A Christmas Miracle for the Hopeless Rancher Bonus Scene

"I really think he is too young."

"Who, Marcus? No, he should be just fine."

"Perhaps we should wait a while. Another week, perhaps. Or a year."

Richard leaned forward to kiss his anxious wife on the porch. Their lips met readily. She clung to the railing as though for dear life. So he gently pried her hands off during their kiss.

"It's going to be fine," he assured her. "My parents taught us the same when we were his age. And look how fine I turned out. Hm?"

Louise pulled back just enough to poke his cheek with her nose. "Well, you are a bit of a rascal."

He chuckled. "And I'd expect my son to be just the same."

She turned away with a scoff. "Had I known coming out west would bring out such a wild man, I might have actually thought this through before rushing into this life."

Her show of pretend irritation only made him grin.

Hardly a day passed without him smiling. Richard didn't know how it happened, but he loved it. He loved her. And he loved Marcus.

"Where is that boy, by the way?" Just as Louise started to lean in, he pulled away to glance around.

They stood before the house as he stood on a step below her.

He could see the chicken coop in the distance with the gate shut. The barn door was open since Jacob was working in there. With the sun still rising before him, he had to squint against the brightness.

But no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find the little rascal.

Louise fanned her face. "It's so warm out," she murmured. "And you moved the extra bed, right?

"Lorelei should be here next week. I want to have everything ready for her. We need to have the bed moved, and the linens washed. And I'm thinking perhaps... Richard? What was I thinking yesterday?"

Richard kissed her on the forehead again. "Bed is ready, linens are washed, and the applesauce is prepared for her just like you wanted. Mrs. Pennyworth has everything under control."

"Really?" Louise's eyes widened hopefully. "Does she?"

He hesitated for a second. He had said that without proof, but he did trust their housekeeper. She had been taking care of their family for a long time. And she was livelier than ever now that there was a child to tend to.

And now there was another on the way.

There was that familiar intake of breath. Movement. Louise took Richard's hand and placed it to the lower left of her swelling stomach. "Can you feel that?"

"I can," he assured her after a moment. "It's amazing. And you look beautiful. But you also look very, very tired."

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "I am," she admitted sheepishly. "Very tired. I didn't keep you up all night, did I?"

With all her tossing and turning, it was impossible not to notice. But he shook his head and kissed her nose. He didn't want to add to her worry. Especially when all he wanted to do was kiss her. It was impossible to be near her and not touching.

"Of course not," he assured her.

Even after four years of marriage, he couldn't help himself around his wife.

Life was good. Especially with Louise. This second pregnancy was harder than the first, and that had been rough.

A month ago, they had visited the doctor about her back pain and lethargy. They reviewed more symptoms before deciding she should spend half of her days in bed.

Mrs. Pennyworth had become more of a godsend than ever before, helping in the kitchen and helping Louise. They had early mornings to set up the day, then breaks until evening so they could have more time together as a family.

It was just about time for her to retire for a few hours.

"I told Lorelei to bring some books, didn't I?" Louise murmured after a moment.

Just as he was racking his brain to remember if she had shared the last couple of letters between her and her sister, a familiar shout erupted from the front door.

Louise wavered lightly, constantly unbalanced in her state, but Richard steadied her against the railing before crouching down.

Little Marcus immediately climbed up, grabbing onto him. He was a little ball of warmth and energy.

"You found me!" Marcus shouted as he laughed. "Papa!"

Louise clasped her hands together as she looked at her two boys. She smiled wildly and it made her look even younger.

Her honey-colored hair curled around her face. Though there were circles around her eyes, they still sparkled prettily.

"I found him," he grinned at his wife. "Marcus, are you ready for the horses?"

Marcus shouted. "Horses! Mama coming?"

"Not today." She shook her head. "But I'll be up in that window, dear. Oh Richard, you will be careful, won't you?"

"Of course," he promised her as he winked at his son. The boy had his mother's eyes that sparkled with mischief and cheer. "Right?"

The boy giggled in response.

Louise sighed one more time before glancing to the door and carefully stepping away from the stairs. "All right. I had best return inside.

"My back is aching... Don't stay out too long? I don't want Marcus burning again. Mrs. Pennyworth said she would bring him to me for an afternoon nap."

"I can do that," Richard shrugged. He patted Marcus's stomach. "We can all take a nap."

She grinned at him. "That sounds lovely. We can avoid the summer heat together."

"I want the horses," Marcus reminded them.

"The horses are on their way," Richard reminded him in turn. "Let's go find your uncle Jacob in the barn, shall we? And when we're finished out here, we'll play with Mama."

"Mama can ride."

Louise blew them kisses. "Later," she promised. And then she yawned.

He gave her a wink before shifting Marcus in his arms to wave a hand at her.

"Go to bed," he instructed his wife. "You take care of one child and I'll take care of another. Deal?"

She giggled. "I'll trade you, if you like?"

With a shake of his head, he watched his wife return inside. Then he shifted Marcus onto his back so the child could have some fun.

Though there were days when he was moody, the little boy was surrounded by people who loved him and were eagerly showing him the world.

Like horses.

"Say hello to your uncle," Richard instructed as they entered the barn.

"Hello, Uncle Jacob!" Marcus shouted at the top of his lungs. They were big lungs for such a small child.

Richard winced as Jacob peeked over an empty gate with a grin. As the boy waved madly, Richard set him down.

Walking to the next stall to saddle his horse, he nodded to his brother. "Are we all set for Lorelei's arrival?"

Jacob scoffed. "This is the second time you've asked me that question today and the sun is hardly up. Louise has a good excuse, but you don't. Of course we're ready."

"I'm ready!" Marcus clapped his hands.

The two brothers laughed before Richard urged his son to come around the corner. "Let's take a ride, shall we? Get on over here, Marcus."

Marcus had grabbed Jacob and dragged his uncle around the corner as well. The men grinned at each other before Richard stepped back and let Jacob help his son out.

He finished tending to the bridle as his brother helped Marcus into the saddle.

Ever since his wedding to Louise, he and Jacob had worked on their relationship. They'd become real friends for the first time in years.

Jacob was building his own house across their property now, and Richard found that he wasn't thrilled to be losing his brother like that.

Though Louise kept reminding him that he would only be a short gallop away, already there was an emptiness to the house.

"Careful," Jacob voiced to Marcus sternly as he pulled Richard from his thoughts.

The child giggled and obeyed. He adored his uncle just as his uncle adored him.

If anything, Jacob was overprotective with the child, but it worked well. Especially since Marcus had started walking. He was definitely a rascal of a boy who liked to look for trouble.

Richard had lost count of the occasions where they had momentarily lost Marcus only for him to wind up in Jacob's arms one way or another.

Jacob cleared his throat before offering his brother a grin. "All right. He's ready. Here, you take the bridle and I'll walk alongside him to make sure he doesn't pitch over one way or another."

Hesitating as he remembered his wife's concern, Richard glanced back to the boy. "He's got that rope tied neatly around his waist?"

"Sure does. But I think old Emperor here will be a good horse today. He hasn't bucked in years and he's getting old."

Richard nodded. "Right. Right. You have a good point. Marcus, are you holding on tight?"

"Yes!" Marcus held on tight only to immediately let go and clap.

The two men laughed before correcting the child.

Once the two-year-old was settled properly again and holding tight to the saddle horn, Richard started to lead his horse out of the barn and towards the ring.

As he guided the party out into the summer sun, he squinted up towards the house.

It was a beautiful home, one that his parents had been proud of building and keeping. After they passed, Mrs. Pennyworth had helped them maintain the home. It included two floors and a lot of memories. That was the only home he had ever known, and he liked it that way.

Especially with Louise there.

He saw movement in the corner window as she sat up off the bed to wave at them. Though there was quite a distance between them, Richard could have sworn he could see his wife smiling.

He waved back as his heart skipped a beat.

She had a way of making that happen. Even though the two of them had known each other for nearly five years, Louise could still make his heart pound and his throat dry up like the desert.

And when he tried really hard, he could still make her blush all prettily like a new bride.

As he led his friendly horse along the trail to the ring, Richard marveled over how fast time flew as he grew older.

He was thirty years old with his very own family. There was another child on the way that was due in just a matter of weeks.

Louise wanted a girl. She'd even prepared a little baby dress in the hopes of such an occurrence. Richard didn't mind.

He was excited to have another child with his wife. They had already started talking to Marcus about being a big brother.

They would do it right. Richard wanted that more than anything. He didn't want his children suffering in contention the way he and his brother had for so long. And he would love and treat his children equally.

Marcus shrieked loudly again when Emperor huffed, making Richard laugh. Jacob settled the child with a grin of his own before nodding over to him. All was well.

His son was learning to ride. His brother was a wonderful uncle. His wife was beautiful and perfect, no matter her tired state. His next child would be just as great.

Their future was going to be incredible. Richard could just feel it.

After everything they had been through, somehow he just knew that it was going to keep getting better. He felt a surge of excitement trickle through his veins.

As long as he had his family, his life was good.

Richard glanced back at Marcus to see the smiling child with his mother's eyes.

It only confirmed what he already believed. Life was good and only bound to get better.