Her Christmas Family Wish

by Lois Richer

  “But what do I do? She prays every night for God to give her a daddy. And now that she’s met Cade, she’s added a brother to her Christmas list.” Ellie threw up her hands. “I can’t make her understand,” she wailed. “Sophie keeps telling me to pray about it and I am, but I’m not getting an answer and I need one because I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

  “‘If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God.’” Wyatt shrugged. “I read that this morning. I guess you have to keep on God’s case, asking Him to show you how to proceed.”

  “I guess.” Ellie sighed. “Gracie’s going to be heartbroken when a daddy doesn’t appear at Christmas.”

  “Maybe I could talk to her a little, sound her out on what’s behind her request.” Wait a minute! What was he doing? He didn’t want to get involved.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Wyatt, though I thank you.” Ellie nibbled on her lower lip. “Gracie’s already fixated on you as the daddy of her dreams. Maybe you’d only make it worse, make her believe you really are moving into her life.”

  “I’d make sure she understands that I’m her friend, but I can’t be her daddy.” Wyatt had a lot more to say on the subject, including a warning to Ellie not to get the wrong impression about his offer. But he couldn’t say it because the phone rang. “It’s after hours. Let the machine pick up,” he said when Ellie glanced from the phone to him.

  “Wyatt, this is Jim Harder at the Triple T. I’ve been trying to reach you for days. You promised you’d do those inoculations this week, and I’m still waiting. I can’t run a ranch like this. Call me tonight with a time to get it done in the next two days, or I’m looking for somebody else. I’d rather have you, but your hours are too erratic. I need a vet who gets here.”

  In the dead quiet of the room Wyatt stared at the answering machine, ashamed that Ellie had heard but frustrated because he knew he was about to lose his most understanding client. Cade was sick. How could Wyatt have left him with some nanny and walked away? But he also needed the work the Triple T offered. They had the biggest herd around. The income from that call alone could pay off some of Wyatt’s bills.

  “What are you going to do?” Ellie whispered.

  “I don’t know.” He raked a hand through his hair, trying to come up with a plan. “I guess I could do the inoculations in bunches. It would take me a few days, but I could do it. But Cade’s sick with this cold—” He shook his head. “I just don’t know.”

  She studied him for several moments, saying nothing, dealing with her own private thoughts.

  “We both need to pray for wisdom, I guess,” she sighed after a few moments had passed. “Right now I have to get Gracie home. Thanks for letting me cry on your shoulder, Wyatt.”

  “I thought it was the other way around.” He followed her into the bedroom, watching as she lifted a sleeping Gracie into her arms.

  “She’s too heavy for you,” he said. “Let me take her.” He didn’t wait for Ellie’s permission but instead scooped Gracie from her arms into his, smiling when the child’s eyes fluttered open.

  “Hi, Daddy,” she murmured, then fell back asleep.

  Wyatt met Ellie’s gaze without saying anything. He followed Ellie out to her car and set Gracie in her car seat, then drew back so Ellie could fasten the seat belt, his mind working furiously.

  “Listen,” he blurted when she emerged from the car and had closed the door. “I have an idea. What if I spend some time with Gracie, just to clear up this daddy notion of hers?”

  “In exchange for what?” Ellie’s eyes searched his face.

  “For you watching Cade for a few hours.”

  The look on her face told him she was about to reject his idea, so he rushed on. “I’ll arrange for a nanny to come every morning as you suggested and handle office calls then. But I have to spend time working my ranch. If you could watch Cade for a couple of hours in the evening, I could get a lot done. Then maybe I’d be able to see more clients here.”

  “But the evenings, before bedtime, those are special daddy moments you shouldn’t miss with Cade,” she protested.

  “Something has to give, Ellie.” He hated admitting that. “I have to work and keep up our home.”

  “I know.” She glanced down at Gracie, then back to him. Her lips tightened as if she wrestled with a decision, then she nodded. “What if I come over after I finish work at Wranglers Ranch? Gracie’s finished school by then. We could stay with Cade, maybe make dinner, and then you’d be free to bathe him and put him to bed. Would that work?”

  “It would.” Wyatt slowly nodded while every brain cell in his head screamed a warning.

  “I have just one condition,” Ellie added, her voice deadly serious.

  “Name it.” Then he’d tell her his condition.

  “You have to agree that this is simply an arrangement between friends and nothing more. I’m not looking for a father for Gracie or a relationship for myself. I need you to be clear on that, Wyatt. Strictly friends.”

  “Agreed,” he said with a nod, relief swelling. “I don’t want any romantic entanglements either. I want help with Cade, and I promise to do my best to help Gracie.” He grinned at her and thrust out his hand. “Deal, friend?”

  Ellie took her time but finally she shook hands with him. “Deal, friend.”

  Wyatt stood there, in the dimness of twilight, holding her soft hand, staring into her lovely face, and wondered if he was making a mistake.

  “I have to go.” Ellie pulled her hand free and got into her car. She started it, then rolled down the window. “Beginning tomorrow?”

  “Sounds good. We’ll be here.” He waved as she drove away until the twinkle of her red taillights had disappeared. Then he walked inside his house and checked on Cade.

  Satisfied his son was sleeping peacefully Wyatt returned to the living room and let his gaze rest on his wedding photo. The same old lump of bitterness toward the youth who had caused Taryn’s death burned inside his gut. If not for that kid his wife would be here and Wyatt’s world would be fine.

  Only it wasn’t fine because he’d kept breaking his promises.

  “That’s not going to happen again,” he told her, his shoulders going back. “I’m focusing on Cade first. Everything else comes second. I promi—”

  Wyatt stopped himself from saying it. No more promises. Turning away he lifted a sleeping Mr. Fudge from his recliner and, after a quick trip outside, locked him in the laundry room to stay safe overnight.

  As he walked past the kitchen to his office to work on his accounts, Wyatt caught a whiff of Ellie’s spicy fragrance. He sat down at his desk thinking of her. She was a focused, determined woman, and she cared deeply for her daughter. She would be an amazing caregiver for Cade, and Wyatt was certain she had no designs on him.

  But what was he going to do about Gracie and her “daddy” quest?

  Chapter Four

  Wyatt’s ranch was gorgeous.

  While Gracie played with Cade in the sandbox, Ellie gazed at the ever changing horizon, mesmerized by the rosy hues of the November sunset above the craggy mountain peaks. For three evenings she’d watched this view and it was never the same.

  Immersed in the display, she jumped when Wyatt asked, “Looking for something?”

  “If I was, I found it. You have the most glorious sunset view I’ve ever seen.” She tried to ignore the flutter of nerves his presence always brought.

  “I do have that.” He stood beside her, watching as the golden sun sank from view. “God’s handiwork is pretty amazing.”

  “It is,” she agreed, then snapped out of her daydream. “Are you finished already?” She checked her watch, surprised to find she’d been out here more than half an hour.

  “I doubt I’ll ever be finished on this place,” Wyatt admitted in a dry tone. “But I’m finished for tonight.” He lifted one shoulder and winced.

  “Are you overdoing it?” Ellie asked as she shepherded the kids inside.

  “No. I’v
e just grown weak and out of shape since Cade came along.” He grinned as he swung the boy in his arms and carried him inside to the bathroom. “Cleanup time. You, too, Gracie,” he called over one shoulder.

  “I’m coming.” Gracie obediently trotted along behind him.

  “And don’t cheap out on the soap either,” Wyatt warned. “I’m going to smell your hands when you’re finished, and I only want to smell soap.”

  “Did your mommy used to smell your hands?”

  Uh-oh. In the kitchen, Ellie froze at her daughter’s question and the sudden silence that ensued.

  “Supper’s ready,” she called, hoping to end Gracie’s inquisitiveness and relieve Wyatt from the necessity of answering. To her surprise the three emerged with big grins. “What happened?” she asked in confusion.

  “Cade splashed water all over the floor. We nearly floated away,” Wyatt said as he set his son in his high chair. “And, no, Gracie. My mom didn’t tell me that. Actually I didn’t have a mom while I was growing up.”

  While Ellie set the serving dishes on the table she tried to decipher Wyatt’s tone. She saw no distress on his handsome face.

  “You didn’t have a mom?” Gracie’s eyes showed her shock. “How come? Did she die?”

  “I don’t know.” Cade frowned as he fiddled with his cutlery. “Maybe. My father would never discuss her.”

  “So you didn’t have a real fam’ly neither.” Gracie frowned. “Just like me.”

  “Gracie, our family is real,” Ellie began.

  But Wyatt interrupted. “You and your mom are a family, Gracie. A very nice one, too.” He smiled at her. “You don’t know how blessed you are to have such a wonderful mommy.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Time to say grace,” Ellie interrupted before her daughter got started on what was becoming her daddy theme song. “Hands together.” She tucked her chin into her neck to hide her smile when Cade clasped his chubby hands together and closed his eyes.

  “Thank You, God, for food, friends and family,” Wyatt said. “Bless the hands that made this meal. Amen.”

  “Amen.” When Ellie lifted her head she found him studying her in a curious way. She touched her fingers to her hair thinking she must have forgotten to comb it. “What are you staring at?” she asked, discomfited by his attention.

  “You. Thank you very much for your help.” Wyatt accepted the bowl she handed him, but his gaze returned to her. “I don’t know how I’d have achieved so much without your help. I’ve got the kennels fully finished and the runs completely fenced now. Finally.”

  “That should help your business.”

  “It should,” he agreed as he served Cade and Gracie. “But what I really want is to take in injured wild animals, treat them and give them a place to heal.”

  “Like Beth’s rabbits?” Gracie asked with a full mouth. Catching her mother’s warning look she gulped before continuing. “My teacher told us about some zoo animals that escaped. Are you gonna get lions here?”

  “No lions.” Wyatt chuckled. “I’m not sure what kind of animals I’ll get, Gracie. So far that’s just a dream.”

  “You have dreams?” she asked, surprised.

  “Everybody has dreams, kiddo. Things we want to do or see or places we want to go, maybe people we want to meet. Even me.” He smiled at her and took a bite of his food.

  “I want you to be my daddy. That’s my dream.”

  Ellie wanted to groan. How could she deal with this? Nothing, not discouragement, explanations nor anything she’d tried so far, had worked.

  “Gracie, honey, you are a very sweet girl,” Wyatt said softly. “But I don’t think I can be your daddy.” He laid down his utensils so his complete focus was on her.

  “You hafta. I’ve been praying so hard.” Gracie frowned.

  “I know you have. And I know God hears you. But sometimes God can’t give us what we pray for, even though we really, really want it.”

  “Why not?” Gracie’s bottom lip thrust out, and her face scrunched up in a frown.

  Ellie waited for Wyatt to explain, content for now, to leave this to him. After all, that was their bargain, wasn’t it?

  “Because sometimes what we want isn’t good for us,” Wyatt said.

  “Huh?” Gracie was clearly puzzled.

  “Well, think of it this way. God is a father, right? Our Father.”

  “Yeah.” Gracie nodded.

  “I’m a father, too. I’m Cade’s father.” He shot his son such a proud look that Ellie caught her breath at the love shining in his eyes.

  “When he gets a little older and starts asking me for things, do you think I should give him everything he asks for?”

  “I dunno,” Gracie replied. But Ellie could see that Wyatt’s message was getting through as her daughter suddenly concentrated on her meal.

  “Sure you do.” Wyatt handed Cade half a roll. “If he asked for something to eat, do you think I’d give him that?”

  “Yes.” Gracie nodded without hesitation.

  “What if Cade asked me for candy?” Wyatt said next.

  “Candy tastes good. Cade likes choc’lat.” Gracie grinned at the little boy. “Me, too.”

  “So it’d be okay if I gave Cade chocolate every time he asked for it?” Now Wyatt nonchalantly chewed on his salad.

  Ellie wanted to cheer at his strategy. First her daughter nodded vigorously, then paused.

  “Maybe not every time,” Gracie said finally.

  “But why not? You said Cade likes chocolate, and eating it makes him happy. I sure want my boy to be happy.”

  “He’ll get sick.” Gracie made a face. “I ate too much candy at Melissa’s birthday, and I got a tummy ache. It hurt a lot.”

  “And I don’t want Cade to get sick. I sure don’t want him to hurt.” Wyatt paused and held her gaze to make sure she heard him. “So sometimes when Cade asks me for candy I will have to say no. Because that’s what’s best for him, and as his daddy, I always want what’s best for my child. Because I love him. Right, Gracie?”

  Ellie’s glance met Wyatt’s. He smiled encouragement, but she couldn’t return his smile. This was too important. Gracie had to understand that he was not going to be her father. That no one was.

  “So even if Cade keeps asking me over and over, I can’t give him what he wants.” Wyatt’s tone was so tender as he added, “Because I love him.”

  “But I didn’t ask God for candy,” Gracie protested. “I want a daddy. You.”

  “I know, honey. But it works the very same way.” Wyatt leaned in so he could look directly into her eyes. “Getting you a daddy—that’s up to God. God’s your Father, and He loves you very much. If He wants you to have a daddy, then when He’s ready, He’ll make it happen. But you can’t make it happen, Gracie.”

  Ellie held her breath, waiting to see how Gracie accepted this. Her daughter went on eating, and Ellie wondered if she’d finally give up her daddy quest.

  Then Gracie looked up at Wyatt. “You mean I shouldn’t pray for a daddy. But my Sunday school teacher said we should always tell God what we want.”

  “You should always pray, Gracie.” Wyatt’s face was very serious. “Even if your mom can’t give you every single thing you ask for, you talk to her about other things, don’t you?”

  “Yeah.” Gracie nodded.

  “Well, that’s how it is with God. We tell Him all about what’s in our hearts, and He listens because He loves us.” Wyatt lifted his gaze to Ellie as if asking her what else he could say.

  Ellie scrambled for something to add, but Gracie preempted her.

  “Pastor Jeff was talking at church one time about a woman in the Bible who kept asking Jesus to make her better even after He didn’t do it right away.” She focused on Wyatt with intensity. “Pastor Jeff said Jesus healed her, and maybe it was ’cause He just wanted her to stop asking. So that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna keep asking God for you for my daddy.”

  Ellie sagged in her seat. She’d b
een so sure—

  “Maybe He’ll do it just to stop me askin’,” she said thoughtfully and finished the food left on her plate. “Are we havin’ dessert?”

  Aware that Wyatt had pushed away his unfinished plate after a resigned sigh, Ellie rose and served dishes of pecan pie.

  “I bought it from a roadside market on the way over here. I hope they make a good pie,” she said.

  “They certainly do,” Wyatt said after he’d tasted a bite. “Thank you very much, Ellie. I haven’t had pie in a long time.”

  “I have ice cream for Cade,” she said. A moment later she handed the little boy a cone which he grabbed and bit into. A surprised look filled his face as the cold hit, then he squealed, laughed and took another bite.

  “I guess that means he likes it.” Wyatt grinned at her, and for the life of her Ellie couldn’t stop herself from grinning back at him like some kind of coconspirator. But wasn’t that exactly what they were?

  “I guess it’s back to washing hands and faces,” Wyatt said when everyone had finished their dessert. “Come on, Gracie, you, too. You can’t get in your mom’s car looking like that.”

  “Why not?” she asked as she followed him to clean up.

  “What if a policeman stopped you?” Wyatt’s booming laugh filled the house. “He’d have to give your mom a ticket for having a daughter with such a grubby face.”

  He was so good with Gracie that it was a shame he couldn’t be—No!

  Ellie stopped that thought dead in the water. That was ridiculous. She didn’t want any romantic entanglements. She had all she could do working at Wranglers, babysitting Cade and caring for Gracie.

  But as Wyatt waved her off and she drove home, Ellie couldn’t help the silly little picture that filled her mind of a family having a picnic around Wyatt’s big fire pit.

  “Not your family,” she chided her wayward brain.

  “Are you talking to yourself again, Mommy?” Gracie asked.