by Lois Richer
She drove toward Wranglers Ranch, smiling as she remembered Wranglers’ slogan. You’re always welcome here. She did feel at home there, and she loved her job as camp nurse.
“I thought you wanted to play with Beth and Davy?” she reminded Gracie, lest her daughter get fixated on dreams of horse riding.
“I do want to play with them. And invite them to my birthday party.” Gracie’s forehead furrowed as she fell into thought. “How many days is it until my birthday, Mommy?”
“You’ll be six in about three more weeks, right after Thanksgiving.” Ellie bit her lip as worry about that birthday party built inside her. “Did you think of something you’d specially like for your birthday, honey?”
After Gracie’s birth, Ellie had started a day care to enable her to stay home with her child. But outgoing, curious Gracie now needed more, and so did her mother. So late in the summer Ellie had closed the day care and enrolled Gracie in kindergarten. That’s why she’d taken the job at Wranglers Ranch—so she could still be with kids. Ellie loved kids.
Tanner Johns had told her that the government had awarded him a big new contract to work with troubled youth, with one caveat—Wranglers Ranch must have a nurse on the premises when their youth groups attended. Tanner had offered Ellie the job one day after church, and since she was eager to return to the profession she’d originally left to care for her sick sister, Ellie gladly accepted. She’d started working at Wranglers in mid-September and never regretted her choice.
“I already told you what I want for my birthday, ’member?” A glance in the rearview mirror revealed Gracie’s arms firmly crossed over her small chest. “I want a daddy.”
“Honey, I can’t give you a daddy for your birthday. Or at all,” Ellie said for what seemed the hundredth time. “I’ve told you that before.”
“But why?” Gracie’s bottom lip jutted out.
“Because.” Ellie stifled her exasperation. How long would the child keep constantly asking for a father? What was she doing wrong that Gracie wasn’t happy with her? “Nobody can give daddies for birthdays, sweetheart.”
“For Christmas, then? That’s far away. That’s lots of time to get him,” Gracie wheedled.
“I can’t get you a daddy for Christmas either,” Ellie replied in her firmest voice.
“But I need one!” Gracie burst into tears.
Ellie heaved a sigh, wishing there was some way to meet and marry the perfect man who would give her daughter her dream.
You tried love. Look how that turned out. Gracie would have been left out in the cold.
Gracie sniffed and Ellie winced. Never did she feel more helpless, less capable of being a parent than when her daughter wept.
God? I’m new at this praying stuff. Will You help me? I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to break Gracie’s heart, but I know now that marriage isn’t part of Your plan for me.
“Honey, things like daddies and mommies and baby brothers or sisters are up to God.” Ellie didn’t know how else to put it. “I guess He thinks that we’re doing okay together, just the two of us.”
“I’m gonna keep praying.” Gracie’s chin thrust out. “Because we need a daddy.”
“Gracie, you know I love you very much,” Ellie said helplessly, “that I couldn’t love you more.”
“I know.” Gracie watched as they drove through the gates on to Wranglers Ranch. “But I want a daddy to love me, too.”
“But, honey—”
“I’m going to ask God to give us Cade and his daddy,” Gracie said with resolute firmness.
“You can’t!” Aghast, Ellie braked in front of the ranch house a little too hard as she scoured her brain for some way to dissuade Gracie. Only her daughter wasn’t listening.
“I can, too, pray, Mommy. I can pray to God for anything. That’s what Pastor Jeff said.” Gracie’s chin thrust out in unyielding determination. “And I’m going to pray for that.”
“But—but—” Exasperated, Ellie fell silent. After all, hadn’t she taken Gracie to church hoping she’d start learning more about her Father? Oh, dear.
“Hey, there’s Beth, and she’s holding a baby bunny.” In a flash Gracie forgot about daddies, snapped off her seat belt and bolted out of the car. She was running across the yard before Ellie could stop her. “When did they come, Beth?” she shouted in her most excited voice. “Can I hold one?”
“You don’t look happy.” Tanner Johns, her boss, pulled open her car door, waiting until Ellie had climbed out before he asked, “What’s the matter?”
“What else? Gracie. She won’t give up on getting a father. And now she’s found a candidate.” Ellie grimaced, though she couldn’t deny Gracie’s choice was very handsome.
“Who’s the chosen guy?” Tanner took the ice cream from her as they strolled to his front door.
“Someone we met at the grocery store tonight. You probably know him.” Ellie preceded Tanner into the house and waited for that speculative glint to appear in her friend Sophie’s eyes as Tanner explained the gist of the conversation to his wife.
“Yes, who is Gracie’s choice for a daddy?” Sophie asked with a smile as she turned from speaking to their friend Moses.
“Wyatt Wright.” Ellie sighed. “Gracie says she’s going to pray God will give her Wyatt for a dad and his son, Cade, for her brother.”
“We all know Wyatt,” Tanner said. “He’s the veterinarian I’ve been hoping would take on Wranglers Ranch as a client. But I get the impression he doesn’t feel he can handle our business right now.”
“He seems like a great parent, though he missed the signs that Cade was about to be sick.” Ellie made a face. “Wyatt fed him brussels sprouts,” she told Sophie, who laughed.
“Maybe he’s still learning about kids,” Tanner defended. “But Wyatt is an expert on horses. The man has a first-rate reputation. About two years ago his practice was the most sought after in Tucson, but then his wife died shortly after Cade was born.” He shook his head. “Whenever we talk at church Wyatt’s totally focused on being a dad.”
Moses was an elderly Native American who’d cared for and nurtured the abused horses that Wranglers Ranch took in and had lived here long before Tanner had taken over. Now he nodded his head in agreement.
“The Double M tried to hire him, too.” Moses had a soft spot for anyone who loved horses as much as he did. “Heard Wyatt told them no, said he had to focus on his son and that work came second.”
“Nice if you can afford it,” Ellie murmured, thinking of her own years when Gracie was a baby and how she’d struggled to manage on her shoestring budget.
“Wyatt’s a good-looking man, don’t you think, Ellie?” Sophie’s gaze trapped her.
“Yes, he’s very handsome,” Ellie managed to say while her brain mocked her tepid appreciation of that very attractive man. “But I’m not interested.”
“Why not? He certainly seems to be the focus of the ladies’ groups at church.” Sophie scooped the ice cream Ellie had brought onto steaming slices of her fresh peach pie. “Moses, didn’t you tell me Lucy Marten asked Wyatt to dinner last week?” She glanced at the old man, one eyebrow arched. “What’s the news on that?”
“Heard he turned her down like he does all those females. Anyone can see they’re just itching to get their hands on him. Prize catch, a guy like that.” Moses grinned as he held out a hand to take his pie. “Thank you, Sophie.” He lifted a forkful to his lips, then closed his eyes as he savored the dessert. “Excellent,” he proclaimed a moment later. “No wonder we always have kids showing up here to eat. With cooking like this on offer, why wouldn’t they?”
“You’re very sweet, Moses.” When Sophie patted his cheek Ellie could almost hear the crusty old man’s gruff demeanor crumble. Then the children arrived and demanded some pie. As they devoured it, Sophie asked Ellie if Gracie could play with her kids, Beth and Davy, for a while longer.
“Yeah, why don’t you stay, Ellie?” Tanner offered. He winked. “We can talk abo
ut Wyatt some more if you like.”
“No need. I told you I’m not interested.” Ellie pretended an airiness she didn’t feel. “But since it’s Friday and there’s no school tomorrow, I guess we could stay awhile.” She chuckled at Gracie’s whoop of excitement as all three kids scampered into Beth’s room to play with the amazing dollhouse Tanner had given her last Christmas.
“Hard to believe it will soon be that time again,” he marveled with a fond look at Sophie. “What do you want this Christmas?” he asked as her hand slid into his.
“I have everything I want,” she murmured.
“Good answer.” Tanner leaned over to press a kiss against her cheek. “This has been a wonderful year for Wranglers Ranch and us.”
“Your dream that this ranch would be a haven for homeless and needy kids is coming true with every child we reach.” Sophie hugged his side. “We’re blessed to have such wonderful helpers like Moses and Ellie and all the hands.”
“Now if I could just find a way to persuade Wyatt to come on staff,” Tanner murmured before he held out his plate for seconds.
Sophie dished up another piece of pie then turned to Ellie. “Maybe you could talk to Wyatt for us, tell him how much we’d love to have him working here on the ranch.”
“Me?” Ellie shook her head. “I barely know the man.”
“That’s easily rectified,” Sophie pointed out.
“Don’t go there, Sophie,” Ellie warned. “I’m glad you and Tanner found each other and that you’re happy together. But I learned the hard way that romance isn’t for me.”
“But—” Sophie stopped when Ellie shook her head.
“I made a bad mistake when I let myself fall in love with Eddie. If I’d known him as well as I thought, I’d have known he’d change after he inherited that money, that he wouldn’t want to be saddled with being a father to Gracie.” A wiggle of pain still festered inside. “But I didn’t really know him because I was too busy thinking that my silly dream of a big, happy family was finally coming true.”
“Nothing silly about that dream, girlie,” Moses piped up. “God gave us families.”
“I know. And I have Gracie. That’s enough.” She saw Sophie was about to speak and shook her head. “Listen, when I got involved with Eddie I took my focus off parenting Gracie, and she almost paid for it. We were only a few weeks away from getting married when he suggested I put her in boarding school.” The memory still made her flinch. “I don’t need to repeat my mistakes. God’s given me the job of raising my daughter and I’ll focus on that. I guess I’m like Wyatt in that way. My child comes first.”
Later, as Ellie drove home with Gracie sleeping in the backseat, her brain revived a mental image of Wyatt Wright. He was good-looking, interesting and seemed to be a great parent, but he wasn’t for her.
Gracie was just going to have to ask God for something else, because Ellie had no intention of including Wyatt, or his very cute son, in their lives. Her broken engagement had proven that being a single mom had to be her number-one priority. Maybe someday, when Gracie was grown up and on her own, maybe then Ellie could consider a relationship.
Maybe.
But not now.
Chapter Two
“You’re making a lot of noise for a kid who’s been fed, watered and changed.”
In the year since Taryn’s death Wyatt had grown comfortable speaking to Cade as if he understood everything. What he doubted he’d ever get used to was the volume of noise a small child could generate.
“You’ll give me a bad reputation as a dad,” he complained as he drove into Wranglers Ranch.
While Cade, red-faced and bellowing, continued his vocal outrage, Wyatt parked beside the visitors sign and exited the noisy truck with a sigh of relief.
“Nothing wrong with his lungs, is there?” Tanner appeared and held out a hand. “Nice to see you again, Wyatt.”
“You, too, Tanner.” He shook hands then picked up Cade. “He’s in a bad mood because he wouldn’t settle for his nap.” He offered a soother, but Cade knocked it from his hand.
“Got a temper, too.” Tanner laughed as he bent and picked it up.
“I’m sorry about this,” he said as Cade launched into another earsplitting roar. “I did warn you I couldn’t get a sitter.” Wyatt jiggled the grumpy child in a futile hope that he’d relax and perhaps drift off to sleep. “Maybe you should get another vet.”
“Don’t want anyone else,” Tanner said firmly. “You have the best reputation around these parts when it comes to horses, Wyatt. I want your opinion.”
“Okay. On what?”
“Two animals I’m considering buying.” Tanner winced as Cade amped up his protests. “Come on. We’ll take him to Sophie. She’ll know what to do.”
Wyatt desperately hoped so. He’d been through Cade’s overtired days before, and though his son eventually relaxed and fell asleep, the experience always left him drained.
But his hopes were dashed when he heard someone say, “I’m sorry, Tanner, but Sophie went shopping. She’s catering that barbecue tonight, remember?”
Wyatt turned and saw her. The woman from the grocery store.
Though Ellie smiled as she approached the Wranglers’ boss, Wyatt thought her face tensed when her gaze moved to him. “Hello, again,” she said in a pleasant tone.
“Hi. Sorry about the racket.” He shifted Cade from one hip to the other. “How’s Gracie?”
“She’s fine. May I take him?” Ellie held out her hands with a smile. “Hello there, little man,” she said in that lilting voice he hadn’t been able to forget. “What’s your issue?”
Cade stopped midscreech to stare at her. Then he grinned and clapped his hands.
“Traitor.” The word slipped out without thinking. Embarrassed, Wyatt caught Ellie’s grin. “He missed his nap.”
“And he’s been taking it out on you.” She laughed and nodded. “Been there. Why don’t you leave him with me? I’ll rock him on the porch for a few minutes, and he’ll soon nod off.” She studied Cade’s now-drooping eyes. “See? I doubt he’ll be awake long.”
“Maybe,” Wyatt said doubtfully. “But that’s too much of an imposition. This is your workplace.” He held out his hands. “I’ll just take him home. Maybe I can make it back another time, if you really want my advice,” he said to Tanner.
“Please, leave him. I’d enjoy the break. The morning’s been a little monotonous.” Ellie winked at Tanner. “No kids have fallen off their horse or skinned a knee, so I’ve been a bit bored.”
“Our guests do not fall off,” Tanner protested indignantly.
“Sorry. Of course they don’t. It’s all to do with gravity.” Ellie winked at Wyatt. “Seriously, we’ll be fine. I’ll call Tanner if I need you.”
Wyatt hesitated, watching her face soften as she swayed back and forth with Cade. His son’s eyes were almost closed, his thumb in his mouth. “You’re sure?” he murmured.
“Positive.” Ellie began to hum softly while maintaining the same swaying movements. A tiny smile flirted with her lips. “Walk away now,” she sing-songed, never losing a beat in her lullaby.
Since Taryn’s death Wyatt had trusted his son to only two sitters and then only after a complete vetting by him and Tucson’s premier child care agency. Yet somehow he felt utterly confident in Ellie’s abilities with Cade. Maybe it was because he’d seen her with Gracie and knew her to be a loving parent. Or maybe it was the way she so confidently held Cade that he immediately relaxed in her arms.
“You can trust Ellie,” Tanner added.
“I know.” Wyatt set down the diaper bag he held. “Here’s his stuff.”
Ellie’s gaze met his, a knowing look in her gray eyes. “I promise he’ll be all right.”
Of course he would. Because, thanks to Ellie, Cade was already sleeping.
“I’ll be back in about an hour,” he said.
“We’ll be here.” Ellie’s smile lent encouragement as he went on his way.
*
As it turned out, Wyatt’s inspection of Tanner’s horses went slowly, thorough as it was.
“These mares appear healthy and well cared for. They should be fine to breed.” Wyatt stretched his back, his examination finally complete. “I’ll run the blood samples anyway, but I doubt there’s an issue.” He frowned, noting a larger, older stallion in the paddock beyond. “Him I’m not so sure about. Where’d you get him?”
“He was left here late last night.” Tanner’s lips tightened. “I’m guessing he’s been kept inside a barn or something for a long time, because I’m pretty sure he’s got thrush on his feet.”
“That’s not a common ailment here in the desert.” Wyatt climbed the fence and walked closer for a better look, barely aware that Tanner followed. “He seems lame… Did you notice he doesn’t flex his foot?” He spoke soothingly while he lifted the horse’s leg and probed the tender heel and frog area.
“Yeah, I noticed. Lack of flexing usually means his hooves didn’t get cleaned much.” Tanner’s voice was low and gruff. “Which certainly seems to be the case.”
“It’s hard to understand cruelty to animals,” Wyatt agreed softly. “You’re doing the right thing. Keep him in the fresh air, get him to walk around, and watch what happens.”
“Can I call you if it doesn’t clear up?”
“Of course. Meanwhile, keep his heels trimmed back.” Wyatt swept his hand across the horse’s flanks after releasing his foot. “He could stand some extra oats, too.”
“He’s getting them,” Tanner said with a nod. “Don’t worry, Wyatt. My foreman, Lefty, Moses and I are all keeping a close eye on this guy. He won’t suffer at Wranglers.”
“You’ve got some great stock here, the kind I’d like to add to my own ranch someday.” Wyatt surveyed the other horses with their shiny coats in the surrounding paddocks. Someday, he promised himself as he closed the gate. Then he wondered if he could keep that promise.
“You’re anxious to get back to Cade.” Tanner wasn’t asking a question.
