Her Christmas Family Wish Read online

  As Wyatt watched, Ruth slowly relaxed, put her hands down and was soon humming “Silent Night” along with Ellie as they rolled and taped foil bits.

  “She’s a great one, your wife,” the attendant murmured to Wyatt. “Knows exactly what our Ruth needs to calm her.”

  Wyatt ignored the “wife” comment, though it caused a hundred pictures to flash through his mind. Ellie mothering Cade, coaxing his Christmas spirit by baking succulent treats, playing checkers with Albert and Gracie, laughing and smiling and making the world a better place for all of them.

  “Don’t worry, son.” The attendant patted him on the back. “Next time you visit Ruth will have a better day. No good talking to her anymore now, though.”

  “But I need to ask—” He wasn’t sure what. He only knew he couldn’t leave yet. Not with all his questions unanswered.

  “Ruth can’t tell you any more today, Wyatt. She’s worn herself out.” Ellie moved beside him, whispering as they watched his mother’s frail chest rise and fall. “She needs to sleep.”

  “Come back another time,” the attendant said as she ushered them through the doorway. “Tomorrow.” Then she closed the door behind them.

  Speechless, Wyatt walked beside Ellie out of the building and over to his truck. Then he paused, tilted his face up and let the sun chase away the chill he’d felt the moment Ruth had become hysterical.

  “Are you okay?” Ellie asked him.

  “I don’t know what I am, but I don’t think okay applies.” He checked his watch. “Do you have time for coffee?”

  “I have all the time you need, Wyatt.”

  Her voice, the gentleness of her response, the tender way she slid his keys from his fingers and ushered him in to his own truck and then drove them to a café reminded Wyatt of the loving care a mother would give her child. It caused a feeling he’d craved but never known in his entire life, a feeling of acceptance, of understanding.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking,” she said when they were seated in a booth and cradling steaming mugs of coffee.

  “I don’t know.” He tried to list the emotions he recognized. “Shock, surprise, pain, yearning, love. Hate,” he added bitterly.

  “Hate for your father.” When he nodded, she brushed her knuckles against his cheek. “You don’t know why he did this, Wyatt. You don’t know the details or what drove his decision to put her there.”

  “No, I don’t. Because he never told me.” He leaned into her touch, loving the way being with Ellie brought his world back on its axis. “Why? That’s what I can’t get past. Why did he do it, and why did he never tell me about her?”

  “Can you face never knowing?” Her eyes caressed him as she spoke. “Can you love your mother in spite of what he did? Because I think that’s the only choice you have. Love her and squeeze every moment of joy and happiness you can from the relationship.”

  “To make up for the past, you mean?” He loved the way her lips tipped up at the corner, the way her curls bounced when she shook her head and how her eyes chided him for looking for the easy way out.

  “You can’t make up for the past, Wyatt. It’s long gone. All you have, all any of us have, is today, this moment.” Her hand dropped from his face, leaving a chill. How he craved her touch. “That’s why it’s so important that we make today the very best we can.”

  “How am I supposed to do that, Ellie? Clearly she’s incapable of giving me the answers I need.” He half smiled, remembering. “Gracie had a good question the other day. She asked me why God didn’t answer her prayer for a daddy. I gave her platitudes.” He grimaced. “Now I’m asking why He didn’t answer my prayers for my mom.”

  He expected comfort, sympathy, understanding. As usual Ellie surprised him.

  “Get over it, Wyatt.”

  He blinked, stunned by her tough response.

  “What difference would knowing make at this point?” Her gaze probed his as her voice softened. “We all want answers. Why didn’t God heal my sister so she could raise her baby? But what difference does asking make? It only paralyzes us.”

  “So how did you handle your questions?” he demanded, slightly irritated.

  “The same as you. I had tantrums for a while, demanded God explain Himself to me.” She made a face. “Thing was, there was this bawling baby who needed a mom, and I was the one available, so finally I got down to the business of being her mom.”

  “It’s not the same.”

  “Isn’t it?” She leaned forward, her voice now oozing kindness. “You have your mother, a woman you claim to have wanted to know for years. Forget about your father, and seize this opportunity to get to know Ruth. God has given you your mom, Wyatt. What are you going to do with that answer?”

  “You’re really something, Ellie Grant,” he said in amazement.

  “Thank you. I think.” She frowned as her phone pealed. “It’s Tanner.” She answered, then listened, cheeks paling a pasty white. “We’ll check it out,” she promised before she hung up.

  “What’s wrong?” Wyatt watched her gather her belongings and knew this was serious.

  “Albert didn’t show for this evening’s dinner that Tanner’s holding for his group. Apparently his uncle picked him up earlier and insisted he go home. Albert never came back, and nobody at his house is answering the phone.” Fear whitened her face. “That dinner was a big deal to Albert. I can’t believe he’d be a no-show without a word to anyone. Something’s wrong, and I need to go to his place to find out what.”

  “Okay.” Wyatt rose, tossed some money on the table and held out his hand. “Let’s go. And this time, I’m driving.”

  “You have to,” she murmured as they left the café. “I’m a mess of nerves. Why would his uncle prevent him from coming?”

  Wyatt flung his arm around Ellie’s shoulders and hugged her against his side as they walked to the truck. It felt wonderful to have a chance to comfort her this time. As they walked, Wyatt sent a prayer heavenward for Albert’s safety.

  “A very smart nurse told me to stop asking why and act instead. That’s what we have to do now, Ellie. We need to be bold and seize this opportunity to help Albert. We need to trust God to show us what to do.”

  “Agreed.” Ellie climbed in, then slid across the seat so she was next to him. “Thank you for caring about him, Wyatt,” she murmured.

  They needed to leave, but Wyatt took a few seconds to enjoy her lovely face before he dipped his head and kissed her.

  “We can do this, Ellie. You and I and God.”

  “Sounds like a great combination.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Looking a little haggard there, Wyatt.” Tanner bumped his veterinarian in the arm with a smirk. “Foster parenthood wearing you down already?”

  “No, Albert’s great. It’s potty training Cade that’s killing me.” Wyatt chuckled. “You’ll find out soon enough.” He winked at Ellie. “Won’t he?”

  She nodded, though she thought Wyatt looked great. In fact, she let her eyes feast on him as the men talked.

  “Don’t know how you persuaded the social worker to let Albert come to your place,” Tanner was saying, more serious now. “But I’m sure glad you did. I’m gathering from his broken arm and what Sophie’s managed to pry out of him these last two days, he had it pretty rough at the uncle’s.”

  “It wasn’t a matter of persuading the social worker,” Ellie explained. “Foster spaces are pretty full this time of year. Since Wyatt has previously fostered, he was a perfect candidate. And Albert loves it at his ranch.”

  “How long will he stay?” Tanner asked. “Hopefully, until after Christmas.”

  “He can’t leave now,” Ellie blurted. “He belongs with people who care about him.”

  “I had this thought—maybe it’s a stupid one but uh—anyway I thought maybe I should petition the court to give me custody. I mean he’s a good kid and…” Relieved to have finally blurted out his thoughts, Wyatt smiled at her surprise. “Albert’s got a lot of po
tential.”

  “That’s a great idea!” Ellie couldn’t believe he was willing to do that. A phone call took Tanner away, but she remained seated on the patio across from Wyatt, eager to hear more about his plans to get involved in Albert’s life.

  “The kid’s had some bad breaks. I think he could really make something of himself, and I’d like to help him. Have you seen how great he is with the horses?” he asked, his face animated. “He’s sure got the touch.”

  “Oh, no.” Ellie clapped a hand over her mouth in pretended horror. “Are you going to try to make him over as your father tried with you?” she teased.

  “I’m never going to try to mold either Cade or Albert into something they don’t want to be. They have to make their own choices.” He winked. “I learned that much from my father.”

  “I’m glad.” She slid her hand across the bench and slipped it in to his. “And I think it’s wonderful that you’re helping Albert. God will bless you.” Why wasn’t holding his hand enough for her? Why did she crave more from Wyatt than a smile or a shared laugh? Why couldn’t she stop wanting his love?

  “Your Christmas party’s still on for tonight, right?” He waited for her nod. “Can I help?”

  “Thanks, but I’ll manage.” But how she loved him for offering.

  “That’s not the point. I’m your friend, and I’d like to help.”

  Friend? Is that all?

  “Thank you.” She shrugged. “It’s just a cookout for a few friends, nothing special.”

  “If it’s done by Ellie Grant, it will be special.” Wyatt’s dark eyes held hers for a space of time that seemed to stretch forever. “Because you’re special, Ellie. Especially to me.” Then Wyatt leaned forward and kissed her.

  It wasn’t a dreamy kind of kiss. It was quick and fast, the briefest of caresses. But it still made her toes tingle and her heart race long after Wyatt had left.

  “Are you dreaming of getting who you want for Christmas?” Sophie came outside and sank onto the bench across from Ellie.

  “You mean ‘what,’” Ellie corrected.

  “No, I don’t.” Sophie snickered.

  “You finished your catering job early,” Ellie said, hoping to divert her attention.

  “No digressing. Your love for Wyatt is as transparent as Gracie’s so-called ‘secret’ giant cookie gift that I’ve been helping her make for Cade. Oh, don’t do that,” she pleaded when Ellie began to cry.

  “I think of Wyatt all the time,” Ellie sobbed, unable to stifle it any longer. “He’s such a wonderful man. He’s great with Gracie, and he’s even going to apply for Albert’s guardianship. What’s not to love?” she wailed.

  “Then, what’s the problem?” Sophie asked. “Are you afraid he won’t reciprocate if you tell him how you feel?”

  “I can’t tell him how I feel! You know I can’t.”

  “I do?” Sophie frowned and shook her head. “No, Ellie, I don’t know why you can’t tell him your feelings. Wyatt is a godly man who clearly cares about you. He wouldn’t be kissing you so often if he didn’t.”

  “He just sees me as a friend,” she clarified with a sniff. “But it’s not his feelings I’m talking about. It’s mine. I can’t love him. Or anyone,” she added.

  “I guess this pregnancy has really impaired my brain because I don’t understand anything you’re saying. Why can’t you love Wyatt?”

  Ellie heaved a sigh. “You told me I couldn’t love him, remember?”

  “Me? I don’t think I said that.” Sophie studied her. “Refresh my memory.”

  “After I became a Christian, and Eddie and I broke up, you said I shouldn’t be sad about it, that God was protecting me, so I could be the kind of mother Gracie needs.” Ellie could tell Sophie didn’t yet understand. “You said that the breakup was part of God’s plan for my life, to enable me to focus on Gracie. So that’s why I can’t love Wyatt, because God wants me to focus on raising my daughter.”

  “But not exclusively!” Sophie looked shocked. “I didn’t mean you couldn’t ever love anyone again.” She touched Ellie’s cheek, her face full of compassion. “Sweetie, you can’t interpret one romantic mistake as God’s refusal to give you a family. I’m so sorry if I led you to think that.”

  “You mean it’s okay with God if I love Wyatt?” Ellie studied her friend with a heart full of hope.

  “Well, I think you should ask Him about it, but I don’t see why not.” Sophie smiled a fleeting smile. “God is love, and I believe He wants us to love fully and from the heart. But a word of warning here. You need to remember that Wyatt has issues with the past.”

  “But—”

  “Yes, I know you said he’s coming to grips with some of them,” Sophie agreed, “But I don’t think he’s resolved all of them. Do you?”

  “No. So, what do I do? Try to maintain a friendship? Tell him how I feel and hope he feels the same? Wait?” Ellie was desperate for an answer.

  “I don’t have all the answers, honey. My best advice would be to keep praying for God’s help. Ask Him to show you what to do with these feelings you have for Wyatt. Take your time, be sure you know where He’s leading you, and then wait for Him to work it out.”

  “You’re the best friend, and just like my sister, Karen, you always have great advice.” Ellie dashed around the table to hug Sophie. “Thank you so much. And now I have to run. You’re coming later, right?”

  “Tanner and the kids and I wouldn’t miss your party for the world, sister.” Sophie hugged her back, then waved as Ellie raced to find Gracie.

  All the way home her daughter sang Christmas carols while Ellie silently sang, I love Wyatt Wright to the same tunes.

  Surely God would work it out. After all, Wyatt had kissed her in broad daylight.

  Again.

  *

  Wyatt stood in the festively decorated backyard amid a score of laughing people, but he only had eyes for the hostess.

  Ellie smiled when she saw him, then headed his way, threading her way through kids and adults with a word and a grin for each.

  “Hi.” She greeted him, then hunkered down to tickle Cade. “Hey, pumpkin.”

  Gracie raced over to ask if she and Beth could play with him.

  “Sure,” Wyatt agreed. “Just be careful he doesn’t eat anything he shouldn’t. Like brussels sprouts,” he added when the kids had left.

  Ellie burst out laughing. “That seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it?”

  “Eons,” he agreed, unable to look away from her laughing face. He remembered he’d been a shell back then, only half-alive, unable to forgive, oblivious to the joy to be found in the world.

  Ellie had changed him.

  “You look deep in thought.” She handed him a green-and-red punch-filled paper cup.

  “I was thinking about what I was like before you and Gracie turned my world upside down.” He smiled as wariness filled those lovely gray eyes. “I was a sad case back then.”

  “How are you doing now, Wyatt?”

  “I’m good,” he said, surprising himself with how true it was. “Ellie, I—” He was cut off when someone called her name. “Go ahead and circulate, Ellie. We can talk later.”

  “Promise?” She gazed at him in a way that made him gulp. All he could do was nod. “Okay. See you in a bit.”

  Wyatt spent a few moments speaking to Tanner and some other folks from church he knew, but his attention never moved far from Ellie. There was so much joy in her, so much pure delight in things he’d always found ordinary. And she never missed a detail to make someone’s world special, especially his.

  Wyatt had no idea how he ended up as her partner in a trivia game, but since he knew less than nothing about the answers, of course they lost.

  “Punishment is to sing a duet,” Sophie, the judge, declared. “How about ‘The First Noel’?”

  Wyatt detested the idea of standing in front of a bunch of people making an idiot of himself, but there was no way he was going to ruin Ellie’s party.


  “Are you up for this?” he murmured, hoping she’d say no.

  “I am if you are,” she said with a grin.

  “Why couldn’t you be a shy, quiet woman, Ellie Grant?” he groaned as she led him to the center of the group.

  “Now, what’s the fun in that?” she asked with a mischievous wink. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.” Wyatt had heard Ellie’s lovely voice in church so it was no hardship to sing with her. But it wasn’t her voice that touched him, it was the words. When they sang the chorus, those familiar lyrics sank into his heart, reminding him of the true meaning of the story they were telling, the story of love. The story of the very first Christmas. A hush fell on the group so that even the kids gathered around, sitting on the ground to listen.

  Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

  As their voices died away into the night, Wyatt got trapped in Ellie’s gaze and something he glimpsed there—something like tenderness. Or maybe compassion.

  Or perhaps—

  “Okay, that’s enough torture for one night,” Ellie joked, easing out from under his arm.

  Wyatt, still caught up in the magic of those moments when it seemed the two of them were alone together, couldn’t even remember placing it on her shoulders.

  “You’ve been holding out on our choir, Wyatt,” Tanner called over the applause. “Now that we’ve heard you sing we’ll expect you to join us.”

  “I don’t know,” Wyatt said automatically. “I have Cade—” He stopped short as he encountered Ellie’s gaze. Wasn’t it time to stop hiding and start participating in life?

  “Everyone, come and eat,” Ellie called as she moved away.

  Her departure felt like a physical loss to Wyatt. He stood frozen in place as once again her yard resounded with happy people enjoying what she’d prepared. Ellie’s bounty. Tons of food, masses of decorations and always laughter.