Debra Clopton - Yuletide Cowboy

Everyone kept saying he needed time. That was why he’d come home. Time could heal most everything.

Chance hoped it was true.

He’d given many a cowboy a similar sermon at different times of trial in their lives. Now he was seeing how much easier it was to spout the words when you were giving advice to someone else. It was different when you were the one in the midst of the storm.

He let his gaze slide toward Lynn once more. Something was bothering her, too. He saw it in her eyes just now, and it cut him to the core.

“Hey, mister. Mr. Chance, hold up.”

“Yeah, hold up!”

Chance had cut out the second the prayer was over. He wanted to keep right on walking but no way could he ignore the small voices hailing him. He’d made straight for the parking lot and was almost to the edge of the grass, almost to the white rock and fifteen feet from his truck… He’d almost made it.

App’s grumbling during the sermon had convinced Chance that if he hung around he’d never hear the end of it. But no way could he ignore Gavin and Jack.

Feeling roped and tied he turned on his heel to find both boys charging after him. Lynn followed at a slow, reluctant pace. And he groaned at the sight of the Mule Hollow posse behind her! Norma Sue Jenkins and Esther Mae Wilcox were two of the older ladies who kept Mule Hollow running smoothly. They, along with their buddy Adela, had saved the tiny town with their matchmaking antics.

They’d come up with the idea a couple of years earlier to advertise for wives for all the lonesome cowboys who lived and worked the ranching area. Despite the disbelief of everyone around them, lo and behold, women read the ads and had begun to come to town. Since then the ladies were always coming up with special events that would draw women to the town. Like dinner theater with the cowboys singing and serving, or festivals where the cowboys and ladies would meet up. So far it had worked well. He appreciated the three women, but they were also among the ones who were adamant about him coming home to preach.

Watching their approach he prepared himself for a lecture.

“Boys,” Lynn called, coming to a halt behind the two little dudes.

He couldn’t help but wonder what was bothering her so…why she looked pensive and almost frightened. Was she scared of him?

“Mr. Turner was leaving. You don’t need to bother him.”

“We ain’t, Momma.” Gavin batted big eyes at her and then at him. “We was just wonderin’ if you know how to make a tree house?”

“Yeah,” Jack drew the word out dismally as he wagged his dark head back and forth. “We got a mess at our house. A pure mess.”

“Boys!” Lynn exclaimed, turning red as a poinsettia, her big dark eyes widening like she’d just been prodded with an electric cattle prod.

Esther Mae and Norma Sue came to a halt, catching the end of Jack’s declaration. Chance had a feeling Lynn was just as reluctant in their presence as he was. Match-makers. Scary stuff for people who wanted nothing to do with the subject.

“Y’all are building a tree house—how fun!” Esther Mae exclaimed. Her red hair almost matched the color on Lynn’s cheeks as they flamed up even brighter.

“We—well, the boys—started one this morning.”

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Norma Sue boomed. “You boys probably do need a man to help you get that tree house up and working.”

Chance didn’t miss the flash of alarm in Lynn’s eyes when Norma Sue spoke. He understood. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to build a tree house. He wanted to be alone right now. To go back out to the stagecoach house where he was staying to contemplate the state of his life. Alone. And he could see that was what she wanted, too.

But Jack and Gavin were looking up at him with adoring eyes! Adoring—what exactly had he done to de serve the look in those eyes?

He met Lynn’s now fiery gaze and his mouth went dry for the second time that day. She was struggling to hold her temper. It was obvious she didn’t want his help. He told himself this had to do with her background. This was wariness or maybe distrust that he was feeling from her. He didn’t like what he saw in the depths of her eyes and his own hackles went up at the idea she’d been mistreated. How bad had her abuse been? The question dug in like spurs.

“I could help if you need me.” What else could he say? The boys yelled jubilantly and began jumping around with happiness.

Lynn pressed her shoulders back and shook her head. “Thank you,” she said, stiffly, “but we don’t need help building our tree house.”

“I don’t mind.” Chance, what are you saying?

“He don’t mind, Momma.”

“Gavin, you’re showing very bad manners. Again, thank you but we’re fine,” she said firmly. “Come on, boys, we need to go.”

“But, Momma—”

“Jack, we need to go home. Remember we have Christmas lights to put up, too.”

Both boys looked reluctantly at him but obediently headed off to the car. Lynn didn’t meet his gaze as she said goodbye to Norma Sue and Esther Mae. He thought she was just going to walk off but then she paused. “I’m sorry. Thanks for the offer though,” she said, then strode away.

What had she been through?

Chance’s cousins walked up. “What was that all about?” Wyatt asked.

“That was Lynn being stubborn,” Norma Sue offered.

“Gavin and Jack were trying to get Chance to help them build a tree house, but Lynn is Miss Independent and having none of that.”

Esther Mae harrumphed. “She needs to get over that.”

Wyatt got a thoughtful gleam in his eye. “Really.”

Cole grinned. He was the youngest brother, about Chance’s age and his former partner in crime. “Did you tell them you were a master tree house builder?”

“I think we can both swing a hammer better than we could back then.” Chance chuckled. He and Cole had tried to build a tree house when they were about eight years old. “We were stubborn back then though. We re fused help from everyone.”

“Until Dad stepped in,” Wyatt added. “Y’all had the biggest mess. Dad finally had to insist on making it safe for y’all to use.”

“Thank goodness.” Seth gave a laugh that was more of a grunt. “Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you Melody said thanks for taking those lights up to the church for her.”

Esther Mae beamed. “Lynn told us about that last night when we were decorating for the fundraiser. What a cute way to meet,” she gushed. “Are you coming to the fundraiser tonight?”

Chance had already told Wyatt and all the guys the day before that he was going to pass. Wyatt hadn’t liked it and had told him that being around people would be good for him, but he understood. Now, looking at Esther Mae and Norma Sue, Chance wasn’t sure what to say. They had worked hard on this fundraiser, evidently, and it was for a good cause. His conscience pricked at him. He was startled that they hadn’t yet mentioned his preaching. He was relieved by the reprieve. “I’m not sure—”

“Sure you are.” Norma Sue looked serious. “Chance, we just heard what a hard time you’re having dealing with the loss of this young man. The best thing is for you to get involved with your family…and we are your family. I expect to see you there.” She shot Wyatt a firm look. “See to it.”

Wyatt gave a slow grin. “Yes, ma’am. You heard the lady, Chance.”

He was dug in deep for patience.

Esther Mae dipped her chin, causing the yellow daffodils on her hat to bend forward as if they, too, were watching Chance. “I’m expecting you there, too. So don’t disappoint me. I know you’ll enjoy it. And it will be good for you. Lynn will be there, too.”