A Baby For Christmas. Linda Ford

Which was why he had his heart set on owning a ranch.

      “Goodbye, old friend.” He waited until he was back on the street to put his hat on. He returned home—his ma’s home, at least.

      A smile curved his mouth as he thought of the home he had his eye on. A small ranch across the border in Alberta not far from Eden Valley Ranch. There he’d build a secure place of his own.

      “Did you say you had a leak in your roof?” he said to Ma. He didn’t wait for her reply before he grabbed a hammer and ladder and climbed up to begin repairs.

      He inserted new shingles and pounded in nails.

      “Nate.”

      He’d know that voice anywhere. Louise. Once they’d been close, but now that, too, had changed.

      He’d moved on and had plans of his own. She’d stayed, married Gordie and now carried his child. She’d succeeded in holding on to the Porter family and name.

      Slowly he turned to stare down at her. From this perspective, she seemed tiny and vulnerable. He half snorted. Louise had never been vulnerable. She’d always kept up with Gordie and Nate in whatever they’d tackled.

      She tipped her head up, shielding her eyes from the glare. He knew their color without seeing them. Brown and challenging. Bold and demanding.

      “I need to talk to you.”

      He backed down the ladder and faced her. “What can I do for you?”

      “How long are you staying to visit your mother?”

      He blinked. An odd question from a gal who’d made it clear three years ago that she didn’t care if he went as far north as he could ride. He’d harbored a hope she would accompany him, but she’d quickly made him understand he would do well to pin his hopes in a different direction. And he had, though it had taken a bit of effort. But now his hopes lay in getting his own ranch. His own land.

      “I’m not staying long. A few days at the most. I need to get back and take care of some business.” While out riding the herd for Eddie, owner of the Eden Valley spread, Nate had come across an empty log cabin in a pretty little valley. He’d asked about it and learned it belonged to a mountain man who had once tried ranching but found he didn’t care for it. Nate hoped to catch him when he made his regular trek to town to send Christmas presents to his grown daughter. He’d learned the man only stayed long enough to visit an old friend who ran the livery barn. Nate had left a message with Rufus at the livery barn that he wanted to speak to Mountain Man Mike about buying the little ranch he had abandoned. Rufus had warned him Mike only stayed a few days. Nate couldn’t afford to miss him.

      “Take us with you. Me and Missy.” The words tumbled from Louise’s mouth. She ducked her head as if it hurt her pride to make the request, then lifted her gaze to his, and he felt her demand clear to his toes. And something more he couldn’t identify and didn’t try as his heart leaped at the possibility. Then reality pointed out the facts.

      “Don’t see how that’s possible. I have one horse. You’re in the family way and I’m in a hurry. I have to be back by Christmas to see a man who has a little ranch I intend to buy.”

      “We could ride the stagecoach.”

      He shrugged. “Fine. Go ahead. It’s none of my business who rides it.”

      “It’s not that simple. I don’t want to travel alone with Missy.”

      Nate leaned into his heels. Not too many years ago he would have welcomed her request and taken her with him. There was a time he’d do almost anything she asked of him and had enjoyed pleasing her, but that time was long gone. She’d made her choice. He’d moved on, started a new life elsewhere. There was no going back.

      She ducked her head again and studied her fingers.

      He looked at them, too. Saw they were white from her clutching them together. She was hiding something.

      “What’s going on, Louise?”

      “Vic.”

      That’s it? Nate had never cared for the man, but it seemed the others found him...what? Certainly not charming. He had all the appeal of a snake. Nate shook his head. He had never been able to understand why Louise had hung around the man. At least not until she and Gordie had married. Then it made sense.

      He hated even thinking of Louise married to Gordie. But there was no denying she’d had special feelings for Nate’s best friend. As much as it hurt, Nate had never let his romantic feelings toward Louise stand in the way of his two friends. Good thing he’d left when he did.

      “What about Vic?” he asked her.

      “He’s...well, he’s getting bothersome.”

      “In what way?” Surely now that Gordie was dead, the man had sought out another partner to do his bidding.

      She wobbled her hands in a gesture that told him nothing. “Your mother says the lady at Eden Valley Ranch welcomes people who are in need of a place to stay. All I’m asking is you accompany us there, then I promise we won’t bother you again.”

      “Louise, it’s a weeklong trip. We have to stay overnight in some very tight quarters.” He waited for her to realize what he meant and knew she did when pink stained her cheeks. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to travel together that far, that long.” He studied her heightened color. Even heavy with child and looking weary, she was a beautiful woman.

      He’d like to help her, but her plan put both Louise’s and Missy’s reputation at stake. Something he wouldn’t do. “You need to think of something better than this.”

      * * *

      Louise should have known better than to expect Nate to help. Years ago he’d ridden from her life just when she’d needed someone.

      Turning away, she did her best to hasten off, even though her bulk turned her hurry into an awkward waddle. He’d encouraged her to come up with a better plan? She’d do exactly that. He’d suggested she buy stagecoach tickets for herself and Missy, and she would. She’d find her way to Eden Valley Ranch with or without his help.

      She returned to Aunt Bea’s house where she’d taken Missy once Vic had revealed his plan to move into the Porter home. When they arrived, her aunt had inquired as to the duration of their visit.

      “We won’t stay long,” Louise had soothed.

      Aunt Bea’s handkerchief had fluttered vigorously, a sure sign of her displeasure. “I thought when you married that young Porter you’d moved out. Into your own home,” she’d added, as if realizing how unwelcoming she sounded.

      Louise had thought so, too. In fact, about all she’d ever wanted in life was a home where she could belong. But things had changed. Vic had seen to that. Now she didn’t know what she wanted. There was only one thing she was certain of. Whatever she hoped to achieve, she would have to do it on her own. No point in thinking she could count on anyone to help.

      “Can I get you some tea?” Louise asked her aunt. “Or would you like me to prepare supper?”

      “You’ll be staying?” Aunt Bea’s hands fell to her lap.

      “We won’t be any bother.” In fact, she’d clean the house thoroughly and bake up some goodies. Aunt Bea never seemed to get around to either anymore. Not that she ever had, preferring to spend her time reading dusty old books or knitting an endless supply of blankets, scarves and thick mittens. At least Louise had never suffered from cold hands in the winter.

      Aunt Bea waved toward the kitchen. “Tea would be nice.”

      Louise crossed to the door. “Missy, you can help me.”

      Missy rose to her feet quickly and almost plowed over Louise in her haste to escape Aunt Bea.

      Louise chuckled. “She won’t bite.”

      Missy