Santa's Sweetheart (The Christmas Tree Ranch #4)(47)

“One thing I was wondering. What were you doing at the store in the first place? Did you just happen along and see a strange car?”

“Now that’s a good question.” Sam launched into his pitch about why Hank should be hired to work at the store. “You’d be doing me a favor, Walt,” he concluded. “But if it all works out, you’ll be doing Hank the biggest favor and yourself, too.”

Walt scratched his ear. “I’ll think on it. I knew Hank before the bad times. He was a good man, and smart. I reckon he still is. But Lordy, Sam, what if I hire him and he won’t stop drinking?”

“Then you fire him on the spot. Hank would have to understand that he’s on probation. One slip-up, and he’s gone. So, what do you say?”

“I’ll have to ask my wife. But we’re not getting any younger, and we do need help. She’s been after me to cut back on work. Hank would be a godsend if he could do the job and stay sober.”

“Okay, talk to Doris and let me know. I should be out of here early next week. If it’s a yes, I’ll give Hank the word.”

“No need,” Walt said. “I know where to find Hank. If I’m thinking about hiring him, I’ll want to talk to him first. Right now, I hear the lunch cart coming down the hall.” He turned to go, then paused. “Thanks for being where you were needed, Sam. I mean it. I think maybe the Man Upstairs was looking out for all of us.”

“Maybe so, Walt.” Sam had pretty much lost his belief when Bethany died. But he could appreciate the faith of men like Walt. He could still count his blessings—good friends, the chance to be of service, and a daughter who was the sunshine of his life. With Grace, that life could be complete once more—but only if she felt as strongly as he did.

Today they’d both be in school. Sam couldn’t help hoping they’d come back to see him afterward. But it was a long drive for a tired teacher and a little girl still worn out from last night.

After some exercise walking the hall and a lunch of tuna casserole, canned peas, and pudding, Sam finally had a chance to rest. Not only was he exhausted, but it was still dawning on him how close he’d come to death. Lying in his bed, he replayed the robbery, imagining what might have happened if any one thing had gone differently.

He remembered seeing Maggie in the hospital last night, her eyes shedding tears of relief. He pictured her as a lonely orphan going to live with Bethany’s parents or falling through the cracks into the foster system.

Being sheriff in a small, rural community like Branding Iron couldn’t be called a dangerous job. There were accidents, domestics, a few disputes, maybe some shoplifting or vandalism from misbehaving kids—nothing to threaten a lawman’s life.

Not until yesterday when, in a heartbeat, everything had changed.

What if that bullet had killed him, leaving his daughter motherless, fatherless, and scarred by loss?

Then again, what might have happened if he hadn’t been there to do his job?

Struggling with unanswered questions, his reason dulled by painkillers, Sam sank into sleep.

*

“Daddy! Wake up!” Maggie’s hand, patting his cheek, roused Sam from a jumbled dream. His sleep had been so deep that it took a moment for him to remember where he was. Outside the window, the sky was dark. Someone had turned on the light above his bed.

“Hi, honey.” He reached out and rumpled her curls. His body felt stiff from lying in one position, but he could tell he’d had a good rest. “I didn’t think you’d be coming tonight. You must be tired after being up last night and then going to school all day.”

“We’re both tired.” Grace was standing a few feet behind her. “But Maggie insisted on coming. She didn’t have any trouble talking me into it. I wanted to see you, too.”

Grace’s words warmed Sam as he took her in with his eyes. She stood in the shadows, dressed in gray slacks and a simple black sweater. When their eyes met, a little smile played around her lips.

“Have some chocolates. Helen brought them this morning.” Sam opened the box and held it out. Maggie chose a chocolate truffle.

Grace declined with a slight shake of her head. “I’m sorry we didn’t think to bring you anything,” she said.

“You brought yourselves. That’s all I need.” Sam was looking at Grace as he said it. She lowered her gaze. Was it a signal for him to back off?

“It looks like I’ll be going home on Monday,” he said. “I’m getting around fine, just sore and a little tired.”

“Will you be needing a ride?” Grace asked.

“You’ll be in school. Helen can pick me up and drop me off at the house. And there’s no need for you to come here over the weekend. It’s a long drive. I’ll be fine.”

“I can take care of you at home, Daddy,” Maggie said. “I’ll do laundry and even cook your food. Grace is going to help me learn.”

“We’ll learn together,” Grace said. “I’ve never been much of a cook. But I hope you don’t mind my staying at your house over the weekend. Maggie slept at my place last night, but I know she’ll be more comfortable sleeping in her own room.”

So she would be sleeping in his bed. Too bad he wouldn’t be there with her. “Maggie can show you where the clean sheets are. And thanks. That’s a lot of bother for you.”