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

by Maya Stirling

  Jake still hadn't gotten used to not being able to remember things well. The fall from the horse, back in October, had left his father unable to recall so many things. Particularly the events of the day of the fall. The doctor didn't know whether that situation would be temporary or permanent. But, for now, Jake Armstrong would have to get used to it. And his father wasn't exactly the most patient man, even at the best of times, Ethan reflected.

  "Let me see what they want," Ethan insisted, moving past his father and out to the hallway.

  Ethan's mother, Lilian, came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a white apron. His mother's eyes were bright with curiosity. "Is that Eugenie Buchanan I see out there?"

  Ethan nodded. "Sure is. And she's got company."

  "The young woman you told me about?" Lilian asked.

  Ethan nodded, feeling momentarily self-conscious. Especially with the way his mother was looking at him.

  "You didn't tell me she was pretty," Lilian said, loosening her apron.

  From inside the parlor came Jake's gruff voice. "No Buchanan woman can be described as pretty, Lilian. They're all cut from the same cloth."

  Ethan turned and faced his father. "She's Mrs Buchanan's niece, pa. She ain't a real Buchanan."

  Jake shook his head. "It don't matter a hoot. They're all the same. Looking after their own interests. You've seen the way they've been with us since we took this ranch."

  Lilian moved past Ethan and faced her husband. "What did I tell you about that kind of talk, Jake Armstrong. This feud has been going on long enough."

  Jake grunted. "Try telling that to Caleb Buchanan and his boys every time they run Ethan off their spread. Or every time they accuse our own boy of doing something he had no involvement in." Jake's voice rose to fever pitch. "They're not the kind of folk we can bargain with, Lilian. You know that."

  Jake's breathing was faster now. Lilian laid a calming hand on Jake's shoulder. "Keep your voice down, Jake," Lilian said. She turned to Ethan, sighed and then ran a hand across her neatly-arranged gray hair. His mother was dressed in a plain gray gown which almost perfectly matched her hair. The past few months had been tough for his mother. And it was showing. Lilian had shadows beneath her eyes, and the normal spark in her demeanor had faded these past weeks. It was plain to see that the needs of dealing with Jake's memory loss had been demanding.

  "Let me go out and see what they want, ma," Ethan suggested.

  "I'll come with you," Lilian added. Seeing Ethan about to protest, she lifted a hand. "Eugenie and I have been talking recently."

  "What!" Jake exclaimed. "You never told me that."

  Lilian smiled at her husband. She planted hands on her hips and peered at Jake. "I wasn't aware I needed your permission to talk to anyone, Jake Armstrong," she chided. Unusually for his mother, Ethan could see her cheeks turn red with emotion. She lifted a querying brow. Jake stared back at Lilian, clearly dumbstruck by his wife's sudden outburst.

  Ethan hid a smile, knowing it would only provoke his father even more if he saw that his son was amused. Now that Jake had been quietened, Ethan decided it was safe to head out to the yard. He opened the door to the ranch house and stepped out onto the porch.

  Eugenie had parked the buckboard halfway between the single level ranch house and the corral over by the barn. She and Chloe were already standing alongside the buckboard, waiting for someone to emerge from the house. That single fact told Ethan that Eugenie must have been worried about knocking on the front door. Judging by what had just taken place inside the house, Ethan figured it might have been a wise choice.

  Lilian walked over to Eugenie. Both women hugged. Alongside Eugenie, Chloe stood looking hesitantly from the two women to Ethan. Outside, in the bright late-morning sun, Chloe looked even more striking. Her blonde tresses rested against the shoulder of her green dress. Chloe's wide eyes were bright with curiosity. Seeing them shimmer with vitality made something shift inside Ethan. He moved on his heels, uncertain about the best way to welcome her to the ranch. He was slightly amazed she'd come, especially after what had happened down at the station.

  "Good morning, Miss Forsyth," Ethan said awkwardly.

  "You haven't met my niece, have you Lilian," Eugenie said to Ethan's mother. "She has come all the way from Salt Lake City."

  "My oh my, that's quite a distance," Lilian exclaimed. She smiled at Chloe. "Welcome to Montana. Is this your first time here?"

  Chloe shook her head. "I've been here every Christmas these past two years."

  Ethan had to admit he found that fact amazing. "All the way from Utah?"

  Chloe lifted a brow. "As you saw yesterday, Mr Armstrong. The train service is really quite reliable," she said with a teasing tone of voice. Ethan felt a shiver of delight. He had no objection to the beautiful newcomer mocking him. On the contrary, it was a welcome change from the frosty reception she'd given him yesterday, he told himself.

  Lilian gasped. "Let's all drop the formalities, shall we? First names are so much nicer." Lilian turned to Eugenie. "Don't you agree, Eugenie?"

  Eugenie nodded. "Ethan and Chloe already met," she explained. She looked at Lilian. "But, I'm sure Ethan told you all about Chloe."

  "He sure did," Lilian replied. "Although he failed to mention how pretty Miss Forsyth is." Ethan instantly thought that, the way his mother had said that made it sound like he and Lilian had spoken at length about Chloe. Ethan saw Chloe's face flush red. Seemed like he wasn't the only one to get that impression.

  "What did you come to talk to me about?" Lilian asked Eugenie.

  Eugenie started to lead Lilian away from Ethan and Chloe. "Let's you and I take a little stroll and I'll tell what I've been thinking, Lilian. I have an idea about how we can get our menfolk to start behaving themselves."

  Lilian's brows rose. "That sounds intriguing."

  Eugenie glanced back at Chloe. "Maybe you and Ethan can repair the bridges you burned yesterday," Eugenie suggested. "I'll be a few minutes with Lilian."

  Ethan saw Chloe's eyes widen. She looked like she was panicking about the prospect of standing in the yard and talking with him. Ethan strode over to Chloe. "I'll show Chloe around the ranch, ma," Ethan suggested. Those words merely made Chloe's eyes widen even more. Ethan smiled at her, but she just frowned in response. This wasn't going to be easy, he told himself.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  This close to her, Ethan could see that she was even more beautiful than he'd realized. Her skin was perfectly clear, her blonde hair neatly curled on either side of her head beneath her bonnet. Her features were undeniably pretty. Beautiful. But there was a suspicion buried deep in her eyes that made his own smile suddenly hesitant. In spite of that look, Ethan could feel his heart thumping quicker than usual. He could feel his pulse quicken. She'd had the same effect on him the day before. His mind became clouded. All he could think of was how lovely she was. Was it possible to be instantly attracted to someone?

  Trying to disguise what he was thinking, he asked: "You don't mind me showing you around, do you?" His voice cracked with emotion, causing him to clear his throat. He figured she must have noticed the effect she was having on him. If she had noticed, she was doing a good job of hiding it, he told himself. Her expression was blank. Unreadable. This was a woman who possessed great self-control.

  She shrugged. "I guess not." She ran her gaze across the ranch house. "Your place is smaller than my aunt and uncle's ranch house."

  "It's big enough for our needs. There's just me, my parents and my sister, Gretchen." He looked deeply into her eyes and saw her blush. "We don't need much space."

  "Where is your sister today?" she asked.

  "Gretchen went into town," he replied. "You can meet her next time you come over."

  She narrowed her eyes. "What makes you think there'll be a next time?" she snapped quietly. Her steady gaze made him feel instantly unsure of himself.

  Desperate for some kind of distraction, Ethan glanced over at his mother and Eugenie Buchanan. Both
women were talking excitedly about something. He couldn't hear what they were saying. But, whatever it was, it had to be important for Eugenie to come all the way over to the ranch. And to bring the attractive Miss Forsyth. They were cooking something up between them. Maybe it had to do with trying to end the feud between the Buchanan and Armstrong menfolk.

  Because there was one thing which was true. The feud which had been running these past few months had almost exclusively been between the men of the two families. In fact, it was clear to Ethan that today's visit from Eugenie and Chloe was the most recent of a number of attempts by the womenfolk of the families to put an end to the feud. Ethan thought about the number of times his mother had pleaded with his father to see sense and halt his animosity toward Caleb Buchanan and his own sons. But every one of those attempts had fallen on deaf ears. Ethan had always known his father was a stubborn man. But, he'd had no idea just how determined he could be if it meant not backing down or showing even the slightest bit of humility. Meanwhile, every time Ethan and the Buchanan men went anywhere near each other, fireworks were guaranteed.

  Once again, Ethan peered across at Eugenie and his mother. They were still talking in low voices. Ethan's gaze drifted to Chloe. She looked suddenly thoughtful. Did she know something about the real reason for this visit? Ethan led Chloe over toward the corral. Then he led her to the stables. She showed polite interest. She surprised him by asking to see the inside of the barn. In spite of his puzzlement, Ethan opened the barn door. Chloe peered inside, inspecting the half-filled barn. Equipment was stacked against the wooden walls. Bales of hay were piled up against the far wall. There was a wide empty space in the middle of the room. Chloe wandered inside, gazing around as if she was weighing up the room, as if she was examining it for possibilities. She didn't say a word the whole time she was inside the barn. Ethan was happy to follow along beside her.

  Just before leaving the barn, Ethan lifted a brow and peered inquisitively at Chloe. "I've never seen anyone so interested in the inside of a barn," he said.

  Her bow-shaped mouth tightened slightly and she looked straight into his eyes. "You'd be surprised what you can do with a space like this."

  Ethan frowned and looked around the inside of the barn. "It's just a barn."

  Chloe shook her head and smiled. "Right now, it is. But, with a little bit of attention to the right details a space like this could become so much more."

  Ethan frowned. He didn't have a clue what she was talking about. Before he had a chance to say anything else, Chloe strode out the barn's open doors. Ethan paused a few moments and then followed quickly. Outside, over by the corral, Chloe was standing, hand on hip, gazing at the exterior of the ranch house. She ran her gaze, slowly and thoughtfully, along the entire length of the house. Every once in a while she made a little sound, as if she was confirming some thought to herself.

  Ethan knew his family's place was much smaller than the grand ranch house the Buchanan family owned. But, from what he'd heard, all the four brothers and their wives lived in cabins on different parts of the spread. It must be a cold and empty house most of the time, Ethan told himself. He'd heard stories that there was a reason the Buchanan brothers occupied different parts of their spread. Something to do with maintaining land rights. Perhaps that was one reason they were so protective of every inch of the land. They'd been burned in the past, and they were determined not to go through anything like that again. He could understand the need to hold onto what was theirs. Life for his own family hadn't been easy. Giving up the ranch was unthinkable.

  "It's a nice little place," Chloe said softly.

  "Little?" Ethan echoed.

  Chloe nodded and crinkled her nose in a way that instantly affected him. "More like cute."

  Just like Chloe Forsyth, Ethan told himself silently. Ethan sighed. "This just gets worse and worse." He leaned back against the corral fence and peered at the ranch house. "Pa and I worked real hard to make this place good. When we bought the place, it was rundown. The former owners hadn't taken care of it. There were lots of repairs that needed doing."

  "Why hasn't your pa come out to meet us?" Chloe asked suddenly.

  Ethan hesitated, wondering how he could explain his father's reluctance to even talk with anyone from the Buchanan place. "He hasn't been well recently." Ethan saw Chloe's features darken with concern. "He had a fall. Took a tumble off a horse a few months back. Since then, he's had some problems with his memory. And he gets these headaches." Ethan shrugged. "They make him cranky from time to time."

  Chloe's concern looked genuine. "That's so sad." She peered into Ethan's eyes. He could see the sudden compassion in her eyes. "He is going to get better, isn't he?"

  Ethan tilted his head and sighed. "The doctor says it might be permanent. We still don't know."

  Chloe gasped quietly and lifted a hand to her mouth. "Oh, dear! I'm so sorry to hear that."

  For a moment, Ethan examined Chloe, trying to see any hint that her expression of sympathy might not be genuine. That she might be putting on an act. But her reaction looked completely authentic. "The whole thing has been hard on him. And my ma. She's worked real hard to help him, but some days he can be ornery. He's always been a proud man. Independent." Ethan tilted his head regretfully.

  "It must be difficult for him to get used to such a big change in his life," she said.

  Ethan felt his heart warm upon hearing Chloe's kind words. "You'll get to meet him," Ethan said. Ethan glanced over toward the house. "Maybe just not today."

  Chloe smiled and nodded. "I understand."

  Ethan heard his name being called out. He turned and saw Lilian and Eugenie making their way toward him and Chloe. There was an expectant look on both women's faces. "Looks like my ma and your aunt have something to tell us," Ethan declared.

  Lilian and Eugenie halted in front of Ethan and Chloe. Lilian looked straight at Chloe. "Your aunt has just had a wonderful idea, Chloe. Although, I think you already know what it is."

  Ethan saw Chloe glance nervously at him. He frowned and peered at his mother. "What are you talking about, ma?"

  "A way to put an end to this feud between our two families," Lilian stated. Ethan had to admit he hadn't seen his mother look this pleased since before his father's accident. "Between you menfolk," his mother added with a wry lifting of her brow.

  Ignoring that last remark, Ethan squinted at his mother. "How are you going to do that?" Ethan asked.

  Lilian smiled at Chloe. "It's Christmas. And we have the perfect person here who can make our first Christmas in Inspiration one that we'll never forget."

  Ethan frowned at Chloe. Her cheeks had flushed pink with the compliment from his mother. Chloe's gaze shifted nervously toward Ethan.

  Eugenie scooped her arm inside Chloe's. "My niece is an expert at dressing up even the most ordinary house for Christmas. I guess you could say it's her God-given talent. She has been given a wonderful eye for detail and what you might call a unique Christmas imagination."

  Ethan looked at Chloe. Had that been why she'd been scrutinizing the barn and the ranch house? Was she making plans for how she could make the Armstrong ranch look special for Christmas?

  Eugenie sighed excitedly. "Chloe has agreed to add her extra special touch and help make this ranch look beautiful for Christmas. And Lilian has agreed."

  Ethan's mouth dropped open. He stared, wide-eyed at Chloe. "Is this true?"

  Chloe nodded, still looking hesitant. Had she expected some kind of unpleasant reaction to this suggestion? "I've made my aunt's ranch house look special every year for the last two Christmases."

  Ethan looked from Chloe to Eugenie and then his mother. "And you think that'll help end this feud between our families?" He could hardly believe he was saying those words.

  "It's worth a try," Lilian said. "Christmas is all about coming together and sharing joy. That includes putting past hurts behind us. We need to do something to bring both of our families together. And there's nothing like Christmas t
o bring folks together. I think it's a wonderful idea."