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

by Maya Stirling

  "I know we have to try to be sympathetic, Chloe," Eugenie admitted. "But, you have to understand one thing about Jake Armstrong." Eugenie leaned forward and peered into Chloe's eyes. "Since he and his family moved here in the summertime, Jake has done everything he can to interfere with our ranch. And he has never apologized. Not once."

  "How do you know it's him behind all the trouble?" Chloe asked.

  Eugenie frowned. "Whatever do you mean?"

  "The man I met up at the ranch looked beaten,"Chloe explained. "He doesn't look as if he has the strength to harm a fly, let alone cause mischief on the Buchanan ranch."

  "He gets others to do his dirty work," Eugenie stated.

  Although Eugenie tried to make her statement sound definitive, Chloe could detect a note of doubt in her aunt's voice. "I don't think you believe that, aunt Eugenie," Chloe said firmly. "You wouldn't have made the suggestion to help up at the Armstrong place if you thought Jake was that bad."

  Eugenie leaned back in the chair and examined Chloe carefully. "You're wise beyond your years, young lady," Eugenie said and then smiled. "But then, your mother was like that, too." Eugenie's gaze softened. "Your mother was always able to see through any facade people put up. She could cut through the mask and see the genuine person hiding beneath." Eugenie tilted her head and her eyes brightened. "Can I tell you something? You're not going to believe this."

  "Sure," Chloe replied, wondering what her aunt was going to say.

  "Your mother was the reason I married Caleb," Eugenie stated.

  Chloe stared incredulously at Eugenie. "What do you mean?"

  Eugenie's gaze looked beyond Chloe, as if she was contemplating a distant past. "When I met Caleb, I didn't really like him."

  Chloe gasped. "But you married him."

  Eugenie nodded. "And that was solely down to your mother. She was the one who saw past Caleb's gruff exterior," she said. Lifting her chin, she sighed. "An exterior which hasn't become less grumpy during these passing years, I might add," Eugenie said, grinning reflectively. She regarded Chloe carefully. "But I love your uncle. I always have considered myself fortunate to have married him. And I have to thank your dear mother for persuading me to see sense and accept Caleb's proposal when it came."

  Chloe had always been under the impression that Eugenie and Caleb had always enjoyed a special relationship, one probably based on love at first sight. She was astonished that the truth was something very different. She wondered why her aunt would be telling her this. Then she realized it had to do with Jake Armstrong. Perhaps Eugenie was trying to tell Chloe not to judge Jake too harshly.

  "I've been guilty of letting my own emotions cloud my judgment," Eugenie admitted. "That's why I suggested we do something to heal the rift between us and the Armstrong family. I know how easy it is to make a mistake."

  "Jake is in pain," Chloe stated, recalling the way she'd seen Jake struggle to control his anguish during her brief visit. "I can see it in his eyes. In every one of his movements." Chloe shook her head. "He's lost all hope. And that isn't right. No-one should ever lose hope. God gives us hope because He loves us. He wants us to look forward to a bright future. To make the most of our lives." Chloe groaned quietly. "It's so sad to see Jake like that. It makes me want to do something to show him that there is another way."

  "And that's why we need to end the feud between our two families," Eugenie agreed. "It can't go on much longer." Eugenie paused and then continued. "Did you meet Ethan while you were there?"

  Instantly, heat flushed Chloe's cheeks. There was nothing she could do to control it. "Yes," Chloe said abruptly. She saw Eugenie grin knowingly.

  "And did he tell you why he bought the nativity scene at the mercantile?" Eugenie asked.

  Recalling the promise she'd given to Ethan, when Chloe spoke, she weighed her words carefully. "It's going to be something special for Christmas up at the Armstrong ranch."

  "I'm sure it is," Eugenie agreed. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at Chloe. "You weren't mad at him for buying it, were you? I saw the disappointment on your face when I told you."

  "Mad? Why would I be angry at Ethan?" Chloe said, realizing too late that she'd addressed Ethan by his first name. It was too late to take those words back. Not that she really wanted to, anyway, Chloe told herself.

  Eugenie merely lifted one brow, and said nothing. But, Chloe was sure the slip had been noted.

  "So, what is the situation up at the Armstrong place?" Eugenie asked finally. "Are they going to let you go and help them prepare for Christmas, just like we suggested? Is Jake happy for you to do that?"

  Chloe nodded. "Uh huh," she replied.

  Eugenie's brows lifted in surprise. She nodded, obviously impressed with the outcome. "That is good news," she said. "I heard he'd told Ethan not to allow anyone near the ranch. Jake's usually a man who seldom changes his opinion." Eugenie regarded Chloe thoughtfully. "You must have made a good impression on him."

  Chloe thought about the closing moments of her visit to the Armstrong ranch. She'd stood in the parlor and looked Jake straight in the eye and asked him if he'd be happy for her to come visit the ranch again. Chloe had known she'd taken a risk. She'd fully expected a firm refusal from Jake. Instead, Jake had looked slowly from his wife to both Ethan and Gretchen. Then, he'd nodded, without smiling, and granted Chloe permission to come to the ranch again. Curiously, Chloe had felt elated at that. Walking outside with Ethan, she'd told him how relieved she was that his father had consented to her continued visits. Judging by Ethan's bright expression, he was also pleased.

  As if she was reading Chloe's mind, Eugenie spoke with a hint of mischievousness. "I'm sure Ethan is pleased you'll be paying more visits."

  "I hardly know him, aunt," Chloe objected, trying to make her voice sound as emphatic as possible.

  "He's a handsome young man," Eugenie said. "In fact, Ethan is one of the reasons I've been having my doubts about who's causing the trouble between our ranches."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Anyone who can raise a son like Ethan can't be all bad," Eugenie declared quietly. "I've heard good things about him in town. That he's courteous and civil. And, he's been in church these past few months." Eugenie frowned. "That just doesn't match with a man who'd maliciously steal cattle from another family's ranch." Eugenie thought a moment before continuing. "I think there's more to this feud than meets the eye."

  "In what way, aunt Eugenie?"

  Eugenie sighed and shook her head. "Don't you go worrying yourself about that, Chloe." Eugenie gazed around the parlor at the red and green decorations which had been piled on the table by the window. "We've got a Christmas to arrange. And that's the real reason you came here."

  Eugenie went to the table and lifted the ribbons. "These will look good hanging just below the ceiling."

  Chloe went to her aunt and took the ribbons, playing with them in her fingers. "Why don't we get started," she suggested.

  Eugenie smiled. "That's a good idea," she replied.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  She was late. Ethan paced the yard in front of the Armstrong ranch house. His booted feet thudded on the hard earth. The late morning air was chilly and there were heavy-looking clouds in the sky. The promise of snow hung in the frosty air. Wrapped up in his thick, fur-lined jacket, and with a Stetson secured firmly on his head, Ethan still felt the cold. He clapped his gloved hands together trying to ward off the biting cold. His breath was a steamy cloud in front of his face.

  He glanced occasionally in the direction of the trail, eager to see any sign of Chloe. Frustratingly, the trail was empty. Ethan glanced at the ranch house. His mother and Gretchen were in the kitchen. His father was resting in his room, which doubled as an office. These days reading took up much of Jake's time. But not, it seemed, the large-sized Bible which had been in the family for years. That rested on the shelf where it had been placed months before. From time to time, Ethan had suggested, usually on Sundays, that he read from Scripture. But,
each time he'd made the suggestion, his father's reaction had been firm and emphatic.

  Relieved he was alone outside the ranch house, Ethan hoped he'd get a chance to speak with Chloe alone. If she arrived just before eleven, as she'd promised she would, he told himself. Of course she would. He had the impression she was the kind of person who would keep a promise, no matter what it took.

  The day before, in the parlor of the ranch, he'd seen the strength of her character on full display as she'd held her own in the long conversation with Jake. His father hadn't made things easy for Chloe. But that hadn't affected the feisty young woman who was fast finding a way into Ethan's heart.

  Even as he played with that thought, he felt his heart warm, safe from the chill of the cold morning air. Ethan smiled as he recalled each little moment when Chloe had stood her ground when she'd spoken with his father. Of course, she'd been pleasant enough about everything. She hadn't been rude to his father. But, she had made sure he understood she had firm opinions, especially about matters of faith. That particular part of the conversation, which had taken place after tea, had been difficult. Chloe had spoken passionately about how her faith had helped her get through the pain and sorrow of her parents' passing. Her words had impressed Ethan. And, eventually, he'd seen a similar, reluctant reaction on his father's face. Maybe, against all the odds, Chloe would win Jake over, Ethan told himself. Perhaps, this Christmas might turn out to be memorable for all the right reasons.

  Ethan heard the rattle of wheels. He turned and saw a carriage thundering up the trail toward the ranch house. He smiled to himself, feeling a sudden delight take hold of him. Chloe was seated on the carriage. Gladness filled his heart as he prepared for her arrival.

  The carriage drew to a halt near the barn. Chloe stepped down from the carriage. She was dressed in a beautifully tailored dark-red gown and dark gray overcoat. From beneath her green fur-lined hat loose locks of blonde hair tumbled down to her shoulders. Her cheeks were pink with the exertions of the drive over to the ranch, and with the chill in the air.

  "I thought you'd never get here," he said teasingly.

  Chloe halted and gazed for a long moment at Ethan. "It took me longer than I thought to get ready. There's a lot going on at the Buchanan place."

  Ethan ran his gaze down the length of the gown. "Looks like you're getting into the Christmas spirit with that choice of gown."

  Chloe frowned and glanced down at her gown. Hadn't she realized she'd chosen the perfect colors for Christmas? Or had the choice been instinctive?

  Chloe looked at the locked barn door. "Have you been doing what I suggested?"

  Before leaving the day before, Chloe had given Ethan some ideas about how he could begin to create something special inside the barn. How he could use the nativity as a center-piece for what could be a truly unique Christmas environment. One his family could enjoy, as well as any visitors. "I have a problem," he replied hesitantly.

  Chloe's brows furrowed. "Really?" she asked clasping her hands primly at her middle. Ethan took a brief moment to savor the sight of his very prim and proper companion regarding him with a look of casual disbelief.

  Ethan nodded. "Everything you suggested sounded great. Until I realized I don't have anything I can use to make it a reality. I mean, you were telling me about candles and ribbons and making my own bunting. And that was just the start."

  "Well? What's wrong with that?" she asked, lifting a skeptical brow.

  "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a rancher by profession," Ethan exclaimed.

  "Are you telling me you never helped around the home when it came to getting ready for Christmas?" she asked.

  Ethan dragged a booted foot across the ground and lowered his head. Looking back up at Chloe, he replied. "Me and pa usually left that to the women of the house."

  Chloe's mouth opened and formed an O shape. "I can't believe you said that."

  "Well, it's true," Ethan pleaded. He shrugged. "Ma and Gretchen took charge of Christmas decorations every year."

  "You don't know how to make decorations?" She sounded incredulous. As if the idea was simply unthinkable. "What about the ones you used back in Colorado?"

  "We left a lot of stuff back there," he explained. "There's only so much you can carry in a Conestoga wagon. Christmas decorations weren't exactly a priority."

  The second he uttered those words, Ethan knew he'd made a terrible mistake. Chloe gasped as if he'd said the most awful thing imaginable. She turned away from him and took a few measured paces, apparently trying to calm herself. When she turned back to face him, she saw indignation in her eyes. "I can see I'm going to have my work cut out with you," she declared.

  "Why can't my ma and Gretchen help with what's inside there?" Ethan said gesturing toward the locked barn.

  Chloe moved closer to Ethan. "Because we agreed it was going to be a surprise, that's why, Ethan."

  Her breathing was fast and her eyes were bright. Chloe possessed an amazing vitality which Ethan savored shamelessly. This close, seeing her pretty features and catching her scent on the cold breeze, Ethan was glad she'd come all the way from the Buchanan ranch. Even if it was to give him a dressing down.

  Chloe sighed. "We'll have to go into town and buy some things."

  That took Ethan by surprise. "When?"

  Chloe straightened and peered at Ethan. "The sooner the better."

  "Today?" he asked.

  Chloe nodded. "I suppose we'll have to. Otherwise, I don't know what you're going to do." Chloe glanced at the barn. "That nativity you bought has to have something special. Just to bring out its beauty."

  Ever cautious, Ethan glanced up at the sky. "It looks like it might snow."

  Chloe followed his gaze and shrugged. "We won't take long. We'll be back after lunchtime."

  "You're sure about that," he stated.

  Chloe lifted one disapproving brow. "I know exactly what you need to buy. And, unless there has been a sudden rush for materials at the mercantile, I'm sure we'll get what we need."

  Schooling his features as best he could, Ethan told himself that what he needed was to find any excuse to spend time with Chloe. The prospect of going into town with her delighted him. He wasn't about to throw away the chance of being with her today. Not even if he ran the risk of meeting one of the Buchanan brothers. That could turn unpleasant pretty quickly. He told himself he'd deal with that if it happened.

  "Your carriage or mine?" he asked.

  Her brows crinkled suddenly and he thought he might have seemed too eager. "We can go in mine, if you like." She started to walk away from him. He stood for a long moment, simply enjoying the sight of the feisty woman striding across the yard. She looked unbelievably cute, he told himself. Trying to suppress a grin of satisfaction, he started to follow her.

  She halted abruptly and turned to him. Her brows furrowed and her mouth pouted sweetly. Ethan felt his pulse race. "You coming?" she asked frostily.

  He touched the brim of his hat. "I'm on my way, ma'am," he teased and gave her a grin.

  Chloe squinted at him. There was a reply on her lips. He readied himself for it, sure it was going to be stinging, but it didn't come. Instead, she flounced away from him and resumed her rapid pace toward the carriage.

  As he followed her, Ethan told himself today was going to be a good day in Inspiration.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Chloe groaned. Ethan was impossible. It was that simple.

  Inside the mercantile, it was warm. At least that was something to be pleased about. Leaning against the counter, she stared at Ethan as he walked slowly between the stacked shelves, examining things as if he really knew what he was doing. Not for the first time during the last hour, Chloe felt irritation flicker into life. What was he looking for?