A Christmas Miracle for the Rancher: A Historical Western Romance Novel

by Etta Foster

  She licked her lips. “It’s not me,” she admitted. “It’s Richard. There was an accident. We came for his health so that he might learn to walk again.

  “The doctor has high hopes,” Louise added hurriedly. “He is making progress and I’m very proud of him.”

  Grudgingly she explained what had happened to Richard and why they had not come to visit.

  Though her mother appeared to understand at first, she soon requested that they come to the house for supper.

  “I can’t have my potential son-in-law in town and not meet him,” her mother reminded her sternly.

  Louise hesitated. “I don’t know,” she mumbled. “I don’t think Richard would like this idea. He doesn’t want to meet you until he has greatly improved. I think that’s understandable, don’t you?”

  Her mother shot her a look. “It would be if the two of you were simply passing through town.

  “How long will you two be here? You clearly don’t have a timeline when he will be healed. No, I won’t accept any more nonsense.

  “You know I’ll be telling your father everything tonight. I insist that you both join us for Sunday supper.”

  “I’ll try,” Louise reluctantly promised as she recalled Richard’s words upon their arrival in Louisiana. “But I don’t know about Richard.”

  He wasn’t going to like her news. Dropping her gaze to the cinnamon rolls in their paper bag, she wondered if she could persuade him to change his mind.

  She would find out one way or another.

  Chapter 36

  It was humid. Even inside with open windows, it felt like he had climbed out of a tub and put his clothes on while wet.

  And it was hardly summer.

  Richard wiped his brow before taking another drink. This was his second glass and it wasn’t even noon. He sighed and shook his head.

  “Can I refill that for you?”

  Louise picked herself up from her seat, setting her book down.

  With their days spent at the McCoy clinic, he didn’t want her boring herself. Especially when he was doing the same thing over and over. When she wasn’t stretching with him or cheering him on, she was reading.

  Some days she read aloud or described the stories, or she sat quietly in her own little world.

  Though he liked listening to Louise root for him, Richard worried that he bored her. Through his time at the clinic, even as he improved, he found himself thinking about her more.

  Whether they were together or not, he couldn’t get Louise off his mind.

  He wondered if this was what it meant to love someone. To always think about them, worry about them, and want the best for them. It was taking him a long time to understand.

  But as he spent every day with Louise, he found himself eager for more time together.

  Richard couldn’t get enough time with Louise.

  He didn’t want to scare her. He knew he hadn’t been the easiest person to be around.

  As his body grew stronger and healed, he knew he could have been kinder to her. Though he wanted to have her around all the time, Richard didn’t want to suffocate her with attention.

  And no matter what he did, she stayed by his side.

  “Thank you,” he nodded as he handed her his glass. “Is it really always this warm?”

  She chuckled. “I told you, Richard. That’s just how Louisiana is. I should take you to see some real swampland if you think this is extreme.”

  Chuckling, he shook his head at her. “I think I prefer the snow. It’s much nicer. Colder, but I’d take that over this weather.”

  Louise tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I like the snow, too,” she agreed. “Now get back to the parallel bars. By the time you finish, I should have returned with a fresh glass of cold water.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” Richard dropped his gaze from her eyes to her lips.

  He still remembered how she tasted that day on the floor. It still felt like yesterday. And every time he saw her, there was that surge of white-hot desire to kiss her again. It made him feel alive in a way he had never known.

  Everything had changed for him when Louise came into his life.

  Richard was still thinking that as he watched her exit the room. There was a swing to her hips as she cheerfully walked around the corner to the clinic kitchen.

  She was happy.

  He found himself learning more about her and it amazed him. She amazed him. Louise was bright and clever and kind. Nothing made her happier than to read a book or have a cheerful conversation.

  The only things that she didn’t like or smile at were difficult conversations, such as several ones they’d had shortly after his accident or lunches out with her parents.

  He had learned that she adored her younger sister and cautiously believed her parents loved her.

  Apparently, it was a complicated relationship. That was one of the reasons she had wanted a life out west with a man who liked a smart woman.

  Every time she visited with her parents, Louise returned much quieter and more subdued. It was clear that she would speak more carefully to check her words and correct every little action. Though it made her appear more refined, he could see the confused frustration in her eyes.

  “Well?”

  Richard glanced up to see one of the nurses, Miss Taylor, with her hands on her hips.

  “Right.” He shifted in his chair and tugged himself back to the bars. “I just needed a break.”

  The woman laughed. “Of course you did when your girl was here. Take the time without her now to actually get some work done. Use your feet this time.”

  “But what about my arms?” he asked her innocently.

  Miss Taylor rolled her eyes as they got down to business.

  He was on the small parallel bars now, using only part of his weight to shift around as he walked. May brought the humidity and rain as well as an improvement in his healing process.

  Everyone had told him repeatedly that he was making great progress. And he was beginning to feel it.

  His eyes darted about the gym, seeing other people in their own disabled conditions working with nurses and doctors to stretch and heal.

  There were groans and the occasional tears, but overall it was a cheerful place filled with hope.

  Richard returned his focus to his bars. Pulling himself up to them, he inhaled deeply as he set his legs on the ground. It was much easier lately to imagine himself walking again. Maybe even running.

  Both hands on the bars set by his side, he tried to relax his body. For good luck, he wiggled his toes. Then he put one foot forward.

  It shook lightly from all the exertion he had already put forth that day. He tightened his grip on the bars and moved forward.

  “Richard?”

  He answered the unsaid question. “I’m fine.”

  Another deep breath, and another step. It was hard, but he was determined.

  Just a week ago he had talked to Louise to brighten her up after her last luncheon with her parents; he had promised that if everything went well, he would dance with her next year.

  It was all he wanted.

  Louise would twirl in his arms, a smile on her face, and that sweet light in her eyes. He wanted to do that for her.

  He wanted to be that man for her. He wanted to be able to provide and protect like a man should.

  All he had to do was learn to walk again.

  Miss Taylor cheered him on as he took one step after another. Sweat dripped down his forehead. He could feel his palms growing clammy with effort. But the parallel bars only lasted so long and soon he had reached the end.

  Chest heaving, he looked up with a proud grin. Miss Taylor nodded with a short clap. That was when his doctor showed up with two long staffs in his hands.

  “Crutches,” Dr. Carmichael announced as he held them up. “You’ve been improving, and I think your legs are ready for some extra work.

  “I’d recommend the use of these for a couple hours a day. But not too
long, since we don’t want to damage any progress we’ve made.”

  Richard stared. Though his doctor believed that his legs were strong enough to support him, he wasn’t sure he did.

  There was a tickle on his nose but while his arms were keeping him up, there was nothing he could do about it. He stared down the crutches before glancing back up at his audience.

  “All right.” He swallowed and gave a short nod. “Bring them over.” They had to at least be worth a try.

  It took some work to fix his balance to switch from the parallel bars over to one crutch at a time. But Miss Taylor and Dr. Carmichael were there to keep him standing when he wavered.

  He had learned to swallow his pride and soon found himself standing with the support of the crutches.

  “How does it feel?” his doctor asked as he took a step back. The man crossed his arms and grinned.

  They were padded in his armpits with a solid grip for his hands. Richard glanced down as he had to think again how he would use them.

  Though he managed to balance them decently while not putting any weight on his feet, he would have to move them to step forward.

  He gave it a try. Sweat continued to trickle down his forehead as he shifted his weight and brought the righthand crutch forward. He moved his feet, his legs shaking with effort. Then the other crutch came forward where he was able to bring himself completely into a new spot.

  “Oh!” Louise arrived from down the hall.

  Though yards away, he could see her surprised smile. Hurrying over with her two cups of water, she grinned at him. “Look at you!”

  “Look at me,” he nodded in return.

  As she arrived, the nurse and doctor took a step back to give them a moment. Louise set the glasses down and clasped her hands together. “You look wonderful. What do you think? Are those crutches comfortable?”

  Richard shrugged, wavering slightly as he stood. He managed a chuckle before responding, “More comfortable than sitting in a chair every hour of the day.”

  Giggling, she took another step forward. Shyly she reached forward and touched them, then his shoulder. “You’re so tall when you stand straight. You look so strong. I mean - I mean, you already did. I know you were, but… why, you look like you could almost go dancing right now.”

  His eyes met hers. A surge of light hope flooded his chest. “I almost could.”

  Overjoyed, she giggled again and covered her mouth with her hands. “This is wonderful. You’re making such good progress. To think it’s only been a few months. I knew you could do anything you wanted. This is so exciting!”

  “There’s a lot more I can do in crutches now,” he allowed, hoping the heat he felt on his face didn’t show.

  Louise nodded. “Yes! We can go to the market. To the shows. Oh, you can meet my parents now, Richard.”

  “Right, I can… what?”

  She nodded. “You said once you were standing again, you would be comfortable meeting them.

  “Now you can stand. I told you my mother wants so dearly to meet you. Why, we could visit them on Sunday. What do you think?”

  Dropping his gaze from hers, Richard hesitated. The surge of excitement faded as he fiddled with the crutches.

  “I’m not sure about that, Louise. I’m not fully recovered yet,” he said. “I don’t - I don’t want to disappoint them. Or you,” he added hurriedly when he saw the smile fade.

  But it was too late. Louise dropped her hands and bit her lip. “I just thought,” she started but didn’t finish.

  Richard hurriedly explained. “It’s only that I meant when I’m much better. Not when I’m barely standing. They would expect more, wouldn’t they? At this point, I can’t even shake hands. I…”

  Except his excuses did nothing to lessen the clear disappointment across Louise’s face. She wrapped her arms around herself as she shrugged. “Right, I - I didn’t think about…”

  Doctor Carmichael stepped forward. “Miss Louise? Why don’t you take a seat. It’s a warm day and I need to speak to Richard privately.”

  She wouldn’t look up. Sighing, she nodded and went back to her seat. Richard watched Louise go, a new weight settling on his shoulders. That was all his fault. He fiddled with the crutches as his doctor walked over.

  “Louise Moreau is a wonderful woman,” the doctor told him quietly. “To be quite frank, her family has quite a golden reputation in town for their charity. Louise is nothing less. You’ve found a good woman, Richard. If I were you, I shouldn’t risk losing her.”

  With a sigh, Richard nodded. It took all his courage to raise his head to meet his doctor’s gaze before looking over to Louise.

  “Trust me,” he sighed. “I’m learning my mistakes as I make them.”

  The other man stepped back to stretch his arms out. “Then perhaps you should make it right. And test out those crutches as you go.”

  Richard prevented himself from rolling his eyes as he turned toward Louise. His doctor was right once again. He didn’t know what he had been thinking.

  This entire trip was about his wellness and she had yet to complain. The least he could do was support her as she wished.

  Even if this meant spending time with parents who made her anxious and would most likely not approve of him.

  Richard licked his lips as he slowly made his way over to Louise.

  The walk gave him time to build an apology and propose a date in the future to meet her parents. He wasn’t thrilled at the possibility, but perhaps it was time.

  After all, Louise had been with him long enough. And he knew he didn’t want to lose her.

  He had done enough to hurt her, more than enough, and it was important that he show that he cared for her. It was time he stopped caring about himself.

  The one thing he knew with all his heart was that he wanted to be dancing with Louise Moreau by the next year.

  And to do that, he would need her parents’ permission.

  Chapter 37

  A month after Richard started testing the crutches, he accepted the formal invitation from her parents to attend supper.

  The week leading up to the event kept Louise’s stomach in knots.

  She wasn’t officially courting Richard. Or rather, he wasn’t officially courting her. Either way, she wasn’t certain.

  They hadn’t talked about it. Though they had held hands in the park a few times, there had been no more kisses.

  Louise didn’t know what they were to each other. Only that she was very anxious about Richard Hanson finally meeting her parents. As they reached the family courtyard, she could tell he was growing nervous as well.

  “Thank you,” Louise nodded to Stephan, the family coachman, as he brought them around to the front doors.

  “My pleasure.” The older gentleman gave her a short bow as he helped her down.

  He had been working for her family since before she was born, and it was nice to see some things hadn’t changed.

  As he helped Richard, Louise took the opportunity to turn back to her house and look at it frankly.

  It was beautiful with soft-colored stones and intricately made iron gates leading up to the door. The balcony overlooked the nearby streets and parks, having been one of her favorite places to sit when she couldn’t read a book.

  The French influences upon the large family house and courtyard were undeniable. It was beautiful and many people often paused before the gate to get a better look and appreciate the home.

  Everyone knew the Moreau home and often used it as a landmark for passersby.

  But now it looked different. Louise couldn’t place her finger on it exactly. Though as lovely as she remembered, it left her feeling mildly uncomfortable.

  Almost as though it were no longer her home and she was only a guest.

  As Richard joined her up the seven steps to the door, she hesitated. Though often she could walk right in, now she found herself too hesitant to turn the doorknob.

  It was Richard who reached up and knocked. He balan
ced carefully on his crutches as he turned to her. Louise managed a smile though her cheeks flushed.

  In return, he gave her a wink and they listened to the scurrying footsteps from behind the door.

  “Louise!”