by Bobbi Smith
“This was your idea, you know.” Nick smiled down at him. “I wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for you.”
Steve looked very proud at his compliment, and he told him earnestly, “We’re gonna find him. We’re gonna find him today!”
“We wish you luck, Reverend,” the other folks in the stagecoach told him.
“Thank you.”
Steve felt the stagecoach slowing down a bit, so he unfastened the covering over the window and got his first look at the main street of Sagebrush. “We’re here!”
The stage rolled to a stop, and the driver jumped down and opened the door for them. Nick climbed out and then helped Lacey descend and Steve get down. The snow had been cleared away from the depot.
“The hotel’s right down the street, folks,” the driver announced as he got their bags down for them.
Lacey wasn’t quite sure what to do. She had very little money and had to find a job real quick. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around,” she said to Nick and Steve. She turned away and started to move off.
Steve wasn’t about to let her go that easily. “Where are you going?”
“I thought I’d see how much a room costs at the hotel,” she began.
“That’s where we’re going,” Steve said. “Let’s all go together.”
Lacey looked up at the reverend, unsure how he would react. It had been one thing being nice to her on the stage. It was another, now that they were in town.
“You’re right, Steve. We should go together.” He met her gaze. “And after we’ve checked in, we’re going to pay a visit at the general store. If you’re going to start your new life here, you’re going to need a dress of some kind.”
She was shocked. No one ever took care of her. “I’ll be fine.”
“Yes, you will be. We’re going to give you an early Christmas present. Steve and I are going to pay for your hotel room and get you a new dress.”
“But, Reverend—” she protested, embarrassed.
“You can’t turn down a Christmas present,” Steve scolded her, grabbing up his own bag. “C’mon. Let’s go. I’m cold.”
“I think we need to go,” Nick said wryly.
“I think you’re right,” she agreed.
They made their way to the hotel and were glad to enter the welcoming warmth of the lobby. The clerk had seen the stage pull in and he’d been waiting to see if anyone was coming to take a room.
“Afternoon, folks,” the clerk greeted them. “You be needing a room?” He thought they were a family.
Nick spoke up. “Actually, we need two rooms. One for Miss McCormick and one for us.”
“All right,” he said, pushing the book across the counter so they could register. Once they’d signed in, he looked at their names. “Welcome to Sagebrush, Reverend Miller—and Steve.” He nodded to the girl, who he thought was dressed rather oddly in pants, but it wasn’t his business what she wore as long as they paid him. He quickly quoted the price and was pleased when the reverend handed over the money. “Thanks, Reverend.” He gave him the keys. “Rooms ten and twelve at the top of the steps and to your right.”
“Thank you. There is one thing I wanted to ask you—” Nick began. He had no idea if the clerk was familiar with everyone in town, but it didn’t hurt to ask after coming all this way.
“How can I help you?” The clerk was earnest in his offer.
“I’m trying to find my brother, and I have reason to believe he’s here in Sagebrush.”
The clerk frowned. “I don’t know anyone else by the name of Miller, Reverend. Sorry.”
“No, his name’s not Miller. His name is Danny Roland.”
“Dan?” The clerk was surprised that they had different names, but he didn’t say anything. “Why, Dan is Jack Anderson’s foreman out at the Lazy Ace.”
“He’s really here?” After all this time, Nick could scarcely believe it.
“Yes, he is. Of course, getting out to the Lazy Ace ain’t gonna be easy for you with the snow, but one of the boys down at the stable should be able to drive you out there.”
“Thank you! Is it very far out to the ranch?”
“It’s a good ride. You’re better off waiting until tomorrow morning. The traveling might be a little easier.”
“I appreciate your help.”
Lacey looked at the reverend as they made their way up the stairs. “Your prayers have been answered.”
He looked over at her. “I can’t believe it. I don’t think this will seem real until I actually get to see him again.”
“I hope everything goes well for you,” Lacey told him.
“Thank you.” He was sincere. “Why don’t we get cleaned up and then go over to the general store? Since we’re not leaving for the Anderson Ranch until tomorrow, we can get you a dress and then have dinner.”
“Are you sure?” Lacey was hesitant. She worried about him being seen in public with her. It had been one thing riding on the stagecoach together, but here in Sagebrush, she knew people would talk.
“Of course. Now hurry up. We don’t know what time the store is going to close today.”
“I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
Nick and Steve saw her into her own room before going on to theirs.
“What do you think it’s going to be like going out to a real ranch?” Steve asked, eager and excited about the day to come.
“I don’t know, but we’re going to find out,” Nick answered. He paused and smiled at the boy. “Thank you for making this trip with me, Steve.”
Steve beamed up at him. “Just think—if we hadn’t come here to find your brother, we would never have met Miss Lacey.”
“She’s a special young woman.”
“Yes, she is,” Steve agreed. He had never told the reverend about the night at the way station when Miss Lacey had come to him and helped him.
“All right, wash up, so we can go,” Nick directed.
Steve took off his coat and hurried to the washstand, while Nick took off his coat and sat down on the side of the bed to wait his own turn.
In her room, Lacey had quickly shed her coat to get freshened up. Reverend Miller had proven himself to truly be a man of God. She couldn’t believe how kind he’d been and how generous. She’d been blessed to have him come into her life. He didn’t have to pay for her room or buy her any clothes, and yet he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He told her they were early presents, yet she had nothing to give him. She was going to be lucky to have enough money to buy Steve some candy for Christmas.
Lacey didn’t let her thoughts linger on the bad things. The past was over and she was starting a whole new life. Reverend Miller and Steve had helped her in so many ways. The reverend’s true kindness and the boy’s innocent love were amazing. She felt more confident in herself now that she’d spent time with them. She’d never known anyone like them before, and it hurt her to think that her time with them was nearly at an end. She put that thought from her, though, for she wanted to enjoy every moment they had left.
A short time later, Nick and Steve came for Lacey and they left the hotel, heading for the general store. The lady at the counter was helpful and picked out a suitable demure day gown for Lacey to try on. Nick and Steve wandered about the store while she went in the back to put it on.
Lacey undressed in the back room and donned the long-sleeved, high-necked day gown. It had been so long since she’d worn a dress like this one that she wasn’t quite sure how she looked.
“What do you think?” Lacey asked as she went out to find them.
“You look real pretty, Miss Lacey!” Steve said adoringly.
Nick had known she was pretty. In her dance hall gown, she’d been really sexy, but now, seeing her dressed like a lady, he thought she was the loveliest woman he’d ever seen. “Yes, you do,” he agreed with Steve.
She actually blushed at their compliments. “Well, thanks.”
“She’ll take it,” Nick told the clerk.
Lacey was stil
l wearing her boots, but that didn’t matter. It wasn’t like she was going dancing anywhere, and they were practical in the snow.
“And she’ll need a pair of shoes, too,” Nick added.
She started to object, but the look he gave her stopped her.
“Merry Christmas, Lacey.”
The clerk quickly helped her choose a pair of comfortable shoes, and they were ready to leave. Because of the snow, she put her boots on for the walk back to the hotel. They stopped at the stable so Nick could arrange their ride to the ranch in the morning. When they reached the hotel, Lacey took the bag with her old clothes in it up to her room, and then they went into the small dining room to have dinner.
As accustomed as they were to the tight quarters of the way stations, the hotel dining room seemed quite spacious and elegant, and they found the food was delicious.
“I can’t wait to get out to the ranch and see your brother,” Steve said, excitement growing within him.
“I feel the same way,” Nick agreed.
“I’m so happy for you,” Lacey told him, smiling at him across the table.
“This has been an adventure, that’s for sure.”
They talked over dinner how she was going to look for a job in town the next day, and when they’d finished eating they went back upstairs. They stopped outside Lacey’s room to say good night.
“I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow,” Lacey told the reverend.
“Thank you, and I hope you find a job,” he said.
“So do I. Keep that in your prayers.”
“We will,” Nick promised. “We’ll come back and see you when we’re in town.”
“I’d like that.” She looked down at Steve and then bent down to give him a hug. “You take care of Reverend Miller.”
“I will.”
“Good boy.”
They were smiling as she went into her room and closed the door.
Lacey stood just inside her room and fought back the tears that threatened at the thought that she wouldn’t be seeing much of them anymore. Realizing she had to be strong, she tried to be optimistic. She had escaped from Phil and the horrible life she’d been living. She was in a new town, starting over. Things could only get better. As she went to bed that night, she said a prayer for the reverend that the reunion with his brother would go well, and she prayed for help finding a job so she could live a better life.
Chapter Twenty-four
Nick and Steve were up early. Steve kept watch for Lacey but didn’t see her that morning. After eating a quick breakfast in the hotel dining room, they hurried down to the stable to find Rob, the stable hand, ready and waiting to take them to the Lazy Ace. They climbed up onto the buck-board’s driver’s bench with the driver and held on as best they could as they started out on what would be one of the longest journeys in Nick’s life.
“What business you got out at the Lazy Ace?” Rob asked.
“My brother, Dan Roland, is the foreman there.”
“I know Dan. He’s a good man.”
They fell quiet then as they continued the trip out to the ranch. It was a sunny day, but still cold. They could tell it was going to be a white Christmas this year.
“There’s the ranch up ahead,” Rob told them as the house and outbuildings came into view.
“It looks very successful,” Nick said, impressed.
“One of the best in the area. Jack Anderson’s worked hard to make it what it is today.”
As they pulled up in front of the house, Nick saw an older man open the front door.
“There’s Jack now,” the stable hand said. Then he called out, “How you doin’, Jack?”
“I’m getting along all right.”
“I brought you some company.”
“I see that.” Jack stepped out on the porch, wondering who the man with the young boy was.
Nick and Steve climbed down from the buckboard and looked quickly around, hoping to see Dan. When they saw no trace of him, they started up to the porch to speak with the ranch owner.
“Do you want me to wait for you?” Rob asked.
“If you don’t mind.”
Jack had heard them, and he called out, “Come on inside, too. I don’t want you freezing out here while we’re talking.”
“I’ll just go on down to the stable and visit with some of the boys.”
“All right.”
Jack turned his attention to the young man coming up the porch steps and he frowned. Something about him seemed familiar. “Do I know you? Who are you?”
“No, sir. We’ve never met before. My name’s Nick Miller. I’m here to see your foreman, Danny Roland. I’m his brother.”
Jack’s expression changed dramatically. Dan had told him when he’d first come to work for him about how he’d been separated from a younger brother in his childhood, and the thought that his brother had found him after all this time left Jack amazed. “You’re Dan’s brother?”
“Yes, sir. I am.”
He put out his hand to shake hands with him. “Welcome to the Lazy Ace, Nick, and who is this, your son?”
“This is Steve. He’s one of the boys from the orphanage that I run.”
Jack looked at Dan’s brother with even greater respect. “It’s nice to meet you, Steve,” Jack said, shaking hands with the boy, too. “Come on in!”
Dwylah had been upstairs when she heard the buckboard drive up. She was just coming down the stairs as Jack ushered a man and a boy inside.
“Well, who do we have here?” she asked as she reached the bottom of the steps. In that moment, the man looked her way and, at her first glimpse of him, she went still. He looked so much like Danny.
“This is Nick Miller. He’s Dan’s brother—”
“Oh my.” Dwylah couldn’t believe it. Here, Dan and Penny were missing and maybe in danger and his brother had shown up. “Well, hello. I’m Dwylah, and it’s so wonderful that you’re here and just in time for Christmas—”
“I’m glad to be here, too.”
“Dan told us about you.”
“He did?” Nick was surprised.
“Yes, he did. You two went through some hard times as children.”
“Yes, we did,” he agreed. “And speaking of children, this is Steve.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Steve.” She turned to the boy.
Nick glanced around the front hall. “Where is Dan? Is he around?”
Jack stepped up, his mood turning serious. “We need to talk.”
“What’s wrong?” Nick was suddenly worried by the change in his manner.
“Leave your coats out here and let’s go in the parlor.”
Nick helped Steve take his coat off and after they’d hung them up, they all made their way to sit in the parlor.
Steve’s face lit up when he saw all the Christmas decorations on the mantel over the fireplace. “It’s so pretty.”
“Why, thank you, Steve,” Jack said. “Miss Dwylah and I worked on decorating for quite a while.”
“Mr. Anderson, is Dan in some kind of trouble?” Nick asked, sensing something was wrong.
“We don’t know for sure,” Jack began, and then he quickly told him how Dan and Penny had ridden up to the canyon, and how the storm had passed through and their horses had come back without them. “Two of my men are out searching for them right now.”
“How long has it been?” Dread filled Nick. The thought that after traveling all this way, he might have lost Danny again tormented him.
“The hands rode out the night before last, right after the horses showed up.”
“Would it help if I rode out, too?” Nick offered. “I’d be glad to help with the search.” He certainly knew how hard his brother could be to find if he didn’t want to be found.
“Lou and Fred are my two best trackers. If anybody’s going to find my daughter and Dan, it will be them.”
Everyone was silent for a moment.
“So if Lou and Fred are looking for them, they’ll be
back real soon, right?” Steve asked in his innocence. “It is almost Christmas. They have to be back by then.”
Dwylah smiled down at him tenderly, wanting to reassure him. “Yes, Steve. They’ll be here.”
“Good,” Steve said brightly. “Reverend Miller has been waiting for this for a long time.”
Dwylah and Jack both looked at Dan’s brother with renewed respect.
“You’re a minister?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am. As I told Mr. Anderson, I run an orphanage in St. Louis.”
“That’s such a wonderful calling for you,” Dwylah said.
“Yes, ma’am. It is. I get to be with children like Steve.”
“So tell me, how did you find out that Dan was working here at the Lazy Ace? The two of you have been separated for so long, I’m sure Dan never thought you’d see each other again,” Jack said.
Nick went on to explain what had happened at the train depot that fateful day back in St. Louis. “If it hadn’t been for Steve, here, running away from the orphanage, I would never have been at the train depot and seen Danny just as he was boarding the train.”
Dwylah was awestruck at his story. She looked down at the young boy, concerned about him. “Why did you run away from Reverend Miller’s orphanage, Steve?”
Steve hung his head in shame.
“It’s all right, Steve,” Nick said.
He looked up at the elderly lady and told her how this was his first Christmas without his family, and how he’d been so scared and angry over being all by himself.
“Oh, darling, I am so glad Reverend Miller found you. Why, if he hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here with me right now!” she chuckled, wanting to cheer him if she could.
Her words did manage to get a shy, little smile out of him.
Dwylah glanced over at Jack then, wanting to make everyone feel better. “Well, those two hands had just better hurry up and find Penny and Danny and get them back here, don’t you think, Jack?”
Jack’s mood lightened in the face of her unfailing good nature. “That’s right.” He looked to Nick and Steve again. “Where are you staying?”
“We have a room at the hotel in town,” Nick answered.
“Why don’t you go back into town and get your things and come out here and stay? We’ve got plenty of room, and then you’ll be here when they do get back.”
