A Cowboy for Christmas (12 page)

Lacey had told Phil when she’d started working for him that she wouldn’t do anything more than wait tables. He had been satisfied with her work for quite a while, but when some of the ranch hands started to offer him a lot of money for the chance to get her upstairs, Phil had
changed. He had tried to convince her to start really “working” at the saloon, but she’d refused and had threatened to quit. Then last night, one of the other saloon girls had warned her that she’d heard some of the wilder boys planning to get her upstairs that very evening, and in that moment, she’d realized she had no choice.

She had to get out of there—

She had to run.

So Lacey had gotten her horse and had ridden out of town before any of them had noticed she was missing. She’d ridden all night and had been making good time until midmorning, when her horse had gone lame. She’d turned the horse loose, and now was alone and on foot, carrying her canteen with her. She kept hoping she might run into someone who could help her, but with the way her life had gone so far, she was reasonably certain that wasn’t going to happen.

It was up to her to save herself.

She just had to keep moving.

Lacey thought about praying for help, but wondered if it would do any good. She’d been praying for a miracle in her life for a long time, and look where it had gotten her—she was alone in the middle of nowhere with only a few dollars to her name. Even so, she offered up a silent prayer for help and guidance.

She started to cry, but finally with an effort, she forced her weaker emotions away. She had to be strong right now. She couldn’t give up. She
still remembered her grandma telling her when she’d been a little girl that life was all about surviving, and she knew that’s what she had to do now.

Lacey kept moving down the rocky road. If nothing else, she hoped she might find a way station where she could stay until the next stagecoach came through. That one thought kept her going.

Nick sat next to Steve on the stagecoach, watching the boy as he all but hung out the window staring at the passing landscape. Even after all these days of traveling, Steve was still excited to get up every morning and get on the road again. Nick knew he’d done the right thing bringing him along. This trip was an adventure for him and one he would remember his whole life.

Nick also knew Steve wouldn’t be the only one remembering this trip. Just the thought of possibly being reunited with Danny again lifted his spirits and excited him, too. He realized there was a good chance Danny wouldn’t be in Sagebrush when they finally got there, but he tried not to think about that right now. One way or another, he was going to track his brother down. He’d come this far and he wasn’t going to give up. He couldn’t wait to see Danny’s expression when they faced each other for the first time. The thought alone made him smile.

“You thinkin’ about your brother?” Steve asked as he glanced back at Reverend Miller.

“Yes, how did you know?”

“You’re smilin’,” he answered simply.

“It could be I’m just having fun,” Nick teased him.

“Are you?”

“Yes. This is one exciting trip for me.”

“Me, too,” Steve said. He knew he would always be grateful to Reverend Miller for bringing him along.

There was a middle-aged married couple sitting across from them, and the woman remarked with more than a little disbelief, “You both think this trip is exciting?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Steve answered. “Reverend Miller’s going to see his brother again.”

“Oh, you’re not his son?” she asked in surprise, looking between them.

Her question surprised and touched Steve. He looked up at the reverend as he answered, “No, ma’am. I’m an orphan and Reverend Miller takes care of me at the Children’s Home in St. Louis.”

She looked at the young preacher with even more respect. “That’s quite a calling you have, Reverend Miller.”

“Yes, ma’am, it is,” he agreed, smiling at Steve. “I’ve been very blessed to work with the children, especially Steve.”

“And it seems the children have been blessed to have you,” she replied. “We’re the Wilsons, by the way.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too.”

They fell into an easy silence for a while, and Steve eventually nodded off, nestled against Nick’s side. Nick looked down at the sleeping boy and knew how special he truly was. He certainly could sympathize with what Steve was going through. He understood all his troubled emotions, having suffered the same fate all those years ago when he and Danny had been left at the orphanage. It was that memory that had made him determined to be there for Steve and the other children, in good times and in bad. The thought that the lady traveling with them believed Steve was his son had touched him deeply. Nick would have been proud to claim him as his own.

It was over an hour later when they were all startled by the stagecoach coming to a sudden, abrupt halt.

“What is it, dear?” Mrs. Wilson asked. “We’re not getting robbed, are we?”

Her husband took a quick look out the stage window. “I don’t see anything . . .” He leaned farther out and yelled, “Driver! What’s wrong?”

“Take it easy, folks. It’s nothing to worry about,” the driver called back. They heard him jump down from his bench.

“Wait here, Steve,” Nick said. “There might be something blocking the road. I’ll go see if I can help him.”

“I could help, too,” Steve was quick to offer.

“Let me make sure it’s safe, first.”

“Yes, sir.” The boy nodded obediently and sat back.

Nick got out of the stage and went up to see what was going on. He’d expected it to be something simple from the way the driver had talked, and he was shocked by what he discovered. The driver was standing in the road, talking with a beautiful, young, blonde-haired woman. Nick frowned, wondering how in the world she’d come to be in the middle of nowhere on foot, and then his expression darkened even more as he realized the girl was wearing a light coat over a rather short red dress that showed a length of her legs and a pair of riding boots. His instincts told him she was in trouble, and he knew they couldn’t just leave her there on her own.

“I appreciate you stopping. My horse went lame some miles back and I’ve been on foot ever since. I’ve got some money. I can pay you fifty cents if you’ll take me with you. I’ll even ride up on top if there’s no room in the stage.”

“You need any help, Jim?” Nick asked as he moved forward.

Lacey had been so desperately trying to convince the driver to take her along that she hadn’t heard the other man get out of the stage, and she was startled by his presence. She was used to dealing with men like the driver and the hard-drinking cowhands, and her eyes widened a bit at the sight of the handsome stranger coming their way. He looked to be quite a gentleman.

“Our little missy here does,” the driver replied. He looked to the girl again and said, “Climb on up with me.”

Nick understood what the driver was doing, but he quickly interceded. “There’s room in the stage. She can ride with us. It’ll be warmer in there.”

“You sure?”

“Yes,” Nick answered without hesitation.

“All right, come on,” the driver told her. “Let’s get you in the stage. I’m already behind schedule.”

“Do you want me to pay you now?”

“Later. Let’s go,” he urged, ushering her back to the stagecoach door.

Lacey was completely surprised when the other man held the stage door for her and took her elbow to help her in. A shiver of awareness went through her at his simple touch and she paused to look up at him. The moment left her breathless when she saw the true look of gentleness and kindness in his dark eyes. “Thank you.”

“What is going on?” Mr. Wilson demanded of the driver as he watched the girl climb in.

“This young lady was stranded out here and needs a ride, so she’ll be traveling with us,” he explained.

“You were stranded? Out here?” Mrs. Wilson shifted closer to her husband, casting a disdainful eye over their new companion.

Lacey had dealt with folks like them before.
She said nothing, trying to scoot as far away from the woman as she could on the seat.

Nick got in after her and sat back down beside Steve. He took one look at Mrs. Wilson’s expression and offered to the new girl, “There’s more room on this side, if you don’t mind sitting with us.”

“Why, thanks. I don’t mind at all.” Lacey didn’t hesitate to switch. She certainly had no objection to sitting next to him, and she could just imagine how awkward the ride would have been if she’d had to try to keep a distance between her and the older woman.

Steve smiled at the new lady. “Hi, I’m Steve. What’s your name?”

Lacey was surprised the boy talked to her, especially after the way the couple had reacted to her presence. She smiled warmly at him. “My name’s Lacey. It’s nice to meet you, Steve.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too. This is Reverend Miller. We’re going to Sagebrush, Texas. Where are you going?”

Lacey looked quickly at the handsome man beside her, startled by the news that he was a minister, but then she realized she had sensed something special about him. “Hello, Reverend.”

“Lacey,” he returned.

Knowing he was a man of God, she felt uncomfortable now with her first thoughts about him. “Why, I’m heading toward Sagebrush, too.” Lacey told herself it wasn’t a lie. She was on the same
stagecoach they were. “I’m just glad you came along when you did. My horse went lame and I’ve been walking for quite a while.”

Nick couldn’t even imagine how she’d ended up where she was, but he knew he was glad that they’d happened upon her. There was no telling what danger she might have encountered all alone out in the middle of nowhere. “We’re glad we did, too.”

Lacey was touched by his kind words and smiled a little timidly at him. She remembered her earlier prayer for help and knew it had been answered. She didn’t know where she was going from here or where she’d end up, but, at least for the time being, she was safe.

They all fell silent as the stage traveled on. They still had a long way to go until they stopped for the night.

Nick hadn’t found himself in a situation like this one before, but he had a feeling there might be a little trouble when they did stop at the way station. The girl named Lacey had brought no luggage with her, so she had only the clothes she was wearing, and he knew it wouldn’t be appropriate for Steve to see a lady dressed in such a manner. As long as Lacey kept her coat on, there wouldn’t be a problem, but once they stopped to eat and bed down for the night, he wasn’t sure what would happen. Determined to protect Steve, he made up his mind to take Lacey aside when they stopped and offer her a change of clothing. He had an extra
shirt he could give her, but he didn’t know what to do about anything else. He could give her a pair of his pants, too, but he knew they would be far too big for her. With her boots, the pants would work, if they could find a length of rope to use for a belt—if she was willing. One way or the other, he would soon find out.

It was just about dark when the stage pulled to a stop at the station. The Wilsons got out first, and then Nick climbed down. He waited while Steve got out and then offered Lacey a hand to help her descend. For a moment as she stepped down, Nick got a clear view of her lovely legs, and he had to force his gaze away.

“Thank you, Reverend,” Lacey said, smiling up at him.

Nick looked over to see that Steve had already gone into the station. “Lacey, I was wondering if I could speak with you for a moment.”

She glanced at him, a little unsure. “What about?”

“Steve.”

“The boy?”

“Yes.” Nick didn’t pause as he continued. “I saw that you didn’t have any luggage with you, and I couldn’t help noticing that the gown you’re wearing is . . . well . . .”

“Fit for a saloon girl,” she finished for him.

“Yes, and Steve’s still a young boy, and I don’t think it would be appropriate for him to see you dressed this way.”

“You don’t have to worry, preacher man,” she replied, her tone curt. “I’ll keep my coat on.” She was humiliated, but she understood what he meant. The boy seemed sweet and innocent, and she wanted him to stay that way. She started to turn away.

Nick saw her reaction and felt bad. He hadn’t meant for her to be insulted. He’d just wanted to help. Instinctively, he caught her by the arm before she could walk away. “Wait, that isn’t what I meant.”

She looked from his hand on her arm up to his face, her expression challenging, and Nick quickly dropped his hand from her.

“What I wanted to do, since you obviously don’t have a change of clothes, was to offer you something else more comfortable to wear. I’ve got an extra shirt and an extra pair of pants. I’m sure they’ll be too big for you, but they might be more comfortable for riding on the stage.”

Lacey had rarely had anyone take care of her. She told herself he was a man of God, but still, she didn’t trust him, or anyone else for that matter. Her eyes narrowed as she demanded of him, “What do you want from me?”

Nick was shocked by her reaction to his offer and his expression showed it. “Why, nothing—nothing at all. I just thought you needed some help and I wanted to do what I could for you. As children of God we’re supposed to help each other in times of need.”

Lacey was used to men leering at her, and she was completely taken aback by his response. She realized then he truly was acting out of kindness and generosity. “Thank you, Reverend Miller. I appreciate your offer, and, yes, you’re right. I do need a change of clothes.”

“I’ll get them for you as soon as they bring our bags inside.” Nick gave her a gentle smile and followed her into the station.

Mindful of Reverend Miller’s concerns about little Steve, she kept her coat on, even though it was comfortably warm inside. It wasn’t long before the other travelers’ bags were brought in.

Nick took his bag back into the men’s sleeping room and took out a pair of black pants and a white shirt. As slender as she was, he wished he’d had an extra belt to give her, but he had a feeling she was resourceful enough to think of some way to keep the pants on.

“What are you doing?” Steve asked, having followed him into the room.