Melody’s Next Christmas

A Ryder Legacy Romance

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote brief excerpts in a review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental or used fictitiously.

This book was written by a human and not by Artificial intelligence (AI) software.

This book cannot be used to train Artificial intelligence (AI) Software.

A special thank you to Peggy L. Henderson for allowing me to borrow Reverend Johnson from her Second Chances Time Travel Romances. While they are not Christian fiction, they sparked the idea for this novel.

Also, thank you to Joan Smith Kley, Becky Alexander Kinkade, Leona Melton, and Christine Baker for helping me name Tallis Colton Ryder. He turned out to be a great hero, but he’s a Ryder. I don’t know why I was surprised.

Bookapy User License

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please go to Bookapy.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Introduction

Melody Hughes is not having a good year. Having her father die on Christmas Eve was bad enough; knowing he couldn’t leave his ranch to her, he left it to his foreman. The foreman was to marry Melody and allow her to continue raising and training horses like always. Instead, he informs her she will have to become a proper ranch wife, overseeing the home and having children, or leave the ranch. When a traveling Reverend tells her of a man wanting to learn how to ranch like her father, she takes the job, not realizing it's 147 years in the future.

Tallis Colton Ryder, a descendant of Nugget Nate and Nathan Ryder, is enamored with ranching like they did it in the 1800s and thinks tourists will be too. His only problem: he needed someone to be sure he was being historically accurate. When a mysterious reverend tells him he has such an expert; Tallis agrees to interview them. When the young woman arrives, Tallis knows she was created to be his wife. However, there's a complication; the Reverend informs him that Melody Hughes can only stay for six months, after which she has another unbreakable contract.

Can Tallis convince Melody to take a chance on love? Can they find a way to break Melody’s unbreakable contract? Will Melody’s Next Christmas be filled with sadness in 1871, or will she find her Happily Ever After as the wife of a Ryder in the present?

Chapter One

December 28, 1847

Melody Hughes sat looking at the gifts in her lap. Christmas was only three days past and she’d just buried her father. He’d died on Christmas Eve when his horse had slipped on a patch of ice, tossed her father over the horse’s head, and cracked his head open on a rocky outcrop. She’d not been able to bring herself to open the gifts he’d given her. She knew what they’d be; it was what he gave her every year: a new dress and a new pair of men’s dungarees for training the horses. Only now the second gift was useless.

She could still hear the words that Mr. Granger, the lawyer her father used, had said to her. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Miss Hughes, but as you know it’s not lawful for a woman to inherit property. Your father left instructions that if you were unwed at the time of his passing, his entire estate would be left to his foreman, Brent Cooke. It was his wish that you and Brent would marry and continue to run the ranch together.”

Melody would never marry Brent Cooke. The man refused to see how valuable she was as a horse breeder or trainer. He insisted her father had spoiled her and that Liam, not Melody, did the real breeding, breaking , and training. He often expressed his belief that Melody should be in dresses tending to the house and looking for a husband. The fact that Melody couldn’t cook, sew , or had no desire to be in any way what he determined proper female attire seemed to escape his notice.

As she sat staring at the gifts, her father had left for her she heard Brent’s heavy footfalls come onto the front porch, and he had the nerve to enter the house without knocking as if he already owned it. Which, of course, he did.

“Melody, we need to talk.”

She glared at the man who ran the cattle side of her father’s operation, her blue eyes ablaze with anger at the man’s audacity. “By all means, Mr. Cooke, make yourself at home in my house. But I guess it’s your home now, isn’t it?”

The dark-haired cowboy sighed. “There’s no need to be rude, Melody. I have no intention of taking your home away from you. Your dad wanted us to marry and for me to keep running the ranch. We can go see the preacher tomorrow and nothing will change except your last name.”

Melody looked at him with suspicion in her eyes. “Nothing will change? So as your wife, I’ll still be able to run the horse breeding and training side of the ranch like I’ve done since I was old enough to sit on a horse?”

Brent shook his head. “You know that isn’t proper work for a lady, Melody. Once you’re my wife, then you’ll act like a proper wife and take care of our home and eventually our children. I still don’t understand why your Pa allowed you to act like a harridan all those years. He should have tanned your hide the first time you came outside in those britches and started playing at doing men’s work.”

Melody stood up and faced him. “Then I will not marry you, Brent Cooke. I am a horse breeder and trainer, not a proper housewife. I don’t know how to do the things a wife would do, and I have no desire to learn to be one. If you don’t want me as I am, then no, I won’t marry you.”

Brent glared down into her face. “You’ll marry me and make a proper wife or you’ll get your rebellious body off my ranch by the first of the year. Those are your options, marry me and become a proper wife and woman, keeping your ranch, or refuse and lose everything. You have three days to decide. Until then, don’t even think about setting foot in the barn or the horse paddock. If I see you there, I’ll take a willow switch to your hide, just like Mr. Hughes should have done all those years ago.”

Melody shoved him away from her. “I don’t need three days, I don’t even need one. You and I will never marry and I’ll be out of your house and off your ranch tomorrow. I will, however, be taking Sunset since no one else can ride her, anyway. You can consider her my pay for the work I’ve done the past twelve years.”

Brent shook his head. “Go on, take your horse and leave and when you realize you don’t have any other choice, you come on back and I’ll make a proper ranch wife of you. I give you till sundown tomorrow to come crawling back begging me to marry you.”

With that, the bear of a foreman stuffed his hat back on his head and stomped out the door, slamming it behind him. Melody refused to waste one more minute crying over what couldn’t be. She’d set out in the morning to her friend Clara’s bed-and-breakfast in town. Clara and Clyde would help her find a situation that allowed her to use her skills, but one thing was certain: it would be a cold day in the devil’s playground before she came crawling back to Brent Cooke asking to be his wife.

Present Day

Tallis Ryder stood beside his vintage Velocette Viper motorcycle, looking down from the overlook that sat at the top of the Valley containing his new ranch. Finally, his dream might become a reality. As a young boy growing up on the Dueling N’s ranch in Redemption, New Mexico, the family tales of Nugget Nate and the Preacher, Nathan Ryder had fascinated Tallis. He loved how they helped shape the future of the Old West . That fascination had become an obsession as he’d grown until he decided he wanted to open up an old west ranching experience for people in this modern age.

His parents had been supportive when he’d told them he wasn’t taking the expected Agricultural track in college but took Hotel and Hospitality Management. He had graduated with honors and had worked at several historical hotels and tourist experiences throughout his college career.

Now, with a degree in hand, he’d taken the trust every Ryder received after they turned twenty-five and had purchased a forty-thousand-acre ranch in Montana. The ranch was one of the few ones he’d seen that still had buildings in good shape from the 1800s. The homestead had been his biggest fear. It had looked weathered on the outside and so modern on the inside. Tallis had asked his brother, who was a historical house buff, to come to look at the buildings on the property. It had surprised them to find that the original structures for the house, bunkhouse , and foreman’s cabin had been solid. The barn had obviously been replaced a few years ago and would need to be torn down and a time-appropriate structure erected.

Tallis was even more surprised when his brother Nate told him he was pretty sure that the original floors and walls were behind the sheetrock and carpeting. It wouldn’t take much to have everything returned to its original condition, and then all he would have to do is find an antique, or have crafted a wood-burning cook stove and sink as well.

Tallis decided that he wouldn’t mind a wood-burning stove to cook on and fireplaces to heat with. He would like to keep running water and a somewhat modern, bathroom. He also realized he’d have to keep at least some electricity in the house. Enough for an office and computer, as well as the internet, to book reservations and tours. Those were the only allowances he’d make for modern life.

Even though there would be bathrooms and running water, he would pattern them after the old copper tub and shower combo in the Dueling N’s bathrooms. Supposedly Nugget Nate had installed them for his bride, Penelope Ryder when the house was raised. If that was true, then it was an expensive luxury in those days. However, based on family history and lore, would have been just like Nugget Nate. If it wasn’t Nate, then Nathan would have done the same for Grace. If anything could be said, it was that Ryder men, when they fell in love, fell hard and gave their spouses every little thing their hearts desired.

Today he’d be meeting with the ranch foreman and explaining how things would change. The previous owners hadn’t told the workers anything except that they were selling. The new owner would take possession on the first of July.

Tallis figured there would be some kickback to his changes. He also knew ranching hadn’t changed much. Sure, all the cars and trucks would be removed except for one four-wheel-drive vehicle. That would be used for medical emergencies, only.

It was the non-cattle jobs, and the necessity of time-appropriate ranching gear, that would be the biggest change. Tallis was confident the men would get used to them. He’d leave the bunkhouse and foreman’s cabin alone on the inside, allowing them to keep their modern interiors. But he’d have to have several smaller cabins and a bunkhouse or two built to be period specific. They would also erect period-specific cookhouses and dining halls .

Tallis hopped on his Viper, kick-started it , and then rode down into the valley. It was time to get started on his dream of living in and offering visitors a real old west ranching experience.

Chapter Two

A week had passed, and with it a new year had dawned. Melody sat in the room her friend Clara had given her. No rancher she contacted would give her a position as a horse trainer or breeder. She’d ended up taking a job helping Clara and Clyde by cleaning the rooms in the Bed and Breakfast. She was learning to cook some too by helping in the kitchen each day.

Melody had even gone to the judge to see if there was anything she could do to force Brent to let her work the ranch. She had been told that, as the owner, he had the right to choose his workers. The infuriating man had suggested she be a good little woman and bring Brent to town, marry him, and let him keep her as was fitting her gender. He’d laughed as she stormed out of the courtroom, making a comment about how her fire would keep some fella warm on a cold night.

When Melody got back to Clara’s she entered to find Brent sitting in the parlor talking with her friend and employer. She glared at him. “What are you doing here?”

Brent stood and faced her. “I heard this was where you were. I thought I’d come see if you have realized that being my wife is your best option?”

Melody’s hands went to her hips. “Have you realized that letting me continue to work raising and training the horses is your best option?”

Brent shook his head. “That’s not an option at all, Melody. You can’t do a man’s work without your Pa to help you. I don’t have the time or a ranch hand I’d trust to take his place. Why must you be so stubborn about this?”

“Me! Why must I be stubborn about this? Why must you be stubborn about this, Brent? My horses are raised and trained better than any horses in the state. But you can’t accept that I’m the one who raised them or trained them.

Just like every other idiot rancher who buys them from us, you are so sure Pa did the work and I just played pretend. But that wasn’t so, you go look at Pa’s records and you’ll see that after I started working the horses things changed. If you think the cattle kept our ranch a success, you’ll see soon enough when those who want horses trained my way stop buying horses from you.”

Brent shook his head. “Why do you insist on taking credit for what your Pa worked so hard to build? He should have listened to me and sent you back east to school so you’d have learned how to be a proper lady. Instead, look at you, refusing your natural place in life. I’ve half a mind to drag you to the judge and marry you, anyway. Then I could at least teach you to act properly.”

Anger flashed behind Melody’s eyes at the thought of this man laying one finger on her. “Just you try it! If you do, you’ll regret ever laying a single finger on me, Brent Cooke, I promise you that!”

Brent turned and headed for the front door. “You’ll come crawling back, Miss Hughes, if you want to keep your precious ranch you’ll have to. But don’t wait too long, I need a wife, and if it won’t be you, I’ll find one elsewhere.”

The door slammed as he left, and Melody collapsed onto the divan. As much as she hated to admit it, in a way Brent was right. No man would hire her to train horses. Unless she wanted to remain working for Clara and Clyde and be a spinster for the rest of her life, her only chance at owning the ranch was by marrying him. She said a prayer through her tears, asking God for another option, any other option, to have the life she always dreamed of. She just wondered if He even heard her prayers because she was losing everything that mattered to her, and it seemed God didn’t even care.

Tallis sat behind his desk and let his head fall into his hands. Almost nothing was going the way he wanted it to. His ranch hands had no clue how to cowboy without modern conveniences. That he refused to allow them to wear t-shirts and carry cellphones had caused several to quit, leaving him shorthanded. His foreman was threatening to quit because of having to use old-fashioned lassos, not the modern synthetic ones that slid easier through the hands. That all ranch work had to be done from horseback or horse and wagon was another point of contention. He had no clue how, not only cattle ranching, but they conducted life on a ranch in the nineteenth century. Less than two hundred years and already the skills were being lost.

He’d had to send back east to an Amish community to find anyone who made an old-fashioned wood-burning cook stove and oven. Now he had one being shipped to him, but he couldn’t find a cook who wanted to use the thing. What he needed were some cowboys who were willing to work old school, and he’d been having trouble finding them. Modern cowboys wanted to use modern methods.

If that wasn’t enough of a hassle, finding a contractor willing to take things back to their original condition and remove most, if not all, the modern conveniences was more difficult than finding cowboys and ranch hands. He sat there nursing a head full of problems and aching when there came a knock on the door. Tallis frowned, he wasn’t expecting anyone. If it was any of his family who come to check on him, they would have just walked in. He left the office and headed to the front door.

It surprised Tallis when that special feeling he got when something important was about to happen kicked. He saw the shadow of a man standing in front of his door. The men in his family had always had some sort of special gift they called the Calling. For some , it told them of danger they needed to stop, for his brother he just seemed to know when extra help was needed and showed up out of the blue. Usually right as someone needed that help.

Legend had it that Nugget Nate and Nathan Ryder both had it stronger than anyone before or since. And they knew not only when they were needed, but where they were needed. Often arriving in time to save a life or a town from outlaws or worse. All Tallis got was a feeling when something was important, and right now his whole body vibrated with that feeling. Whoever was on the other side of the door, they had important news.

Tallis opened the door to see a tall salt and pepper-haired gentleman in an expensive gray suit with the lightest blue eyes he’d ever seen. “Good afternoon, Mr. Ryder. My name is Reverend Johnson. I have heard that you might be looking for an expert on life and ranching in the 1800s, is this true?”

His feeling had been right, this was important. Tallis stepped back and motioned for the Reverend to come inside. “Yes, Reverend, I am looking for an expert on ranching life in the 1800s. Someone who can be a kind of historical expert and teacher. Show me and my ranch hands how it was done back then. If they want, stick around, they could do some demonstrations once we get up and running for the guests. Before that, I need them to make sure what we are doing is authentic, or as close to it as we can get in this time.”

“I see, and would it matter to you if this expert was a woman with very precise information on the time and ranching, especially on raising and training horses in that time?”

Tallis thought about it. He could add horse training by bringing a herd of mustangs from the Dueling N’s here. There were several herds of wild mustangs still on the ranch, and while his father and brothers rounded up some every year, he could probably bring a fair-sized herd here. If the expert was any good at training, they could use them as trail and cattle horses for the ranch.

Tallis shook his head. “No, I don’t see that I’d have a problem with a woman as an expert. I thought you might be applying for the job, Reverend.”

“Oh no, not for me. A young woman of my acquaintance is an expert on the time. You could almost say it’s like she stepped out of the past, she is so knowledgeable. Yet she has had trouble finding someone who wants to allow her to train horses using those methods, and it’s her dream to become known for training horses.”

“Well, if she can show me how to make this ranch look and run authentic, then I’ll be glad to hire her. Both as a historical expert and to train horses. Especially if she will share that knowledge with guests who want to learn as well.”

The Reverend smiled, and it made his eyes seem almost hypnotically bluer. “Excellent; shall I bring her by next week to meet you and show you her expertise?”

Tallis stood and shook the older gentleman’s hand. “That sounds great and if she thinks she can help and I see she knows what she’s doing, then when do you think she could start?”

“Knowing her, I expect she’ll want to move in and start right away. She is between positions and a permanent residence.”

That feeling sparked through Tallis again. “Then if she is as knowledgeable as you say, I’ll have a room ready for her in the main house. As long as she doesn’t mind sharing it with me.”

The Reverend smiled and nodded. “I will expect you to treat her as you would your sister, Mr. Ryder. Your family’s reputation is the only reason I felt comfortable coming to you.”

Tallis couldn’t help but grin at that this old timer. He certainly knew how to remind a young man to act like a gentleman, without coming right out and saying as such. “I’ll care for her as if she were family, sir, you have my word.”

“Good, then I shall see you next week.”

“Yes sir, I look forward to it. Oh, may I ask, what is your expert’s name?”

The older man chuckled. “Yes, that might be worth knowing, wouldn’t it? Her name is Melody Hughes.”

“Then I’ll see you and Melody next week, sir.”

The two men shook and the older one left, driving away in a vintage mustang convertible. As he went up the hill Tallis looked to see his brother Nate’s truck coming down the road. He waited on the porch as his older brother climbed down and walked toward him. “Who was that leaving in the old Mustang ?”

“Fellow name Reverend Johnson; he’d heard I need a historical expert and told me he knew one looking for work.”

Nate got a look on his face. “Johnson, you say? That’s strange.”

“Why is that strange?”

His brother smiled. “You know how I love to read the old family journals. Both Penny and Grace mentioned a Reverend Johnson, and though it was a good thirty years apart, they both described what could have been the same guy. Older, with mostly gray hair and strange blue eyes.”

That feeling grew in Tallis even stronger. “That is strange, that sounds exactly like the man I just met.”

“Huh, that is strange, but he can’t be the same fellow, he’d be almost 200 years old. Anyway, he found you an expert on ranching in the 1800s?”

“Said he knew a woman who was an expert on historical life, ranching , and horse training for the 1800s.”

“Are we going to Dad’s then and getting you a herd of horses?”

Tallis smiled. “Not a herd, not yet; but I thought I’d see if she knows her stuff. If she does, maybe give her one horse to show me how good a trainer she is.”

Tallis could see that Nate caught the gleam in his eye. “You wouldn’t!”

Tallis shrugged. “If she’s an expert she should be able to train old Diablo, don’t you think?”

“That’s just cruel, Tallis.”

“Not if she is as good as the Reverend said she is. Either way, we’ll know if she is the real deal.”

“Yeah, or you’ll end up getting sued when the ornery horse tramples her into the paddock.”

They walked inside laughing. “So tell me what brings you here, Nate.”

“I think I found you a contractor who is also an expert on 1800s-era buildings including barns. Can you fly to West Virginia this week?”

“You know an expert in West Virginia?”

“Yep, runs a company that specializes in rehabbing and reusing old barns and houses. Especially from the 1800s.”

“Let’s go tomorrow.”

Chapter Three

Melody stood in the stable behind the bed and breakfast, brushing Sunset. She’d just come back from a ride out past her Pa’s ranch. She’d sat at the top of the hill looking out over the valley that her only home sat in, and cried at the injustice of it all. She’d just read that England’s parliament had passed a law, a few weeks ago, allowing a woman to own land. Why couldn’t her own country pass such a law ? It wasn’t right that Brent Cooke got the ranch and reputation she and her Pa had worked so hard to build. The longer she’d sat the angrier she’d become, until she’d jumped up and raced Sunset across the open plain. When the thrill of rushing through the open expanse had calmed her, she turned back to town.

She wouldn’t waste any more time crying over what should have been but wouldn’t be and she’d forge a new life for herself somewhere. Maybe she should save her wages and see about moving to England. Surely they needed horses there as well and if she took Sunset and found a stud to breed her with over there she might be able to buy some land and start her own breeding and training stable. At least over there if she bought the land it would be hers and no man could take it from her.

She turned at the sound of a throat clearing behind her. “Excuse me, miss, but would your name happen to be Miss Melody Hughes?”

She looked at the man in preacher's clothes. His mostly grey hair was perfectly in place and his eyes caused her breath to catch in her chest at their intensity. “I am, Reverend, how can I help you?”

The old man’s face broke into a smile that caused his eyes to almost pulse with light. “I heard that you might be looking for a ranch that needs a trainer.”

“Don’t make fun of me, Reverend, it isn’t funny. We both know that no man is going to hire me to train horses or do any other kind of ranch work. I’ve only been offered two kinds of employment, or the option of marriage, which combines both kinds together.”

The old man nodded. “I’m sure that’s true but I do have an offer to make you and it’s not to be a wife or a housekeeper. Why don’t we go inside and let me tell you about it?”

They entered through the back door and went into the kitchen. Clara watched them come in. “Oh , you found her, Reverend Johnson. Good, I was getting worried.”

Melody sighed, “I told you I was going to exercise Sunset, Clara. I was perfectly safe.”

“Well , you were gone a long time, Melody. I wasn’t sure if you’d decided to take Brent up on his offer or if you had taken a fall and were hurt, or if you just got lost riding your mare through the countryside.”

“I just went for a ride. No danger, no returning to that boorish man either. I’ll not give up on my dreams, Clara, not for Brent Cooke, not for anyone; and if I can’t make them happen here I’ll find a place where I can make them happen.”

“I believe I can help with that, my dear.” The older Reverend smiled at Melody, “As I was telling you I have a gentleman who just bought a ranch and he needs someone to teach him how to work it like your father’s ranch was worked when he was alive.”

Melody looked at him. “Where is the ‘gentleman’ from and where is his ranch?”

“He is from the New Mexico territory. He’s kin to the Ryder family and his new ranch is here in Montana.”

Melody frowned as his answers gave her more questions than they did answers. “If he is kin to the Ryders, why does he need me? He could ask Nugget Nate to send him someone or to come himself and show him how to ranch.”

“He would prefer to do this on his own. He is trying to show that he can make it on his own without relying on his family. You might say that, just like you Melody, he has a need to prove himself.”

“And you’re certain-sure he won’t mind having a woman to show him how to ranch? I don’t know of any man besides my Pa who was willing to let me do what I did. I don’t want to agree to take this job and then get there and not be able to work when he realizes I’m a woman.”

“He knows that you are a woman and it didn’t bother him. Remember he is kin to the Ryders, he knows strong women and that they are just as capable as a man.”

“What does the job pay?”

“He didn’t tell me what he was planning to offer you pay-wise . He did say that he would provide you with a room in his main house and feed you as well as pay you. I’m sure you and he can come to some sort of agreement after we get there.”

Clara gasped. “You mean she will be living with an unmarried man in his home? Reverend, you should know better, her reputation will be ruined.”

“I assure you that every precaution will be taken to keep her reputation intact. As she has already stated, she plans to see her dreams fulfilled no matter what, so I do believe her reputation will survive this.”

Clara looked at Melody and placed her hands on her hips. “Melody Hughes, don’t you even think about it. It’s scandalous enough that you refused to marry and insist on doing men’s work. If you do this no decent man will marry you afterwards.”

The reverend cleared his throat and laid a hand on Melody’s. “Miss Hughes, you have my word. If you take this job and see it through to the end, I guarantee that you will see your hopes, dreams , and truest heart desires fulfilled.”

“When do we leave?”

Reverend Johnson slapped the table with a huge smile on his face. “You’ll take the position then?”

“Yes, but I’m taking Sunset with me. I raised her and trained her and I won’t go without her.”

“Hmm, yes, well, I believe that shouldn’t be an issue. We’ll leave tomorrow if that is fine with you?”

“I’ll be ready.”

“Good then, let’s have a toast to your new adventure.” The Reverend pulled a flask from his inside jacket pocket and Clara gasped. “Reverend!”

He looked up at her and saw the look on her face at his flask. He laughed. “It’s water, my dear. From the spring outside my home. I carry it to toast special occasions with.”

He stood and grabbed two glasses and poured from the flask into them. “For some reason , it seems to stay cool in this flask.” He set one glass before Melody and took the other himself. “To your new life and making all your dreams come true.”

Melody smiled and raised her glass and sniffed the drink. Sure enough, it smelled of water. “To my new life.” She lifted the glass to her lips and drank the water. After the first sip , the coolness of the liquid surprised her , and she found herself draining the glass. The reverend smiled and stood. “I need to make preparations for our departure so I will say goodnight. Make sure and get a good night’s rest; you’ll need it.”

With final goodbyes , the Reverend left them. Melody retired to her room to pack but she felt tired and sort of dizzy so she laid down and fell asleep. As she slept, she dreamed about a dark-haired cowboy with green eyes the color of moss. He smiled at her in the dream and made her heart leap in her chest. This was a man she could want to marry. A man like him might even make her want to be a housewife and mother.

Tallis sat in the office of a man named Mark Bowe, and already he was impressed with what he’d seen. Mark had shown him around “the boneyard” as he called it. A place with several stacked houses and barns that his team had carefully torn down and salvaged to sell and reconstruct on other sites. “Mister Ryder, tell me what you want from me.”

Tallis smiled. “I want to hire you for a while. I’d like to fly you out to my ranch in Montana to consult, and if agreeable, then hire your company to build a couple of buildings and help me salvage three others.”

“It would be expensive to transport any of our buildings all the way to Montana. I might find a couple of other buildings there that we could salvage easier and cheaper than hauling them from the boneyard here.”

“Cost isn’t what worries me, Mark, it's time. I want to get my ranch up and running by this time next year. I want to offer my guest a genuine 1800s ranching experience.”

“Then let’s go see your ranch and after that , we can sit down and make plans.”

Tallis nodded. “I can have the jet readied to transport us tomorrow if that works for you. I’d like you to plan to stay a week, so after you see my place we can lay out what you and your crew will do for us if that’s okay.”

“That will be fine. I’ll get my researcher to see if she can find us a few barns and cabins in Montana that would work for what you’re wanting and if we can purchase them. If not, we can talk about hauling from the boneyard, but again that’s the most expensive way to do this.”

“I understand. I want to be authentic and if we can use old structures and logs then great, if we need to use fresh cut and just build them in the old style, that would be acceptable as well.”

“Then let’s plan to look at what you’re wanting and draw up some plans while we’re onsite.”

Tallis stood and shook the man’s hand. “Sounds great. We’ll see you at the airport tomorrow morning then.”

“I’ll meet you there.”

Tallis and Nate left and went back to their hotel suite. “I like him and those logs were impressive.”

Nate laughed. “I told you he’s what you’re looking for. If you tell him what you’re wanting to do with your house, I bet he’ll have some ideas that will help you get it all authentic and maybe even tell you how to keep power in your office without it showing.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll have to ask him.”

“So tell me about this expert you have coming next week.”

“I know little about her; as I said, this Reverend Johnson said she was good. I figured wouldn’t hurt to talk to her.”

“Yeah, I guess you don’t want me to have our legal team run a check on her?”

“Not yet, let’s meet her next week and see if she is as good as Johnson says.”

Nate nodded. “I had them run a check on Johnson, by the way. They found out he isn’t just an ordained minister, he is also a lawyer. He seems to specialize in helping people with problems that no one else can help with. The legal team couldn’t find anything but praise for him.”

Tallis steepled his hands in front of his chin. “So anyone he recommends is probably going to be solid.”

“I would expect so. Can I offer a suggestion?”

“Sure, what are you thinking?”

“See what Sara Marie is doing this year now that she’s graduated. If this woman is as good as your buddy, the Reverend said. You might want to have a woman on hand, so your new expert doesn’t feel weird living alone in that house with you.”

Tallis thought about that for a minute, then picked up his cell phone . “Hey Sara, how would you like a job?”

His little sister had a smile in her voice. “What did you have in mind?”

“I have a female historical ranch expert coming next week. If she knows her stuff like I’ve been told, she’ll be staying. I want her to make sure we set up authentically and teach us how to ranch and train horses as they did in the 1800s. I’m thinking I’d pay you to be her assistant, help her with anything she needs and live here at the house with us.”

Sara laughed. “You mean you’ll pay me to be a chaperone, don’t you?”

“No, I meant exactly what I said. But I did think she might feel more comfortable with another woman in the house.”

“When is she coming?”

“Next week. I’m having Dad send Diablo up for her to train. Why don’t you come up then?”

“I’ll be up this weekend. I figure your house needs to be cleaned before a woman moves in.”

“Hey! I’m not that bad.”

His sister laughed. “That’s what you think.”

“I’ll be up Saturday, make sure you send a car for me.”

“I’ll come to get you on the bike.”

“Hello, Luggage!”

Tallis sighed. “Fine, I’ll send Nate.”

“See you then, bye now.”

With that , she hung up and Tallis went back to thinking about how to get the buildings he needed.

Chapter Four

Melody woke to a horrendous sound like a tornado, only faster. Then it faded to a sound like thunder and soon was gone. Her eyes were fuzzy and her head hurt like she’d been bucked off a bronc and onto her skull. The room around her looked strange and not at all like her room at the Bed and Breakfast, and it most certainly wasn’t like her bed back on the ranch. Where was she?

She noticed that while the tornado sound was gone, there were lots of other unfamiliar sounds coming from outside. When she got out of bed and opened the curtain, she instantly shut it again. What she’d seen was a nightmare. That was it; she was dreaming! She had to be dreaming, things like she was seeing don’t exist.

She threw herself back into the bed as she heard another one of those roaring noises overhead. She’d no sooner pulled the covers up than a knock came at the door, followed by Reverend Johnson calling out her name. “Miss Hughes, are you awake? I need to talk to you if you are.”

Her eyes narrowed. She didn’t know how, but something told her this was all real and it was that man’s fault. “Come in.”

The door opened. “My dear, I see you’re awake, we need to talk and then you need to dress; your meeting with Mister Ryder is today.”

“What is going on here? Where am I? What is all this noise, and while you’re explaining, tell me what all those things are outside the window.”

The man who had claimed to be a reverend had a look of guilt on his face. “I was hoping to get to you before you woke, my dear. Unfortunately, your horse reacted about as badly as you seem to be doing.”

That caused her to almost jump out of bed until she realized she was in her nightclothes. “Sunset! Is she alright?”

The man nodded. “Yes, I got her calmed down, but as you can see it put me behind in getting to you before you realized something strange had happened. Let me explain it to you.”

He swallowed nervously. “What I told you was the truth. I know a rancher who needs your help and wants to learn to ranch like your father. Well, not exactly like your father, but like any rancher in the time you’re from.”

Melody’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, the time I’m from?”

“My dear, while you slept I brought you from January 1871 to July of the year 2018.”

“You’re insane!”

Johnson shook his head. “I’m not! Can you explain the things you saw outside your window? The only logical explanation, as hard as it is for you to accept, is the truth. You are now one hundred and forty-seven years in the future. I, my dear, am a man tasked with offering people born in the wrong times a second chance.

You, with your belief that you can ranch as well as any man and the desire to do things women in your time couldn’t do. You deserve a second chance to see your dreams come true. So I brought you here. To a time when they can. Men and women have equal rights at this time. Women have the same rights as men and work alongside them, sometimes even in positions of authority over them all the time now.”

“I’m in the future?”

“You’re in the future based on where you were when you went to bed last night. But honestly, you’re in the present.”

“What are those things outside?”

“Those are the way people get around now; they are automobiles, but most people call them cars and trucks. Cars are the smaller things. They make trucks to haul not only people but possessions. That gigantic roar you hear in the sky is a type of transportation called an airplane. People get in them and fly long distances in a very short amount of time.”

She laughed. “You expect me to believe people can fly.”

“Believe it or not makes no difference. What I need you to understand is that there are rules to this second chance. First, you must complete the job I’ve given you. You must teach Mr. Ryder everything he needs to know to make his ranch run like an 1800s horse and cattle ranch.

Second, you absolutely cannot tell anyone you come from the past. If you do, your trip will end instantly and not pleasantly. There is a reason you travel while asleep. To help you explain the differences between you and other people, we have created a history for you.

You were raised in a community that has forsaken all modern convinces and live just like they did in the 1800s; that’s why you are an expert. However, you wanted to see the real world, which is why you left. But because you left, you can’t go back as they think you’re tainted by technology. Other than that, I have things you need. Birth certificate, social security card , and even ID, not a driver’s license. Please don’t drive a car or truck without learning how first they can be dangerous.”

He handed her a packet in a large envelope. “This is all the paperwork we just talked about. Please don’t lose them.

Finally, if you are successful in helping Mister Ryder. At the end of your contract with him, I will return you to your time and ensure that you are set up with a ranch of your own. Somewhere that you can own land and a business training horses. However, at the end of the contracted time , you will leave this time and return to your own. That my dear is unavoidable.”

“I don’t understand, if this place and time are perfect for me why return me to my time?”

The Reverend sighed. “My job isn’t just to help you. I must also help Mister Ryder with his concerns. He wants to learn to ranch like it’s the 1800s. You want to work as a horse trainer and rancher. This way I’m able to give you both what you need and desire. However, this is a temporary job. This isn’t your time and your staying would mess up too much that I can’t explain to you.

Now get dressed. I placed your belongings in the bag at the foot of the bed. I know you will feel them inappropriate, but please for today, wear the clothes hung in the closet . Your things from your time will be great once the ranch is open, but for now , it would make you stand out.”

Melody open the closet and looked at a dress or what looked like half a dress. “Are you dressing me like a saloon girl, Reverend? Is this a ranch or a brothel you’re taking me to?”

“Why don’t you look out that window again, Miss Hughes, you’ll see that women wear a lot less than they used to.”

Melody in defiance did what he suggested and was shocked to see women in what looked like half their unmentionables and nothing else, walking up and down the street. As well as tight britches and showing off their stomachs and even parts of their breasts and men paying them no attention whatsoever . She blushed and shook her head. This future seemed very different from the world she left. “I’ll wear it, but I won’t like it.”

The Reverend smiled. “I should think not. Just get ready, I’ll introduce you to fast food breakfast on the way.”

“What is fast food breakfast?”

“Hurry and find out.”

Then he exited the room, and it left Melody trying to take in everything he’d said. It caused her heart to race, but she was here now and didn’t know how to get home. At least Sunset was here, and she’d just have to figure out how to make the most of the time she was stuck here.

Tallis Ryder was pacing back and forth in his office in the modern welcome center that had been built on the hill overlooking the ranch. It was the point where all modern convinces and devices were left. He had a wagon with two horses to take Reverend Johnson and Miss Hughes down to the ranch after they talked about his expectations from an expert on historical ranching.

He was nervously waiting for her to arrive. During the night he’d had a dream about a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman on a golden palomino. Looks wise, she was everything his heart desired in a woman. It didn’t help that his baby sister whose Calling seemed to tell her when a couple were meant to be together had arrived earlier that week and started telling him she felt his soul mate was arriving soon. Add to that his own Calling screaming again that something important was happening today, and he was beyond nervous.

When he thought his nerves were going to explode, he heard a car arriving and looked outside to see the Reverend’s powder blue Mustang convertible with the top down, pull into the parking lot. Tallis exited the welcome center and walked over to meet his potential historical expert. He stopped when he looked into the eyes of the blonde-haired, blue-eyed angel he’d seen the night before in his dreams. She was as pale as a crisp white sheet and shaking like a leaf in the wind. Tallis found himself at the car, opening the door, and kneeling down beside her. “Are you okay, Miss?”

She looked at him and shook her head. “No! I will never get used to riding in one of these contraptions. Give me a good horse and buggy any time over that monstrosity.”

Tallis laughed and stood, offering her his hand to help her out of the car. A truck and horse trailer pulled in beside them as the lady took his hand and stepped out of the car. The sound that came from the horse trailer was of a horse in distress. “Reverend, you should have let me and Sunset ride here together. She’s going out of her mind in that thing.”

Tallis looked at her; “Sunset?”

“My horse, she isn’t used to all this modern stuff either. We need to get her out before she hurts herself.”

“Well, I was hoping to talk with you before we headed down to the ranch, but if you need to get her out of the trailer, then do so. I have a corral over there by the barn. You can put her in for a bit and when we go to the ranch, you can take her down if you decided to stay and work for me.”

The woman looked at him for a second and then nodded. “Thank you. I’ll get her in the corral and then we can talk. I appreciate your understanding.”

Tallis smiled as they walked up to the horse carrier and wasn’t at all surprised to see that her horse was indeed a golden palomino. Of course , it was, because she was the girl of his dreams. Both his and his sister’s Callings had been right. It was an important day, honestly , it was the most important day in his entire life. It was the day he met the future Mrs. Ryder.

Now he just had to resist taking her in his arms and kissing her like she belonged to him. After all, it wouldn’t due to upset her before she had a chance to fall in love with him. But one way or another, he was going to convince her to stay here at the ranch and then, in time, to build a life together with him.

Tallis watched as she soothed the mare and quickly and efficiently got her out of the hauler. She stroked and whispered to the horse, calming it until it was ready to walk. Then she walked her over to the paddock and turned her inside. She looked at Tallis. “I hate to ask, but do you have some hay or feed I could give her? It will help to further soothe her.”

If nothing else, she was indeed a horsewoman . The needs of her horse came before even her getting this job. Tallis liked that. It told him a lot about her character and personality. It wasn’t like he wasn’t going to hire her. He would do anything to keep her at the ranch. More importantly, he’d do what he needed to get her to fall in love with him and become his wife.

Melody's Next Christmas

George H. McVey