The Rancher’s Christmas Miracle

by Maya Stirling

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  It was Christmas morning. Josh gazed out of his bedroom window. Tiny flakes of snow were falling. Josh smiled. Perfect, he told himself. He got dressed and made his way along the hallway. Miriam was cooking breakfast when Josh entered the kitchen.

  "Merry Christmas, Miriam," Josh announced in his cheeriest voice.

  Miriam turned from the dry sink and smiled at Josh. "And a Merry Christmas to you, Josh." She wiped her hands on her apron. "Breakfast will be ready soon."

  "I'm going to find Ryan," Josh stated leaving the kitchen. He found Ryan in the sitting room. He was standing in front of the tree which had been put up in the corner of the room. Ryan was gazing at the huge object wrapped in brown paper and string which Josh had placed next to the tree earlier that morning. He'd risen while Ryan had still been asleep. Josh had quietly carried the gift from a cupboard at the rear of the ranch house. The hiding place had proven effective because, right now, Ryan looked as if discovering the huge gift at the foot of the tree had come as a genuine surprise.

  "Merry Christmas, Ryan," Josh said.

  Ryan turned and ran to Josh, throwing himself against Josh's legs. Josh wrapped his arms around the excited boy. "Merry Christmas, pa," Ryan yelled as he looked up at Josh's deliberately inscrutable expression. "Can I open my present now, pa?"

  Josh mischievously lifted a brow. "What present are you talking about, Ryan?" he asked, knowing full well what Ryan was talking about.

  Ryan pointed to the huge parcel. "That one," he exclaimed.

  "How do you know it's yours?" Josh asked, continuing to tease Ryan.

  Breaking away from Josh, Ryan dashed to the tree and tugged at the gift. "It has to be for me. No-one else would get something this big."

  Josh went to Ryan. "Not even me?"

  Ryan nodded. "Not even you, or uncle Wyatt, or Grace." Ryan pulled at the bulky package. "I think I know what it is."

  "Really," Josh drawled. He bent down and dragged the heavy parcel out from the side of the tree. As he did so, he heard footsteps behind him. Wyatt entered the room, looking slightly bleary-eyed. "What's all the excitement?" he asked, giving Ryan a welcoming grin.

  Josh laughed quietly. "Have you forgotten what Christmas morning feels like?"

  Wyatt shook his head. "No. And I can see someone who can't wait to open their present. I wonder what that can be."

  Too excited to notice that Josh and Wyatt were teasing him, Ryan's gaze was fixed on the the gift as Josh heaved it out across the floor. Josh sat down on the floor and peered at Ryan who was hopping up and down on his slippered feet. "You want to see what it is?" Josh teased one last time.

  Ryan squealed with excitement. Josh beckoned him to the parcel. "Merry Christmas, Ryan. This is from me and Wyatt," Josh said glancing at Wyatt. He knew how much work Wyatt had put into helping make the gift. Wyatt nodded appreciatively at Josh as Ryan tore into the wrapping. Paper flew in the air in an instant. For a second Ryan's tiny form disappeared inside the mass of paper. Then Josh heard Ryan yell triumphantly.

  "A toboggan!" the boys voice screamed out.

  Josh helped Ryan get rid of the remainder of paper and string. The toboggan was bright and shiny and perfectly constructed. The smooth edges of the wood glowed with the finish which Josh and Wyatt had painstakingly applied. Josh admired his handiwork and nodded. It was a good toboggan. Ryan sat down on the toboggan and cried out in delight.

  Josh smiled up at Wyatt. "Looks like somebody's happy with their gift," he joked.

  Wyatt laughed. "I think you're right." He glanced out through the window. "And I think it's going to snow again, today."

  "Can I go outside?" Ryan asked.

  Reluctantly, Josh gave Ryan a stern look. "You can come out with me. After breakfast." Ignoring Ryan's complaining moan, Josh added. "And you have to promise me you'll wear the coat Grace gave you. It's cold outside today. And you need to keep warm." He eyed Ryan and lifted a brow. He extended a hand. "Do we have an agreement?" he asked Ryan.

  The boy shook Josh's hand. "Okay, pa."

  Josh felt a surge of pride. Only a few weeks ago, getting Ryan to behave like that would have seemed impossible. Everyone's hard work had paid off. Including Grace's efforts. Josh told himself he couldn't have done any of this without Grace's help.

  Josh stood and went to Wyatt. "Merry Christmas, Wyatt," he said.

  "Merry Christmas, Josh," Wyatt replied, still watching the delight on Ryan's features. "We did a good job," he added quietly.

  Josh turned and gazed down at Ryan who was running his hands admiringly over the surface of the toboggan. "I think you're right." He turned to Wyatt. "When is Victoria coming over?"

  Josh saw Wyatt's face flush red. "This afternoon," he announced. "She wants to spend the morning with her family." Wyatt squinted at Josh. "And Grace?" he asked.

  "Same. She's coming over this afternoon."

  Wyatt laughed quietly. "It's going to be a different kind of Christmas, this year," he said. Josh heard a wistful tone in Wyatt's voice. He knew he must be thinking about their father. And so was Josh. It was impossible to forget the Christmas days of previous years. The happy memories had been drifting in and out of Josh's mind all week while preparations had been made.

  Josh heard the sound of horse's hooves on the hard-packed ground in the yard. He went to the window and gazed out. Through the light, drifting snow he saw a rider drawing to a halt in front of the porch. The rider dismounted and then Josh saw who it was. Linus. Immediately, Josh felt nerves tighten in his gut. Grace had mentioned talking with Linus in town during the week. And, she'd suggested Linus pay a visit on Christmas day. Josh had agreed to the suggestion, but he hadn't thought Linus would arrive so early in the day.

  Wyatt came to stand next to Josh. "Is that who I think it is?" he asked. Josh had explained the situation to Wyatt. But even Wyatt looked surprised to see Linus on the ranch at this time in the morning.

  Josh nodded. "Linus has come early," he murmured. Josh glanced at Ryan. "I think it's time for some introductions."

  Josh made his way out to the porch, followed by Wyatt. It was cold and Linus had wrapped up warm, wearing a heavy jacket and Stetson. He'd tied his horse to the hitching rail and was walking toward Josh. There was a hesitant look in Linus's eyes.

  "Morning," Linus said, his voice gruff. It was no wonder, Josh reflected. It was cold Christmas morning.

  Josh introduced Linus to Wyatt. Both men shook hands warily. Then Josh invited Linus into the house. In the hall, Linus took off his jacket, signaling he intended staying a while. Josh said nothing as the man hung his coat on the hook.

  Linus breathed in deeply. "I can smell breakfast," he muttered.

  Then, footsteps thundered on the wooden floor and Ryan tumbled out of the sitting room. He slid to a halt and gazed up at Linus. The man's features brightened instantly. He smiled down a Ryan. "Merry Christmas, Ryan," Linus said.

  "Do I know you, mister?" Ryan said hesitantly. Ryan glanced at Josh, just to check if everything was alright. Josh nodded reassuringly at Ryan.

  Linus held out a hand to Ryan. The little boy took Linus's hand and shook it. Linus's smile broadened. "Do you know who I am, Ryan?"

  Josh felt himself stiffen. He glanced at Wyatt and saw the concern on his face. But, there was no way of avoiding the truth, Josh told himself. This was a moment which had been coming. He'd considered telling Ryan in advance, but he'd concluded there'd been no way of talking about it which would have guaranteed that Ryan wouldn't be taken aback. All he had done is told Ryan that there were going to be some welcome visitors at the ranch on Christmas day.

  Linus squatted down and faced Ryan at his own level. "I've come a long way to see you, Ryan," Linus said softly. "All the way from Texas."

  "Texas!" Ryan exclaimed.

  Linus nodded, reaching into his pocket and taking out what Josh recognized to be the photo of himself, Jeb and the tiny Ryan. "I haven't seen you in a long time," Linus said. He held out the photo. Ry
an took it. He examined it for a long moment. "My pa," Ryan said softly. He peered at Linus. "And you're next to him. Are you my uncle?"

  Josh saw Linus's eyes moisten. The man nodded and smiled. "I'm your uncle, Linus. Maybe your pa talked about me."

  Ryan frowned. "He did. But, you've been away in Texas a long time."

  Linus sighed and nodded. He glanced up at Josh. "I have, Ryan. Too long." He smiled at Ryan. "But, I decided to come visit you." He reached out and pinched Ryan's rosy cheek. "A kind of a surprise, you might say."

  Ryan glanced up at Josh. Once again, Josh nodded once, reassuring Ryan.

  Linus opened his arms. "It's good to see you, Ryan," he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

  Ryan went to Linus and hugged the man. By the joyous expression on the man's face, Josh saw how much that hug meant to Linus.

  Footsteps sounded from the kitchen, and Miriam came into the hallway. Startled at the sight, she gasped. Linus stood and further introductions were made.

  "I didn't expect extra mouths at breakfast," Miriam exclaimed. She smiled. "But, I'm sure I can find some more."

  "That sounds just fine," Josh said to Miriam.

  Ryan came to Josh and hugged Josh's legs. Josh figured Ryan was still trying to come to terms with his real uncle's surprise appearance. Maybe once he'd tried his toboggan, Ryan would return to his usual boisterous self.

  And then they all started to make their way into the kitchen for a real family breakfast.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  In the early afternoon, when Grace arrived from the Buchanan ranch, accompanied by some surprise guests of her own, she was greeted by the most wonderful scene. The two carriages arrived in the yard in front of the Munro ranch house, bearing herself, Matilda and Bethany in one, and Jake, Emma and Clara in the other. Next to the corral, Grace saw a group of individuals attending to a very happy young man who was busy sliding down the snow-covered hillside on his brand new toboggan.

  Grace got down from the carriage and walked across the yard. Josh was standing alongside Wyatt and another figure. Linus was watching as Ryan started pulling up his toboggan from the bottom of the hill. Grace was pleased to see that Ryan was wearing his new coat, hat and gloves. There was no chance of him catching cold dressed like that, she told herself.

  Josh looked astonished at the sudden arrival of the surprise guests. He gazed, wide-eyed at Grace. "Is that your family I see there?" he asked.

  Grace smiled and nodded. "We brought some Christmas food and gifts. Figured we'd make it a real family Christmas," she stated.

  Josh looked amazed. "I don't know what Miriam will think of all the extra mouths that need feeding. We haven't had Christmas dinner yet." He lifted at brow. "We were waiting for you."

  Grace pouted at Josh. "Don't worry about that. My mother and Hettie have prepared more than enough for everyone." Grace looked past Josh at Ryan and Linus. "I see they've met," she said.

  Josh nodded. "They've been out here for almost an hour now." He smiled. "Ryan can't get enough of using the toboggan."

  "And it seems like Linus is helping him," she observed.

  Josh cupped his hand over Grace's elbow and led her toward the corral, leaving Wyatt and Linus watching over Ryan. Josh lowered his voice. "Linus has been surprisingly decent about all this. What did you say to him on Wednesday?"

  Grace thought for a moment. "Nothing special that I can think of," she replied. "I just told him the truth about how much you loved Ryan. And how hard you'd been working to give him a happy home here on the ranch."

  Josh looked thoughtful. "It's funny. The moment he saw Ryan, all that tension, all his worries, seemed to disappear. It was almost as if just seeing Ryan made something change in Linus."

  Grace watched as Ryan threw himself onto the toboggan and went careering down the snowy hillside. She felt a sudden anxiety, recalling how sick Ryan had been only a short while ago. "Aren't you worried he's going to hurt himself?"

  Josh peered across at Wyatt and Linus. He shook his head. "He's got two people watching him. I think he'll be fine. He has to learn how to look after himself. Especially if he's going to stay here for good."

  Grace heard her mother call out to her. She turned to look at Matilda and saw Miriam racing out of the ranch house. She couldn't hear what was being said but, from where she stood, it was obvious there was a great deal of excitement at the prospect of setting up a large meal for everyone. Jake had stacked food in boxes on the carriage which Grace had driven. He was busy carrying the boxes into the house. Clara and Bethany were helping him.

  Grace heard a scream of delight from Ryan's direction. She glanced across and saw Wyatt and Linus helping Ryan pull the toboggan back up the hillside. "Maybe it's time Ryan went inside."

  Josh smiled at Grace. "It's Christmas day. If he wants to play all day, how am I going to stop him." Josh looked across at Ryan, Wyatt and Linus. "They seem to be getting along pretty well."

  Grace agreed with Josh's assessment. Linus, in particular, seemed delighted with everything that was happening. It seemed like playing with his nephew on Christmas day had brought some real happiness into Linus's life. Perhaps he hadn't expected that when he'd set out for the Munro ranch this morning. Maybe he'd expected to find resistance or awkwardness on his visit. Instead, it seemed he'd found love and acceptance. But, time would tell whether that would last until Linus had decided if he still wanted to take Ryan back to Texas with him.

  The wheels of another carriage sounded in the distance. Grace watched the carriage roll into the yard. She recognized Victoria Baxter holding the reins. Victoria had come on her own from the Baxter ranch. Seeing Victoria, Wyatt quickly left Ryan and Linus and went rapidly to her. She saw Wyatt escort Victoria down from the carriage seat. Wyatt's delight was written all over his face.

  "This is going to be a Christmas day to remember," Josh whispered to Grace. He gazed at her with such intensity she wondered if he was only talking about the number of guests. Or did he have something else in mind?

  Josh signaled to Ryan and Linus to come to him. Reluctantly, Ryan complied, dragging the toboggan behind him. It was so heavy, the little boy could hardly move it on his own. Linus helped him whenever the toboggan got stuck in the snow.

  "Merry Christmas, Ryan," Grace said to him. She hugged Ryan and was pleased when the boy held onto her for just a little bit longer than usual. She could see the delight in his eye as he looked proudly at the toboggan.

  "Did you see what I got for Christmas, Grace?" Ryan asked, his breath fogging in the cold air.

  "It's beautiful," Grace said looking at it admiringly. Grace glanced at Linus. "I see you two were having a good time together," she observed.

  Linus nodded. He seemed genuinely touched by the experience he'd just shared with his nephew. "It's been a while since I've played in the snow." Linus's cheeks were flushed pink with his exertions. But there was a brightness in his eyes which she hadn't see in the restaurant in town. Linus looked like a different man, she reflected. Maybe sharing such a simple pleasure with Ryan had caused him to think more carefully about what he should do. Grace hoped so, but kept those hopes well hidden, for the moment.

  Linus rested his arm on Ryan's shoulders. Grace noticed that Ryan did nothing to free himself from his uncle's friendly embrace. "You're quite a hand with that toboggan of yours, Ryan," Linus said. "It goes real fast."

  "I love it," Ryan announced.

  Linus's eyes lit up with delight. It seemed he was already proud of Ryan.

  Josh gestured toward the house. "I think you should go inside, now, Ryan. We've got some guests. And I think it would be a real good idea if you would greet them. Welcome them to the ranch. Help them any way you can." Grace saw Ryan nod. There was no objection on the boy's features. That was another thing which Josh had taught Ryan. The importance of showing respect to visitors. And being obedient to Josh.