dish to the front door. Running her gaze over toward the stable and corral, she was struck by the absence of ranch hands going about their daily routine. Things were unusually quiet, she told herself as she knocked on the door.

  The door opened and she saw Wyatt standing in the hallway. He looked startled to see Grace. "Hello, Wyatt," Grace said brightly. She lifted up the pie dish. "I brought a surprise for Ryan." Lifting the cloth, she displayed the delicious-looking crust.

  Wyatt's eyes widened and he smiled. "Looks tasty," he said abruptly. He glanced over Grace's shoulder, as if he was searching for someone. A heaviness settled in Grace's middle. There was definitely something going on.

  Wyatt gestured for Grace to
enter. She followed him into the sitting room. Miriam came out of the kitchen, wiping her plump hands on her white apron. She eyed the covered pie dish. "Has Hettie been doing some baking?" she asked and grinned.

  Grace nodded, and held out the dish. "She heard all about yesterday in town and wanted to give Ryan a sweet taste of Montana," Grace quipped.

  Miriam examined the pie and nodded approvingly. She took the dish. "I'll take this to the kitchen." She lifted a brow at Grace. "I promise not to take any credit for it," she joked.

  Grace laughed as Miriam headed back to the kitchen. Grace turned to Wyatt. "Where's Ryan and Josh?"

  Wyatt frowned and shifted on his heels. He gestured toward the sofa. "Sit down for a moment, Grace. I've something to tell you."

  Worry flared in Grace's chest as she took her seat on the long sofa. Wyatt remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back. He looked like he was about to make a very grand announcement.

  "Is there something wrong, Wyatt?" Grace asked hesitantly.

  Wyatt sighed and peered sternly at Grace. "There's been something wrong ever since Josh arrived." Wyatt thought a moment and then added: "In fact, a whole lot of things haven't been right these last few days."

  Grace felt heat flush her cheeks. "What are you talking about?"

  Wyatt paced a few steps, appearing to gather his thoughts. Then he halted and stared down at Grace. "Josh can't handle looking after Ryan," Wyatt announced bluntly. A long, heavy silence hung in the air. Grace stared at Wyatt, temporarily unable to respond.

  Grace squinted at Wyatt. "How can you say that? I think Josh has been doing a wonderful job with Ryan. It can't be easy for him. He's taken on a huge responsibility."

  "Exactly," Wyatt exclaimed. "That's the point I'm trying to make. Josh just isn't cut out to be a father. He doesn't have what it takes."

  Grace's mouth dropped open in shock. She was astonished that Josh's half-brother could even begin to think such things about Josh. "I'm afraid I can't agree with that," Grace stated firmly. "Not at all."

  "I know Josh. Probably better than anyone in the world," Wyatt announced. "We grew up together. And I can tell you that this crazy scheme of him becoming a father to that boy will not succeed."

  Grace gasped. She gazed incredulously up at Wyatt. "Haven't you seen how hard Josh has been working with Ryan? How he has taken care of him?" She wanted to add her own observation from the day before in town when she'd witnessed Josh's love and affection for Ryan. But Wyatt's gaze contained an unsettling, grim determination. One that might resist her attempt at persuasion.

  Wyatt shrugged. "He's only going through the motions," he stated. "His heart isn't in it."

  "I don't agree," Grace said defiantly. "Josh is acting out of a sense of honor." She met Wyatt's steady gaze. "And he is obeying his duty to God by following his faith. He is honoring a sacred promise he made to Ryan's biological father. How can you criticize him for that?"

  Wyatt's eyes widened. Then he scoffed. "Faith has no part to play in any of this."

  "Are you saying that because your own faith has been affected by recent events, Wyatt?" Grace asked.

  "What do you mean?" he demanded.

  Grace peered studiously at Wyatt. "Folks have noticed you haven't been coming to church much since your pa died."

  "That is my own business," he declared with a lift of his chin. "The fact that I don't go to church has nothing to do with my opinion that this whole enterprise is doomed to failure."

  Grace stood and faced Wyatt. "I'm shocked you can have such an opinion of Josh," she declared.

  "I say it as I see it," Wyatt said with a tone of voice which bordered on arrogant. "Take this morning, for example. At this very moment, Josh is out on the ranch trying to find Ryan."

  Grace frowned. "Ryan is lost!" she exclaimed. She took a step toward Wyatt and laid a hand on his arm. "How long has Ryan been gone for?"

  "Since breakfast," Wyatt revealed. "He wandered off while we were still eating. Josh and some of the ranch hands are looking for him."

  "Didn't you join in the search?" Grace asked sharply.

  Wyatt glanced down at his boots. Grace followed his gaze and saw that the black boots were covered with snow, some of which was sprinkled on the thick carpet. "I came back to the ranch house to get more men to join us in the search. And then you arrived."

  Grace squeezed Wyatt's arm. The man's gaze dropped down to Grace's hand and she quickly released her grip. "And they haven't come back? They haven't found Ryan?"

  Wyatt sighed. "I guess not."

  Grace turned and started toward the door. " I must go and help them."

  Just as she reached the front door, it flew open and Josh entered carrying Ryan in his arms. The boy was wrapped in a thick woolen blanket. "You found him!" Grace exclaimed.

  Startled, Josh halted and stared at her. "Grace. What are you doing here?" he asked abruptly.

  Grace went quickly to the huddled figure in Josh's arms. Teasing away the blanket, she saw Ryan peering at her. His gaze was dull and tired-looking. The boy looked deathly pale, as if he'd been out in the cold forever. She touched Ryan's cheek and felt the confirmation of icy skin against the back of her fingers. "Bring him to the fireplace," Grace instructed.

  She marched into the sitting room. Wyatt's eyes were wide with concern. "Where did you find him?"

  Striding toward the fireplace, Josh blurted out: "Down at the forest."

  Josh plopped himself down on one of the chairs alongside the fireplace. He tugged the blanket away. Grace could see that Ryan's clothing was damp. The boy was shivering.

  "How did he get that far?" Wyatt asked disbelievingly.

  Josh shook his head and sighed. "He can run fast," he replied. "Even in the snow."

  A sudden thundering of footsteps from the direction of the kitchen heralded the arrival of the housekeeper, Miriam. "You found him, Mr Munro," Miriam said breathlessly. She rushed to Josh's side and examined Ryan. "I'll get a warm bath ready," she declared. "We need to get him out of those damp clothes."

  As Miriam rushed away, Grace caught a glimpse of Josh's exhausted expression. Worry was written across Josh's features. His eyes were filled with barely concealed emotion. Grace could see how much Ryan's safety meant to him.

  She was filled with a sudden desire to help in any way she could. But, Josh's grim expression made her hesitate before making any offer of assistance. Something about the darkness in his eyes made her pause before suggesting she could help. Everyone was silent for a few minutes. Ryan's shivering subsided and, gradually, color returned to this face. But, the boy still hadn't uttered a word since being brought back into the ranch house.

  Grace wondered what had prompted Ryan to run away from the ranch house like that. Especially when the weather was so inclement. Maybe Wyatt had been right. Josh had been having a hard time dealing with Ryan. And he hadn't said anything about it to Grace during the entire trip into town yesterday. The brief tantrum over sweets in the mercantile suddenly seemed perfectly understandable.

  Miriam came rushing back into the sitting room. Josh stood, still clutching Ryan in his arms. "I'm taking him to his room," Josh stated. He started to make his way toward the hallway.

  "Josh," Grace called out. He halted and turned to her, his brows lifting. "Can I do anything to help?"

  Briefly, she saw him considering her offer. He glanced quickly toward Wyatt who was still standing by the fireplace. Then, abruptly, Josh shook his head. "No, Grace. I'd like to deal with this myself for now."

  The bluntness of his refusal made something hard twist in her middle. Her breath caught in her chest and she felt heat flush her cheeks. There was a harshness in Josh's tone of voice and, for a moment, she thought she might have offended him by making her offer in front of Wyatt. Had she inadvertently embarrassed Josh in front of his half-brother?