LITMIR.BIZ

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her that the government had awarded him a big new contract to work with troubled youth, with one caveat—Wranglers Ranch must have a nurse on the premises when their youth groups attended. Tanner had offered Ellie the job one day after church, and since she was eager to return to the profession she’d originally left to care for her sick sister, Ellie gladly accepted. She’d started working at Wranglers in mid-September and never regretted her choice.

      “I already told you what I want for my birthday, ’member?” A glance in the rearview mirror revealed Gracie’s arms firmly crossed over her small chest. “I want a daddy.”

      “Honey, I can’t give you a daddy for your birthday. Or at all,” Ellie said for what seemed the hundredth time. “I’ve told you that before.”

      “But why?” Gracie’s bottom lip jutted out.

      “Because.” Ellie stifled her exasperation. How long would the child keep constantly asking for a father? What was she doing wrong that Gracie wasn’t happy with her? “Nobody can give daddies for birthdays, sweetheart.”

      “For Christmas, then? That’s far away. That’s lots of time to get him,” Gracie wheedled.

      “I can’t get you a daddy for Christmas either,” Ellie replied in her firmest voice.

      “But I need one!” Gracie burst into tears.

      Ellie heaved a sigh, wishing there was some way to meet and marry the perfect man who would give her daughter her dream.

      You tried love. Look how that turned out. Gracie would have been left out in the cold.

      Gracie sniffed and Ellie winced. Never did she feel more helpless, less capable of being a parent than when her daughter wept.

      God? I’m new at this praying stuff. Will You help me? I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to break Gracie’s heart, but I know now that marriage isn’t part of Your plan for me.

      “Honey, things like daddies and mommies and baby brothers or sisters are up to God.” Ellie didn’t know how else to put it. “I guess He thinks that we’re doing okay together, just the two of us.”

      “I’m gonna keep praying.” Gracie’s chin thrust out. “Because we need a daddy.”

      “Gracie, you know I love you very much,” Ellie said helplessly, “that I couldn’t love you more.”

      “I know.” Gracie watched as they drove through the gates on to Wranglers Ranch. “But I want a daddy to love me, too.”

      “But, honey—”

      “I’m going to ask God to give us Cade and his daddy,” Gracie said with resolute firmness.

      “You can’t!” Aghast, Ellie braked in front of the ranch house a little too hard as she scoured her brain for some way to dissuade Gracie. Only her daughter wasn’t listening.

      “I can, too, pray, Mommy. I can pray to God for anything. That’s what Pastor Jeff said.” Gracie’s chin thrust out in unyielding determination. “And I’m going to pray for that.”

      “But—but—” Exasperated, Ellie fell silent. After all, hadn’t she taken Gracie to church hoping she’d start learning more about her Father? Oh, dear.

      “Hey, there’s Beth, and she’s holding a baby bunny.” In a flash Gracie forgot about daddies, snapped off her seat belt and bolted out of the car. She was running across the yard before Ellie could stop her. “When did they come, Beth?” she shouted in her most excited voice. “Can I hold one?”

      “You don’t look happy.” Tanner Johns, her boss, pulled open her car door, waiting until Ellie had climbed out before he asked, “What’s the matter?”

      “What else? Gracie. She won’t give up on getting a father. And now she’s found a candidate.” Ellie grimaced, though she couldn’t deny Gracie’s choice was very handsome.

      “Who’s the chosen guy?” Tanner took the ice cream from her as they strolled to his front door.

      “Someone we met at the grocery store tonight. You probably know him.” Ellie preceded Tanner into the house and waited for that speculative glint to appear in her friend Sophie’s eyes as Tanner explained the gist of the conversation to his wife.

      “Yes, who is Gracie’s choice for a daddy?” Sophie asked with a smile as she turned from speaking to their friend Moses.

      “Wyatt Wright.” Ellie sighed. “Gracie says she’s going to pray God will give her Wyatt for a dad and his son, Cade, for her brother.”

      “We all know Wyatt,” Tanner said. “He’s the veterinarian I’ve been hoping would take on Wranglers Ranch as a client. But I get the impression he doesn’t feel he can handle our business right now.”

      “He seems like a great parent, though he missed the signs that Cade was about to be sick.” Ellie made a face. “Wyatt fed him brussels sprouts,” she told Sophie, who laughed.

      “Maybe he’s still learning about kids,” Tanner defended. “But Wyatt is an expert on horses. The man has a first-rate reputation. About two years ago his practice was the most sought after in Tucson, but then his wife died shortly after Cade was born.” He shook his head. “Whenever we talk at church Wyatt’s totally focused on being a dad.”

      Moses was an elderly Native American who’d cared for and nurtured the abused horses that Wranglers Ranch took in and had lived here long before Tanner had taken over. Now he nodded his head in agreement.

      “The Double M tried to hire him, too.” Moses had a soft spot for anyone who loved horses as much as he did. “Heard Wyatt told them no, said he had to focus on his son and that work came second.”

      “Nice if you can afford it,” Ellie murmured, thinking of her own years when Gracie was a baby and how she’d struggled to manage on her shoestring budget.

      “Wyatt’s a good-looking man, don’t you think, Ellie?” Sophie’s gaze trapped her.

      “Yes, he’s very handsome,” Ellie managed to say while her brain mocked her tepid appreciation of that very attractive man. “But I’m not interested.”

      “Why not? He certainly seems to be the focus of the ladies’ groups at church.” Sophie scooped the ice cream Ellie had brought onto steaming slices of her fresh peach pie. “Moses, didn’t you tell me Lucy Marten asked Wyatt to dinner last week?” She glanced at the old man, one eyebrow arched. “What’s the news on that?”

      “Heard he turned her down like he does all those females. Anyone can see they’re just itching to get their hands on him. Prize catch, a guy like that.” Moses grinned as he held out a hand to take his pie. “Thank you, Sophie.” He lifted a forkful to his lips, then closed his eyes as he savored the dessert. “Excellent,” he proclaimed a moment later. “No wonder we always have kids showing up here to eat. With cooking like this on offer, why wouldn’t they?”

      “You’re very sweet, Moses.” When Sophie patted his cheek Ellie could almost hear the crusty old man’s gruff demeanor crumble. Then the children arrived and demanded some pie. As they devoured it, Sophie asked Ellie if Gracie could play with her kids, Beth and Davy, for a while longer.

      “Yeah, why don’t you stay, Ellie?” Tanner offered. He winked. “We can talk about Wyatt some more if you like.”

      “No need. I told you I’m not interested.” Ellie pretended an airiness she didn’t feel. “But since it’s Friday and there’s no school tomorrow, I guess we could stay awhile.” She chuckled at Gracie’s whoop of excitement as all three kids scampered into Beth’s room to play with the amazing dollhouse Tanner had given her last Christmas.

      “Hard to believe it will soon be that time again,” he marveled with a fond look at Sophie. “What do you want this Christmas?” he asked as her hand slid into his.

      “I have everything

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