The Rancher’s Christmas Wish (Brides 0f Inspiration Book 8)

by Maya Stirling

  Zane shook his head firmly. "There's nothing we have to say to each other. What's done it done. You know what my pa said the last time he and your pa talked about the situation. There's no more to be said." Zane's jaw tightened as he caught his mother looking steadily at him.

  To Ethan it looked like Zane Buchanan was doing his best to keep a hold of himself. Ethan thought about all the arguments he and the Buchanans had gotten caught up in since the summer. The last few months had been a bad time. Ethan had hoped to try and say something that could start to heal the wounds that had been caused by all the trouble between their two families. But, it seemed Zane wasn't in the mood for talking.

  Ethan was startled to hear Chloe's soft voice. "Mr Armstrong wasn't bothering me, Zane," she said.

  Zane's gaze was unmoving. Ethan shifted on his heels, grateful for Chloe's attempt at taking the heat out of the conversation. "See?" he said, gesturing to Chloe.

  Zane bent down and lifted Chloe's bag. Eugenie scooped her arm inside Chloe's and smiled at her. "You must be tired after your journey."

  Ethan wondered where she had come from. Chloe shrugged. "I'm just glad to be away from Salt Lake City for a while, aunt," Chloe replied.

  "That's a long train ride, ma'am," Ethan cut in impulsively.

  Chloe's gaze met his. "No journey is too much trouble if it means I can spend time with my aunt Eugenie and her wonderful family at Christmas." Chloe smiled warmly at Eugenie and Zane. "It's not the first time I've been here."

  "You came all this way just for Christmas?" Ethan asked incredulously. This wasn't the first time Chloe Forsyth had visited Inspiration? Ethan clamped his lips shut, controlling the sudden burning need to know when Chloe had last visited the town. And also why she would leave her hometown at this time of year. Ethan dragged in a deep breath, telling himself Zane was right. Chloe Forsyth's personal affairs were none of his concern.

  He saw a flicker of uncertainty in Chloe's eyes. She glanced at Eugenie and Zane. "Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for family, Mr Armstrong." Chloe lifted a brow. "Or don't you already know that." Her green gaze cut deeply into him, making something new stir inside him.

  Instantly, Ethan felt as if the beautiful newcomer had put him firmly in his place. He cleared his throat. "Sure I have family, ma'am. Ma, pa and my sister always make sure to have the best Christmas we possibly can."

  "I'm glad to hear you have a good family," Chloe said.

  Ethan heard a loud, dismissive grunt from Zane. Ethan's eyes met Zane's unflinching gaze. Ethan saw curiosity flash across Chloe's features. If only she knew the truth, Ethan told himself. Maybe she'd find out, once she'd spent some time at the Buchanan ranch.

  A sudden boldness seized Ethan. "Do you have family in Salt Lake City, ma'am?"

  Chloe's face paled visibly. Ethan knew he'd stepped over a line. As if sensing his cousins discomfort, Zane leaned closer to Ethan and spoke emphatically. "That's none of your business, Ethan," Zane growled. Zane heaved the bag and glanced at Eugenie. "Ready ma?"

  Eugenie nodded. "The carriage is waiting over there, Chloe. Everyone is so excited to see you back."

  Eugenie nodded politely at Ethan. "Mr Armstrong," she said evenly. Chloe stared uncertainly at Ethan as Eugenie started to lead her away from him. Then, all three of them started to make their way along the platform. It seemed the conversation had been brought to an abrupt end. The Buchanans never had been open to negotiating, Ethan told himself. As Ethan watched them moving away, frustration flickered into life inside him. He had to speak to Zane. This feud had been going on for too long. It had to stop.

  "Zane," Ethan called out as he started to make his way toward the fellow rancher. "Hold up a moment."

  Ethan was momentarily pleased to see that Zane was prepared to give him a chance to say what was on his mind. Zane said some quiet words to Eugenie and Chloe. Both women continued on toward where Ethan assumed the carriage was waiting.

  By the time Ethan was facing Zane, both women had stepped off the platform and were out of earshot. Maybe it was time for some plain speaking, Ethan told himself. He might not get another chance.

  "You and I have to talk, Zane," Ethan said.

  Zane frowned. "Why should I even listen to you, Ethan?"

  "We have to put an end to this feud, Zane," Ethan pleaded. "It's gone on long enough."

  "You're telling me that? We weren't the ones who started this," Zane countered.

  Ethan felt frustration tighten inside himself. He gritted his teeth and bit back the words which almost leaped from his mouth. He paused, trying to calm himself. "Now that ain't fair, Zane. And you know it. We didn't mean to infringe on your land. We'd just moved in. Taken possession of the ranch. One thing led to another. It was just a misunderstanding."

  "Tell that to your pa," Zane snapped, his voice suddenly loud. "He seemed to know exactly what he was doing, Ethan."

  Ethan sighed. "My pa ain't the man he used to be, Zane. You know that. Since he had his injury, he hasn't been able to see things right."

  Zane's brows furrowed. He tilted his head disbelievingly. "What about you, Ethan? Do you see things right?"

  "What are you saying?"

  Zane lowered his head and peered into Ethan's eyes. "I'm saying that I think you know exactly what's going on, Ethan." Zane grunted. "Don't try fooling me. First we had the cattle going missing. Then they turned up on your ranch."

  Ethan shook his head firmly. "That was nothing to do with me, or any of our ranch hands."

  "Then we had the fences being damaged and some of our cattle coming down with fever. Just like some of yours. It was too much of a coincidence."

  Ethan groaned. "Nothing to do with us, Zane."

  Zane lifted a skeptical brow and said nothing.

  Ethan continued. "You know my family are good people. We don't want trouble with any of our neighboring ranches. Especially not the Buchanan family spread."

  "Things haven't been the same since this summer when you and your family took over that ranch north of ours." Zane sighed heavily. "Everything was fine for the last couple of years. The last time we had trouble like this was when Calhoun tried to cheat us out of our legal right to own the land." Zane laughed. "Of course, he failed. Ever since then, my pa and my brothers haven't let anyone interfere with what's ours. Not one bit." Zane leaned closer. "And that's the way it's going to stay, Ethan." Zane glowered at Ethan. "You can tell that to your pa."

  Ethan opened his arms wide. "Zane. What you're saying doesn't make sense. Why would my family do anything to harm your interests?"

  "I don't know, Ethan," Zane replied. "You're the only one who can answer that question."

  Ethan felt the chance to persuade Zane slipping through his fingers. "We have to end this feud, Zane. Otherwise it'll only get worse."

  Zane scowled. "Is that a threat, Armstrong? Because, if it is, I don't take kindly to threats. And neither do my three brothers."

  Ethan shook his head. "I'm not threatening you. I'm just asking you to believe me." Ethan leaned forward. "To trust me."

  Zane peered disbelievingly at Ethan. "Trust has to be won, Ethan." He shook his head. "There's been too much trouble between our families these past few months. It's going to take something real special to prove to my folks that any of the Armstrong family can be trusted."

  Ethan gasped as Zane heaved the bag, turned on his heel and took a step away from Ethan. Suddenly, Zane halted and turned to face Ethan. "By the way," Zane said with a grave, heavy voice. "Stay away from Chloe."

  Ethan stared incredulously at Zane. "Why would I think of going anywhere near her?"

  Zane tilted his head. He said nothing. His gaze became dark. During the brief time he'd been living on this territory, Ethan had heard plenty of stories about Zane Buchanan. That he was a fair man. A godly man. But also that he was fiercely protective of every member of his family, especially his wife and child. And that protectiveness meant Zane wouldn't let anyone interfere in the lives of those he loved the
most.

  Zane leaned closer. "Chloe's family to us, Ethan," Zane murmured. "Don't you go forgetting that." Those last words were accompanied by a searing look which made Ethan straighten. He could see the fiery determination in Zane's eyes. The Buchanan determination, Ethan told himself.

  Then, Zane turned quickly and strode off in the direction of the carriage. Ethan ran a hand through his hair and spun on his heels. Steam pulsed from beneath the train's engine, loosening a built-up pressure which felt all too familiar to Ethan. He'd failed to persuade Zane.

  Again.

  CHAPTER THREE

  "Welcome back to Inspiration," Eugenie announced excitedly as she gestured toward the buildings on either side of the street.

  Chloe smiled and sighed contentedly. "I'm so glad to be back. It's still as beautiful as I remembered it."

  "We got some new stores," Zane explained. He frowned. "It's not all good news, though. Calhoun opened up another saloon. Guess there was no stopping him."

  Eugenie shrugged. "Just means more work for the sheriff," she declared.

  Summoning up her courage, and needing to get an answer, Chloe turned to Eugenie. "About that man back at the station," Chloe said. She saw Zane's brows furrow. "What did he want?"

  Zane and Eugenie exchanged looks. Eugenie smiled patiently. "He's just someone who moved into a ranch that borders onto ours. Him and his family moved in this summer." Eugenie sighed. "We've been having some difficulties with Ethan and his family."

  Zane grunted. "That's putting it mildly, ma," he announced.

  Eugenie turned to face her son. "Now, what have I told you, Zane? There's going to come a point when we have to face up to the facts. This disagreement between us and the Armstrong family is going to have to come to an end. And the sooner the better."

  Chloe saw Zane's fingers tighten around the carriage's reins. "How ma? You know the kinds of things they've been getting up to."

  "You don't have clear proof it is their doing," Eugenie countered.

  Zane sighed heavily and fell silent. Chloe tried not to smile at the way Eugenie was dominating the conversation. Her aunt was a strong-minded woman. She'd had to be, Chloe reflected. Eugenie and her husband Caleb had brought up a family of brothers in spite of all the odds being stacked against them.

  Eugenie settled a hand on Chloe's arm. "We'll tell you all about it later, Chloe. You needn't worry yourself for now." Eugenie smiled. "It's Christmas. And that's all that matters."

  Chloe nodded, realizing she'd have to wait before finding out more about the handsome Ethan Armstrong and the apparent trouble he and his family were causing her relatives.

  Riding up Main Street, on the carriage, sitting between Eugenie and Zane, Chloe tried to put the events at the station out of her mind. The man, Ethan Armstrong, had unsettled her. Judging from what had been said, there seemed to be some sort of trouble going on between him and the Buchanan family. Right now, feeling the way she did, the last thing Chloe wanted to think about was anything which would interfere with the joy of a Buchanan family Christmas.

  She gazed up the length of Main Street and sighed contentedly. It felt so good to be back in Inspiration. The air was chill, fresh with the promise of snow. A white Christmas in Inspiration. And at the Buchanan ranch. Chloe smiled to herself. That notion filled Chloe with instant anticipation. Main Street was busy with townsfolk going about their daily business. She recognized some of them. A few even waved at Chloe, recognizing her. She'd never known a place as welcoming as Inspiration.

  Chloe thought about her previous visits. This was the third time Chloe had traveled to Inspiration just so she could spend time with her beloved relatives. Aunt Eugenie was sister to Chloe's late mother, Louise. The bonds between Louise and Eugenie had always been strong, despite the distance which had separated the families. Chloe had grown up in Salt Lake City. Her parents had both passed in recent years, leaving Chloe to build a life for herself. Things hadn't gone smoothly, particularly during the last year. The sadness and disappointment of the last few months triggered a familiar sensation in her middle. Chloe forced her attention away from those things. She was just glad to be a long way from Salt Lake City. At least for the next few weeks.

  Chloe saw the jailhouse door open. Sheriff Nathan Cameron stepped out onto the boardwalk. Seeing Chloe, he smiled broadly and then tipped his hat at her. Chloe waved back at Nathan. She knew him and his wife, Sophie, having visited with the Camerons on previous visits. Chloe had resisted Sophie's determined efforts to find a husband for her. Given what had taken place this year back in Salt Lake City, Chloe figured she might have been wiser allowing Sophie to do what she did best. Find a husband with whom Chloe could settle down in Inspiration. But, every attempt had been in vain. None of the local men had impressed Chloe. Of course, at the time, not finding a husband had been disappointing. As far as Chloe was concerned, there was no finer place to live than this beautiful godly Montana town. She dragged in a deep breath. She'd come here to find some joy, not dwell on past failures.

  Chloe chatted with Eugenie and Zane as the carriage made its way out of town and along the northbound trail which would lead, eventually, to the Buchanan ranch. She took in the wondrous sight of the beautiful Montana land. The rangeland rolled away into the distance. Beyond that she could see forests and a winding river which glistened in the bright sunshine. The mountains were snow-topped. It wouldn't be long before the snow came to the Buchanan ranch, Chloe told herself. And then it really would be Christmas.

  She recalled last year, sitting by the roaring fire in the ranch parlor, opening gifts on Christmas day, surrounded by the only family she had left in the world. Uncle Caleb, aunt Eugenie and their four sons, each of whom had beautiful, gracious wives. Of course there were also grandchildren who had come along immediately after Zane, Gideon, Micah and Reese had married. Chloe's heart warmed as she recalled the wonderful, warm feelings of the Buchanan family doing what they did best. Being together. Loving one another. Giving their thanks to God. And making Chloe feel completely at home and a part of the family.

  That was why she'd come all the way from Salt Lake City. To feel the connection of family. God had been gracious to her, Chloe reminded herself. He'd provided for her now that her own parents had been taken home to God. Chloe's heart filled with gratitude as she thought about how He had granted her this wonderful grace in her life. With her daily prayers, Chloe made sure to thank her God for all that He'd brought into her life.

  Chloe recalled the marriage which had taken place soon after Christmas last year when Grace Buchanan and Josh Munro had wed. Josh had returned to his father's ranch to the east of Inspiration. He and Grace had overcome great odds to claim their second chance at happiness. And they were a family, too. Ryan, the young boy Josh had adopted before returning to Montana, was their pride and joy. Chloe looked forward to meeting them all again.

  Chloe thought about her father, Benjamin. He'd been a godly man and had done everything he could to ensure that Chloe had been brought up to have a solid faith in God. Her father, a businessman, had been closely involved in helping the church get established in Salt Lake City. He'd been a volunteer and had provided financial support to the growing congregation. But then, a few years back, he'd been taken away by a sudden illness, leaving Chloe with her mother, Louise. Chloe's mother had felt the absence of her husband keenly and, three years ago, she herself had passed away after a brief battle with illness.

  It was after her mother's passing that Chloe had started coming to visit her only living relatives. Eugenie had insisted on Chloe spending every Christmas with the Buchanan family from now on. And, Chloe had been more than happy to travel the distance by train to Inspiration each winter. The last three Christmases had been just about the happiest she'd ever known, Chloe reflected. Although nothing would ever replace the wonderful Christmases she'd spent growing up as an only child with her parents.