Joshua Stoddard tightened his gloved hands around the saddle horn and leaned forward. He slowly dismounted and plowed the ranches entrance gate open through the Idaho snow drift. Closing it behind him, he decided to walk the mare the rest of the way to the ranch house. It was Christmas eve and he was finally home.
It had been over a year since he left. He vowed to return with enough money to save the family ranch. His trail worn clothing announced to all he’d met that he, like most Cowboys, had let his monthly ‘forty and found’ wages slip through his fingers instead of saving some for a rainy day.
As evenings blue light descended upon the snow blanketed ranch, Joshua stepped onto the porch. The interiors lamps cast their yellow glow through the frosted windows. As he raised his hand to knock, the door was suddenly jerked open and staring out at him with shocked faces was his family.
“Josh!” His sister shouted as she flung her arms around him, “You’re back… And just in time for Christmas too!”
After everyone settled down, Joshua’s mother brought him hot coffee and a plate of pie. Seeing the ragged condition of her son, she hid her disappointment nor did she ask him how he had fared. Still, she had been so sure that her prayers were going to be answered that her letdown was heartbreaking.
Shifting uneasily, Josh began speaking, “Mom, it was a hard year, I did three cattle drives and…”
Stopping Joshua in mid sentence his father placed his hand on his sons shoulder. “No need to tell us anymore son, it’s just good to have you back home”.
“But Dad, there is.” He exclaimed.
Removing his worn coat he tore open the lining. Hundreds of dollars cascaded onto the floor.
“I saved every cent I made Pa!”
We all say that Christmas is a time for giving. But as the Stoddard family found, it’s also a time for answered prayers. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Your pard, JW Edwards
campfireshadows 
Merry Christmas, in a saddle or not… 🙂
Thanks, Merry Christmas to you my friend!
Merry Christmas! You have won the STAR Award ….go to my link and check it out……http://cherryberrylemonlime.wordpress.com/2012/12/22/merry-christmas-my-first-star-award-im-passing-it-forward-look-and-see-if-its-you/
Thank you! I’ll pick it up after the holidays! (Christmas travels)
Merry Christmas! You are so very welcome (((hugs)))
Merry Christmas, we wish good luck with your sound books!
Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family! (Yes, even your horses!) Here’s a few links that should work to my audio book stories. They are rough drafts but you’ll get the idea. A campfire sound is in the background in case you wonder what that noise is. Joe
Merry Christmas! 🙂 Listened to the first story last night… on my phone! How weird is that! ha ha!
Wow, you’ve come a long way! I tried it on my phone but couldn’t hear the campfire in the background without my ear buds. I burned it onto a CD and listened to it in my car. Merry Christmas to you and Dan! What did he get you and you him? I got a Kindle from my daughter. Jen and I passed on getting each other anything this year due to funds. Oh well, maybe next year. Have a great New Years too!
If you click on my picture on soundcloud, the other titles will come up.
Great post. Made me smile. 🙂
Thank you!
Nice! Another anachronistic tale…when this sort of story was common, the country was doing well and aimed at better and that was the national mindset. Seems to me, we need to recover some of that…thanks for reminding me!.
Some folks dream of the future, I dream of the past, when times were a bit less confusing and I understood the world a bit better. I’m always happy when you comment my friend. JW