Gift of Hope

by Shanna Hatfield

  “You’re right on time, Gaff. Have a good ride down the hill?” Ben asked as he took the reins to Happy from Grady.

  “The ride was fine,” he said, not wanting to go into details about what he’d found in the ravine. He stepped out of the saddle and lifted his saddlebags. “How are you and Allie doing?”

  Ben’s chest swelled with pride. “We’re doing dandy. My sweet bride is over at the house helping Jemma with some baking this morning. If you’re lucky, you might get to sample whatever it is they’re making. Jemma and Allie said they plan to make twice as many treats for Christmas this year as they did last year. Thane and I aren’t going to argue.”

  Grady chuckled and thumped Ben on the shoulder. “I reckon not. See you at lunch?” he asked as the young man started to lead Happy to the barn.

  “Yep, I’ll be there.” Ben gave him a wave then Grady turned toward the large two-story house. He pushed open the gate to the yard and was greeted by Sir Rigsly as the dog loped around the corner of the house.

  “Are you being a good boy, Rigs?” Grady asked, giving the dog a good scratch along his back before he hurried up the steps and across the porch. He’d just raised his hand to knock when Jack Jordan ran toward him from the direction of the bunkhouse with a grin on his face.

  “Welcome, Mr. Gaffney,” the boy called, racing up the steps and opening the front door then stepping back so he could enter the house.

  Grady smiled at him and walked inside. “Howdy, Jack. Are you getting excited for Christmas?”

  The boy’s eyes sparkled as he nodded his head and yanked off his coat. “I sure am. Mama and Aunt Allie are already busy making candy. And everyone is working on secret surprises.”

  “Those surprises are fun to make, aren’t they?” Grady recalled the times he’d made gifts for his family. Half the fun was keeping the present hidden until Christmas.

  “They are, sir.” Jack waited as Grady removed his coat, hat, and gloves, leaving them on the hall tree in the entry, then picked up his saddlebags. The boy walked with him down the hall to Thane’s office, although if anyone asked, Jemma referred to it as the library. “Dad said for you to go right in,” Jack said, then continued down the hall toward the kitchen.

  Grady stepped into the room and looked around. He could see why Jemma called it the library. One wall was covered in shelves that held books and an assortment of interesting items, like a globe of the world. Thane’s massive desk sat in front of windows that let in the morning sunlight.

  The room made him wonder if Jemma had recreated it to look like the library in her childhood home in England. The jeweled colors and rich wood made him feel out of place. At least until his employer hurried into the room, spurs jangling from his boots and straw clinging to the front of his denims.

  “Welcome, Gaff. Glad you could make it today,” Thane said, tossing a dust-coated hat on an empty chair and slinging his coat on top of it. He moved around the desk then motioned for Grady to take a seat on the other side of it. “Still snowy up at the mine?”

  “No,” Grady said, sinking into a leather chair. He always worried about getting something dirty at the elegant Jordan home, then Thane would breeze in with manure or mud on his boots, and Grady would feel at ease again. “It warmed up and melted off. Sure been nice to see the sunshine the last several days.”

  “We’ve enjoyed it, too. Makes it a might easier to get the work done.” Thane opened a drawer, lifted out a file and flipped it open, then reached for a sheaf of blank paper and his inkwell. “Let’s go through the reports and then I’ll take a look at the books.”

  An hour later, they’d just finished the reports when a tap at the door drew their gazes to the open portal. Allie Amick hurried inside carrying a large silver tray.

  “We thought you might need a little something to carry you through until lunch is ready,” Allie said, smiling at them both. “Nice to see you again, Gaffney.”

  “Thanks, Allie. I saw Ben outside. He said you and Jemma are already busy making holiday treats.” Grady watched as she set the tray on one end of Thane’s desk. Steam curled upward from two cups of coffee. There were cookies on one plate, while cheese and pear slices filled another.

  “We are. It would go a sight easier if we could keep the young ones out from underfoot.” Allie looked at Thane. “Lily would love to spend the afternoon with you.”

  Thane grinned and handed Grady a cup of coffee. “I’m sure she would and I’m sure you and Jemma would love for me to take her. We’ll see after lunch.”

  Allie nodded then sailed out of the room.

  “Lily still keeping everyone on their toes?” Grady asked as he helped himself to a soft molasses cookie.

  “That child…” Thane shook his head. “If Bolt grows up to be like her, Jemma and I are doomed.”

  Grady snickered then looked at Thane. “How is the baby getting along?” Thane and Jemma had welcomed Bolton to their family just before Easter.

  Fatherly pride was evident on Thane’s face as he leaned back in his chair. “He’s dandy. He’s been crawling all over the place and just last night, he tried to take a few steps. I think he might have done it if Lily and Jack hadn’t been so eager to help him out.”

  Grady smiled. This Thane Jordan was so different from the man he’d first met years ago. At that time, Thane had been all about his mining and ranching enterprises. He worked long, intense hours and expected the same from those he employed. Then he’d been called to England to settle his brother’s estate and came home with a wife and his deceased brother’s children. Evidently, Thane had no idea he had a niece or nephew, and he certainly hadn’t known about the children’s aunt.

  Although Thane claimed he and Jemma got along like sparring cats when they first met, anyone could see the love and devotion the couple now shared. And baby Bolton was a testimony to their love and the way they’d made a family and home together.

  Thane still worked harder than anyone Grady knew, but he put in fewer hours and was not as focused on his businesses as he used to be. In fact, the man seemed downright happy and content with life instead of driven toward more success.

  Grady took another cookie as the two of them got back to work. They finished reviewing the books and Grady tucked the notes he’d jotted down about a few changes Thane wanted to implement next month into his saddlebag. His fingers brushed over the sack Sizzler had sent his snack in. He’d tucked the things he’d found in the ravine into it after he’d climbed up the slope instead of leaving them in his pockets.

  Pulling it out of the saddlebag, he set it on the edge of Thane’s desk.

  “What’s that?” Thane asked, motioning to the bag.

  “When I was riding down this morning, there were a few trees blocking the path. I had to ride around them and did a little exploring. Not far off the path, I happened upon a small ravine. Something shining down in the bottom of it made me want to investigate, so I left Happy up top and went down to take a look.” Grady opened the sack and removed the marble, watch, coins, and knife. The knife and watch were both inexpensive and of no value, other than perhaps sentimental, if they could find the deceased man’s family.

  “You found these things at the bottom of the ravine?” Thane questioned, picking up the marble and rolling it between his fingers.

  “I did, but there was something else there, too. It looked to me like a horse took a tumble and pinned the rider beneath him. Must have happened a while ago, because all that’s left is bones, but the man’s bones were beneath the horse, like he’d been trapped there. I thought Tully might want to have a look.”

  “He probably will. I’ll let him know. Maybe you could draw a map of where to look. If he can’t find it, I’ll send him on up to the mine and you can show him yourself.”

  “That’ll work,” Grady said, watching as Thane set down the marble and lifted the watch. When it wouldn’t open, he picked up the letter opener on his desk and carefully pried the cover open.

  “There’s a photograph insid
e,” Thane said, holding the watch out to him.

  Grady took it and turned it around. The inside of the watch appeared to be in much better condition than the outside. The glass on the face of the watch was still in one piece. On the inside of the lid, a photograph had been glued in place.

  The image had sustained a little damage, most likely from the weather, but Grady could clearly see a couple in it. Perhaps it was their wedding day, as they appeared young and happy. The man had what looked to be pale eyes and a full mustache. Something about his broad face seemed familiar, although Grady had no idea why.

  Not until he looked at the woman. He sucked in a gulp of air as he stared at the image of Gia. There was no doubt in his mind it was her. From the tawny-striped hair to her full lips, the woman in the photograph was definitely the woman who’d captured his interest.

  Chapter Seven

  Grady slumped back in the chair, still holding the watch in his hand.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” Thane asked, sounding concerned.

  “I think I know who the man is.” Grady set the watch on Thane’s desk then looked up at him. “I recognize the woman. I found her a few weeks ago.”

  “Found her? Was she…?”

  Grady shook his head before Thane could finish his question. “No. She and her children are alive and well. Actually, they live about an hour from the mine. I was riding home the night before the big harvest dance and the snowstorm caught me by surprise. Anyway, I came upon this woman in the woods. She has two children. The oldest is Lily’s age, a boy, then she has a little girl who’s about three. Her husband left her in February, looking for work at a mine, although she doesn’t know which one. He took their only horse and left her at that forsaken cabin to fend for herself.”

  Curious, Thane raised an eyebrow. “And you think the man you found is her husband?”

  “I do. Although, to be sure, I suppose she’ll need to identify these items.”

  Thane stepped into the hallway and hollered for Jack. The boy soon appeared in the doorway with Lily right behind him.

  “Run outside and ask Walt to come in here, please, son.” Thane nodded to Jack, then pointed a finger at Lily. “You stay in the kitchen with your mother, young lady.”

  Lily looked like she considered arguing, thought better of it, then flounced out of the room.

  “I’ll send Walt to fetch Tully. It might be best if you tell him what you know in person.”

  “Sure, Thane. I’m happy to do that and will help however I can. I feel bad for Mrs. DeVille. She said I was the first person she’d seen since her husband left all those months ago.”

  Both of Thane’s eyebrows quirked upward. “Poor woman. Months of quiet and loneliness with nothing but two little ones for company, and she gets stuck with you?”

  Grady grinned at his employer’s teasing. “I went back twice to try and help her. Whoever daubed the cabin didn’t do a good job of it and the wind was blowing through the walls. The roof was leaking, the fence around her chicken coop needed to be repaired. If it wasn’t for the chickens and a milk cow, I think she and the children might have starved. As I mentioned, her husband took their only horse and she was afraid to walk down the mountain with the children.”

  “I could understand that. And you’d never seen her before?” Thane asked. They both stood when they heard Jack and Walt approach from the hallway.

  “Nope.”

  “Howdy, Gaffney,” Walt said, offering a friendly smile and handshake as he stepped into the room.

  “Morning, Walt,” Grady said, returning the greeting.

  Walt looked to Thane. “What can I do for you, boss?”

  “I need someone to hustle into town and bring back Tully. It isn’t an emergency, but I’d like him to speak with Grady before he heads back up to the mine.”

  Walt nodded. “I’ll ride into Baker City right away.”

  Thane clapped him on the back. “Thank you. While Ben saddles a horse for you, I’ll have Jemma put together something you can eat on the trail.” Thane turned to Jack. “Go ask your uncle to saddle Walt’s horse.”

  Jack took off running while Grady followed Thane and Walt to the kitchen where the mouthwatering aroma of roasting meat mingled with the scent of something sweet.

  “You made caramels,” Thane said, snitching one of the candies from where they cooled on a tray on the counter.

  Jemma slapped at his hands then grinned over her shoulder at Walt and Grady. “Gentlemen. You may as well help yourself since this ill-mannered oaf has dived right into the sweets.”

  Thane kissed her cheek and grabbed another caramel. “Can you make something for Walt to eat on the way into town?”

  “Sure, we can,” Allie said, slicing a loaf of bread. “It will just take me a minute.”

  “I’ll go to the bunkhouse and see if Sam needs anything since I’m heading into town anyway,” Walt said. He accepted a piece of candy from Thane before he left through the kitchen door.

  “Lunch will be ready in a few minutes. Why don’t you take Gaffney to the parlor, Thane?” Jemma suggested as she held Bolton on one hip and tried to keep Lily from pulling the tray of candy off the counter.

  “How about we take these two with us?” Thane took Bolton from Jemma, settling him on one arm, then picking up Lily with the other.

  “I want some candy, Daddy,” Lily whined, glancing back at the caramels as they left the kitchen.

  “No candy for you, until after lunch, and that is only if you clean your plate and mind your manners,” Thane said. When Lily started to fuss, he gave her a look that quickly ended her pouting. He set her down on the couch in the parlor and motioned for Grady to take a seat.

  Before he knew what was happening, Thane plopped the baby on his lap then went to add wood to the fire in the fireplace. Grady had to think fast to balance the little one before he toppled to the floor. Bolton giggled and looked up at him, waving one fist in the air while he gnawed on the other one.

  Slobbers dripped down the baby’s chin in a steady stream. Grady leaned on one hip, so he could pull out his handkerchief when Jemma rushed into the room with a rag in her hand. “You’ll need this,” she said, wiping her son’s chin then leaving the rag for Grady. “He’s teething.”

  She disappeared, leaving him watching as Bolton jabbered and slobbered with alarming proficiency.

  “He’s like a leaky faucet,” Grady said, smirking at Thane as the man leaned over to look at his son.

  “He’s been like that for a month,” Thane said, lifting the rag and catching more drool. “If we could turn that off, I sure would. Jemma said Jack was even worse when his teeth came in.”

  “What about me, Daddy?” Lily asked, hurrying over and leaning on the arm of the chair where Grady sat with the baby.

  “What about you?” Thane asked, picking up the little girl and tossing her into the air, drawing out her giggles. Her corkscrew curls bounced in wild disarray while her eyes danced with lively energy.

  Lily Jordan was hardly ever still or quiet. When she wasn’t singing or dancing around with abandon, she was telling made up stories, trailing after one of the cowboys, or begging to be turned loose outside to play. For all that she looked dainty and genteel, the child was like a keg of dynamite—an explosion was coming even if no one could predict when or where it would happen.

  Grady had heard stories about some of the things Lily had said or done, like the time she went into the pasture with a bull and was ordering it around with a quirt. Or the time she saddled her pony and rode off without asking anyone and they found her upside down beneath the pony, still clinging to the saddle.

  He wasn’t sure how Thane and Jemma survived day to day with the impish child. Then again, he could picture little Gwennie being just as active and ornery, given the right circumstances.

  “Tell me more about this woman you found.” Thane sat on the settee with Lily on his knee.

  A few hours later, after a delicious meal that ended with thick slices
of pear cake, Grady left the ranch. His saddlebags bulged with treats as Tully and Thane rode beside him.

  After hearing his story, Tully decided to ride up the mountain with him and Thane wanted to go along, too. The three of them reached the ravine in the middle of the afternoon. Together, they made their way down to what was left of the horse and his rider. Tully gathered a few bits of cloth that were left from the man’s clothing, took the saddle and bridle off the horse’s skeleton, and decided they better bury the man.

  Since the sun was still warm overhead, it wasn’t too hard to dig a grave and move the bones into it. They covered it with rocks to keep animals from digging it up. Thane said a few words over it before they mounted up and headed toward the DeVille cabin.

  “Do you think it was an accident,” Grady asked as they rode along the trail.

  “Most likely. Looks to me like the horse tumbled over the side of the hill. Maybe something was chasing them or maybe it misstepped.” Tully sighed. “We’ll likely never know.”

  To break the somber mood, Tully regaled them with jokes he’d heard. Grady had never met anyone quite like the formidable Sheriff Tully Barrett. He wasn’t a man anyone would willingly confront if they strolled down the wrong side of the law, but Tully always had a ready smile and a kind word for his friends. Grady knew Tully and Thane had been close since they were boys heading west, looking for riches and adventure.

  “It’s right there,” Grady said, pointing to Gia’s cabin as they neared it.

  “Not very big, is it?” Tully glanced over at Grady then back at the cabin and barn. The cabin did, indeed, look small. At least now, though, it should stay warm.

  They rode into the yard and were just dismounting when the door opened and Gia stepped onto the porch with a gun held in both hands. Matty and Gwennie stood behind her, peeking around her skirts.

  “Oh, Mr. Gaffney,” she said, appearing relieved to see a friendly face. “It’s you.”