Her Christmas Family Wish

* * *

The following day, after she’d finished work at Wranglers, Ellie bundled Gracie in the car and drove to Wyatt’s ranch. All day she’d vacillated between compunction about invading his personal space when he’d made it clear he wanted nothing more to do with her and a silly female yen to hold Cade again.

Okay, and to see his good-looking father. It had been so nice to just talk to a male friend yesterday, one who wasn’t her boss. She hadn’t had that since Eddie had been part of her life.

“Hey, cut that out. Wyatt’s a nice guy, but he’s nothing to you,” she reminded herself.

“What did you say, Mommy?” Gracie poked her head out from the book she’d been trying to read. A book about daddies, of course.

“Oh, just talking to myself, honey.” Ellie gave herself a stern, though silent lecture about controlling her interest in the vet. Since the day they’d met Wyatt in the grocery store she’d repeatedly told her daughter that he could not be her father.

Well, neither can he be anyone special to you, Ellie Grant. But still, here you are driving onto his ranch on the faintest of pretexts...

“Is this where my new daddy lives?”

Her heart sinking, Ellie began, “Gracie, I’ve told you—”

“Look! Dogs, Mommy. Lots and lots of dogs.” If there was one thing Gracie wanted almost as badly as she wanted a daddy, it was a dog. She clapped her hands in delight as Ellie parked near the house and several animals swarmed around the car, yapping excitedly.

“Don’t open your door,” she cautioned her daughter. “They might not be friendly. Wait.”

When no one appeared, she tapped the horn. A moment later Wyatt poked his head around the corner of a dilapidated structure that might once have been a barn. He waved, disappeared for a moment, then began walking slowly toward them with Cade clinging to one hand, toddling along. As they came nearer, he gathered up the boy and shooed most of the dogs into a pen before shoving in a wooden stick to hold the loosened gate closed. But he left an adult German shepherd and a small puppy out. The shepherd went to lie down under a tree, but the puppy followed on Wyatt’s heels to Ellie’s car.

“Hey,” he said when she rolled down her window. A question feathered across his face, but all he said was, “Welcome.”

“Thanks.” Seeing Gracie already had the door open and was exiting the car, Ellie followed her. “I’m sure you’re busy, so I won’t hold you up.”

“No, it’s good you came. I didn’t realize the dogs had gotten out of the pen. That Irish setter is like a Houdini at escaping.” He shook his head ruefully. “It’s a good thing they’re wearing collars for the electric fence.”

“I think Gracie’s already in love with this little one.” Ellie smiled as a whirl of brown puppy raced circles around the little girl’s sneakers, to her delight.

“Puppies. Their energy makes me feel old.” Wyatt shook his head as the dog continued chasing his tail. “I was about to take a break. Want to join me for coffee?” He shifted Cade, who was sniffing and crying, to his other hip.

“Thank you. Oh, and I’m returning this.” She lifted Cade’s newly laundered blanket from the rear seat and held it out. “You left it behind yesterday.”

He took the blanket, then shot her a confused look. “He has more than one blanket, Ellie. You didn’t have to make a special trip. But thank you.”

“I thought it might be his special blankie. Gracie would bawl for hours whenever hers went missing.” Cade yelped and held out his arms to Ellie, jerking to be free of his father’s hold. “He remembers me,” she said with a chuckle, inordinately pleased. “May I take him?”

“Sure.” Wyatt handed over his son, then led the way into his adobe ranch house.

“I see he’s got a cold,” she said. “They’re the worst in little kids, aren’t they?”

“Nope. They’re the worst for adults. He was up most of last night with a fever.” Wyatt shook his head. “He can’t seem to settle much, poor little guy.” He touched Cade’s forehead. “Still cool.”

“That’s what we want. You have a lovely home.” Ellie glanced around, trying not to appear too nosey but surprised at how show-homey it was beginning to look, even though parts were under construction. “The light is spectacular in here.”

And everything is so perfectly planned, as if a professional designed this open concept layout.

“Thanks. One of the ladies from church asked to sit Cade last week. That’s when I installed those French doors. They make a big difference.”

Wyatt tossed his Stetson on a peg by the door, set the coffee brewer going, then glanced at Gracie who had flopped down on the floor and was cuddling the puppy she’d carried inside. “That’s Mr. Fudge.” He hunkered down beside her to scratch the dog’s ears. “He’s a chocolate lab.”

“I like chocolate lots,” Gracie told him. “But I really love dogs, ’specially baby dogs.” She bent her head so her face was snuggled against Mr. Fudge’s fur. “Mommy, can I have Mr. Fudge for my birthday?”

Ellie blushed as she remembered Gracie’s request for a certain birthday gift of a daddy. But as she sat with Cade perched on her knee, her attention was diverted when the boy grabbed her beaded necklace and began chattering to himself in an unknown language. It felt so good to hold him, as right as it had yesterday.

Ellie knew that somehow she would have to rid herself of the yearning to cuddle another baby just as she needed to shed her lifelong dream to cherish a big family. Because it wasn’t going to happen. So she tightened her grip on the little boy, determined to enjoy it while she could.

“Can I have this dog, Mommy?” Gracie pleaded. She lifted the squirming bundle in her arms and struggled to her feet, carrying the dog so Ellie could have a closer inspection. “See? Isn’t he sweet?”

“He’s very sweet, honey.” Ellie touched her fingertips to the dog’s ear, marveling at the silky skin. Aware of Wyatt’s scrutiny she shook her head. “But I’m sorry, we can’t get a dog. They don’t allow them in the city complex where we live.”

It was so hard to refuse her sweet daughter something as simple as a puppy. At Gracie’s age Ellie’s parents had given her a puppy of her own to cherish. If only...

Thankfully Wyatt intervened.

“I’m sorry, Gracie, but Mr. Fudge belongs to someone else. He’s just here for a visit.” He touched her bright head as he smiled. “His owners are coming to get him tomorrow morning.”

“Well, I’m gonna pray we have to move into a new house so I can get a dog just like Mr. Fudge,” Gracie announced. After shooting a stubborn look at Ellie she flopped down onto the floor and continued to play with the pup.

“Here, let me put Cade in his high chair.” Wyatt scooped the little boy who’d begun to fuss from her arms.

“Oh, but I can hold—” Ellie’s protest died with Wyatt’s laughter.

“Believe me, you don’t want to hold Cade when he’s eating a cookie.” He tied a bib around the boy and handed him a treat. “He makes a horrible mess.”

I wouldn’t mind. Ellie didn’t say that. Instead she smiled politely, accepted the cup of coffee and the chocolate cookies he offered.

“All the dogs—your clinic is here at the ranch?” she asked.

“Yes, but mostly I just board animals here and go out to the calls.” Wyatt shrugged. “I give shots here, if they’re due. It keeps my name out there for prospective clients.”

“So, out there, by the barn—” Ellie suddenly caught on. “You were working?”

“Trying to do a few much-needed repairs.” Wyatt took two cookies for himself and bit into one. “Today wasn’t optimum with Cade feeling off.”

“How can you work with him nearby?” she blurted, unable to stop the question.

“I made him a tree swing.” Wyatt chuckled when Cade dropped his cookie and began crowing with delight, arms swinging wildly. “Whoops, I said the word s-w-i-n-g. That’s one he knows, and he loves riding in it.” He held out another biscuit, and Cade soon forgot the topic. “I managed to get the hay changed and the stock fed during his sporadic rides. That’s pretty good considering how he’s feeling.”

“Can I play with Mr. Fudge outside?” Gracie asked.

“Sure.” Wyatt led her to the French doors, then glanced at Ellie. “The yard is fenced. Is it okay?”

“Yes, but don’t go outside the fence, Gracie.” She was thankful Wyatt didn’t open the door until Gracie promised, doubly grateful when he slid the screen across so she could see and hear her daughter.

“I could—” Ellie began, but his phone interrupted her offer.