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  “I guess so.”

  “If you’re talking to you, who am I gonna talk to?” Gracie crossed her arms over her chest with a sigh. “I guess I hafta talk to God some more about gettin’ me my daddy.”

  “Me, too,” Ellie agreed gloomily under her breath.

  She’d also have to talk to Wyatt again. Because nice as his try was, it hadn’t deterred Gracie in the least.

  *

  Wyatt wasn’t exactly sure what a pre-Thanksgiving-evening get-together at Wranglers Ranch included, but he’d come because Tanner had asked him to and because he wanted the company. Somehow he’d never imagined there would be people rushing around the place like whirling dervishes.

  He walked with his son at his side to where Ellie was balancing on a stump, holding up a rope for Tanner who had climbed a eucalyptus tree and was clinging to it with one arm stretched out, trying to reach the rope to tie it on the branch.

  “What’s going on?” Wyatt asked, then glanced down when something tugged his pant leg.

  “We’re helpin’ Mommy get ready for the giving thanks day decoratin’.” Gracie lifted a paper pumpkin for him to admire. “Can you please hang this up, Daddy?”

  “Gracie Grant,” her mother warned, cheeks flushed bright pink as she teetered on her perch. “We’ve talked about this. You may call him Wyatt or Mr. Wright. You may not call him Daddy.”

  “But he is going to be—”

  “Not another word or you’ll be having a time-out while everyone else celebrates tomorrow.” Ellie glared at her daughter until Gracie sighed and nodded. Ellie’s smile reappeared. “Good. And it’s called Thanksgiving.”

  “But that’s what I said, isn’t it?” Gracie looked so confused Wyatt’s heart melted.

  “It’s a really nice pumpkin,” he said to cheer her up.

  Her face came alive. “Thank you, Da—Mr.—um, thanks.”

  “Hand me your pumpkin, honey.” Ellie sent Wyatt a warning look that made him stifle his amusement. “Tanner will hang it up for you.” Once hung, the orange ball fluttered in the breeze. “Doesn’t it look nice up there?”

  “Yup.” Gracie dashed off to find Beth.

  “See why I’m no good at decorating? I did not know pumpkins hung from trees,” Wyatt said, tongue in cheek. Cade flopped onto his bottom to play with his ball, so he held out a hand. “Get down from there, Ellie. Tanner and I will take care of the rest of the hanging.”

  “It’s only a little stump,” Ellie protested, clasping his hand for support as she descended.

  “Who’d be left to treat the sick and injured if the nurse got hurt?” Wyatt thought how perfectly her hand fit in his, until she pulled it away.

  “I was fine, you know.” She scooped Cade from the ground and pressed a kiss against his cheek. “But I won’t argue if it means I get to hold this little guy.”

  Wyatt spent the next hour following her decorating directions, and he didn’t mind helping one bit because Ellie made everything fun. He hauled bales and arranged them to Ellie’s specifications. Moses brought a bunch of old lanterns, buckets and other antiques, and under Ellie’s supervision Wyatt set up displays. That turned into a fiasco so Ellie took over. Then Sophie produced six boxes of tiny white twinkle lights which Wyatt and Tanner strung above the patio.

  When the last table centerpiece of pinecones, cinnamon sticks and battery-operated candles were in place Tanner called a halt.

  “That’s enough. Remember, we’ll have to take it all down tomorrow,” he groaned, rubbing his back.

  “Not the lights. They can stay until after Christmas.” Ellie’s smile made Wyatt feel like he was a part of the Wranglers’ group. “Thank you, everyone. I think the kids will love it.”

  “Time for a snack,” Sophie called. They all gathered around the outdoor kitchen to enjoy mugs of cocoa and fudge brownies.

  “Your reputation is well deserved,” Wyatt praised Sophie when he took his third treat. “These are delicious.”

  “Oh, I didn’t make those. Ellie did.” Sophie grinned at her friend. “And I agree. I’m thinking of offering her a second job as baker for my catering business.”

  “Maybe you could teach me to make them,” he said to Ellie.

  “Sure. They’re simple. It’s my sister Karen’s recipe. She was a chocoholic.” For a moment a shadow passed over her eyes, then she brightened and tickled Cade under the chin. “Did you get any in your mouth?” she teased, wiping his chocolate-covered cheeks with a napkin.

  “I did.” Gracie grinned, showing brown-stained teeth. “Can me and Beth take some to the rabbits?”

  Four adults all said “No!” at the same time.

  Wyatt squatted down to Gracie’s level. “Chocolate is very bad for the rabbits’ tummies, Gracie. It makes them really sick.”

  “Dogs, too?” she asked with a frown glancing at Sophie and Tanner’s dog. One hand poked out from behind her back. On her palm lay a mashed square of brownie. “I was gonna give this to Sheba.”

  “Dogs, too,” he said with a firm nod.

  “Oh.” Gracie looked at the mashed dessert for a moment, then dumped it into his hand. “Okay.” She bounded away, calling Beth and Davy to come play catch.

  “Oh, dear.” Ellie’s eyes twinkled with amusement. She giggled at the face Wyatt made when he couldn’t dislodge the sticky mess into a napkin. “Since you have to go inside to wash, you might as well take Cade.” She lifted the boy and handed him over to Wyatt.

  “What? No wipes to clean us up?” he teased, enjoying the way her face suffused with color.

  “I don’t have my bag handy,” she said, glaring at him. “And you’d better get going before he plasters your shirt with chocolate.”

  “More laundry.” With a sigh Wyatt headed inside for wash-up duty.

  When he emerged the entire group was gathered around the glowing fire pit on the patio. Only the twinkle lights and the flickering flames provided light on the patio, just enough for Wyatt to see an empty space beside Ellie. He took it and cuddled an already dozing Cade on his knee, warmed by the sweet smile she gave him when he brushed against her shoulder.

  That was the thing about Ellie. She always made you feel better, and it didn’t have a thing to do with her nursing skills. She simply radiated warmth and inclusion, and she went overboard trying to make sure no one was left out. Hence the surfeit of decorations, an exuberant, over-the-top gesture meant purely to give joy to kids who’d visit the ranch for Thanksgiving.

  “We always have stories around the campfire,” Beth explained to Gracie. “What’s the story tonight?” she asked Tanner.

  “It’s about giving thanks,” he said and began. “A very long time ago there were ten lepers. Leprosy is a very bad disease,” he explained to the children. “It’s painful and it’s contagious.”

  “That means other people could get it from them,” Ellie interjected, then shrugged when Wyatt grinned at her. “I can’t help it. I’m a nurse. I like medical clarity.”

  Tanner grinned at her, then paused until he had everyone’s attention again. “So the people who had leprosy had to stay away from everyone, even their families, so they didn’t pass it on to others.” Tanner’s voice was low, and the kids had to lean in to hear. “Whenever the lepers walked past, someone would yell ‘Unclean,’ so that everyone would step out of the way, so that they didn’t catch it, too.”

  “What a lonely way to live.” Ellie’s murmur was so low Wyatt doubted anyone else heard. “The pain of leprosy would be as bad as losing your loved ones.”

  Wyatt knew from the emotion in her voice that she’d gone through those hard lonely times herself after her sister’s death. Maybe she still was. Was that why Ellie worked so hard at everything she took on? Because she was trying to stay busy? Just as he was?

  “So when these ten lepers heard about Jesus healing people, they decided they wanted to see Him. They didn’t have medicine, so there was no other way for them to get well.” Tanner spoke slowly, ensuring the enraptured childre
n hung on every word. “So they asked Jesus to heal them. And He did.”

  “He made them all better. That was good,” Beth said.

  “Yes, it was.” Tanner’s smile lingered on his adopted daughter a moment before his voice dropped to a serious note. “There was just one thing wrong. Only one of the lepers came back to say thank you. Only one out of ten that Jesus made better.” Tanner let them think about that for a minute. “That’s why Thanksgiving Day is so important. Because it reminds us to be thankful for what God has given us. What are you thankful for?”

  “Skateboards,” Davy called out.

  “Bunnies,” was Beth’s answer.

  And so it went around the group. Until it came to Wyatt. He looked down at Cade, sleeping peacefully in his arms. Too often he forgot to count his blessings.

  “Him,” he whispered through the lump in his throat. He lifted his head and glanced around. “And all of you.”

  “That’s what I’m thankful for, too,” Ellie said softly. “Gracie, Wranglers Ranch and friends. You’ve all made a tremendous difference in my life this past year.”

  The only person who hadn’t spoken was Gracie. Wyatt thought she’d fallen asleep until Tanner asked, “What are you thankful for, Gracie?”

  “I can’t say it.” She peeked through her lashes at her mother, then quickly looked away.

  “Sure you can. Tell us, sweetheart,” Ellie encouraged.

  Wyatt didn’t think she’d answer. Then all at once Gracie inhaled and spoke, a hint of defiance in her voice.

  “I’m thankful that God is going to give me my daddy, even if you don’t think so,” she said with a glare at her mother. Then, bursting into tears, she jumped up and ran into the darkness.

  “Gracie!” Ellie rose, but noting the tight angry look in her eyes Wyatt decided to intervene.

  “Here.” He shifted Cade into her arms. “Let me go. I’ll talk to her.”

  “But I’m her mother—” When Ellie hesitated Wyatt touched her arm.

  “You’re upset and so is she. Let me go.” He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “That’s our deal, right? For me to help her with this fixation.”

  The sweet scent of jasmine filled his nostrils. In a flash that fragrance of Ellie’s perfume started a video in his brain of a hundred different images of her caring for others. Now it was his turn to help her.

  “Please?” he murmured. Her gaze met his, flames flickering in their depths until finally she nodded.

  “Just be—”

  “I’ll be very gentle with her,” he promised and squeezed her hand.

  “I know you will. It’s just—she’s all I have.” She squeezed back, smiled, then released his fingers.

  Wyatt walked away, knowing he had to do his best. For Ellie. Because she always did her best for others. So he found Gracie, in the bunny pen of course, and let her cry on his shoulder as she poured out her deepest desire.

  “I want you for my daddy,” she wailed through her tears. Hearing the longing in her words was like having her little hand reach in and squeeze his heart.

  Wyatt had no idea how to help her, so he simply held her while he silently prayed for wisdom. When she’d finally calmed down, he took a deep breath and began to speak.

  “Gracie, sweetie, hush and listen to me now.” She sniffed and rubbed her eyes but paid attention. “Your mom and I have tried to tell you that I can’t be your daddy. But you won’t stop thinking about it all the time. It’s like you have a sore on your finger, and you won’t let it heal. That’s what is hurting you. I think you need to forget about having a daddy, for a little while.”

  “But—”

  Wyatt put a finger across her lips and shook his head. Finally, Gracie slumped, signaling her willingness to listen. In the gentlest words possible he used every argument he could come up with, short of telling her he had no intention of taking on the care and upbringing of another child.

  He hoped he’d finally convinced her to let go of him as her daddy. In fact, he was certain he had because he asked her three times if she understood, and each time Gracie nodded soberly.

  “Okay, then. Good.” Wyatt wondered why he didn’t feel relief that she wouldn’t be counting on him anymore, but he brushed away the wayward thought and hugged her as Ellie called her daughter’s name. “We’re coming,” he replied, then turned back to Gracie. “Is everything good with us?”

  “Uh-huh.” She swung his hand as they walked over the path. “I heard what you said.”

  “And?” He saw Ellie coming but wanted Gracie’s compliance before her mother arrived. “What do you think?”

  “I think God can do lots of things, ’specially things adults don’t believe.” She let go of his hand and smiled. “You don’t have to worry. God is gonna make you my daddy. I just gotta wait.” Then she skipped past her mother and onto the patio where she announced, “I’m thankful God answers my prayers.”

  Ellie glared at him.

  “What on earth did you say to my daughter, Wyatt?” she demanded in a whisper. “I don’t want her believing that you are going to be her father.”

  “Neither do I,” he sputtered indignantly. “I tried to tell her that, but she just won’t listen.” Then the funny side of it hit him, and he burst out laughing. “You have to admire her faith, though. It’s a lot stronger than mine.”

  “That’s your response to this…catastrophe?” Ellie handed him Cade, her eyes steely as she stood under the twinkle lights. “I’m not sure this agreement of ours is working out, not if it’s adding to Gracie’s hope that we are somehow going to become a family.”

  He sobered immediately. “What are you saying, Ellie?”

  “I’m saying that I don’t think I should come over and stay with Cade anymore.” She gazed mournfully at his sleeping child, then sighed. “I’m sorry.”

  Stunned by the loss he felt at just the thought of not seeing Ellie each afternoon, Wyatt reeled.

  “I have to do what’s best for Gracie,” Ellie said. “She’s my primary concern.”

  “Of course, but—” Wyatt touched her arm. “I don’t think you not caring for Cade is going to change her mind, Ellie. In fact, I think the only way to dissuade her is to prove to her that we are friends, but that we’re only friends. When she sees there’s nothing more, she’ll give up.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked dubiously.

  Wyatt wasn’t sure at all. But the past few weeks Ellie had been coming to his ranch had been some of the best he’d had in the past year. He felt happier knowing he was accomplishing some of his postponed goals, practicing his vocation, all the while knowing Cade was in good hands. Lately, thanks to Ellie, both of the Wright men were happier. Wyatt had even managed to brood less about Ted, the boy who’d killed Taryn.

  “Don’t you like caring for Cade?” he asked, appealing to her motherly side.

  “You know I do. But Gracie—” She frowned, watching as her daughter and Beth played hopscotch on the patio.

  “I have an idea about Gracie,” he said. “Something that just might change her mind about having me for a father.”

  “What is it?”

  “Wait and see.” Cade shifted, and Wyatt checked his watch. “I better get home. See you tomorrow.”

  As he walked away Ellie called his name.

  Wyatt paused, turned and studied her face.

  “Don’t hurt her,” she begged.

  “Letting go of her dream might hurt Gracie for a little while, Ellie.” How lovely she looked in the cascade of light from overhead. “But I promise I won’t deliberately do anything to harm her.” Promise? Another promise?

  “Okay.” After a very long pause she nodded. “Partner.”

  Wyatt left, wondering as he drove home why he suddenly felt disheartened. He certainly didn’t want more than friendship with Ellie.

  Or did he?

  Chapter Five

  “Ellie Grant, you’re like a cat on a hot tin roof.” Sophie edged around her to set down a pan of rolls fres
h from the oven. “Waiting for Wyatt?” she asked, tongue in cheek.

  “Sort of.” Ellie blushed at the insinuation on her friend’s face. “Not like that. I’ve told you before that I’m not interested in a romantic relationship.”

  “Yes, you did say that.” Sophie slid two more pans into the oven. “But whenever Wyatt’s around, you light up like a Christmas tree.” She frowned. “Speaking of which, I wanted to ask Tanner to get that big spruce by the entry gates decorated before our dinner today.”

  “Sophie.” Ellie snapped her fingers to get her friend’s attention. “Wyatt and I are not having a romantic relationship. We’re simply helping with each other’s children.”

  “Right.” Sophie tried to hide her smile, but Ellie saw it nonetheless.

  “It’s true,” she insisted, ignoring the curious looks of Sophie’s two helpers. “But I am anxious to see him today because he said last night that he has a plan to get Gracie to change her mind about him as her father. I want to know what his plan is.”

  “Of course. And that’s why you keep checking the clock every ten seconds.” Sophie chuckled. “Well, check no more, my friend. I believe that’s his truck rumbling into view.”

  “Really?” Ellie raced to the window and peered outside. “He’s here?”

  “Yup. I can sure see how it’s all about Gracie.” Sophie’s amused grin stretched from ear to ear. “Now, scoot! Go talk to him, so we can get some work done in here,” she ordered.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ellie scooted out the door and across the yard, feeling like a giddy schoolgirl as she waited for Wyatt to park his truck. “Hi,” she said when he stepped down.

  “Hi, yourself.” His lazy smile did funny things to her stomach where butterflies were already dancing a jig. “How’s it going?”

  “Well, since I was just shooed out of the kitchen I thought I’d let Cade entertain me.” She had to move, to break free of this odd rush of nerves, so she walked around the truck to the other side and released the little boy from his car seat. “Hey, you,” she said, loving the way he reached for her.

  “Is there something I should help with before the kids arrive?” Wyatt grabbed Cade’s bag from the truck.