The Rancher’s Christmas Miracle

by Maya Stirling

  Then, Josh turned and headed down the hallway toward Ryan's room. Grace turned and looked at Wyatt. The man said nothing. He merely lifted a brow, as if what she had just witnessed confirmed everything he'd said to her.

  "I'm going to head back to the ranch," Grace said.

  "I think that's a good idea," Wyatt agreed.

  And then she walked out of the ranch house, convinced more than ever that she had no place in Josh Munro's new life.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Hours later, during the night, Josh awoke abruptly in his bed. He heard footsteps in the hallway outside his room. He recognized Miriam's voice, a low murmur and words barely audible. Josh slid out of bed, feeling the cold floorboards on his feet and the chill of the night clutching at his body. He slipped on his nightgown and opened the door to his bedroom. He saw Miriam and Wyatt standing outside his door. Wyatt held a lamp in his hand. Even by the soft light shimmering on their features, Josh could tell instantly something was wrong.

  "What is it?" he asked quietly.

  "It's Ryan,"Miriam murmured. "I heard him moaning, so I checked in on him." Miriam's gaze steadied. "He's got a fever."

  Josh gasped and felt cold fingers tighten around his heart. He pushed past Miriam and Wyatt and entered Ryan's room. By the lamp on the bedside table, Josh could see the boy's small form beneath the blanket. Ryan's eyes were closed and he was moaning quietly, while his body shifted from side to side with small, twitching movements. Josh raced to Ryan's bedside, kneeled down and leaned his elbows on the bed. He touched his hand against Ryan's forehead. The boy's skin was blazing hot and moist with sweat.

  Hearing Miriam and Wyatt entering the room behind him, Josh turned to them. "What can we do?"

  Miriam frowned. "I'll get some damp towels. We'll try and cool that fever. Keep his temperature down." She left the room and Wyatt went to the opposite side of the bed and sat down on a chair. Josh could see that even Wyatt had been affected by the sudden change in Ryan. His features were grim.

  Josh gazed at Ryan and felt his chest tighten. Ryan's eyes were closed and his face was pale. His skin looked loose, devoid of the natural liveliness it usually possessed. Josh tried to swallow but couldn't. He ran a hand across Ryan's forehead, trying desperately to wipe the warm sweat from the boy's skin. But there was a copious amount of it.

  "We should get the doc to come out," Josh said urgently and looked across at Wyatt.

  Wyatt nodded. "I can go get him," he stated.

  When Wyatt stood, Josh gestured for him to halt. "Wait until Miriam comes back," he requested.

  Wyatt nodded and gazed down at the twisting form of the little boy.

  "This is my fault," Josh said quietly. "I shouldn't have let him run off like that."

  "Don't be hard on yourself, Josh," Wyatt replied. Glancing down at Ryan, he added: "That little guy has a lot of spirit."

  Josh groaned. "That's the understatement of the century." Josh frowned. "What am I going to do?"

  Wyatt narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

  Josh sighed. "If anything happens to him." He groaned and shook his head. "I can hardly think about that."

  Ryan moaned and Josh reached out, laying a hand on the boy's chest, trying desperately to settle his writhing form. But the gesture had no effect. It had been a long time since Josh had felt pain like this. It burned his heart to see his newly-adopted son suffering. He suddenly felt as if he had no control over anything. As if all of this was beyond his capacity to handle. Then a thought came to his mind.

  Josh glanced up at Wyatt. "Will you pray with me, Wyatt?"

  Apparently startled by the suggestion, Wyatt's features set into an impassive mask. Josh heard Wyatt drag in a deep breath. He glanced away from Josh, suddenly lost in thought. Finally, Wyatt looked at Josh. "Okay," he agreed. Josh felt his spirits lift suddenly.

  His hand still resting on Ryan's chest, Josh bowed his head. "Almighty Father, grant my son health," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "Protect and heal Ryan with Your infinite mercy. I know things have been hard, and I haven't always heeded Your voice as well as I might have. But, if You can gaze kindly upon my son, I ask that you grant him the blessing of a full recovery. Amen."

  When Josh opened his eyes, he gazed at Ryan's form for a few long moments. Ryan's suffering was still continuing. Looking up at Wyatt, he saw his half-brother's expression was soft, filled with obvious concern. Before he had a chance to thank Wyatt for joining him in prayer, Josh heard Miriam's footsteps. She came rushing into the room clutching a bundle of damp white cloths. Miriam handed Josh one of the cool cloths. Josh placed it on Ryan's forehead. Sensing the sudden touch of the cold cloth, Ryan moaned and twisted his head from side to side.

  Wyatt strode to the door. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he announced.

  Josh nodded to Wyatt and watched him leave the room, closing the door gently behind him. Miriam went across to the other side of the bed and sat down on the seat Wyatt had just vacated. Josh could see the worry on Miriam's face. It seemed like Ryan had found his way into the housekeeper's heart in only a few short days.

  Josh pressed the damp cloth against Ryan's forehead. "I still don't know how he managed to make it to the forest this morning," Josh complained quietly.

  "He's young, Josh," Miriam suggested. "He's just trying to explore his new world."

  "You think so, Miriam?" Josh asked. "Sometimes I think he's trying to escape."

  Miriam frowned. "Why would he want to do that? Living on a ranch is surely any young boy's dream."

  Josh shook his head and gazed down at Ryan. "Not this little one. He's been used to town living. And, with his real pa, he had a life of excitement. Living above a sheriff's office was never dull." Josh sighed. "I'm wondering if Ryan finds ranch life just plain boring."

  Miriam's brows shot up in a line. "Boring? How can that be? Look at those two young girls up at the Buchanan ranch. I heard Jake and Emma have a hard time controlling their daughters. They're desperate to get involved in every bit of ranch life. They've taken to it like a duck to water."

  Josh frowned thoughtfully. Maybe he'd have to have a talk with Jake Buchanan. Just to get some tips on how to persuade a youngster to try living this kind of life. He knew it must be a shock for Ryan. Being the son of a lawman was sure different from being the adopted son of a rancher. If Ryan made a full recovery, Josh vowed he'd do whatever it took to improve things.

  He thought about how he'd refused Grace's offer of help earlier that day. He knew he'd been too abrupt with her. But, the worry about Ryan had played a part in that. Seeing Grace's shocked expression, and the plain disappointment on her face, had hurt Josh badly. The last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt Grace's feelings. He'd been surprised to find her in the ranch house when he'd arrived.

  Ever since the previous day, in town, walking side by side with her on the boardwalk, eating the roast chestnuts, he'd been eager to see her again. It was just that the circumstances of this morning hadn't been ideal. But, she sure had looked pretty. And, having her alongside him as he'd held Ryan, warming his chilled body by the fire, had helped lessen the pain and worry he'd felt. That had always been the way with Grace, though. Josh knew she'd always been able to calm his spirits, especially at moments of crisis. Moments of need. It was why he'd always believed that he and Grace had a special bond. That, somehow, she was able to bring out the best in him. No matter how bad things got.

  Looking down at Ryan, Josh concluded that things had suddenly gotten real bad. And, for a brief moment, he longed to have Grace by his side, sharing in the ordeal. He knew she'd give him strength.

  But, for now, all he could do was wait for the doctor to come to the ranch. He knew it would take a while. Josh glanced over at Miriam and was glad that the kindly, loyal housekeeper was with him. It promised to be a long night and even longer day.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Grace sat alongside her family members on the front row of the church pews and wondered where Josh and Ryan could b
e. On the same long seat, Jake and Emma were murmuring to one another, Clara and Bethany were whispering and occasionally giggling, while Matilda was gazing resolutely ahead at the pastor. The service was about to start and the church was still filling up with the large, regular congregation. Grace waved across to her Buchanan cousins and their wives, and her aunt Eugenie and uncle Caleb. Everyone was dressed up warm. The cold, Sunday morning air was sweeping in through the open doors. Outside, the church yard was covered in snow, more of which had fallen overnight.

  Grace faced the front and frowned. Matilda leaned across to Grace. "I thought you told me Josh was bringing Ryan to church today," Matilda said quietly.

  "He said he was going to do that," Grace replied nodding. "I wonder why they're not here." She felt worry tugging at her. She hadn't been back to the Munro ranch since being dismissed by Josh in that abrupt manner of his. The memory of that sudden gesture still lingered in her mind. Of course, she understood how worried Josh had been. His short temper had been understandable. But, during an earlier conversation, he had promised he would bring Ryan to his first Inspiration church service. Josh had seemed really excited about the prospect of coming to church with Ryan. He'd spoken about how it would be an important moment for him and Ryan. Their first attendance at church as father and son. And in the town where they intended to settle for good.

  Later, when the service had finished, Grace made her way outside with her family. Standing at the top of the steps, she looked down to the yard and saw Wyatt Munro waiting alongside a buckboard. He held his Stetson in his hand and was shifting awkwardly on his heels. He was looking straight at Grace. She wondered why he hadn't come into church, and then recalled her conversation him on Friday about his reluctance to come to church. Wyatt waved a beckoning hand at Grace.

  Going down the steps and striding over to him, she halted, wondering what he had to say to her. "Wyatt? What is it?" she asked.

  "Josh asked me to come and see you," Wyatt explained. His features were set in a grim expression.

  Anxiety twisted in her middle. "Why didn't he come himself?" Grace asked abruptly.

  Wyatt glanced over Grace's shoulder. Wyatt looked tired, she told herself. As if he hadn't slept properly. He leaned his head closer to Grace and spoke quietly. "He couldn't come. Ryan's unwell."

  Grace gasped and stared, wide-eyed at Wyatt. "What's wrong with him?"

  "He has a fever," Wyatt murmured, still obviously not wanting to be overheard.

  Grace lifted a hand to her mouth. "Oh, my goodness," Grace exclaimed. "When did he become unwell?"

  "Friday night. He must have taken a fever after we found him in the forest in the snow," Wyatt explained. "You know, when he ran away."

  The breath eased out of Grace. "Has the doctor seen him?"

  Wyatt nodded. "He came as soon as we found out." Wyatt's face turned visibly pale. "Doc says it's serious."

  The contrast between Wyatt's cold demeanor during her conversation and how he looked now, impressed itself upon Grace. He didn't look like the same man. She couldn't help asking herself why he hadn't come inside the church. Maybe some things still hadn't changed. Especially Wyatt's reluctance to attend a service.

  "Josh has been with Ryan the whole time," Wyatt revealed.

  Grace glanced at the crowd of church attendees. She could see her mother looking quizzically in her direction. Grace realized she had to go to Josh and Ryan. If Josh was asking for her help, the situation must be serious. "Wait a moment," she said to Wyatt. Grace walked across to her mother and explained why she was going to Ranch Munro.

  Emma gasped when she heard what Grace had to say. "You can't go alone," Emma declared, glancing at Wyatt who was still standing alongside the buckboard. "I'll come with you."

  Grace wasn't about to refuse Emma's offer of help. They both said goodbye to Matilda who promised to get Clara and Bethany home safely. Grace and Emma went to Wyatt. He seemed surprised that Emma was accompanying Grace. But, it would have been inappropriate for Grace to go with Wyatt alone.

  Once seated on the buckboard seat, Wyatt drove it quickly out of town. No-one said anything during the journey, apart from when the buckboard almost got stuck on the snow-covered trail. Finally, they reached Ranch Munro. Grace and Emma followed Wyatt into the ranch house and along the narrow hallway to Ryan's room. Opening the door carefully, Wyatt stood to one side and gestured for Grace and Emma to enter.

  The curtains were closed and the room was lit by lamps in each corner. On the small bed, in the center of the room, lay the huddled, still form of Ryan. Next to the bed sat the slumped figure of Josh. His head was resting on the side of the bed. He was clearly asleep. Grace glanced toward the corner of the room and saw Miriam seated on a small chair, her arms folded, her eyes wide open. The housekeeper started to stand, but Grace lifted a hand, signaling for the woman to remain seated. Miriam leaned back against the chair and looked about to say something. Grace lifted a finger to her lips and Miriam nodded silently.

  Grace tiptoed across toward the bed. A floorboard creaked and Josh lifted his head abruptly, turning to face Grace. Seeing her, his eyes widened and he smiled weakly. Grace saw the shadows beneath Josh's eyes. He looked weary, as if he hadn't slept since Friday night. Grace smiled kindly at Josh. He sat upright and watched as she took her place on the chair on the opposite side of the bed.

  Grace leaned across to Ryan and touched his forehead. The boy's skin was hot. His eyes were closed. He moaned slightly as she touched his skin. Grace realized that her fingers were still cold from her time outside. She quickly removed her hand, anxious not to wake Ryan. He needed all the undisturbed rest he could get.

  Wyatt left the room, and soon brought an extra chair upon which Emma took her place. Then Wyatt left, closing the door behind him. Grace heard his footsteps moving down the hall.

  Grace looked across at Josh. His face sagged with worry. She wondered what he'd been through, being at the bedside like this for over twenty-four hours straight.

  "How is he?" Grace whispered.

  Josh glanced down at Ryan's face. "The fever hasn't gotten any worse. I guess that is some kind of good news."

  Grace nodded. "What did the doctor say?"

  Josh sighed. "The first forty-eight hours will be crucial. If the fever breaks, that'll be a good sign. We can only wait and see. And try to keep him cool."

  "Has he woken up?" Emma asked.

  From the corner of the room, Miriam spoke: "He did, twice. Overnight. We managed to give him some water. He kept it down."

  "That's good news," Grace observed. "With all the fluid he's losing sweating, he'll need that liquid." Grace gazed across at Josh. "Have you managed to get some rest?"

  "I'll be fine," he announced. Grace could see that Josh was anything but fine. She wasn't surprised that he'd say such a thing. His concern for Ryan's welfare was obviously real and genuine.

  "You should try and get some rest," Grace insisted gently.

  Josh's eyes flashed momentarily, and then he quickly composed himself.

  Miriam stood and walked across to Josh. She laid a hand on his shoulder. "Miss Buchanan is right, Josh. You've been here since Friday night. Maybe you should go lie down. Just for a while."

  Grace heard Josh drag in a defiant, sharp breath. He was about to reply when Ryan opened his eyes. There were gasps of relief from everyone around the bed.

  Miriam went to Ryan and lifted his head gently off the pillow. "Ryan. Good to see you awake again." Miriam smiled at him and then at Grace. "Look who came to see you."

  Ryan slowly turned his head toward Grace. She leaned closer to him and smiled. "Ryan. How're you feeling? I brought Emma with me to see you."