The Christmas Journey (15 page)

“What do you mean?”

“For instance, my being angry about my ma’s passing. After a while, I stopped fussing and fuming quite so much and started listening to what God had to say.”

“What did He say?”

“Well, whenever I’d read my Bible I’d come across passages about the freedom from pain and sorrow to be found in heaven, and the unbounded joys of being with the Father, and about there being a season for living and for dying. Then I got to remembering how my ma always talked about dying as a homecoming. Of course, I’d known all along she was in heaven. Just like you know your ma and pa are too.”

Viola nodded.

Josie placed a hand on Viola’s knee. “I realized it was selfish of me to be wishing she’d have to live one more minute down here when she could be enjoying all that glory has to offer.”

“But don’t you still miss her?”

“Of course I do. I think about her most every day. But I keep all my good memories close to my heart and I know that some
day, when God figures the time is right, I’m going to join her up there in heaven and we’ll be together again.”

Ry closed his eyes, thanking God for putting Josie here to talk to Viola.

How had she done it? Opened her heart to Viola in such a simple, sensitive manner. He wasn’t certain he could have handled the child’s hurt nearly so well.

But he’d been hiding in the dark long enough. Ry started down the stairs, making certain his footsteps would be heard. “Well, hello, ladies. Are you two looking for a late night snack, too?”

Josie stood, studying him as he descended. He could tell she was trying to figure out how much he’d overheard.

She glanced at Viola. “That sounds like a good idea. I think there’s a few pieces of Cora Beth’s apple cobbler left from supper. What do you say we raid the pie safe?”

“Mmm.” Ry patted his stomach. “Sounds like just what I need. How about you, Viola?”

The child nodded, stroking Daffy’s back.

Ry helped Viola to her feet. He met Josie’s glance over Viola’s head and mouthed a heartfelt “Thank you.”

She reddened slightly, but nodded as she took Viola’s other hand and returned a silent “You’re welcome.”

They strolled into the kitchen, Viola between them, and Ry suddenly felt like things might just work out after all.

R
y strolled along the sidewalk, fighting the urge to whistle. It felt great to be outdoors again. He passed several people as he made his way to the livery, all of them strangers, all of them seeming to know his name and offering friendly greetings.

The sound of the train whistle carried to him from the depot, signaling the arrival of the southbound train. The Fieldses would be boarding soon, severing Viola’s last link to her past, tying her irrevocably to him.

But that thought wasn’t as daunting this morning as it had been yesterday. Seeing Josie with Viola last night had planted a seed in his mind, one that had taken root during the night.

Viola didn’t need a nanny. She needed a mother.

A woman who was strong, caring, God-fearing. A woman who could help him love and guide Viola on the path to becoming a woman herself. A woman he’d be comfortable sharing his own life with.

A woman like Josie.

On that thought, he found himself once more at Wylie’s Livery and Bridle Shop.

As soon as Josie spied him, she frowned. “What are you doing out here? And where’s your sling?”

Was her concern a sign that she cared about him, even if just a little? “I’m fine without the sling. I thought it was time I took in some fresh air and saw what Knotty Pine has to offer.”

“Well, now that you proved you’re on the mend, set yourself down on that crate and give yourself a rest.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He was actually beginning to enjoy her tendency to fuss over him.

She studied him suspiciously but he maintained a bland expression and she finally went back to work, carving on another pumpkin. “Viola get off to school okay this morning?”

“Yep. Audrey had her by the hand, chattering away about all the fun they were going to have.”

Josie shook her head. “I’m afraid Audrey inherited the bossier side of the Wylie family traits.”

Ry suppressed a grin. He’d been thinking the girl was a lot like her Aunt Josie. “It’ll be good for Viola. Being with other children will give her something to think about besides her loss.”

Josie nodded. “Are there any kids running around that ranch of yours?”

Ry shook his head. “No. Even Inez’s kids—she’s our cook—are grown now.”

“How about at your grandfather’s place?”

“I’m afraid I’m the youngest one there.”

“Then maybe you ought to think about staying around here for a spell.” She kept her eyes focused on her work and her voice seemed a bit too casual. “Through Thanksgiving, anyway. Like you said, it’ll be good for Viola to be around other kids. And you said your family isn’t much for celebrating and such.”

Ry’s mood improved yet another notch. Without any prodding, she’d unwittingly helped him set his plan in motion.
Now he’d have a legitimate reason to hang around, giving him time to do a bit of wooing and to convince her they’d be a good match. “Thanks for the invitation,” he answered. “And you may be right. Spending Thanksgiving here, with all of you, will be a real comfort to her.” And he was rather looking forward to an old-fashioned family Thanksgiving himself.

Josie gave him a pleased smile. “Good. That’s settled then.”

She glanced toward the sidewalk. “Hello, Sheriff. Something I can help you with?”

“Hi, Jo.”

Ry sized up the tall man with the slow Texas drawl who was staring straight at him. He decided the seemingly lazy exterior hid something decidedly more formidable.

“I heard your new boarder was out and about today and I thought I’d come around and introduce myself.”

Ry stood. “Hello, Sheriff. I’m Ryland Lassiter.”

“Glad to make your acquaintance. Name’s Mitchell Hammond.”

They shook hands and then the sheriff stepped back, crossing his arms. “I put the word out on Otis. If he shows up at any town within sixty miles of here he’ll be dealt with as he deserves.”

“That’s good to hear. If you need anyone to testify against him, let me know.”

The sheriff nodded. “I’ve heard Jo’s version of what happened. When you have a few minutes, why don’t you drop by my office and fill me in on yours.”

Ry decided there was more command than suggestion in the invitation. “I’ll stop in on my way back to the boardinghouse.”

“Good, I’ll be looking for you.” He tipped his hat Josie’s way. “Guess I’d better let you folks get on with your business.”

Once they were alone, Ry rubbed the back of his neck, trying to decide what it was about the man that seemed so intimidating.

“Sheriff Hammond’s a good man,” Josie said as if reading his thoughts. “Easygoing most of the time. But he takes his job seriously and doesn’t let anything stand in the way of his duty.”

“I can see that.” A movement in one of the far stalls caught his attention. “What do we have here?” Ry moved to the back of the livery where a horse and foal were penned. “You purchase some new stock?” Had she already taken steps to replace Scout?

“Those aren’t mine. Miz Parsons left for Shreveport yesterday to visit her daughter and new grandbaby. I’m taking care of her horses while she’s gone.”

Ry leaned on the stall gate, studying the pair. The foal, a filly he could see now, couldn’t be more than a week old. The mare was in good shape—not up to the bloodlines Hawk’s Creek stables produced, but obviously well fed and cared for.

“Excuse me, ma’am. Is the owner around?”

Ry swung around at the sound of the familiar voice. It couldn’t be—

But it was. His brother stood just inside the livery with their sister at his side. Both were staring at Josie with uncertain expressions, as if not sure what to make of a woman working in a livery, and one dressed the way she was.

Griff held the lead to a roan horse. So they’d delivered Kestrel in person—he hadn’t figured on that. Watching them, he realized they hadn’t noticed him standing back in the shadows.

“I’m the owner,” Josie stated as she stood. He watched her size his siblings up.

They returned the favor, reacting to her announcement with barely concealed surprise. Sadie, especially, had her lips compressed in a disapproving line.

Josie crossed her arms. “Jo Wylie at your service. Something I can do for you?”

Ry had heard that tone before. He quickly stepped forward to help smooth things over. “Hello, Griff, Sadie. Nice to see you.”

“Ry!” His sister raced forward and threw her arms around his neck. “Are you all right? I’ve been so worried.”

“Hi, Sadie.” Ry winced at the near collision, but gave his impetuous sister a one-armed hug. For someone whose head barely reached his chin, she sure packed a powerful wallop. “I’m fine. Or at least I was until you tackled me.”

She released him immediately and stepped back. “Oh no. Did I hurt you? Are you injured?”

“Like I said, I’m fine. Nothing to worry that pretty head of yours over.” He looked past his sister to his brother, who’d made no move to step forward. “Hello, Griff. I wasn’t expecting you two to deliver the horse personally. Figured you’d send Red or one of the other hands.”

His brother shrugged. “Coming wasn’t my idea. When Sadie saw your telegram, though, there was no holding her back. And I certainly couldn’t let her come out here on her own.”

Ry frowned. “All I said was that I’d be here in Knotty Pine for a while and requested you send Kestrel.”

“That phrase you slipped in about dropping by the ranch when you were ‘able to travel’ set our sister’s alarm bells ringing. She was convinced you were at death’s door.”

“Nothing quite so dramatic.” Was that Josie’s snort behind him or one of the horses?

Sadie didn’t seem the least convinced by his reassurances. “I was right to be worried. I told you, Griff. Look how pale he is.” She shook a finger in Ry’s direction. “Ryland Jeremiah Lassiter, don’t lie to me. You’re hurt, I can tell.”

Ry raised his hand in mock surrender. “Okay, I ran into a bit of trouble, but I’m healing quite well, as you can see.”

“More like he’s too ornery to stay down.”

Ry stepped aside, widening the circle to include Josie. “Speaking of which, I believe you’ve already met Miss Josephine Wylie. She’s the one who saved my life.”

“Saved your life!” Sadie plopped her fists on her hips. “I knew there was more to this than you were letting on. Will you
please
tell me what happened?”

Ry ignored her demand. “Josie, this overly-dramatic chit is my sister, Sadie, and the gentleman with her is my brother, Griffith.”

Griff gave a short bow. “Miss Wylie.”

Sadie didn’t waste time with the amenities. “Josephine, did you truly save my brother’s life?”

“Call me Jo. And your brother is exaggerating just a tad.”

“Not at all.” Ry enjoyed turning the tables and putting
her
heroics center stage for a change. “I stumbled into an ambush and she came charging to my rescue, guns blazing, in true hero form.”

Sadie stepped forward and enveloped Josie in a bear hug, all her previous reservations forgotten. “Thank you so much for helping my brother. I’ll be forever in your debt—we all will.”

Josie blinked, a what-just-happened expression on her face.

Sadie stepped back with an arch smile. “Now, I know it must be a fascinating story and you’re going to have to tell me all about it, because Ry will skip over the interesting parts.”

Ry, deciding to leave Josie to deal with Sadie for the time being, turned to his brother. “How’d Kestrel make the trip?”

Griff led the horse forward. “No problems. You’d never know it was his first train ride.”

Ry took the reins and gave the animal a careful once-over. “You’ve done a good job caring for him. He’s turned into a fine animal.”

His brother shrugged. “It was part of our agreement.”

There was a time when he and Griff had been the best of
friends. But somewhere along the way they’d lost the ability to speak to each other with anything but resentment.

Feeling a sense of regret, Ry turned to the ladies. “Josie, this is Kestrel. He’s a three-year-old out of one of Hawk’s Creek’s finest stallions.”

“He’s a beauty.” Josie stepped close enough to rub the animal’s nose. “If this is the kind of stock you’re breeding I can see why you’d be proud of the program.”

“Kestrel is Ry’s prize,” Sadie said. “He has big plans—”

Ry gave his sister a quelling look. “Actually, he’s just one of Monarch’s many offspring.”

Sadie blinked, staring at him as if he’d said the animal had two heads, and even Griff wore a puzzled frown. Better barrel on through before they bungled this any further. He thrust the lead at Josie. “Glad you like him. He’s yours.”

Ry ignored the startled expressions from his siblings. He hadn’t told Griff why he’d wanted the best three-year-old in his stable brought here. “I know Scout was special to you,” he continued, focusing on Josie, “and it won’t be easy to replace him, but Kestrel’s a fine animal out of a strong line. He’ll make a good work horse as well as a mount.”

“But I can’t—”

“Nonsense. I won’t take no for an answer.”

Her jaw set in a firm line. “This animal is obviously valuable and I don’t accept charity.”

“This isn’t charity. It’s repayment of a debt.” He gave her his sternest courtroom look. “You of all people should know about repaying one’s debts.”

Josie stuffed her hands in her pockets and worried at her bottom lip. Finally she nodded. “All right. But only if you let me return the money you paid for the use of Scout.”

“It’s a deal.” Ry’s quick agreement seemed to surprise her.
But he knew Kestrel was worth a great deal more than the hundred dollars he’d paid for the use of her horse. And he’d find other ways to provide cash to the Wylie family, ways that wouldn’t infringe on Josie’s pride.

Besides, if things worked out as he hoped, it would be all in the family before long.

Ry turned to his siblings. “You’ll need a place to stay while you’re here. Josie’s family runs a boardinghouse and her sister’s cooking rivals Inez’s.”

“Sounds perfect,” Sadie said, her manners smoothing over her surprise. “That’ll give us a chance to corner you for a nice long chat. In fact, why don’t we all go over there now and Jo can tell us about this amazing adventure the two of you had.”

Josie shook her head. “I need to keep an eye on the livery. But y’all go on. I’m sure you want to freshen up and rest after your trip.”

“Nonsense.” Sadie waved away Josie’s objections. “We’d much rather pump you for information about what Ry’s been up to. There must be someone who can take over for you for a bit.”

“There’s someone who watches the place at night. But he won’t be by until nearly suppertime.”

“Well then, we’ll just find someone else. I insist that you join us. I know I won’t get the full story out of Ry unless you’re there to keep him from leaving out the exciting bits.”

“You might as well give in.” Ry gave Josie a mock-defeated look. “Sadie may appear demure, but once she gets the bit between her teeth there’s no stopping her.”

Josie looked from him to his sister. “I suppose I could check with Edgar from the boot shop across the street,” she said uncertainly. “He might be willing to watch the place for a bit.”