Her Christmas Family Wish Page 7

  “I’m not sure. But be warned that if you go into the kitchen, Sophie’s going to ask you to decorate that big tree by the gate.” She laughed when he panned a look of terror. “It wouldn’t be that bad.”

  “We all know how useless I am at decorating. We hardly need more proof after last night.”

  “Let’s just say that you’re better at pretty much anything to do with animals.” She tried to hide her amusement but couldn’t at the memory of him arranging gourds and pumpkins that would not stay put. “You have to admit it was funny how they kept rolling all over.”

  “Hilarious.” He leaned back on the fence rail to study her. “You look pretty. Relaxed, ready to handle whatever crops up.”

  “Well, thank you.” She felt inordinately pleased by the compliment. “What could crop up?”

  “I have no idea.” He winked. “That’s what scares me.”

  “Let’s go find Tanner and see what he’d like us to help with.” More disturbed by this man than she wanted to admit to herself, Ellie headed toward the tack room with Cade walking beside her.

  “Where’s Gracie?” Wyatt ambled on her other side, his Stetson pushed to the back of his head.

  “With Beth and the bunnies, of course.” She wanted to contain her curiosity, but the question had been bugging her all night. “What’s your plan, Wyatt?”

  “Watch.” He shot her a grin, then moved nearer the bunny pen and peered inside. “Hey, girls,” he called. “How’re those baby bunnies doing?”

  “Good. Want to come see them?” Beth called. Gracie remained silent, watching.

  “Sure.” Wyatt wore a poker face as he looked at Ellie. “You may want to go back to the house or busy yourself with something else. I have work to do here.” He took Cade and handed her his bag. “And this guy’s going to help me.”

  “But—” She stared at him, unable to believe he was asking her to leave.

  “See you later, Ellie,” Wyatt said loudly, waving before he opened the gate and went inside the rabbit pen.

  Frustrated that she wasn’t to be included, Ellie considered going to check her supplies.

  Only she couldn’t leave. So instead she found a spot by the side of an outbuilding where she could surreptitiously watch Wyatt, Gracie and Cade without being seen. Beth left when Tanner called her away, so Ellie leaned in, trying to hear what Wyatt was saying to her daughter; but she was unable to catch it because of the noise of arriving guests. Minutes later Wyatt was leading Gracie and Cade out of the paddock, so apparently their “talk” was over. Not wanting to be caught, Ellie took her time returning to the house.

  “Where’ve you been?” Wyatt asked when she stepped onto the patio. He looked hot and tired and more frustrated than she’d ever seen him.

  “Is something wrong? Where’s Gracie?” Ellie didn’t like the look of the red spots in his cheeks or the way his eyes narrowed to mere slits. “Wyatt, is there something I should know?”

  “Not really. Oh, wait. There is one little thing,” he said sarcastically. “Your daughter is now telling every single kid at Wranglers Ranch that I’ve been showing her how to babysit Cade so that when we get married—” He shook his head in disgust, then dragged a hand through his hair.

  “When we what?” She could only gape at him.

  “When we get married so I can be her daddy, and after we have more kids,” he enunciated clearly and precisely, “then she’ll be able to look after them. Because that’s what big sisters do.” His groan sounded heartfelt. “How could a plan go so wrong?”

  Words failed Ellie. The only thing she could do was sit down.

  And pray he was joking.

  *

  For the first time all day Wyatt finally relaxed. With a little help here and there, the animals on Wranglers Ranch had survived an afternoon among tons of kids. He’d done his job. Now, seated beside Ellie with Gracie on her far side, at a table laden with delicious food, surrounded by laughing, happy kids, he exhaled the frustrations of the day and closed his eyes as Tanner said grace.

  “Father, we thank You for Your blessings to us, for health, for friends and most of all for sending Your son to be our Savior. We can never repay the debt we owe You. All we can say is thank You. So thank You, Father. Amen.”

  Friends. Was that what he’d been missing since Taryn’s death? People who cheered you and supported you. And forgave you.

  “Rolls?” Ellie handed him the basket without meeting his gaze.

  “Thanks.” Wyatt took two and passed on the rest. And so it went. Ellie passed him the potatoes, the gravy, the stuffing and the turkey, all without comment. Apparently she wasn’t yet over her anger. “I didn’t do it on purpose,” he finally whispered in her ear, liking the feel of the silken strands against his skin. “It just didn’t go right, that’s all.”

  “Really?” He’d never realized gray eyes could look so glacial. “It didn’t go right?” Her voice brimmed with mockery.

  “Ellie, I—”

  She turned her shoulder and began speaking to the boy across the table from her, her face suddenly bright and animated, though her body language screamed anger.

  “Fine. I’ll talk to you.” Frustrated, he turned to his son, but Cade’s interest was captured by a young girl who tickled and teased him as she helped him eat his dinner. Wyatt had never felt so alone among so many people.

  Every time he looked at Ellie, she made an excuse to leave the table. She laughed, she joked, and she constantly smiled—at everyone but him. As Wyatt fed Cade the last bite of his pumpkin pie, he decided it was time to go home.

  “Can you take a look at something before you go?” Tanner asked when he’d thanked his host.

  “If you need me to.” Wyatt wished he’d used the confusion of clearing the tables and kids departing to leave. He felt discouraged and defeated, and he did not want to run into Gracie or her mother again.

  “Let’s leave Cade with Ellie,” Tanner suggested, but Wyatt balked.

  “She’s busy,” he refused quickly. “I’d rather take him along.”

  “Okay.” Tanner gave him a long look, then led the way toward the east paddock where several mares were grazing. “See the chestnut mare over there?”

  “It’s pretty dark out here, Tanner.” Wyatt squinted, trying to figure out what was so important. “And I’m too far away to tell much anyway. It would be better if I come back tomorrow to examine her.”

  “Oh, I don’t think you need to worry about her. I just wanted to show her off.” A funny little smile tipped the side of his mouth. “She’s pregnant. And so are we.”

  “We?” It took a moment for Wyatt to get it. “You mean you and Sophie? Wow. Congratulations.” He held out his hand and shook Tanner’s. “That’s great, man.”

  “Yeah, it is. I can hardly wait to see my son or daughter.” Tanner’s face shone in the moonlight. “That mare’s just one more reason why I’d like to have you at Wranglers full-time, Wyatt. So you could watch her progress, not just check on her now and then.”

  “I can’t, Tanner. I’d like to, but I’m not ready to give up on trying to build my practice,” Wyatt refused. “Not yet anyway.”

  “It’s not going well?” The rancher led him to an old wrought-iron bench, and they sat together on it. Thankfully, Cade had fallen asleep in his arms.

  “I thought I was making progress, thanks to Ellie helping out with Cade.” Wyatt pressed his lips together. “Her being there really made a difference. I could get things done, spend a little longer on a call if I had to without worrying about Cade.”

  “So, what’s the problem?” Tanner frowned.

  “Gracie.” Wyatt wasn’t exactly sure where to begin, so he just spilled his guts. “I had this idea that if Gracie knew that it isn’t all a bed of roses to have a little brother, then maybe she’d rethink this idea of me being her father.”

  “You thought you could talk Gracie out of her daddy goal?” Tanner huffed a laugh, then apologized. “Sorry. It’s just that the strength of t
hat child’s faith in God answering her prayers often makes me feel like a wimp.”

  “I know the feeling.” Wyatt sighed. “Anyway I messed up.”

  “I heard a rumor that you and Ellie are getting married and having kids.” Tanner was trying not to laugh.

  “Obviously, Gracie didn’t quite get my point,” Wyatt mumbled, utterly embarrassed. “And Ellie’s really mad. She isn’t going to come out to my place anymore. She thinks that might help get Gracie’s mind off—uh, me.”

  “You think she’s right?” Tanner studied Wyatt’s face, then nodded. “Me, neither. That little girl isn’t going to let go of her dream so easily.” He paused before softly asking, “You don’t want to make that sweet child’s deepest longing come true?”

  “No.” Wyatt glared at Tanner. “My wife’s dead because I didn’t keep my promise to her. Now I have a kid to raise on my own. That’s all I can handle, Tanner. I’m sure not making any more promises that I’ll end up breaking. Besides, Ellie and I are just—”

  He didn’t finish that sentence, because it wasn’t true anymore. He was pretty sure they weren’t friends any longer.

  “Ellie will come around. You’ll see,” Tanner insisted. “She’s just frustrated at not being able to control Gracie.”

  “She can join the club.” Wyatt rose. “I need to get this guy home. Thanks a lot for the party. It was fun.”

  “I’m sorry we had to put you to work, but I sure am grateful you spotted Abigail’s lame leg. That splint you put on her should help.” Tanner walked with him toward his truck, waited while he buckled Cade into his seat. “If you need help, call me, Wyatt. And send me a bill for today. You deserve to be paid for all your help.”

  “It was no trouble, and I did get two pieces of pie.” He shook hands with the chuckling rancher then drove away.

  Just before he turned the corner he saw Ellie standing beside the big tree she’d said Sophie wanted to have decorated before Christmas. She didn’t wave. In fact, she made no indication that she’d even noticed him. But Wyatt knew she had. Just as he always noticed when she was near.

  Maybe it’s better if she stays away. Maybe I’m getting too interested in her and Gracie.

  Wyatt figured the next little while was going to be lonely until he got used to not seeing Ellie’s smiling face every day. He’d have to pray harder that God would send him someone to help with Cade because one thing hadn’t changed. He still hadn’t fulfilled the promise to his father to make his veterinary practice the best in the city.

  Thing was, Wyatt wasn’t sure he even wanted to.

  *

  Ellie stood in the little log cabin that now served as her nursing station, unabashedly listening to Tanner talking on his phone outside.

  “I’m going over to Wyatt’s, Sophie. I haven’t seen him for two days, and he doesn’t answer his phone. I’m wondering if something’s wrong. He was pretty down when he left Thanksgiving night.”

  The words caused a rush of shame so intense that she missed the rest of the conversation. She desperately regretted her chilly attitude to Wyatt that night. He’d only been trying to help her, after all. It was just that she’d been so utterly embarrassed by Gracie’s declarations and certain they wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t caused it.

  Totally unfair. She realized that now. Gracie was going to believe what Gracie believed until someone other than her mother or Wyatt proved her wrong. But it was hard to eat crow, to apologize to him and take back her words about watching Cade.

  She stepped outside the door and hailed Tanner.

  “I heard you say you’re on your way to Wyatt’s. If there’s anything I can do, will you let me know?” She saw her boss’s eyebrow arch in surprise, but he simply nodded. “Thanks.”

  She watched him drive away, a prayer in her heart for the man she couldn’t get out of her mind. She’d treated Wyatt shabbily. He’d no doubt been just as embarrassed as she.

  “I goofed, God,” she mumbled as she dusted the office while waiting for Gracie to arrive on the bus. “And I should have known better. I’m not that new a Christian.”

  Gracie’s appearance and jubilant explanation about her day at school took center stage, and for a few moments Ellie forgot to worry. Until her phone rang and Tanner said, “Ellie, can you get over here right away? Wyatt and Cade are both sick as dogs. I need you to check them out while I see to his stock.”

  “On my way.” She ushered Gracie into her car seat as she explained where they were going.

  Once they were at the Wright house, Cade’s wails demanded her attention. So did Wyatt. He sat on a kitchen chair, haggard, pale and disheveled.

  “Thanks for coming,” he rasped. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. Since I can’t seem to stand without getting dizzy I’m scared to pick him up.”

  “Why didn’t you call me?” she reprimanded, then closed her lips. She knew why. “Let’s take his temperature.” Ellie did a quick check of the little boy, then said, “I think it’s the flu, but I want a doctor to see him. You need to see one, too.”

  “I don’t think I can make it to a doctor’s office,” Wyatt mumbled. “I feel really weak.”

  “You have to. They won’t attend to Cade without you present.” She found a soda cracker and gave it to Cade to chew on while she felt Wyatt’s forehead. “You’re burning up. What have you taken?”

  “Nothing. I wanted to be here for Cade.” He looked so miserable she stifled her reprimand that he wasn’t much use to his son in this condition.

  “We’re going to the doctor,” she said firmly and made a quick phone call to a doctor she knew who would see them immediately. “Gracie, you come and sit in the car with Cade. Then I’ll come and help Wyatt.”

  “I don’t need help—” He tried to rise and flopped back down in his chair.

  “Of course you don’t.” Ellie phoned Tanner and asked him to leave the stock he was tending and come help her. She switched Cade’s car seat into her car and buckled both him and Gracie in. By then Tanner was escorting Wyatt out of the house and into her car. “We’ll be fine,” she assured him. “But can you be here when we get back?”

  “Of course.” He waved them off.

  Ellie drove as quickly as she could with Cade’s screams filling the car.

  “Sorry,” Wyatt muttered before he nodded off. By the look of him it was the first sleep he’d had in a while.

  At the doctor’s office a passerby helped Wyatt inside. Half an hour later they were on their way back to Wyatt’s, medication in hand.

  “I’m sorry.” His dark eyes looked directly at her, lines of tiredness fanning out around them. “You shouldn’t have had to rescue us.”

  “Don’t be silly. Now relax. When we get home, you’ll take two of those pills and go to bed,” she ordered. “Gracie and I will look after Cade.”

  “There aren’t many groceries,” he muttered weakly. “And I—”

  “Wyatt?”

  “Yes?”

  “Let me handle it.” Ellie pulled into his yard and turned to look at him. “Okay?”

  “Like I have a choice?” A grin flirted with his mouth before Tanner appeared to help him into the house.

  “Okay, Gracie, it’s time for us to get to work.” Ellie carried Cade inside and, after setting some soup to warm, gave him a bath with Gracie’s help. Her daughter’s tender ministrations to the unhappy child touched Ellie’s heart. “You’d make a great nurse, sweetheart.”

  “I don’t want to be a nurse. I want to be a mish’nary.” Gracie hummed as she showed Cade how his rubber duck could swim.

  “You’ll be a success at that, too,” Ellie murmured. Once Cade was dressed again, she fed him a little of the soup and the medicine he’d been prescribed to settle his stomach. Then, sitting on Wyatt’s porch, she rocked the little boy to sleep with Gracie nearby, playing in the sandbox as the sun slid under the horizon. “Good night, little one,” she whispered, placing a kiss on his forehead.

  “He’s out?” Ta
nner stood in the doorway watching.

  “For now. His fever seems to be down a bit. I think he’ll rest.” She carried Cade to his room and tucked him in, then returned to ask, “How’s Wyatt?”

  “Fussing about all the things he should be doing.” Tanner frowned. “He doesn’t look good.”

  “The doctor said he let himself get dehydrated. He needs fluids, but I didn’t see much juice in the cabinets. Can you pick up some groceries?” she asked.

  “Sure. Got a list?” A few minutes later he was gone.

  Ellie made up a tray for Wyatt in case he was hungry. She knocked on his door, but he didn’t answer. She listened closely and thought she heard him muttering, so she peeked inside. He lay sprawled on the bed in his clothes, thrashing his head from side to side.

  “His fault, not just mine,” he groaned. “Ted shouldn’t have been driving. He killed her. He killed Taryn. He has to pay, just like I do.”

  “It’s okay, Wyatt,” she said softly. “Everything is fine.” She touched his shoulder gently, hoping to draw him out of the dream. “You’re fine.”

  “No.” He grabbed her hand and held on, his face ragged with misery, his delirium obvious. “He must be punished,” he rasped.

  “Leave it with God, Wyatt. It’s not your burden, it’s His. Forget about it now.” She didn’t understand exactly what was wrong but because he didn’t relax she tried another approach. “Taryn’s safe now. She’s okay. Ted can’t hurt her.”

  “He did, though. He should pay. God knows he should pay. I have. I’ve paid dearly.” He kept repeating that over and over until he finally fell asleep.

  Ellie tiptoed out of the room and returned to the kitchen, her mind whirling with questions. At the top of the list: How was Wyatt to blame for his wife’s death?

  Chapter Six

  Wyatt wasn’t sure what day it was or why he was still in bed when the sun was shining. All he knew was that he had to make sure Cade was all right.

  But when he tried to get up, his legs wouldn’t support him, and he collapsed back on his mattress.

  “Everything’s fine, Wyatt. Relax.”