The Rancher's Family Wish by Lois Richer

Author:Lois Richer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-07-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“I can’t believe you wrangled a birthday party at Wranglers Ranch without me guessing.” Tanner’s delight at church folks gathered on his patio warmed Sophie’s heart. He thanked them, then asked her, “How did you manage this?”

“I had a little help while you were goofing off up in the hills today.” She smiled at her ranch hand accomplices who led the guests to the pizza buffet line. “I hope I didn’t miss inviting anyone who is important to you.”

“Cowboys do not goof off,” he said sternly, then smiled. “And everyone who’s important to me is already here.”

Tanner’s soft, reflective voice and the way he looked at her made Sophie’s stomach lurch and her heart race. Apparently only just realizing what he’d admitted, Tanner gulped, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he did.

“I mean, it’s very kind of you. Thank you, Sophie. I’ve never had anyone throw me a birthday party before.”

Those words squeezed her motherly heart so hard her arms ached to comfort him. What kind of a life had young Tanner led not to have had even one birthday party?

“But Burt...?” she murmured, then dropped it when he shook his head.

“He’d take me out for supper and give me a gift.” He grinned. “But I doubt Burt would have known how to throw a party. Guess that’s why I never had one before.”

“Then you must enjoy this one,” she said firmly. But instead of dissipating, the crackling awareness she always felt around him thickened. Desperate to break it before she said something she shouldn’t, Sophie resorted to teasing. “By next year you might be too old to enjoy another.”

“And here I thought you were so nice.” He shook his head sadly, gave a mock sigh, then headed off to get his own pizza.

“When can we give Tanner his gift, Mom?” Davy asked, Beth by his side.

“After we have cake,” she promised, smiling at Davy’s excited face.

What a change the big cowboy had made in her son’s life. So much so that Davy had insisted on using most of the small salary Tanner now paid him for helping at Wranglers. Amazing to think that the money Davy hoarded to buy a skateboard had been willingly depleted to purchase a special pocketknife for the cowboy. Her son was at last learning about giving and caring, and Tanner was the reason. How could Sophie ever repay him?

But not just for Davy. When Beth had confided her desperate yearning to sing in the kids’ church choir to Tanner, he’d taken that as his mission. Amazingly he’d found a voice coach with a reputation for successful work with Down syndrome children. Though now retired, Mrs. Baggle agreed to meet Beth. The two had immediately bonded. Mrs. Baggle insisted she would teach Beth for no fee. Sophie refused until the teacher finally admitted she’d always wanted to host an Easter Sunday brunch for her elderly quilting friends. Sophie insisted on catering it as payment.

Mrs. Baggle understood Beth’s vocal issues but Sophie doubted Tanner

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