A Daddy For Christmas

She waited, wondering if he believed what he said or mocked her. When he didn’t say anything more, she got her feet under her and stood. “Thank you for the food. I will pay you back someday.” She would continue to trust Him even though her plans had fallen through. Not fallen through, she amended. Only delayed.

“Mrs. Weston, I don’t want repayment. The only reason I helped was because of your girls. I lost two children who would be about their age now.” He turned away as he spoke, and his voice again grew flat, emotionless. He was hiding, she knew, hiding emotions so deep and raw that he didn’t know how to face them. “I could do nothing to save them, but helping your girls was something I could do.”

“And I thank you for that.”

Libby and Eleanor chased each other up and down the length of the building, laughing and squealing.

She smiled. Her heart overflowed with love. They trusted her to take care of them.

How was she to do that? It was too cold to sleep outside and not safe, but there was no hotel in this little town even if she could afford a room. If she had a warm place to spend the night, then she could devote time to finding a way to feed them. But where? She glanced about. The church would make good shelter. Her gaze settled on the bedroll upon which she had so recently lain.

Blue obviously spent the nights here.

That eliminated the only option she’d been able to discover in this tiny pioneer town. There had to be something somewhere.

God could not fail her now.

She set her feet going toward the door.

“Wait a minute.”

At his words she paused without turning around.

“I can take you someplace safe and warm.”

Why had he used the word safe? Did he suspect she was running from someone?

Chapter Two (#ulink_e1976079-4b1a-5af8-b71e-2001ea8c465a)

Blue analyzed everything she’d said and wondered if there truly was someone coming for her. And if so, when? One thing was certain. He couldn’t let a woman and two little ones manage on their own in winter weather without any sign of shelter or home. Never mind that it triggered memories he had sworn to bury and never resurrect. He could forget them again. He was good at forgetting.

“I could maybe send a messenger to let your party know you’ve arrived. Or take you there myself.”

“Thank you, but that’s not necessary. Come on, girls.” She signaled them.

The pair had been racing around the room and now skidded to her side.

“Mama, where we going?” Eleanor asked, her joy of a moment ago swallowed up in worry. “Back to Grandfather?”

Clara’s shoulders stiffened enough for Blue to understand she didn’t care for the notion. “Certainly not.”

Libby’s expression grew stubborn. “But it’s warm here.”

“We’re going.” Clara hitched one bag over her shoulder and tucked another under her arm and marched for the door.

Blue watched. Did they plan to return to the river? They’d freeze to death. He groaned. He couldn’t allow it even if every minute increasingly threatened the fortress he’d erected around his heart.

“You need to reconsider. My boss at Eden Valley Ranch is Eddie Gardiner. His wife, Linette, often has people staying there.” Linette would soon have a baby, and Eddie had imposed limits on how many people she could take in. Still, Blue allowed himself a tiny smile. He couldn’t see Linette turning anyone away if she saw a need, even if Eddie didn’t approve. “It’s twenty minutes’ drive away,” he added. “You’d be most welcome.”

“Thanks, but no. We need to wait here.”

He strode across the room to stand perilously close to the trio. The girls looked up at him, their expressions full of hope, silently begging him to help them.

Clara, on the other hand, kept her back to him, her shoulders rigid.

He scrubbed his fist over his chin. “Ma’am, you can’t wander around in the cold.”

She shrugged.

Whether it meant defeat or resistance, he couldn’t say. “If God is looking after you, surely He means for you to accept help.”

She spun around to face him, her eyes flashing. “We’ve already accepted your help.”

The girls sighed as if realizing she meant to say no.

He couldn’t allow it.

“Ma’am, don’t let your pride be the cause of putting your children in the way of danger.” He hoped his words would make Clara rethink her decision without alarming her daughters.

“It’s not pride.” Then she clamped her mouth shut.

“You need help. Why not admit it and accept it?”

He watched a war wage behind her eyes. For some reason she hesitated to accept help. Why? If not pride, was it independence? Fear? He guessed he saw flickers of all three in her struggle. And it brought a rush of emotions to his heart. He appreciated a person’s need to take care of herself, but of what or whom was she afraid?

Resignation filled her expression. “I must stay in town.”

He wished he knew why, but it seemed futile to ask her. She kept her reasons to herself.

“Then stay with someone in town.”

Hope flared in her eyes. “Do you know of someone needing help for a few days? I could work for food and lodging.”

He considered everyone in town. None needed help this time of year. If it had been summer, the Mortons could have used someone to assist with meals.

That gave him an idea. The Mortons had a shack on their property, one where Cassie had lived before she married the ranch foreman, Roper Jones. It was better than sleeping in the open and at least there was a stove. “I have an idea. Stay here while I check it out.” Blue didn’t wait for her agreement or otherwise. He grabbed his coat and rushed out the door and across the space between the church and the Mortons’ place.

He swallowed hard and slowed his breathing before he stepped inside.

Bonnie chuckled. “Back so soon? Wanting more food?”

“Not food this time.” Again he twisted his hat. “Would you be willing to let someone use your little shack?”

She gaped at him, then shrugged. “Guess it would depend who needs it. You? I thought you meant to stay at the church.”

How to explain his predicament? “Not me. I’ll be fine at the church. Closer to my work.” He saw Bonnie’s confusion. “It’s for this lady and her two girls. Mrs. Weston. Her girls are Eleanor and Libby. They’re seven and eight.”

Bonnie leaned back on her heels and grinned. “A woman and two girls. Where did you find them?”