The Rancher’s Christmas Miracle

by Maya Stirling

  Grace scoffed, taking hold of Josh's arm. "You know that's not true," she exclaimed. "God brought Ryan into your life for a purpose. To give that boy a real family. One where he could feel loved. And for him to live in a place where he can feel safe." Grace peered into Josh's eyes. "You know what that means. The Munro ranch. And nowhere else." Grace's voice shook with emotion.

  Josh nodded. "You're right, Grace. I've seen the joy in Ryan's face this last few days. He's settling in here. Getting used to the life on the ranch."

  "This is where he belongs, Josh," Grace said emphatically. "If he goes with Linus, who knows where he'll end up. Maybe a life on the trail. Moving from town to town."

  Josh shook his head. "Linus has a place back in Texas. He works as a wrangler as and when he can get the work."

  "You see what I mean, Josh," Grace said triumphantly. "That's no stability for Ryan. Not like he'll have here."

  Josh sighed. "Linus says he has a claim on Ryan," he said. "And he wants to do whatever it takes to bring him home to Texas. Maybe I can't stop him doing that."

  Grace shook her head. "If you have the papers, that's all that matters. Linus can't force you to hand over Ryan. Not even if he's Ryan's only surviving family. Any judge would agree to you keeping Ryan," Grace said boldly. "I'm certain about that."

  Josh paced a few moments and then halted, gazing straight into Grace's eyes. Once again, she could see there was something powerful on his mind. "You said something there that makes me think, Grace," Josh said. "About what's being going on between me and you this past couple of weeks."

  Butterflies tumbled in Grace's middle. She knew what Josh was talking about. What he'd wanted to say to her on Friday, in the garden.

  "There's only one thing that'll convince Linus that Ryan belongs here," Josh said slowly. He paused a long moment and then spoke one word. "Family."

  The word struck Grace like a physical blow. "What are you saying, Josh?" she asked.

  Josh took her hands in his. "I'm saying that I love you, Grace Buchanan. That I have always loved you. And that I always will."

  Joy filled Grace's heart and her breath caught in her chest. She felt her eyes moisten with emotion. Josh's gaze was steady and filled with the deepest affection and the truest love. His words had triggered sensations she'd never felt before.

  She gasped and lowered her head. "I don't know what to say, Josh."

  She felt his fingertips lift her chin up. "Say what's in your heart," he murmured softly. She gazed into his eyes, seeing true love there. A love she'd always known he had for her. He was looking at her as if she was his greatest treasure.

  Then, Josh leaned forward and kissed Grace. His lips were gentle and his kiss tender. Her senses filled with the delight of Josh's presence. Josh leaned his head back and smiled warmly at her. Her mind filled with one sentiment. There was only one thing she wanted to say to him. One sentence she had to say to him.

  "I love you, Josh," she whispered.

  Josh's eyes brightened. Then he leaned forward and kissed her again. This time his kiss seemed to last an eternity. He embraced her, holding her gently in his arms. For a few exquisite moments, all their problems faded away, replaced with a tender joy. One she wanted to last forever.

  Abruptly, she knew there was something he might be tempted to ask her. One vital question. But, right now, with Ryan's future in danger, she knew she wasn't ready to give Josh the answer he'd want. The answer she knew she really needed to give him. Her heart was filled with love for Josh, but there was something they both needed to fix before she would even consider taking such an important step with him. The most important step she'd ever take in her life.

  Marriage.

  But, first they had to deal with Linus and his potential claim on Ryan. "Where is Linus staying?" Grace asked.

  Josh frowned. "The hotel. He says he's going to see a lawyer. Maybe get a hearing from a judge in Billings."

  "That won't be happening before Christmas," Grace stated. "Folks are already making preparations to stop working until after the New Year."

  Josh nodded, hope flickering into life in his eyes. "You're right. But how is that going to help us do what's best for Ryan?"

  Grace liked the fact that Josh was thinking about her and him working together to solve the problem. "It gives us some time." She lifted a brow. "Maybe we can do something to persuade Linus that this is where Ryan belongs."

  "Like what?" he asked.

  She frowned. "Right now, I don't know," she said. Glancing brightly at him, she smiled. "But, I'm sure we can figure something out. I'm not going to let that boy go. Not now that he's found happiness in Inspiration."

  Josh's smile warmed Grace's heart. He hugged her, and then kissed her as tenderly as before. "Did I ever tell you that I feel like the luckiest man in Montana?" he breathed.

  Grace tilted her head. "Only in Montana?" she asked and then smiled at Josh.

  Josh kissed her one more time. As they started to walk back toward the house, Grace asked herself what she could possibly do to stop Ryan from being taken away from the place where God had intended him to grow up. It wasn't going to be easy, but she knew she'd have to pray hard and seek guidance.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  On Wednesday, two days before Christmas day, Grace sat in the restaurant of Inspiration's only hotel. She sat at a table by the window. Thankfully, there were only two other ladies in the cafe and they were seated in the far corner, well enough away from Grace. She was waiting for Linus to show up, and he was late. She sipped some of her tea, leaving the tempting cake untouched on the plate. Her appetite had disappeared since she'd sat down at the table a short while before.

  Grace had come to talk with Linus. To find out what he planned to do, of course. But, more importantly, she had a plan. The idea had formed in her mind after she had spoken with Josh on Sunday. Preparations for Christmas had taken up most of her time these last few days. But, it had been when she'd found out from Josh that Wyatt had asked Victoria Baxter to the Munro ranch that Grace had been seized by her idea.

  When Josh had found out about Victoria's Christmas visit, he had, in response, asked Grace to come to his ranch on Christmas day. Normally, Grace would have been at home all day with her family. But, this year was different in so many ways. Emma and the children promised to make Christmas day at the Buchanan ranch even more memorable than usual. And, of course, Grace knew she'd remain for most of that morning. But, Josh had been persuasive, and had made the prospect of being at the Munro ranch so enticing that Grace hadn't been able to decline his offer.

  Grace had talked with Josh about what she could do regarding Linus. Her solution was simple, although Josh had taken some persuading. Finally, he'd come around to Grace's way of thinking. So, she had come into town today to invite Linus to the Munro ranch on Christmas day. And she was hopeful Linus would accept.

  Grace sipped her tea and, placing the cup down, offered up a prayer to God. Lord, grant me the gifts of humility and patience so that I might do what You want me to do. Grant me wisdom and understanding so that Ryan will have the future You want for him.

  The door to the restaurant opened and Grace saw Linus standing there, holding the door handle, peering across at her. He advanced to the table and stood, looking down at her. "You asked to see me, Miss Buchanan?" Linus said. His voice had a firm quality to it. Grace could tell from the stern expression in the man's eyes that he wasn't someone accustomed to easily giving others their way.

  Grace gestured to the seat opposite her. "Won't you join me, Linus," she said.

  Linus shrugged and took his seat across from her. She offered him tea from the pot, but he declined. "What is it you want to say to me, Miss Buchanan?"

  Grace glanced at the two women in the corner and turned back to Linus. She composed herself, straightening in the seat which suddenly felt quite uncomfortable. "Josh related to me everything you said to him on Sunday."

  "Did he?" Linus asked, his brows rising. When he smiled, ther
e was a harsh, resigned quality to it. "He did look surprised when I told him who I was."

  Grace nodded. "He certainly was."

  "But I showed him the photo and the letters," Linus said. He lifted a brow. "You're not saying he doubts who I am?"

  Grace shook her head. "Not at all. He believes you." Grace peered intently at Linus. "Josh was very close friends with your brother. You know that, don't you."

  Linus shrugged and leaned back against the chair. "I figured if they both worked together they'd most likely be buddies."

  "Much more than that, Linus," Grace replied earnestly. "Josh and Jeb were so close that Jeb asked Josh to make a solemn promise. If anything were to happen to Jeb, Josh agreed he'd care for Ryan. Bring him up the way his father would have."

  Linus scoffed. "That was the kind of crazy thing my brother was always doing." Linus sighed. "Jeb always was a sentimental type."

  Grace frowned. "How can you speak of your brother like that? He's passed on. Surely you must have some respect for him."

  Apparently taken aback by Grace's forthrightness, Linus hesitated before replying. "What I mean to say is, Jeb always thought the best of people. And of life." Linus smiled warmly. "Even when he and I were children, he was always trying to do the right thing. Always trying to be honest. Hold people to their promises." Linus looked suddenly thoughtful. "I guess he never really changed. Maybe that's why he became a lawman. To get folks to obey justice."

  Grace took a sip of tea and then placed her cup back down on the saucer. "Do you have the photo you showed Josh?"

  Linus paused a moment and then reached into the inside pocket of his dark jacket. He drew out a small envelope. Removing the rectangular photo, he handed it to Grace. She took it from him and examined it. The photo must have been taken a few years ago, she told herself. In the studio portrait, Linus was standing with his hand resting on a high table. Alongside him was a tall smiling figure with whom he shared the same angular, dark features. But, the expression on the face of Jeb was bright and optimistic. He was standing erect, proudly holding a little, bundled figure swathed in white gown. Grace smiled involuntarily. Ryan had looked so cute when he was tiny. Knowing that Josh had verified the identity of Jeb in the photo, Grace knew that Linus was speaking the truth. He was who he claimed to be.

  Grace handed to picture back to Linus. "Your brother was a fine-looking man," she said.

  Gazing at the photo for a long moment, Linus nodded. "He was a good man," he said. Grace heard longing in the man's voice. She was sure Linus missed his brother greatly.

  "I can see you had great affection for him," Grace said.

  Linus nodded slowly. For a moment, he looked lost in thought. As if simply looking at the photo had been enough to take him back to earlier and better times. Then, snapping himself out of his reflections, he thrust the photo back into his jacket pocket. He gazed across at Grace, a sudden harshness once again in his eyes. "And that's why I think I should be the one to look after Ryan," he declared.

  Grace stiffened in her seat. Fixing a loose hair, she readied herself for the most important part of her meeting with Linus. "Ryan is very happy here in Inspiration," she stated.

  "He only just got here," Linus countered. "I can't imagine he's even had a chance to go to school or to make new friends."

  "Not yet," Grace admitted. "But, he will. Given time."

  Linus shook his head. "My mind is made up. I aim to ask the judge to end the agreement with Mr Munro and hand Ryan over to my care."

  Just listening to his words made Grace sense the urgency of what she was facing. How much Ryan's future was in jeopardy. "Isn't that unfair?" she asked.

  Linus leaned forward, planting his elbows on the table. "Unfair to who, Miss Buchanan. To me? Or to Ryan. The boy needs family. He needs a stable home. And I can provide that back in Texas."

  Unmoved by Linus's sudden change of attitude, Grace remained composed. "You'd be surprised at how much Ryan has gotten used to living at the Munro ranch."

  Linus shook his head. "I work on ranches back in Texas. I know all about ranch living, Miss Buchanan."

  "But, if you're going from ranch to ranch looking for work as a wrangler, isn't that going to make it hard for you to look after Ryan as well as you'd like?" Grace asked.

  Linus's gaze darkened. "Are you saying I can't care for Ryan?" he snapped.

  Grace shook her head. "That's not what I'm saying. It's just that he has settled here so well. He's getting used to life on the ranch." Grace leaned forward, peering intently into Linus's eyes. "He's happy here, Linus. There's so much here for him."

  Linus frowned and was silent for a long moment. "He shook his head. "I came here to do what my brother would have wanted me to do." He rested his arm on the table and leaned back. "I don't intend to change my mind."

  Grace thought for a moment. "When was the last time you saw Jeb?" she asked.

  Linus frowned. "What's that got to do with anything?"

  Grace sensed unease in Linus. "Why did you and your brother not see each other these past few years? Josh never met you in the three years he was in Wyoming." Grace narrowed her gaze. "Was there a reason for you and Jeb being estranged?"

  Linus drew in a deep breath and thought for a while. Then he glared at Grace. "We had a falling out."

  "About what?"

  Drumming his fingers on the table, Linus stared at Grace. "You don't need to know the details. And it doesn't change how I feel about taking Ryan to where he belongs." Linus sighed. "The past is past. It's over and done with. Jeb would have wanted me to do this."

  Grace sensed her opportunity. "But, that's what I'm trying to tell you, Linus. Jeb made his arrangements while you were gone. He had faith in Josh. Otherwise he wouldn't have entrusted Ryan to Josh." Grace smiled. "Josh is a wonderful father to Ryan. He thinks the world of him. And he does everything he possibly can to make Ryan happy."

  Linus frowned. "But, there's one thing Josh doesn't have, yet, Miss Buchanan."

  "What's that?"

  "Josh doesn't have a wife," Linus declared. He grinned triumphantly. "I have someone back in Texas who'll marry me when I return. Lucy will help look after Ryan when I'm working." Linus smiled. "So you see, Miss Buchanan, Josh ain't the perfect father you're making him out to be."

  For the first time since Linus had stepped into the restaurant, Grace found herself lost for words. Heart pounding, mind racing, she lifted her cup and sipped some tea. When she put the cup down she saw that her hand was shaking. She asked herself how she could counter what Linus had just revealed to her. The revelation that Linus would have a wife had stunned Grace. It simply meant Linus had something Josh didn't have. A complete family into which Ryan could be welcomed. Grace thought back to Sunday at the ranch. To the way Josh had held her in his arms. To the kisses and the declarations they'd both made to each other. Was it too late for Grace, Josh and Ryan? She asked herself what she could possibly do to show Linus that, no matter what he could offer, she and Josh could offer so much more.

  "How long are you planning on being here, Linus," Grace asked.

  "I'll be here until early January," he replied. "It'll take that long to get the paperwork sorted. Then I'll be taking the train out of here." He fixed Grace with a steady look. "With Ryan," he added firmly.

  Grace nodded. "I see," she said and paused. She leaned her elbow on the table and smiled defiantly at Linus. She didn't care what he'd just said because if he agreed to what she was about to propose, she knew she and Josh would have one last chance to change Linus's mind.

  Grace looked straight into Linus's eyes and spoke. "What are you planning to do on Christmas day?"