Czytaj książkę: «Their Christmas Prayer»

Chapter One

After nearly fifteen years of overseas missionary service, Shaun O’Grady had picked up many handy skills. Ranching wasn’t one of them. But since moving in a few weeks ago with Kent Ritter, the Texas cowboy soon to become his new brother-in-law, he was learning.

He’d just left the farm supply store with a bundle of push-in plastic fence posts and a roll of poly wire. On this chilly October morning, a steaming mug of coffee from Diana’s Donuts sure seemed like a good idea. Being Saturday, the place was packed, and Shaun had to wait several minutes in line before he made it to the counter.

“Morning, Diana. One large black coffee, please.” He tugged out his wallet. “Got any scones left?”

The ponytailed brunette peeked into the display case. “How does cranberry-walnut sound?”

“I’ll take it.” Shaun smiled his thanks as Diana handed him his order. Detouring to the condiment bar, he added a dollop of cream and grabbed some napkins as he scanned the shop for an empty table.

In the far corner, a couple of rancher types were getting up to leave. Shaun hurried to claim the table, but before he could set down his coffee and scone, a distracted-looking woman in business attire beat him to it.

“Oh!” Long honey-brown curls flipped across her shoulder as she looked up with a start. “Were you about to sit here?”

“No problem. I can...” Shaun took another look around. No more empty seats anywhere. Guess he could grab a to-go cup and take his coffee out to the pickup.

“You were in line ahead of me. You should take the table.” The woman gathered up her coffee and Danish, only to be jostled by the customer in the chair behind her. She gasped as hot coffee splashed over the rim of her mug.

“Careful, there.” Shaun set down his own mug and plate, then relieved the woman of hers. He thrust his fistful of napkins toward her. “Did you burn your hand?”

“I think it’s okay. Startled me more than anything.” She dabbed at a coffee spill on her slim plaid skirt. “So much for looking presentable for my meeting.”

“Hardly shows,” Shaun said with an encouraging smile. They’ll all be looking at your pretty face anyway.

Whoa, did he actually just think that? True, she was incredibly attractive, not to mention the whole dressed-for-success vibe. Most of Diana’s customers looked more like Shaun—faded jeans, dusty boots, weekend whiskers. Well, the guys, anyway.

He scraped a palm across his stubbly chin. “Hey, our coffee’s getting cold and the crowd doesn’t look like it’ll be thinning out anytime soon. Would you be okay with sharing the table?”

Relief and gratitude replaced the disgruntled twist to her lips. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.” She wadded up the napkins and offered her hand. “I’m Brooke Willoughby, your new chamber of commerce communications manager.”

“Wow, that’s a mouthful. Congratulations. I’m Shaun O’Grady, average guy in need of caffeine.” No need to explain further. Besides, he didn’t expect he’d ever have a reason to visit the Juniper Bluff Chamber of Commerce. After a quick handshake, they sat across from each other. “So, you’re off to a business meeting?”

“I’m being officially introduced to the chamber’s board of directors. And I’m a teensy bit edgy, as you can probably tell from my klutziness.” She took a sip from her mug, then uttered a nervous laugh. “You might want to grab a few extra napkins in case I accidentally tip my coffee into your lap.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Offering a grin, Shaun bit into his scone. “I’m wearing half the barnyard on these old jeans anyway, so who’d notice?”

Brooke’s warm brown eyes sparkled with a knowing glint. “You must be a rancher, like just about everybody else in Juniper Bluff.”

“Uh, that would be a no. I’m just staying with my sister’s fiancé on his ranch until I figure out...” He tapped his heel. This wasn’t a subject he particularly wanted to get into with a complete stranger. “I mean, I’m only in town temporarily.”

“Oh, so you’re not from Juniper Bluff. Neither am I. Until very recently, anyway. My mom died last year—”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you.” The slightest tremor crept into Brooke’s tone. “Anyway, my dad and I just moved here from Los Angeles. I had a great job at an advertising firm, but Dad really wanted to have the family close together again, so...” She gave a half-hearted shrug.

“I understand. Family’s important.” Family could also be meddlesome, as in insisting Juniper Bluff was the perfect place for Shaun to recover and regroup after burning out on the mission field. “You have relatives in town?”

“My brother. When he heard about the chamber of commerce position, he said it sounded perfect for me and insisted I apply. Next thing I knew, Dad and I were packed and hitting the road.” Lifting a bite of pastry on her fork, she glanced toward the door. “Tripp was supposed to meet me here this morning, but he texted saying he got tied up at the clinic.”

“He’s a doctor?”

“A veterinarian.”

Shaun nodded as pieces started falling together. “Tripp Willoughby—right. We met when he assisted Dr. Ingram with one of Kent’s cows.”

“Kent’s your brother-in-law?”

“To-be. The wedding’s Thanksgiving weekend.” Shaun figured he could stick around at least that long. And maybe by then he’d have his head on straighter. He’d been praying desperately for direction about where his life was headed, but it seemed like God had gone silent.

“Last time I came to Juniper Bluff was for my brother’s wedding,” Brooke was saying. She looked up as Diana stopped at their table with a coffee carafe. “And here’s my amazing sister-in-law now.”

Arching a brow, Diana topped off their mugs. “Don’t tell me I’m the subject of more town gossip?”

Shaun did a double take. “So you two are related?”

“We were best friends in college and I introduced her to my big brother. Long story.” Brooke gave a meaningful eye roll. “But finally, all these years later, they’re back together and happily married.”

Guess Shaun still had a few local connections to work out. Except for running the occasional errand for Kent or grabbing a quick cup of coffee at Diana’s Donuts, he spent most of his time at the ranch. Keeping a low profile meant less explaining to do, and more time to think and pray.

He took another gulp of coffee before pushing his chair back. “I should get going. Got a pickup-load of supplies Kent’s waiting on. Nice meeting you, Brooke. And thanks for letting me share your table.”

“Actually, I think it was the other way around, but thank you, too.” Her perky smile practically lit up the room, and Shaun almost felt sorry he wouldn’t have a chance to get to know her better.

Which was crazy because clearly they traveled in different circles. More accurately, Shaun was currently caught in a going-nowhere loop, whereas Brooke Willoughby zipped along on the straight and narrow road to success.

Frowning, Brooke watched Shaun amble out of the doughnut shop. In her advertising work she’d had a lot of practice reading people, but he defied her powers of perception.

After offering refills to the customers at the next table, Diana plopped down in the chair Shaun had vacated. “He’s a puzzle, isn’t he?”

Brooke jerked her head around. “Who—the guy who was just here?”

“Don’t pretend you aren’t curious. We all are.” Gripping the edge of the table, Diana leaned forward. “So, what did y’all talk about? Did he reveal any interesting details about himself?”

“I think I did most of the talking—as usual.” Brooke lifted her coffee mug only to decide she’d had enough caffeine already. She set it down with a thunk. “All he basically said was that he hadn’t been in town very long—”

“And he’s staying with his almost-brother-in-law until after the wedding. Yada yada.” Diana crossed her arms and leaned back. “I was hoping for something a little juicier.”

“Digging for new gossip? Girl, you’ve been in the coffee-and-doughnuts business way too long.” Mimicking her sister-in-law’s pose, Brooke smirked and shook her head. “Anyway, I just met the guy. I should be asking you the questions. Who’s his sister? Anyone I’ve met?”

“Erin Dearborn. She’s Wanda Flynn’s partner at the WE Design shop across the square.”

“Oh, of course. Erin’s living in your old house, right?” Brooke tapped both temples in a duh gesture. “I may never get used to how in a small town everybody knows everybody.”

Diana’s expression turned sympathetic. “After living in LA, this has to be a huge change. Think you’ll adjust?”

“I’m sure I will...in time.” She certainly hoped so, since she hadn’t had much choice in the matter. “Anyway, Dad loves it here, and that’s what counts.”

“It was definitely a blessing when the chamber of commerce position opened up. We knew you’d be the perfect candidate.”

“Which reminds me,” Brooke said, collecting her shoulder bag, “I need to review my notes one more time before this meeting. Better get to the office.”

Diana walked her to the door. “Just remember, all work and no play—”

“Stop right there. I don’t need both you and my big brother ganging up on me. Dad, too, for that matter. I can’t believe you’ve already coerced me into joining a church committee.”

“What better way to get plugged into your new hometown? And perfect timing, too. The committee should be gearing up for their annual Christmas outreach. You’ll have a blast working with Emily Ingram, and you’ll make some wonderful new friends, I promise.”

“And I promise, there’ll be plenty of time for a social life after I’ve settled into my new job.” Stepping onto the sidewalk, Brooke scrunched her shoulders, as much from the unwelcome reminder of the approaching holidays as from the October chill in the air. She turned to Diana for a quick goodbye hug. “Gotta run. See you in church tomorrow.”

Though she didn’t relish getting involved with a Christmas outreach project, she couldn’t help appreciating the warm and welcoming church family at Shepherd of the Hills. Just as she’d hoped, they’d already made her dad feel at home, inviting him to join the seniors group and getting him involved in all kinds of fun activities.

Fun. Brooke had all but forgotten what the word meant. Helping to care for her mother during the last couple of years of her life, trying to keep Dad’s spirits up, fretting over her brother’s recurring issues with Crohn’s disease, all while succeeding at her high-pressure LA advertising job—no wonder her family continually nagged her to slow down and take care of herself for a change.

And she would, eventually. For now, though, staying as busy as possible was her saving grace. Besides, she thrived on exactly the kind of duties her new position entailed. She loved working with people, she loved designing effective media content and she loved the challenges of project management.

But one huge difference from the LA advertising firm? Her job at the Juniper Bluff Chamber of Commerce meant she’d be dealing with neighbors and friends, the same folks she might run into any day of the week at the supermarket, the coffee shop or at church. Her new boss was already stressing to her the importance—more accurately, the necessity—of community involvement. After years of intentionally keeping her professional and personal lives separate, this new way of operating would take some getting used to.

No doubt about it, her first official meeting with the board of directors had her on edge. She might already have the job, but she needed to assure the local business community of her dedication and enthusiasm. A quick perusal of her skirt convinced her the coffee mishap was barely noticeable. With a confidence-boosting inhalation, she checked traffic before crossing First Street.

Following a path through the town square, she nodded politely to other townsfolk enjoying the brisk, sunny day—families walking their dogs, children playing tag, a romantic couple gazing into each other’s eyes across a picnic table. On her left, Brooke passed the commemorative statue of Jake Austin, a town hero who’d died while rescuing a family from a car accident. Down another path to the right stood the gazebo, where a local country band entertained a small but growing crowd who clapped to the beat and sang along.

Small-town life. Brooke paused to soak it in. If she tried really hard to make this work, maybe she could be happy here. And perhaps, in time, the weight of the past few years would begin to slide off her shoulders.

Yes. Yes, I can do this. A determined smile forming, she continued across the square.

As she neared Main Street, someone seated on a park bench stood abruptly. When she sidestepped to avoid the man, her heel caught in the grass, and she scrambled to keep from toppling.

A steadying hand gripped her forearm. “Easy there. You okay?”

“Yes, thanks.” She looked up into a familiar face, with eyes as dark and brooding as a stormy sky—the same blue-gray eyes that had so recently intrigued her across the coffee shop table. Regaining her footing, she caught the strap of her purse before it slipped off her shoulder. “Shaun, right? Hi again. I’m having an unusually klutzy day, apparently.”

“Entirely my fault.” With his free hand, he stuffed his cell phone into his jeans pocket. His furrowed brow and sideways glance suggested his thoughts lingered elsewhere—possibly on a worrisome phone call?

Brooke could easily see why Diana and others might be curious about this mystery man. If Shaun O’Grady wasn’t a rancher, then what did he do for a living? And what profession allowed a guy to take several weeks off so he could hang out with his future brother-in-law until his sister got married?

And since not a single one of these questions was any of her business, she bit her tongue and asked instead, “Weren’t you in a hurry to deliver those supplies?”

“I was. I mean, I am.” Shaun released a tense half chuckle. “And you’ve got that meeting.”

“Right. So I suppose we should both be on our way.”

Neither of them moved.

Then they both moved at the same time and ended up doing an awkward dance in the middle of the path.

Laughing, Brooke held up both hands. “Hold on, okay? I’ll go right, you go left.”

Shaun shuffled from one foot to the other. “Wait—my left, or your left?”

“Um, my left. I think.”

A grin spread across Shaun’s face, the glint of sun in his eyes turning them more blue than gray. He took both her hands. “I think I’ve got this. Just follow my lead.” Taking two giant steps to his right, he moved her in a counterclockwise quarter-circle. “There. Now we’re both headed in the right direction again.”

Fingertips tingling, Brooke freed her hands. She nodded toward the curb. “And I’m guessing that’s your truck over there with all the fencing stuff in the back?”

“My future brother-in-law’s, actually. But yeah.” Looking slightly discomfited, Shaun ran a hand across the curling brown hair at his nape. “Nice running into you again, Miss Willoughby. Hope your meeting goes well.”

“Thanks. Have fun playing rancher, Mr. O’Grady.”

While Shaun jogged toward his pickup, Brooke continued to the end of the block and crossed Main Street. As she pushed open the chamber office door, Shaun drove by on his way around the square. He waved, and she waved back, then shook her head as she stepped into the lobby. The man had definitely piqued her curiosity, and he was certainly easy on the eyes. But since it didn’t sound like he planned on being in Juniper Bluff much longer, she’d do well to put him out of her mind and focus on impressing the board members with everything she hoped to accomplish as the chamber’s new communications manager.

On the drive back to the ranch, Shaun turned up the radio full blast. Kent’s preference for twangy country music didn’t exactly appeal, but maybe it would help get his mind off the unsettling morning he’d just been through. If his introduction to Brooke Willoughby hadn’t been plenty to shake him up, the phone call from missions director Henry Voss more than made up for it.

“We need you back in Jordan, Shaun,” Henry had said. He’d gone on to describe a position overseeing a newly formed network of house churches in Amman. “You’re my number one choice, but I need your answer pretty quick.”

Shaun didn’t feel anywhere near ready to return to full-time service. “I don’t know, Henry. I’m still figuring things out.”

“I understand. Take a couple of weeks to think it over and pray about it. I know God will lead you in the right direction.”

He only wished he shared Henry’s confidence—not in God’s wisdom but in his own ability to discern the Lord’s leading.

Or could this position be God’s answer to Shaun’s confusion? Maybe God just needed him to release his faith struggles and simply trust again. All he had to do was call the director back and say yes.

After parking the pickup next to the barn, he opened the recent calls list on his phone, his thumb hovering over Henry’s name. But the pinch in his gut wouldn’t let him complete the call. Barging from the truck, he stuffed the phone in his pocket. All he wanted right now was to lose himself in the monotony of helping Kent plant fence posts.

So he threw himself into that task, losing track of the time as the relentless work cleared his mind. By early afternoon, they’d set up temporary fencing through a section of pasture and connected the wire to a solar-powered charger. Afterward, Shaun moved out of the way while Kent climbed on Jasmine, his big black cutting horse, to herd several head of cattle into the fenced-off section. Kent said rotating grazing areas helped maintain the ecology of the land. Or something like that. All Shaun knew was that he’d worked up enough of a sweat stomping fence posts into the ground that he no longer needed his quilted flannel jacket.

With the task complete, he waded through knee-high grass and weeds to where he’d parked the pickup on a narrow rutted lane. A few minutes later, he caught up with Kent at the barn. Going cross-country on Jasmine, Kent had made better time and probably enjoyed a smoother ride as well. Bouncing over all those rocks and potholes had been painfully reminiscent of Shaun’s most recent missionary years in Ethiopia. His tailbone still ached at the memory of driving an ancient Land Rover with no shocks over roads better suited for donkeys and goats. Jordan, on the other hand, held much more pleasant memories...but was that incentive enough?

Pocketing the truck keys, he clamped his teeth together. Henry had given him two weeks. If God hadn’t given him a crystal clear no by then, he’d accept the call and start making plans for his return to Jordan, a previous post where he’d felt he really had made a difference. With that much settled for now, he put Henry’s call out of his mind and focused on the task at hand.

While Kent tended to Jasmine, Shaun unloaded the pickup bed and stowed the leftover wire and fence posts in the storage room. As he finished, his sister’s car pulled up outside the barn. He strode out to meet her and was nearly bowled over when Avery, his seven-year-old niece, plowed into him.

“Uncle Shaun, look! I lost another tooth.” Avery tipped her head back and opened her mouth.

“Whoa, you sure did. Hope the tooth fairy was generous.” He dropped to one knee to inspect the newly vacant spot on her upper gum. The shiny serrated edge of a new tooth already peeked through.

Avery cupped her hand around Shaun’s ear. “It’s okay. I know Mom’s really the tooth fairy. And she gave me two whole quarters.”

“Cool. Don’t spend it all in one place.” Tousling his niece’s mop of pale red curls, Shaun pushed to his feet. “Hey, Erin. Back for more wedding planning?”

“If I can tear my cowboy away from his cows. Looks like y’all have been working hard today.” Erin wrinkled her nose as she came closer. “Smells like it, too. Watch out, or Kent will make a rancher of you yet.”

“Don’t hold your breath.” Then Shaun got a whiff of himself. “On second thought, maybe you should, at least until I get cleaned up.”

They all entered the farmhouse, and Shaun made quick work of going to his room, discarding his soiled clothes and washing up.

By the time Shaun came downstairs in a fresh polo shirt and jeans, Kent had already cleaned up, too. He and Erin had just sat down at the kitchen table with glasses of iced tea and their wedding planning notebook.

Kent motioned Shaun over. “Pour yourself some tea and join us. I’m supposed to be picking a groom’s cake and I need another male’s perspective.”

“Afraid I wouldn’t be much help in the cake department. Think I’ll see what Avery’s watching on TV.” Shaun started for the living room.

“Uh-uh, big brother.” Erin patted the chair next to her. “Sit down a minute. There’s something else we’ve been meaning to ask you.”

Erin’s elfin smile belied the hint of something more serious in her tone. Figuring this didn’t involve cake selections, Shaun cautiously lowered himself into the chair. “I’m not the guy to give advice about tuxes or flowers either, in case you were wondering.”

“Actually...” Erin reached for her fiancé’s hand, and Kent scooted closer. They both looked slightly nervous. “What we wanted to ask—I mean, with you being an ordained minister—”

Palms outward, he leaned back in the chair. “I think I know where this is going, and the answer is no.”

“But it would mean so much to have my brother officiate at our wedding. Please, Shaun, would you at least think about it?”

“I’m honored and touched that you would ask, but I’m not ready to—” His mouth went dry. He couldn’t meet his sister’s gaze. “Sorry, I just can’t do it.” He shoved up from the table and marched upstairs.

Alone in the guest room, he sank onto the bed and dropped his head into his hands. Didn’t they understand how messed up he was? When he couldn’t even discern God’s will for his own life, what made them think he could bestow a proper blessing on their marriage? After all his sister had been through with her abusive first husband and starting over after their divorce, she deserved only the best.

It was Greg, the eldest of the O’Grady siblings, who’d had the bright idea Shaun should spend some time in Juniper Bluff after returning from his most recent—and most discouraging—missionary assignment. This was supposed to be a kind of sabbatical, reconnecting with himself and with God. So far, all he had to show for it was more confusion, along with several new calluses from the hard labor of ranch work.