Gift of Hope

by Shanna Hatfield

  Infuriated, Grady wanted to pummel something or turn into a chest-beating cavedweller and release a primal yell. He pulled back his fist, ready to slam it into the barn wall, then thought better of it. All that would do is break his hand and he needed to be able to work. No, he wouldn’t let his annoyance with her cause him to do something stupid.

  On the way to his cabin, he kicked at every clump of snow he came across, but didn’t feel any better for it. He was nearly to his door when Jason appeared out of nowhere, giving him a broad grin.

  “Back from courting your girl?” Jason asked, falling into step beside him.

  When Grady growled at him, Jason’s smile faded and he gave him a long, studying glance. “Sorry it didn’t go well. Anything I can do?”

  “Not at the moment, but thanks, Jason.” Grady squeezed his shoulder then slipped inside his cabin.

  He lit a lantern, stoked the stove, removed his coat and hat, then settled into his comfortable chair. If he’d consumed an entire pot of coffee, he couldn’t have been any more anxious and wound up than he was at that moment. He really needed something to do to work off his pent-up energy and worries, but it was late and he didn’t want to awaken the whole camp by banging around.

  Grabbing a book he’d been reading, he tried to focus on the story, but read the same page three times before he gave up and dropped the book back onto the table by his chair.

  He got up and paced the floor, back and forth, his mind playing over every word he and Gia had exchanged. He tried to be understanding. To give her time and space to grieve Rocco. But something told him she wasn’t pushing him away because she was in mourning. He thought she was scared. Scared to fall in love again, to give her heart away, to entrust a man with her care and that of her children.

  Considering how very little Rocco had left her with before his untimely death, Gia had done well taking care of her children and herself. She was going to need feed for the cow and the chickens before long, but thanks to his help, she and the children wouldn’t go hungry.

  If the woman wasn’t so prideful, so inordinately stubborn, he would have gladly helped her purchase whatever she needed. He knew for a fact the Jordan family had invited her to come to the ranch to stay as long as she liked. They had plenty of room in their big house and would have welcomed her with open arms.

  Thane had told him how much Lily had enjoyed playing with Matty and Gwennie. Most of the children in their circle of friends were closer to Jack’s age. When Thane told him Jemma had tried to leave a few toys for the children and Gia refused, Grady had been irritated but not surprised. He wondered if she realized how obstinate and infuriating she could be, then shook his head, deciding she probably didn’t really care.

  He stopped pacing and plopped down in the chair again, scrubbing a hand over his face. It had been a mistake to go to her house tonight. Even if she had seemed genuinely pleased with the tree, he should have given it to her and left. He shouldn’t have brought up taking her and the children into Baker City for Christmas. And he really shouldn’t have kissed her.

  No, that was his biggest mistake of all.

  He’d thought about kissing her for weeks. Dreamed about it. Fantasized about the taste of her, how she’d feel in his arms as his mouth captured hers.

  Nothing had prepared him for the reality of holding that gorgeous tigress in his arms. She’d been every bit as eager and engaged in the kiss as he’d been. Yet, she made no effort in asking him to stay. No hint that she would change her mind about going into town. No inkling that she cared about him at all, even if her lips said otherwise.

  Oh, those tantalizing, tempting lips of hers. They’d been one of the first things he’d noticed about her and now that he’d tasted them, he knew a lifetime of kissing them would never be enough.

  About to explode with anger and suppressed emotions, Grady shot to his feet, yanked on his old work coat, lit a lantern, and rushed outside. He headed toward the mine, thinking he’d work out his antsy frustration there, then changed his mind. Since he would have fired any of the miners who went into the mine alone, he veered off course and marched out behind the cookshack where there was a pile of wood and an ax. Sizzler slept like the dead, so he didn’t worry about waking him. He set the lantern on a broad stump and started chopping wood.

  Each time he buried the ax in a chunk of wood, the coils of tension released a little more. After he worked up a sweat, he removed his coat and kept on chopping, heedless to the growing pile of wood beside him. His arms quivered and he sounded like a winded donkey when a hand clasped his shoulder. He stopped mid-swing and glanced back at Jason.

  “You could get yourself hurt sneaking up on somebody like that.” Grady wiped the sweat off his forehead on his sleeve. “What are you doing up?”

  “Well, half the bunkhouse is awake, wondering what, or who, put a burr under your blanket. Do you think you can settle down now or should we all get up and help?” Jason asked.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep anyone awake.” Grady swung the ax, burying it into a log. He grabbed his coat and lantern, then strode toward his cabin.

  Jason shoved his hands in his pockets and walked with him. At the cabin door, Grady pushed it open and tipped his head in an unspoken invitation for Jason to come inside.

  Grady tossed his coat across a chair then pulled off his sweat-soaked shirt. His undershirt clung to him, but he left it on. He slid a kettle of water on to heat then turned to Jason. “I’ll string you up from the elevator shaft in the hoist house by your toes if you tell anyone I drink tea, but would you like a cup?”

  The young man nodded and took a seat at the table. “That’d be fine.”

  Grady made two cups of tea, added a heaping spoon of sugar to each, then handed a mug to Jason. He opened a tin of cookies he’d forgotten to leave with Gia and scooted it across the table.

  “Want to talk about what’s got you so worked up?” Jason asked. He took a long slurp of the tea and helped himself to a cookie.

  “Not particularly.” Grady toyed with his mug, staring into the steaming liquid as though it could provide answers to his questions.

  “I may be mistaken, but when you left here before supper with that little tree, it seemed to me you were in high spirits. A few hours later, you came back like someone slammed your tail in the door, repeatedly. I might be shooting blind in the dark, but I’d have to guess a female is to blame.” Jason took another cookie and dunked it in his tea before popping it in his mouth.

  Grady looked at him and nodded.

  “Well, what did she say or do to make you so angry you look like you might just combust?”

  Although he had no intention of telling Jason anything, the whole story spilled out of him. Jason already knew about Grady finding a body in a ravine, but Grady hadn’t told him that it was Gia’s husband.

  When he finished, Jason took another long drink of his tea and shook his head. “I reckon that lil’ gal is probably still worked up about losing her husband, even though he’s been gone all this time. You don’t suppose she might be feeling guilty, do you?”

  “Guilty? About what?” Grady asked, uncertain what Jason was getting at.

  “About you. About the feelings she has for you when it ain’t been that long since she got word her husband was dead. I think most women would probably feel they needed a proper time for grieving and mourning before they hitched their wagon to a new fella.”

  Grady hadn’t exactly been looking at the situation from Gia’s perspective. All he knew was that he wanted to be with her and the children. He wanted to care for them, provide for them, protect them, and love them.

  And she’d told him no in no uncertain terms and sent him on his way.

  He’d assumed her refusal of him, of his affections, was because she was full of pride and stubbornness, but maybe there was more to it, as Jason suggested.

  “When did you get so smart?” he asked the younger man and took a sip of his tea.

  “Well, I figure if I k
eep hanging around people smarter than me, it’ll eventually rub off. Most of the time, you’re one of the smartest, but you’ve been acting like a blundering dummy since you got back tonight, boss. If it was me, I’d go talk to your lady friend and set things right. Life is too short to let hurt feelings or misunderstandings keep you from those you care about most, and I get the idea you’re quite gone on the woman.”

  Grady wanted to protest, but he couldn’t. He was “gone” on Gia as Jason said.

  Jason drained the last drop of tea from is cup, snatched two more cookies, and rose to his feet. “Sleep on it and see what your heart tells you to do tomorrow.”

  “I’ll do that.” Grady walked him to the door. “Thanks for braving my wrath and coming out to talk to me.”

  “Anytime, boss. Besides, the boys wanted to get some sleep and decided I was the one who had to fix things.” Jason grinned then stepped outside. “Night, Gaff.”

  “Good night.”

  Grady closed the door, rinsed the cups in his small sink, added more wood to the stove, then washed off before climbing in his bed.

  Sleep didn’t immediately come as he considered what Jason said. Maybe Gia really did care for him. It was possible she was as confused and tormented as he felt. Exhaustion overtook him, and Grady finally slept.

  Chapter Eleven

  Grady awoke early, but with a clear plan in mind. Hastily dressing, he gathered several things, tucking them into his saddlebags, then headed to the cookshack where Sizzler and his helpers were setting breakfast on the table.

  “Happy Christmas Eve,” Grady said as he strode inside. Thane had given all the miners the next two days off to enjoy the holiday. Some of the men had left after work the previous evening to head into town. Others would remain at the mine and Sizzler had volunteered to stay and cook a nice Christmas dinner for those staying behind. Jason would be there, too, if any trouble arose, leaving Grady free to pursue Gia.

  Grady was still mad at her, upset at the way she’d tossed his invitation back in his face, but he wasn’t quite ready to admit defeat. Not yet.

  He slid slices of ham between the flapjacks Sizzler had made for breakfast and headed toward the barn where he saddled Happy.

  “Going to get your girl?” Jason asked as he stepped into the barn.

  “That’s my plan.” Grady shoved the last bite of his breakfast in his mouth then hurried to saddle his horse.

  Jason grinned at him as he leaned against the barn door. “Then I hope your mission is a successful one. If I don’t see you before Monday, have a Merry Christmas.”

  “You too, Jason. Have a good Christmas and thank you for all you do around here.” Grady gave the younger man’s hand a hearty handshake then swung onto the back of Happy.

  He started to leave, then pulled Happy to a stop, glancing back at Jason. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but would you be willing to ride over to Gia’s place this afternoon. If she agrees to my plans, it would save me some time if you could meet me there with Custer and Grant hitched to a wagon.”

  “I’d be happy to do that, Gaffney. What time should I plan to be there?”

  “Let’s say one o’clock.”

  “And if Mrs. DeVille and the children are there and you aren’t, what do you expect me to tell her?” Jason asked, handing him a small lantern to light his way until the sun began to rise.

  “The truth.” Grady took the lantern then grinned at Jason. “Thank you.”

  “Anytime.” Jason waved as Grady started down the trail that would take him into Baker City.

  Three hours later, he stopped outside the mercantile and tied Happy’s reins to a hitching rail.

  The store owner was just shoving his key into the lock when Grady stepped beside him.

  “Morning, Gaffney. You must have got an early start this morning,” Frank Miller said in greeting as he pushed open the door. “Happy Christmas Eve to you.”

  “And to you, Frank. I bet you’ll have a busy day, today.” Grady followed him into the store that generally wouldn’t open for another hour. He looked over the festive displays near the counter.

  “Christmas Eve is my busiest day of the year, but I’m ready for it. I have extra help arriving in an hour and we’ll be hopping all day long.” Frank removed his coat and reached for a poker, stirring the coals in the stove. “If you have some shopping to do, I don’t mind helping you even though I’m not officially open yet. Is there anything in particular I can help you find?”

  “I think I’ll just browse around a few minutes, but thank you.” Grady walked past a colorful display of jars holding candy on the counter and pointed to a jar of peppermint drops. “But I’d like a penny’s worth of those, please.”

  “Of course,” Frank said, adding fuel to the fire before brushing off his hands and pulling on a canvas apron.

  Grady wandered through the store, picking up and studying several items. He wasn’t sure what to get Gia, although he had a few ideas. He decided to start with the children. A memory of Matty beating on an upturned pail made him choose a toy drum for the boy. He selected a set of wooden blocks, two picture books, and a spinning top both children could play with. A soft baby doll was what he wanted for Gwennie. Unfortunately, the store didn’t have anything but pretty porcelain-faced dolls the little girl would just break. With an idea of someone who could help him with the doll, he went back to shopping for Gia.

  He selected a dainty handkerchief trimmed in lace, and a brooch with a stone in the center the exact same shade as her fascinating eyes. He added warm leather gloves for Sizzler and Jason, and a book he thought Jason would enjoy to his growing pile of purchases. For his married friends, he chose a selection of board games that would be entertaining to play on the long winter evenings ahead of them.

  After he set his selections on the counter, Grady grabbed a spool of red ribbon, half a dozen oranges, and a box of chocolates to add to his purchases.

  When Frank started to set everything into a wooden box, Grady shook his head. “Do you have any gunnysacks? I rode my horse into town and can’t exactly haul a box around.”

  “Sure, Gaffney. I’ve got a pile of them in the storage room.” Frank returned with two sacks. After he wrapped each item in brown paper, Grady had him tie the packages with the red ribbon instead of string, then they stuffed the gifts into the sacks. “Thank you, Frank. I hope you have a Merry Christmas.”

  “Oh, I will, and the same to you,” the store owner said with a smile as customers began to pour into the store.

  Grady tied the two sacks together with a length of twine and balanced them across the back of Happy, one hanging on each side, before he gathered the reins and walked the short distance to Maggie MacGregor’s dress shop. He wasn’t sure she’d be open, but as he stepped to the door, he saw her bustling around inside.

  She glanced toward the door when he tapped on the glass and hurried over to unlock it.

  “Graydon Gaffney! What in the world are you doing here, and so early on Christmas Eve morning?” she asked, as he stepped inside the warmth of the store. He’d never actually been inside her business before, but he’d heard the wives of his friends talking about the fine clothing Maggie created and sold there.

  She closed the door behind him and gave him a studying glance. A slow smile broke across her face as she gave him a knowing look. “What’s her name?” she asked.

  “Giavanna Angelina Esposito DeVille.” Grady grinned at her. “I’m hoping to add Gaffney to that list of names soon.”

  “Oh, congratulations, Gaffney. That’s wonderful.” Maggie squeezed his hand then stepped back. “Are you looking for a dress for her?”

  Originally, he’d come to the store to see if Maggie would be willing to make a doll for Gwennie, but now that he was there, surrounded by elaborate gowns, he wanted to purchase one for Gia. The woman was beautiful, but the clothes he’d seen her wear were old and worn, some nearly threadbare.

  “I would like to purchase a dress for her, and one for her daughter.
I reckon while I’m at it, I should ask about a suit for a boy, too.” Grady glanced helplessly around the store.

  Maggie motioned to a display of children’s clothing. “Let’s start with the smallest. Boy or girl?”

  “Gwennie is almost three. And the reason I actually headed over here was to see if you’d be willing to whip up a rag doll for her. I was gonna buy one at the mercantile, but he’s sold out.”

  Maggie flapped a hand at him. “It won’t take me but a minute to make a doll. I can do that after you choose the clothes. Is Gwennie big or small for her age?”

  Grady had no idea, but to him she seemed tiny. He tried to recall how big Lily Jordan had been when he first met her, since that would have been close to Gwennie’s current age. “I think she’s about the same size as Lily when she first arrived in town.”

  “That’s helpful to know,” Maggie said, riffling through frocks until she found two she seemed to think would work. One was a pale, icy blue hue with creamy lace accents. The other was dark red with black cord trim.

  “The blue,” Grady said, thinking how well the color would match Gwennie’s eyes.

  “That was simple enough. How about stockings, or shoes, or underpinnings?” Maggie asked as she folded the blue dress and set it on a high glass case she used as a counter.

  “Everything. They all need everything, and shoes. And Gia could use a hat, probably gloves, too.” Grady sighed. He knew it wasn’t proper for him to choose clothes for her, but he wanted her to have something nice. However, as he glanced around at the gowns, he wasn’t certain he could choose something she liked.

  Maggie nodded. “How old is the boy?”

  “Five. He is a little bit taller than Lily.” Grateful he’d at least noticed that much about Matty, he watched as Maggie pulled out a serviceable gray suit.

  “This might be a little big, but with children, it’s good to give them growing room.” Maggie set the suit next to Gwennie’s dress. “Now, tell me about Gia. What’s her coloring like? Do you have any idea on the size?”