Her Christmas Family Wish

“We all know Wyatt,” Tanner said. “He’s the veterinarian I’ve been hoping would take on Wranglers Ranch as a client. But I get the impression he doesn’t feel he can handle our business right now.”

“He seems like a great parent, though he missed the signs that Cade was about to be sick.” Ellie made a face. “Wyatt fed him brussels sprouts,” she told Sophie, who laughed.

“Maybe he’s still learning about kids,” Tanner defended. “But Wyatt is an expert on horses. The man has a first-rate reputation. About two years ago his practice was the most sought after in Tucson, but then his wife died shortly after Cade was born.” He shook his head. “Whenever we talk at church Wyatt’s totally focused on being a dad.”

Moses was an elderly Native American who’d cared for and nurtured the abused horses that Wranglers Ranch took in and had lived here long before Tanner had taken over. Now he nodded his head in agreement.

“The Double M tried to hire him, too.” Moses had a soft spot for anyone who loved horses as much as he did. “Heard Wyatt told them no, said he had to focus on his son and that work came second.”

“Nice if you can afford it,” Ellie murmured, thinking of her own years when Gracie was a baby and how she’d struggled to manage on her shoestring budget.

“Wyatt’s a good-looking man, don’t you think, Ellie?” Sophie’s gaze trapped her.

“Yes, he’s very handsome,” Ellie managed to say while her brain mocked her tepid appreciation of that very attractive man. “But I’m not interested.”

“Why not? He certainly seems to be the focus of the ladies’ groups at church.” Sophie scooped the ice cream Ellie had brought onto steaming slices of her fresh peach pie. “Moses, didn’t you tell me Lucy Marten asked Wyatt to dinner last week?” She glanced at the old man, one eyebrow arched. “What’s the news on that?”

“Heard he turned her down like he does all those females. Anyone can see they’re just itching to get their hands on him. Prize catch, a guy like that.” Moses grinned as he held out a hand to take his pie. “Thank you, Sophie.” He lifted a forkful to his lips, then closed his eyes as he savored the dessert. “Excellent,” he proclaimed a moment later. “No wonder we always have kids showing up here to eat. With cooking like this on offer, why wouldn’t they?”

“You’re very sweet, Moses.” When Sophie patted his cheek Ellie could almost hear the crusty old man’s gruff demeanor crumble. Then the children arrived and demanded some pie. As they devoured it, Sophie asked Ellie if Gracie could play with her kids, Beth and Davy, for a while longer.

“Yeah, why don’t you stay, Ellie?” Tanner offered. He winked. “We can talk about Wyatt some more if you like.”

“No need. I told you I’m not interested.” Ellie pretended an airiness she didn’t feel. “But since it’s Friday and there’s no school tomorrow, I guess we could stay awhile.” She chuckled at Gracie’s whoop of excitement as all three kids scampered into Beth’s room to play with the amazing dollhouse Tanner had given her last Christmas.

“Hard to believe it will soon be that time again,” he marveled with a fond look at Sophie. “What do you want this Christmas?” he asked as her hand slid into his.

“I have everything I want,” she murmured.

“Good answer.” Tanner leaned over to press a kiss against her cheek. “This has been a wonderful year for Wranglers Ranch and us.”

“Your dream that this ranch would be a haven for homeless and needy kids is coming true with every child we reach.” Sophie hugged his side. “We’re blessed to have such wonderful helpers like Moses and Ellie and all the hands.”

“Now if I could just find a way to persuade Wyatt to come on staff,” Tanner murmured before he held out his plate for seconds.

Sophie dished up another piece of pie then turned to Ellie. “Maybe you could talk to Wyatt for us, tell him how much we’d love to have him working here on the ranch.”

“Me?” Ellie shook her head. “I barely know the man.”

“That’s easily rectified,” Sophie pointed out.

“Don’t go there, Sophie,” Ellie warned. “I’m glad you and Tanner found each other and that you’re happy together. But I learned the hard way that romance isn’t for me.”

“But—” Sophie stopped when Ellie shook her head.

“I made a bad mistake when I let myself fall in love with Eddie. If I’d known him as well as I thought, I’d have known he’d change after he inherited that money, that he wouldn’t want to be saddled with being a father to Gracie.” A wiggle of pain still festered inside. “But I didn’t really know him because I was too busy thinking that my silly dream of a big, happy family was finally coming true.”

“Nothing silly about that dream, girlie,” Moses piped up. “God gave us families.”

“I know. And I have Gracie. That’s enough.” She saw Sophie was about to speak and shook her head. “Listen, when I got involved with Eddie I took my focus off parenting Gracie, and she almost paid for it. We were only a few weeks away from getting married when he suggested I put her in boarding school.” The memory still made her flinch. “I don’t need to repeat my mistakes. God’s given me the job of raising my daughter and I’ll focus on that. I guess I’m like Wyatt in that way. My child comes first.”

Later, as Ellie drove home with Gracie sleeping in the backseat, her brain revived a mental image of Wyatt Wright. He was good-looking, interesting and seemed to be a great parent, but he wasn’t for her.

Gracie was just going to have to ask God for something else, because Ellie had no intention of including Wyatt, or his very cute son, in their lives. Her broken engagement had proven that being a single mom had to be her number-one priority. Maybe someday, when Gracie was grown up and on her own, maybe then Ellie could consider a relationship.

Maybe.

But not now.

Chapter Two

“You’re making a lot of noise for a kid who’s been fed, watered and changed.”

In the year since Taryn’s death Wyatt had grown comfortable speaking to Cade as if he understood everything. What he doubted he’d ever get used to was the volume of noise a small child could generate.

“You’ll give me a bad reputation as a dad,” he complained as he drove into Wranglers Ranch.

While Cade, red-faced and bellowing, continued his vocal outrage, Wyatt parked beside the visitors sign and exited the noisy truck with a sigh of relief.

“Nothing wrong with his lungs, is there?” Tanner appeared and held out a hand. “Nice to see you again, Wyatt.”

“You, too, Tanner.” He shook hands then picked up Cade. “He’s in a bad mood because he wouldn’t settle for his nap.” He offered a soother, but Cade knocked it from his hand.

“Got a temper, too.” Tanner laughed as he bent and picked it up.

“I’m sorry about this,” he said as Cade launched into another earsplitting roar. “I did warn you I couldn’t get a sitter.” Wyatt jiggled the grumpy child in a futile hope that he’d relax and perhaps drift off to sleep. “Maybe you should get another vet.”

“Don’t want anyone else,” Tanner said firmly. “You have the best reputation around these parts when it comes to horses, Wyatt. I want your opinion.”

“Okay. On what?”

“Two animals I’m considering buying.” Tanner winced as Cade amped up his protests. “Come on. We’ll take him to Sophie. She’ll know what to do.”

Wyatt desperately hoped so. He’d been through Cade’s overtired days before, and though his son eventually relaxed and fell asleep, the experience always left him drained.

But his hopes were dashed when he heard someone say, “I’m sorry, Tanner, but Sophie went shopping. She’s catering that barbecue tonight, remember?”

Wyatt turned and saw her. The woman from the grocery store.

Though Ellie smiled as she approached the Wranglers’ boss, Wyatt thought her face tensed when her gaze moved to him. “Hello, again,” she said in a pleasant tone.

“Hi. Sorry about the racket.” He shifted Cade from one hip to the other. “How’s Gracie?”

“She’s fine. May I take him?” Ellie held out her hands with a smile. “Hello there, little man,” she said in that lilting voice he hadn’t been able to forget. “What’s your issue?”

Cade stopped midscreech to stare at her. Then he grinned and clapped his hands.

“Traitor.” The word slipped out without thinking. Embarrassed, Wyatt caught Ellie’s grin. “He missed his nap.”

“And he’s been taking it out on you.” She laughed and nodded. “Been there. Why don’t you leave him with me? I’ll rock him on the porch for a few minutes, and he’ll soon nod off.” She studied Cade’s now-drooping eyes. “See? I doubt he’ll be awake long.”

“Maybe,” Wyatt said doubtfully. “But that’s too much of an imposition. This is your workplace.” He held out his hands. “I’ll just take him home. Maybe I can make it back another time, if you really want my advice,” he said to Tanner.

“Please, leave him. I’d enjoy the break. The morning’s been a little monotonous.” Ellie winked at Tanner. “No kids have fallen off their horse or skinned a knee, so I’ve been a bit bored.”

“Our guests do not fall off,” Tanner protested indignantly.

“Sorry. Of course they don’t. It’s all to do with gravity.” Ellie winked at Wyatt. “Seriously, we’ll be fine. I’ll call Tanner if I need you.”

Wyatt hesitated, watching her face soften as she swayed back and forth with Cade. His son’s eyes were almost closed, his thumb in his mouth. “You’re sure?” he murmured.

“Positive.” Ellie began to hum softly while maintaining the same swaying movements. A tiny smile flirted with her lips. “Walk away now,” she sing-songed, never losing a beat in her lullaby.

Since Taryn’s death Wyatt had trusted his son to only two sitters and then only after a complete vetting by him and Tucson’s premier child care agency. Yet somehow he felt utterly confident in Ellie’s abilities with Cade. Maybe it was because he’d seen her with Gracie and knew her to be a loving parent. Or maybe it was the way she so confidently held Cade that he immediately relaxed in her arms.

“You can trust Ellie,” Tanner added.

“I know.” Wyatt set down the diaper bag he held. “Here’s his stuff.”

Ellie’s gaze met his, a knowing look in her gray eyes. “I promise he’ll be all right.”

Of course he would. Because, thanks to Ellie, Cade was already sleeping.

“I’ll be back in about an hour,” he said.

“We’ll be here.” Ellie’s smile lent encouragement as he went on his way.

* * *

As it turned out, Wyatt’s inspection of Tanner’s horses went slowly, thorough as it was.

“These mares appear healthy and well cared for. They should be fine to breed.” Wyatt stretched his back, his examination finally complete. “I’ll run the blood samples anyway, but I doubt there’s an issue.” He frowned, noting a larger, older stallion in the paddock beyond. “Him I’m not so sure about. Where’d you get him?”

“He was left here late last night.” Tanner’s lips tightened. “I’m guessing he’s been kept inside a barn or something for a long time, because I’m pretty sure he’s got thrush on his feet.”

“That’s not a common ailment here in the desert.” Wyatt climbed the fence and walked closer for a better look, barely aware that Tanner followed. “He seems lame... Did you notice he doesn’t flex his foot?” He spoke soothingly while he lifted the horse’s leg and probed the tender heel and frog area.

“Yeah, I noticed. Lack of flexing usually means his hooves didn’t get cleaned much.” Tanner’s voice was low and gruff. “Which certainly seems to be the case.”

“It’s hard to understand cruelty to animals,” Wyatt agreed softly. “You’re doing the right thing. Keep him in the fresh air, get him to walk around, and watch what happens.”

“Can I call you if it doesn’t clear up?”

“Of course. Meanwhile, keep his heels trimmed back.” Wyatt swept his hand across the horse’s flanks after releasing his foot. “He could stand some extra oats, too.”

“He’s getting them,” Tanner said with a nod. “Don’t worry, Wyatt. My foreman, Lefty, Moses and I are all keeping a close eye on this guy. He won’t suffer at Wranglers.”

“You’ve got some great stock here, the kind I’d like to add to my own ranch someday.” Wyatt surveyed the other horses with their shiny coats in the surrounding paddocks. Someday, he promised himself as he closed the gate. Then he wondered if he could keep that promise.

“You’re anxious to get back to Cade.” Tanner wasn’t asking a question.

Wyatt nodded. “I used to be a workaholic, but after Taryn died, I vowed I’d always put Cade first.” Self-conscious about revealing that, Wyatt kept his head bent as he cleaned his boots on the grass.

“A good thing for all fathers to remember,” Tanner agreed. “But doing your job isn’t ignoring Cade. He’s not suffering. He’s probably still sleeping, in fact. And he’s got an amazing caregiver in Ellie. She’s really fantastic with kids. She used to have lists of people begging to get their kids into her day care.”

“It was nice of her to watch him for me.” So Ellie had run a day care. Was that how she’d known Cade was going to be sick that day in the store? “I thought she was a nurse.”

“She is. But when Gracie was born, Ellie wanted to stay home with her. So she set up a day care in her house.” Tanner made a face. “Believe me, there were a lot of unhappy folks last August when she closed down Fiddlesticks—that was the name of her day care.”

“If it was successful, why would she do that?” He had no business asking anything about Wranglers’ nurse, but Wyatt was curious.

“Gracie was ready for school. Ellie figured it was a good time to get back to nursing.” He grinned. “Sophie and I have been blessed having her here at Wranglers. The kids just adore her. Cade will, too. You’ll see.”

Privately Wyatt doubted his son would be around Ellie Grant enough to get to that stage, but he simply nodded and kept his opinions to himself, anxious to see how his son had fared.

“He’s still asleep,” Ellie said meeting them at the patio door. “I’ve just made some coffee and put a tray out here. Want some?”

“Sounds good. I see Sophie’s car. I’ll just go see if she needs help,” Tanner said. “You two go ahead.”

Somewhat self-consciously Wyatt followed Ellie to the table under a lacy mesquite tree where she’d set a plate of cookies, a carafe and three mugs. Cade lay nearby in the shade in a makeshift bed in an old washtub, eyes closed, breathing deeply.

“He’s still sleeping.” Wyatt was somewhat surprised to realize two hours had passed.

“Of course.” Ellie smiled, her eyes lighting up as she glanced at the little boy. “He wore himself out yelling, I guess. Gracie used to do that. Drove me bonkers sometimes. She’d get so tired out that she couldn’t seem to relax and let sleep come. I was usually so exhausted that when she finally crashed I did, too.”

“Except when you had to open your day care,” he added. “Tanner said you had a long client list.”

“I did. It was fun if exhausting. I was ready for a change. Especially after—” She checked herself as a fleeting frown washed over her face, then regrouped and shrugged. “I was pretty nervous about letting Gracie start school.”

“Why?” He sipped the coffee she’d poured.

“Until then I’d been in total control of Gracie’s world.” Her lips tilted in a wry smile. “The thought of allowing someone else to take over and not be there to see she was all right caused me some sleepless nights.”

“So how did you handle it?” he asked.

“With Sophie’s help.” Ellie grinned. “I’d consulted her about some catering, she led me to the Lord, and she’s been mentoring me ever since. She suggested I needed to start trusting that God cares as much and even more about Gracie than I do, so now I’m trying to trust Him. Since I’m a control freak where Gracie’s concerned it’s not easy, but I’m learning.”

“Was Sophie catering something for your day care?” he asked as he selected one of Sophie’s homemade cookies from the plate Ellie held out.

“Uh, no.” Ellie hesitated. To Wyatt she looked sort of embarrassed. “Something personal, but it turned out that I didn’t need her services after all.” Her diffidence surprised him.

“She sure has a good reputation as a caterer. Well deserved, judging by these cookies.” He savored the lemon flavor. “I’ve heard about her success all over Tucson.” Wyatt glanced around. “Just like I’ve heard about Tanner’s success with this place.”

“Sophie’s amazing, and Wranglers Ranch is a fantastic ministry. I am so happy to be part of it,” Ellie enthused. “And Gracie loves school, so God took care of that worry, too.” She studied him, her head tilted to one side. “How do you manage work and Cade?”

“Mostly I don’t,” Wyatt admitted. “My wife died about a year ago. Since then work has come a distant second.”

“I’m sure.” She touched his hand fleetingly. “I’m sorry, Wyatt.”

“Thanks. Anyway, I’m Cade’s only parent now, so I’ve been trying to be sure I’m there when he needs me.” He made a face. “Only thing is, toddlers don’t have much downtime. And that makes it hard to build up my veterinarian practice.”

“And you must do that—build it up?” Ellie’s eyebrows lifted as she waited.

“Yes. It’s very important to me.” He wasn’t going to tell her why, though he could see the question lurking in her eyes. “But it’s difficult. Just yesterday I agreed to be at a client’s place in the morning, but then Cade bumped his head on the coffee table. After that he wouldn’t settle down, so I had to cancel.” He made a face. “Doesn’t make for a good working relationship with your clients or help your reputation when you have to withdraw from a call.”

“No, I don’t suppose it does.” Ellie frowned. “Couldn’t you hire a caregiver to come in?”

“I do sometimes,” he said, feeling defensive. “But she wasn’t available yesterday morning when I called.”

“I can see that would be a problem. What about scheduling specific work hours? You could hire a caregiver from, say, eight to noon. While they watched Cade you could work, knowing you’d be available for him later.”

“Actually I did try that once when Cade was younger. It didn’t work.” Wyatt reconsidered. “Maybe it’s time to try it again. Thanks.” The agency would be relieved if he had regular hours to offer their nannies instead of always calling at the last minute.

“Now, since I’ve helped you, would you be willing to help me out?” she asked with a cheeky grin.

“Uh, with what?” he asked. Depending on what she wanted, he might have to refuse her. He wasn’t getting involved.

“I had this idea that Wranglers should sponsor a Thanksgiving Day dinner for kids who don’t have any place to go.” Ellie huffed out a sigh that lifted the spiky bangs across her forehead. “Of course Sophie will do the food, but she and Tanner asked me to set up some kind of decorations and, well...” She made a face. “I’m not exactly artistic. The most art I’ve ever done is kids’ crafts at my day care.”

“Why not go with that?” Wyatt shrugged. “Wranglers is a kids’ camp, after all.”

“How exactly would that work?” Ellie stared at him as if he had all the answers.

And that was so far from the truth that Wyatt wanted to laugh. He had the answers to exactly nothing in his own life. How could he possibly help anyone else?

“Come on, tell me what you were thinking,” she pressed.

He tried to vocalize the vision that had fluttered inside his head. “I guess I always associate Thanksgiving with harvest, you know, a time to count your blessings like the Pilgrims did. So maybe bales of hay scattered around, a few pumpkins on top, a sheaf of wheat if you could find anyone to make it—that kind of thing.”

“Sounds good,” she said with a nod. “And easy. Sophie wants to have an evening meal outside so we’d need lights of some kind. I’d thought candles on the tables, but I suspect that’s out because of the fire risk.”

“There are lots of solar lanterns available. Or battery lights. You could even put some inside hollowed-out gourds and set those inside tipped-over bushel baskets. I’ve seen that done before.” Wyatt felt silly throwing out these ideas about decorating, especially given the state of his ramshackle ranch. “Or you could string some lights in the trees. Maybe even leave them up for Christmas?”

“I love lights at Christmas.” Ellie’s eyes sparkled, her excitement obvious. “So, will you help me do it?”

“Uh, no. I mean, I can’t. I, er, I’m busy with Cade,” he stammered. Though he liked Ellie’s enthusiasm, admired the way she threw herself into things, he pulled out the excuse he always used to escape involvement. He wasn’t ever getting involved again anyway, so it was better to maintain his distance.

“Cade can sleep here while we work, as well as he can sleep at home.” As Ellie called him out her face got a shrewd look. “In exchange for helping me with the decorating I could babysit for you once or twice. Gracie would love that.”

This man would make a good daddy for us, Mommy.

Gracie’s words reverberated in his head, and he knew he had to get out of this arrangement.

“I appreciate the offer, Ellie, but I don’t think it would work.” he said quickly and swallowed his coffee in a gulp. “I’d better get going. I’ve got chores to do at my ranch.”

“You have a ranch?” Ellie’s face had lost some of its excitement as she rose gracefully and walked with him toward Cade.

“It hardly deserves the term ranch, but I’m working on improving that,” Wyatt told her, then grinned. “In my spare time.”

Ellie smiled back before glancing at Cade. “He’ll probably wake soon.”

“Which is why I need to get home. He always wakes up hungry.” Wyatt gently scooped the sleeping boy into his arms, relishing the baby powder smell of his son and the warm weight of him against his chest. “Thank you, Ellie. I appreciate all your help.”

“You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.” She brushed one fingertip against Cade’s cheek. “Bye, sweetie. I hope I see you again soon. You, too,” she added, glancing at Wyatt.

He made a noncommittal response, feeling her gaze on him as he hurried to his truck. Funny how much he wanted to stay and enjoy her company. Ellie’s warm personality, quick laughter and generous nature chased away the gloom and cares that had weighed him down for so long. Talking to Tanner and then sharing coffee with Ellie had, for a little while, brought Wyatt back into the adult world, a place where he didn’t feel quite so incompetent.

As he drove home, Wyatt decided that today’s excursion proved that both he and Cade could benefit from more time among others. Right now he only had that on Sunday mornings when he took his son to church. But keeping an eighteen-month-old toddler amused and happy didn’t allow much opportunity for Wyatt to hear the sermon, let alone interact with adults later. But at least the Sunday morning outing gave them both a break from their routine.

Maybe Ellie was right. Maybe there was a way Wyatt could manage to get more work done. After all, Cade slept in the afternoons. It was unlikely he’d know if his daddy was there or not, but even if he did, wouldn’t Cade benefit from contact with more people? People like Ellie? Wyatt grinned. He had a hunch there wasn’t anyone else quite like Ellie.

Wyatt pulled into his yard and carried a wakening Cade into the house, mindful that he was thinking an awful lot about Ellie Grant. Just as well he’d refused to help her with that Thanksgiving thing at Wranglers.

He admired her plucky spirit and generous outlook. But no way could he allow admiration to turn into anything else. Wyatt would not allow a relationship to grow between them. He failed at relationships. Failed his father and failed Taryn.

What he could not do was fail Cade.

* * *

The following day, after she’d finished work at Wranglers, Ellie bundled Gracie in the car and drove to Wyatt’s ranch. All day she’d vacillated between compunction about invading his personal space when he’d made it clear he wanted nothing more to do with her and a silly female yen to hold Cade again.

Okay, and to see his good-looking father. It had been so nice to just talk to a male friend yesterday, one who wasn’t her boss. She hadn’t had that since Eddie had been part of her life.