Author's Note

Only one chapter left to go till the conclusion of this story! I just want to thank you all so much for reading this story and for the comments and likes that you have left on it. I appreciate and value every one of them.

On a little side-note however, the character of 'Miracle' was inspired by something that happened to me Christmas last year. Christmas Eve morning, when I went out to feed our farm animals, I found a tiny, four week old grey tabby kitten huddled up amongst our chickens. Now I knew we had a stray kitten hanging around because my folks had seen it but I had no clue it was so young. I'd planned to trap it as we have a problem with feral cats and give it to the local animal shelter but when I found her in the chicken coup Christmas Eve morning, she just sat there and let me pick her up. She weighed less then 500 grams, she'd been living rough and I honestly didn't think she'd pull through but I managed to get her through. It was touch and go for a few days but she started to get better and now, I have a eight month old or so (my maths might be off) little monster of a kitten on my hands. I wasn't planning on getting another cat (I have 3 already) but when the universe saw fit to give me another on on Christmas Eve, how could I refuse?

Given it was a miracle that she survived on her own (she lived by eating chicken poop because she was too little to hunt, I should know, those first few times cleaning the litter box were gross) she earned herself the name 'Miracle' and a place in this story since I was in the process of writing it at the time.

Chapter 20

Christmas morning arrived, Millie woken by the sound of one of the roosters crowing. Remembering what day it was she needed no other incentive to get out of bed early and that's what she did. Quickly changing into her day clothes she grabbed her presents for the Barkley's out from their hiding place and tiptoed downstairs, adding them beneath the tree. No one else was up yet but she knew at this hour, Silas would already be in the kitchen preparing breakfast. While she had been thinking of presents to give the Barkley's, she hadn't forgotten Silas either.

Holding onto his wrapped gift, Millie headed into the kitchen. As she expected, Silas was already at work preparing the morning meal. "Merry Christmas Silas."

He looked over at her, smiling. "Merry Christmaz, Miz Millie. You're up early this morning."

She chuckled. "I'm heading out to take Tomahawk for a run before breakfast. I wanted to give you this first though." She brought out the small wrapped package from behind her back. "It's not much, but I hope you like it."

Wiping his hands on his apron, Silas took the present and unwrapped it. "It's beautiful, Miz Millie. Thank you." It was a little photo frame with a drawing of a rose inside. He smiled up at her. Millie had remembered him mentioning that roses were his favorite flower. "This will go on my wall."

She smiled back at him. "I'm glad you like it."

"You have a real talent, Miz Millie, a real talent. I ain't seen someone who can draw like you."

Millie smiled again. "It's just something I enjoy doing. Well, I better get to the barn and give Tomahawk his present. I brought him some sugar cubes and peppermints while Audra and I were shopping the other day."

"You really spoil that pony." He remarked with a chuckle. Millie was forever swiping a carrot or apple or two from the kitchen to give her horse. "Just wait, Miz Mille. I've something for you too." Going over to the cupboard, he placed the gift she'd given him down and withdrew a little box from the back of the shelf. "I picked it out for you a couple weeks back."

Taking the box from him, she lifted the lid then let out a little gasp. "Oh, Silas." She breathed in awe, looking at the little running horse charm necklace nestled inside the box. "It's beautiful. Thank you."

"I saw it while buyin' supplies and I just knew you'd like it."

"Oh I do, Silas, I really do." Her eyes began to mist a little and she fingered the charm gently, touched by his gift. It was beautiful, a little gold running horse. "I'll treasure this. Thank you. You shouldn't have though, I mean, it must have been expensive."

The old servant smiled. Seeing how happy she was, it was worth the dollar eighty-seven it had cost him to purchase the necklace. No price could be put on making someone else happy and it warmed his heart to see her so excited over his gift. "You deserve it, Miz Millie."

Millie smiled again then returned the lid to the box. "I-I better go see Tomahawk now. Can I-"

"Have an apple?" He finished her question for her and chuckling, he turned and grabbed one from the fruit bowl on the table and handed it to her. "You have a good time now."

She smiled once more and headed out of the kitchen, going back upstairs to place his gift in her room and grab Tomahawk's treats before she made her way to the barn. As she entered the barn, the stallion looked up to see who was coming in and he nickered softly as he saw her. "Merry Christmas my boy." She entered his stall, rubbing his forehead for a moment. Tomahawk sniffed at her pockets and she laughed softly. "Yes, yes. I've got a present for you. Just a moment boy. Patience."

Untying him, she backed him out of the stall and stopped him in the aisle. Taking the apple from her pocket she took a couple bites herself while he watched then gave him the rest. The apple was soon gone and Tomahawk went looking for more treats, this time Millie taking out a sugar cube to give him. As he chewed on the sugar cube, he lifted his upper lip at the taste and she laughed at the funny face he made. "Tasty hey? You like that?" He sniffed at her pockets again and she gave him a couple more as well as a couple peppermints. "No more, that's all of them." She said with a chuckle once she'd given him the last one and she reached for the bridle hanging on the post. "Alright boy, let's go for a ride."

After eating breakfast together, as they did every year, the family gathered together in the living room to sing Christmas carols before exchanging gifts. Millie held back, staying over beside the fireplace as the family gathered around the piano. This wasn't her place to join in. Beginning at breakfast, as they had begun reminiscing on past Christmases, she started to feel like she was intruding on the family's special day. She was out of place here and she was greatly aware of it. As they began to go through their favorite carols, she contented herself with sitting beside the fireplace, thinking of her own Christmases past.

As she watched the dancing flames, the first Christmas she'd spent with Hosea and Ruth came to mind. They'd given her Princess that year, trying to make up for the fact that they'd taken her from her real mother. She'd only been with them three months at that point and was still adjusting to her new home. At that time, she remembered still being upset that she'd been taken away but as the months had slipped by, she'd forgotten her real family. Her memories of them faded away until now, she couldn't remember them anymore.

She had no memories left of her real family.

A hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality and she looked up to see Jarrod standing beside her. "Come on, join us." Jarrod invited kindly. "You don't have to sit here by yourself."

"Are you sure you don't mind me joining in?"

"Millie, of course we don't mind. Come on."

Hesitating, she finally relented and got up, going to join the family around the piano.

"Have you got a favorite song you'd like to sing, Millie?" Audra questioned. "You can choose a couple if you'd like."

She had to think for a moment. What Christmas carols did she used to sing with Hosea and Ruth? "Do… What about Hark The Herald Angels Sing?" She questioned hesitantly. It had been one of the songs she always requested at Christmas time. "Could we sing that?"

"Sure we can." She replied as she began flicking through her music book. "I think it's in here."

"That was my mother's favorite." Heath mentioned as they waited for Audra to find the right page. It was also Matilda's favorite. He added, memories of the last Christmas he had spent with her coming to mind. His little sister had loved that song and always wanted them to sing it, singing her heart out as only a could when they did. "We'd sing it every year."

"Ah, here it is." Audra finally found the right page. "Are we ready?" They nodded and she played the introduction to lead into the song. Together, as one voice, they began to sing.

"Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king…"

After they had finished with that song, Audra suggested Millie pick another and after having to again think about it for a moment, she requested Joy To The World, another one she remembered. Standing there with them, singing, Millie began to enjoy herself. Nick was the next to choose once the song was over and he chose Deck The Halls, a song Millie was unfamiliar with but quickly began to like.

They sang a few more carols, Audra making sure that everyone was given a chance to request their favorite song then it was time for them to begin opening the presents. Beneath the tree now was a huge pile of wrapped gifts, some large, some small and as Millie looked at them, it dawned on her how insignificant her presents would be. They were nothing compared with the wonders she could only imagine lay hidden beneath the fancy coloured wrapping paper and she felt almost ashamed of her piddly contribution.

Gathering around the tree, the family took their places to begin. "Well now, how are we doing presents this year?" Jarrod questioned, taking a spot in an empty chair. "Shall we start with Mother and go from oldest to youngest?" He looked around at his family and they nodded in agreement with his suggestion. Taking his present from the pile for his mother, he passed it over to her. "Merry Christmas Mother."

Victoria smiled as she took the wrapped gift. "Thank you Jarrod." Untying the ribbon, she unwrapped the paper from the box and opened it. In the box was a pair of pearl earrings with a matching necklace. "It's beautiful. Thank you."

"Mother, Merry Christmas." Nick was next to hand over his gift. "And I hope you like it."

Millie sat back, again trying to appear as invisible as possible. Nick had given Victoria a lovely embroidered silk shawl, Audra a new fancy hat and Eugene a silver trinket box.

Heath waited until the others had given their gifts before he brought his over, his present to Victoria being a small bottle of perfume that she assured him was lovely. "It was my mother's favorite perfume." He explained. "I don't know much about fancy things for ladies but I remember her wearing this for special occasions. I hope you don't mind ma'am, I couldn't think of anything else to give you."

Victoria smiled warmly at him, holding the bottle in her hands. "It's perfect Heath. Thank you."

With Victoria having received her gifts, it was Jarrod's turn to receive his. As the family began giving Jarrod his presents, Millie rose and quietly took her gift from under the tree to give to Victoria. "It's not much ma'am, but I hope you like it." She said softly, handing her the brown paper wrapped gift. "Merry Christmas."

Unwrapping the paper, Victoria found that the two items inside had been individually wrapped also. Choosing to open the smaller one first, she smiled as she withdrew the leather hair barrette, a flower pattern engraved in the leather. "This is beautiful. Thank you."

Millie smiled a little back at her in reply.

Placing the hair barrette aside, she began to unwrap the second item, revealing a picture frame. Upon seeing the drawing of their family portrait inside, Millie having drawn Heath into the picture, Victoria was speechless. "Oh Millie…" She didn't know what else to say as she ran her fingers over the glass. "You drew this? It must have taken you hours."

She nodded. "I… I hope you didn't mind me adding Heath to the picture. I know he wasn't in the portrait I drew this from but he's a member of your family. I thought he should be included."

"No, I don't mind at all sweetheart. Believe me. It's perfect." Leaning over, she gave Millie a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. I'm going to put this in the parlor with the other picture."

Smiling a little again, Millie withdrew once more as it was Heath's turn to give his present to Jarrod. She saw he'd taken her advice and given him a box of his favorite cigars, Jarrod thanking him for his gift. As they moved onto Nick's gifts, Millie quietly took her present over to Jarrod. "This is for you." She told him softly. "I hope you like it."

"Why thank you Millie." Jarrod replied as he took the package from her. Again, she'd wrapped the two items individually, Jarrod opening the larger one first. He smiled as he saw the landscape drawing in the picture frame. It was a drawing from on top of the hill, overlooking the ranch below. "This is going to have pride of place on the desk in my office."

"I'm glad you like it. Believe it or not, I had a hard time coming up with something to give you. You were the hardest to think of a present for."

Jarrod chuckled as he unwrapped the smaller package, opening the small box to reveal a silver cuff-link set. "I needed another pair of these. Thank you Millie."

She smiled a little and returned to her spot beside the fireplace as Nick opened his present from Jarrod. Jarrod had brought him a new Winchester lever-action rifle and it was some gun to look at. The stock was mahogany wood that shone and the silver work was complete with etchings. "Geez Jarrod, thanks." He exclaimed as he let out a low whistle, inspecting his new firearm closely. "Sure is fancy."

"Rekon those fancy scratchin's will help you shoot any better?"

"I'll have you know I shoot just fine Heath." He replied to his brother's good natured teasing. "I'm sure am lookin' forward to getting a few rounds through this though. Thank you Jarrod."

Placing his new rifle aside, it was Audra's turn to give him her present. Millie looked over at Nick's new rifle as he opened his present from his sister. It sure was a fancy looking piece, Millie never having seen a gun like it. After Audra had given her present, Eugene gave his and then it was Heath's turn again. To Nick, Heath gave a copy of the brand new Magners Standard Horse and Stock Book and a set of new spurs with leather straps he made.

Moving onto Heath's presents from the family, Millie brought her present to Nick. "Nick, I've got something for you too."

"Well now, let's see what we've here." He replied with a smile as she handed him her present. Like Jarrod, he opened the larger one first. "You drew this?" He questioned, seeing the drawing of two cowboys on horseback looking at a herd of cattle. "Where'd you get the idea for this?"

"I was watching you and Heath when you took me out to check the stock. I drew this then. It's you and Heath."

"Well now…" A smile came to his face as tears came to his eyes. Now that he looked closer, yes, he could see the resemblance in the drawing. He and his brother, working on the ranch together. Her drawing had captured it perfectly. It touched him. "This is mighty fine Millie, mighty fine."

She smiled back. "I'm glad you like it."

"It's perfect, lil one. Thank you." He looked at the drawing for a moment longer then placed it aside and opened the other package. "And a fancy buckle. Geez Millie, you're spoilin' me."

Millie chuckled. "Hardly. Compared to Jarrod's rifle, this is piddling."

"Not at all, Millie my gal. Your presents' just as special to me as that rifle is. That drawin' must have taken you hours."

"Just a few." She agreed. "Just a few."

With Nick's present given, Millie picked up Heath's to give him next as the family moved onto Audra's gifts. "Heath…" She went over as he was looking over his present from Jarrod; a brand new Colt .45 with gold eagles on the wooden grips. "I've got a present for you too."

"A present?" He questioned, surprised that she had something for him. "For me?"

She nodded with a smile and held the gift out to him. "Hope you like it."

Placing his new pistol back in its case, Heath took the present and unwrapped it. "Matches my pistol." He remarked with a chuckle, seeing the eagle on the belt buckle she'd given him. "Did you and Jarrod conspire together on this?"

"Nope. Just a coincidence." She replied with a chuckle. "Sure is a nice pistol. Can I have a look at it?"

"Sure." He handed her the case then as she was looking at the gun, unwrapped the other item she had given him. "This is lovely Millie, thank you."

She smiled. "It's the spot where we were that day you and Nick were checking on the stock. I drew most of it there." She returned the pistol to the case and passed it back to him. "It's a nice pistol."

"Sure is. Nicest gun I've ever owned."

Leaving Heath, it was Audra's turn to be given her present. Audra was admiring her lovely new red party dress that Jarrod had given her, showing it to Millie as she came over to her. "Isn't this beautiful?"

"Oh it's lovely." Millie agreed. "It'll look absolutely stunning on you."

"I can't wait to try it on. I think I might wear it to go visiting today. And this necklace that Heath gave me-" Picking up a nearby box, she opened it to show her what Heath had given her. "is perfect to go with it."

"It is."

Placing it aside again, Audra noticed Millie had a package in her hand. "Is that for me?"

Millie nodded as she gave it to her. "You've been awful good to me while I've been here, I wanted to get you something nice. It's not much but I hope you like it."

Unwrapping the paper, she unwrapped the smaller item first. "Oh a hair barrette. I love these."

"It's a different pattern to the one I gave your mother so you don't get them mixed up."

Audra nodded and began unwrapping the other item. "Oh Millie… This is gorgeous." She looked at the drawing she had been given in awe. The drawing was of a herd of horses running against a mountain landscape. "Thank you. I'm going to put this on my dresser."

Millie smiled. "I drew that from memory. There was a herd of mustangs I came across a few months back. The drawing doesn't do them justice though, you had to be there. It was really somethin' to see."

"I bet." She placed her gift aside and gave Millie a hug, noticing that she froze up at the touch. "I really like it, thank you."

"I'm glad." Millie forced another smile as she withdrew, still not comfortable yet with being hugged. Leaving Audra she returned to the tree, noticing that a number of presents were still there. Not thinking much of it, she picked up the last present she had to give and went over to Eugene. He was opening his present from Jarrod and she hung back until he'd finished then gave him hers.

"Well, now." Jarrod exclaimed as he looked around. "I believe that's everyone, except Millie." He motioned for her to come join him. "Now Millie, we can't have you being left out. We've got some presents for you too."

"For me?" She questioned with surprise, not having been expecting them to give her anything.

He nodded. "Come sit here. What's left under the tree is yours."

"Mine?" Millie looked at the pile of presents that was left. "You're serious?"

"As serious as pneumonia." Nick replied then saw the look that Jarrod shot him. "Too soon?"

"Too soon." Jarrod declared gravely.

He cleared his throat. "Sorry."

Millie chuckled then looked back at the wrapped packages. "Where… Where should I start?"

"You pick anything you want to open first Millie." Victoria replied. "And we'll tell you who it's from."

Nodding, Millie swallowed the lump in her throat and decided she'd go for the biggest parcel first. "Who's this one from?"

"That one's from all of us." Jarrod replied. "We each pitched in to buy it."

Almost reverently, Millie began unwrapping the paper. Beneath the wrapping paper was a lovely brand new saddle, complete with a bridle, breastplate, saddle pad and a stand for it all to go on. She felt her eyes begin to mist as she ran her hand over the leather. It was a working saddle, not as fancy as some of the saddles she'd seen but it didn't have to be for working on a ranch. It was perfect for its job. To purchase the saddle and tack to go with it, it had to have cost them a small fortune. "T-thank you." She finally said after a moment, fighting back tears. "but I can't accept it. It's too much."

"Oh yes, you can." Victoria countered. "If you're to be working for us come Spring, you're going to need a good saddle for that pony of yours. Riding bareback is all well and good most of the time, but if you want to be doing any cattle work, you're going to need a saddle."

Biting her lip, she nodded as she ran her hand over the cantel.

"Pick another one." Audra encouraged. "That one there is mine."

Picking up the box that Audra pointed to, Millie sat down, untied the ribbon from around it and opened it. "Oh Audra-" She pulled out a gorgeous dark blue dress. "it's beautiful."

"I saw it in a store in town the other week and I thought it would be perfect for you."

Standing, she held the dress against herself and twirled around. "Oh it is. Thank you Audra."

Returning the dress to its box again for now, Millie sat down again and picked up another box that had a smaller package tied on top and began to open it.

"That one's from me." Nick stated. "Hope you like it."

After untying the paper from around the smaller one, she squealed with delight as the book inside was revealed. "Oh Nick, you brought me Black Beauty!"

"Well, I saw you lookin' at that book when we brought your gloves and I thought you'd like it."

"I do, I can't wait to read it."

Jarrod chuckled with amusement. "Millie's been making great progress reading but you do realize brother, that by purchasing her a book, you've just committed yourself to helping her read it."

"Well now, Jarrod-"

"Oh please Nick?" She begged. "Like Jarrod says, I'm getting better but I'm not gonna be able to read it on my own for a while yet."

"Oh, alright." Nick sighed, realizing that he'd just dug himself into a hole. "I'll help you read it."

"Great!" Placing the book aside she started unwrapping the larger parcel that had been with it. "Brushes for Tomahawk." She exclaimed as she saw what was in the box. A number of horse brushes sat inside a leather bag and she pulled one out to have a better look. They were wooden brushes with leather handle straps and horse-hair bristles. "Thank you."

"Now you look after them, alright? They weren't cheap."

"I'll look after them." She agreed, placing them aside to move onto the next parcel. "Promise."

"That one is from me." Jarrod said as she selected a smaller present to open.

"A music box." Pulling it out, she wound it up a little and it began to play its tune. "Thank you Jarrod."

Preoccupied with opening her presents, Millie didn't notice when Nick slipped out of the room, or when he returned hiding something inside his coat. Opening Victoria's present next she found a riding outfit complete with boots inside. "Thank you, Mrs. Barkley."

Victoria smiled. "You're welcome Millie."

After Victoria's present, she went to open Eugene's. Eugene had brought her a leather halter for Tomahawk, complete with his own name engraved on gold plates on the cheek pieces. "Thank you, Gene. This will be very useful."

"I noticed you didn't have your own halter for him." Eugene began to explain. "When Nick told us about his idea of us all buying your saddle and gear, I suggested you needed a halter too and Nick helped me find this one."

"Well, it's perfect. Tomahawk is going to look very fancy wearing it."

Picking up the last present from under the tree, Heath came over and sat down beside her. "This last one is from me." He said, passing her the little brown wrapped package. "I carved it myself."

Unwrapping it, Millie let out a little gasp. It was a figurine of a galloping horse carved out of pine. On the horse's back was a girl, her hair blowing in the wind. Running her finger over the smooth wood, she was utterly astounded at the detail that he had carved into the statue. "Heath, this is absolutely gorgeous. You carved this?"

He nodded. "I guess you can say that woodcarving is a hobby of mine."

"Can I see?" Audra questioned and Millie handed it to her. "I can't believe you carved this Heath, it's beautiful. Look mother-"

As the family inspected Heath's present to Millie, Nick made his way through the presents and paper strewn about on the floor to the young woman. "Millie, I have one last present for you." He said as he crouched down next to her, bringing out from inside his coat the little gray kitten Timmy had been trying to find a home for. "She's yours sweetheart. Merry Christmas."

"Oh Nick…" Millie felt her eyes welling with tears as she looked at the little kitten he held. Holding out her hands for the kitten he gently placed her down in them and she cradled the kitten up against her cheek. The kitten was purring loudly and as she held her, the tears that she'd been fighting back at the Barkley's generosity to her started to fall.

Nick was bewildered as to why she was crying. "Don't you like her Millie?" He questioned, hoping he'd done the right thing by getting the kitten for her. He'd expect her to be happy that she was able to have the kitten. He hadn't expected this reaction.

"Oh I do, Nick. Believe me, I do." She sniffled. "You don't know what this means to me." Pressing a kiss to the kitten's head she then wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. "Has she got a name?"

"Timmy's sister called her Miracle. You can change it if you want."

Millie shook her head. "It's perfect." She looked up at Nick, tears still rolling down her cheeks and placing the kitten down on her lap, gave him a hug. "Thank you."

A little surprised at her show of affection, Nick returned her embrace and rubbed her back as Millie sobbed softly, the kitten purring loudly as she rubbed herself against the two of them "Your welcome, lil one." He kissed her head as he held her. "Your welcome."