The Forest Ranger's Christmas

by Leigh Bale

  Josie reached out and clasped the girl’s hand. “Don’t worry. He loves you. I think right now he just wants to know you’re safe. So stop worrying.”

  A short time later, they entered the Camlin city limits. Josie drove down Main Street and onto Garson Way. She could see Clint’s house a quarter mile away.

  The wail of a siren sounded a moment later. She stared into her rearview mirror at the police car coming up fast behind her.

  “Oh, no. Not again,” she grumbled.

  She pulled over on the side of the road and waited for Officer Tim to get out of his squad car and saunter over. Rolling down her window, she pursed her lips. She didn’t have time for this nonsense. She needed to get Gracie home.

  “Hi, Tim. What’s up?” she asked, trying not to be rude.

  He bent his head down and met her eyes, then glanced over at Gracie. His face tightened and he moved back. “Can you step out of the car, ma’am?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “If you’re going to give me a ticket, just do it. I’ve got to get Gracie home, Tim.”

  “So, now you’re into kidnapping, huh?”

  “What?” Her mind raced in confusion.

  Tim raised his hand to cup his gun holster, his brows lifted in a demanding expression. “Clint called to report Gracie was missing. I need you to get out of the car. Now.”

  “Wait! I can explain. She’s a stowaway, Tim. She climbed into my car before I left town. I was an hour down the road when I found her in my backseat. I’m bringing her home.”

  She’d never seen Tim like this before. Her mind ran wild with what could happen next. And honestly, she was a little afraid.

  Lifting his hands to rest against his hips, Tim jingled the handcuffs. A car whizzed past, the driver craning his neck to see who Tim had pulled over this time. Mortification heated Josie’s cheeks.

  “Gracie!”

  Josie turned. Clint came running toward them. He must have stepped outside his house, seen the cop car and noticed his daughter inside Josie’s vehicle.

  The little girl threw open the door and raced toward her father. In the middle of the street, he scooped her up and hugged her tight.

  “Oh, I was so worried about you. I’ve been searching and calling everyone we know. Where have you been?” he asked, kissing her face.

  “Daddy, you’re squashing my eye.”

  He finally set her on the ground. Josie got out of the car. By this time, Gramps had seen them and was walking toward them at a fast clip.

  “Clint, she climbed into my backseat and hid under a blanket. I didn’t know she was there,” Josie explained.

  Taking Gracie’s hand, he walked over to her, listening.

  “So, this isn’t a kidnapping, after all?” Tim said, looking disappointed.

  “No!” Josie, Clint, Gramps and Gracie answered in unison.

  Tim raised his hands, as if to ward them off. “Okay, I get it. I’m just glad everything worked out and she’s all right.”

  “Me, too. Thanks for helping us find her,” Clint said.

  Tim shifted his weight, a cocky smile on his face. “Anytime. That’s what I’m here for. Keeping our city safe.”

  Chuckling, the cop walked back to his squad car, got inside and drove away.

  “Come on. Let’s get inside where it’s warm,” Clint urged.

  While Clint and Gracie walked with Gramps the short distance to his house, Josie hopped into her car and pulled it into the driveway. Inside the comfy kitchen, Gramps got out a pan and glanced at the little girl. “You want to help me make some hot chocolate while your dad talks to Josie for a few minutes?”

  Gracie nodded, then leaned close and cupped her mouth to hide her loud whisper. “It worked, Grandpa Frank. Josie brought me back home. But I’ll bet Daddy’s gonna ground me for a year.”

  Josie froze, as though her feet were stapled to the floor. “Gramps! Did you know about this?”

  He cleared his throat, his face flushing a deep, burgundy red. “We didn’t mean any harm by it. It was the only thing we could think of to get you two to listen to reason.”

  At first Clint stared in stunned surprise. Then he threw back his head and laughed deeply. “So, you two planned this together? Unbelievable.”

  Josie agreed. But having almost been accused of kidnapping, she wasn’t amused.

  “Look, you two love each other and should be together.” Gramps lowered his bushy brows in a stern frown and waggled a finger at them. “Gracie and I know it, and so do you. So stop fighting it. Now go into the living room and figure out a way to work this out between you.”

  “That’s right, Dad. You taught me that you can’t run away from your troubles. You’ve got to work things out.” Gracie gave a firm nod.

  Oh, boy. Josie couldn’t believe this. She felt like a naughty kid being told to go to her room...by her elderly grandfather and a seven-year-old child. But Josie was a grown woman. And her heart couldn’t take much more of this.

  Turning, she went into the living room and sat on the sofa. Her body trembled from nervous energy as well as from standing outside in the freezing cold. She didn’t know what to think anymore.

  A movement in the doorway caught her eye and she looked up. Clint stood there, watching her. The sounds of the fridge door opening and Gracie’s voice coming from the kitchen told Josie that Gramps was making his hot chocolate.

  “I’m sorry about this,” Clint said.

  Josie stared at him, wondering what more she could say. Maybe it was time for her to listen instead.

  He peered at her. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.”

  He slid his hands into his pockets and came to stand directly in front of her. “I don’t think they meant any harm, Josie.”

  “I know.”

  “And...and I need to ask your forgiveness.”

  She lifted her gaze. “For what?”

  “For being a fool.”

  What did he mean? She tilted her head, more confused than ever.

  “I don’t know how I ever let you leave. In fact, when I looked outside this morning and saw your car was gone, I panicked. I realized I might have lost one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

  She leaned forward, her senses on high alert. “You did?”

  “Yes. I called to Gracie, to tell her to get ready to leave. I was going to drive to Vegas and convince you to come back with us. But Gracie was gone. I knew she was upset, but didn’t realize how much. None of the neighbors had seen her. And the thought of losing either of you scared me more than anything I’ve ever faced before.”

  Josie became very still. Listening. Barely breathing. Barely daring to hope.

  “I don’t want to lose you,” he said. “Not ever again. I can’t control whether you’re happy, whether you love me or whether you stay or go. You’ll have to decide those things for yourself. But I do know I can’t bear to let you leave without telling you how I feel. I love you, Josie. That’s all I know. I’m not sure what to do about your job in Vegas. Or how it’ll all work out. I just know I can’t lose you again.”

  She held up a hand to interrupt him. “Wait. Did you just say you love me?”

  He paused. “Yes, very much.”

  “But what about Karen and...?”

  “Karen’s gone. I can’t bring her back, and I love you. Whatever the future brings, I’m going to trust in the Lord. I’m going to trust in you, too.”

  “You are?” His faith touched Josie deeply. Like a precious gift she must protect and never take for granted.

  He gave a shuddering laugh. “Yes, and I feel so free. For the first time in years, I feel free and forgiven.”

  Sudden tears burned her eyes. “Oh, Clint. I’m so glad.”

  He knelt before her and reached up t
o take her hand. “Would you consider staying here in Camlin? With Gracie and me?”

  She released her breath in a quick exhalation. Her heart stopped beating, as though it waited for the earth to start rotating on its axes again. “What...what exactly are you asking me?”

  He leaned near, a nervous smile teasing his lips. “I love you, Josie. So very much. I don’t want to lose you ever again. Will you please marry me? And make me the happiest man on earth?”

  Her mouth dropped open in shock. This was what she wanted, but it was entirely unexpected. He’d let go of his guilt over Karen’s death. Josie didn’t know how, but she understood the unconditional healing power of God’s love.

  “Say yes, Josie. Say yes!” Gracie stood in the doorway with Gramps. Both of them were smiling like crazy.

  Josie laughed, overwhelmed with sudden bliss. She paused for a moment, wondering if this was real. Or if it was a dream. “Oh, yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you, too. More than I can ever say.”

  “Hooray!” Gracie jumped up and down. Gramps’s laughter filled the room.

  And suddenly, Josie was in Clint’s arms. He kissed her and she felt his strength surrounding her. Her heart felt overpowered by happiness.

  “I’m worried,” he whispered against her ear.

  “About what, my love?”

  “I don’t know what to do about your career. I don’t want to take that from you. I know you love your job as a pharmacist.”

  A scoffing laugh escaped her throat. “Not as much as I love you. And I’m not worried. I know the Lord will take care of that for us. Let’s just trust in Him.”

  He smiled into her eyes. “Okay, sweetheart.”

  And as he kissed her again, she truly believed what she’d said. She didn’t know how, but God knew. For now, no more words were needed. Josie’s heart was overflowing with joy. And she realized she’d just been given her heart’s desire.

  Chapter Eighteen

  One Year Later

  Josie sat on the couch in Gramps’s house and cuddled against Clint’s side. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Resting his hand across her slightly rounded abdomen, he gently caressed her baby bump as they watched the New Year’s Eve program on TV.

  Looking across the room at Gracie, Josie couldn’t contain a smile of contentment. In spite of it still being early, the girl had fallen asleep in the recliner. Sitting on the coffee table in front of them was a variety of chips, dips, salsa and finger foods. A barrage of party poppers waited for the midnight hour. They were having a quiet evening at home to celebrate the beginning of a New Year. With her husband’s baby moving within her, Josie could barely contain the peace and happiness she felt.

  “Where’d Frank go?” Clint asked as he placed a warm kiss on her lips.

  She threaded her fingers through his hair, enjoying the hushed relaxation after such a busy holiday season. This past year had been hectic and wonderful, but the next year promised to be even better. “I don’t know. He was here a few minutes ago. He must have gone into his room.”

  Returning her husband’s kiss, she marveled at all that had transpired in her life. With Thelma’s capital, she’d gone into partnership with the woman. Last April, she’d opened her own pharmacy downtown in the grocery store. She’d married Clint in June, with Frank acting as best man and Gracie as the cutest flower girl ever. Josie had spent the chaotic summer setting up her store and caring for Gracie, while Clint was called out to fight wildfires. Gramps helped as much as he could, mostly by watching Gracie. In retrospect, Josie couldn’t believe all they’d accomplished together. The Lord had truly parted the waves and provided a way for them to reach all their dreams.

  Now, she was about to become a mother for the second time. Because she would always consider Gracie her first child. And being a wife and mother exceeded all her expectations. Nothing in the world could compete with the joy she felt over those accomplishments.

  She glanced at Gracie, so innocent and wise. If not for her persistent wish for a mommy, Josie might still be living in Vegas. Alone. Without a family of her own.

  “Everyone’s asleep. Maybe we should go back over to our place,” Clint suggested as his lips covered hers in a warm kiss that almost sizzled her toes.

  “Ahem! I’m not asleep. Not by a long shot.”

  They broke apart as Gramps burst into the room. Josie jerked upright and smoothed the large T-shirt over the swell of her unborn child.

  “Gramps! Are you going out?”

  Frank stood beside the coat closet, dressed in his best Sunday-go-to-meeting suit and the new red tie Gracie had given him for Christmas a week earlier.

  “As a matter of fact, I am.” He reached inside the closet and pulled out the black dress coat Josie and Clint had given him. Clean shaven and smelling of spicy aftershave, he looked ready for a night on the town.

  Clint’s brow crinkled. “Where you going, Frank?”

  “Down to the civic center. It so happens that I have a date.”

  Josie sat up straight, stunned down to her kneecaps. “A date? With whom?”

  Gramps flashed a cheesy grin and waggled his eyebrows. “Thelma, if you must know.”

  Josie and Clint looked at each other and she had to cover her mouth to contain a chuckle. Gramps had a date. She could hardly believe it. He hadn’t said a word about it to her, but she figured he was a bit old to ask her permission.

  “Well, um, have fun,” she said.

  Clint laughed. “Yeah, have a good time. And don’t stay out late.”

  Gramps harrumphed as he shut the closet door and picked up the keys to his old rusty truck. They jingled in his hand as he stepped away. “I intend to have fun. Don’t wait up for me. And I will definitely be home late.”

  He slipped into the kitchen, and Josie heard the outside door open and close. A rush of frigid air marked his passing. Outside, the sound of the truck engine fired up, accompanied by headlights that soon faded away.

  “Well, what do you make of that?” Josie looked at her husband, startled by this new turn of events. Just when she thought God couldn’t surprise her any more, something else happened to prove her wrong.

  A wide grin spread across Clint’s face. “I think it’s great. Frank’s got a girlfriend.”

  “You don’t think they’d... No, of course not.”

  “What?”

  “You think they might decide to get married? At their age?”

  Clint laughed and nuzzled her neck. “Why not? Life’s too short not to enjoy. You like Thelma, don’t you?”

  She relaxed, breathing in his warm, clean skin. “Of course I do. She’s a wonderful woman. But I guess I figured Gramps was finished with all of that.”

  “Why? Just because he’s a senior citizen doesn’t mean he should stop living. And I have no doubt it won’t change his feelings for Vi one iota.”

  Josie hadn’t thought about that. “You’re right. What Gramps and Grandma shared was remarkable. Nothing will ever change that.”

  “It just goes to show that you’re never too old to find true happiness with the one you love.”

  She gave his shoulder a playful swat. “Oh, you.”

  “Besides, we’re finally alone.” He cast a quick glance in Gracie’s direction. Then he pulled Josie close and kissed her thoroughly.

  She didn’t fight him. No, not at all. Not when her heart was singing to the starry sky above. This was what she’d prayed for. What she’d always wanted. A family of her own. And the sweet, enveloping love of a good man who cherished her above all others. What more could she ask for?

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE GUY NEXT DOOR by Missy Tippens.

  Dear Reader,

  I’ve worked in the education industry most of my adult life and love learning and re
ading. One day, I was walking through a shopping mall when I saw a sign posted about literacy and a man named Alferd, who couldn’t read that sign until he was seventy years old. This really hit home for me. I wondered about Alferd and the life he’d lived, the people that loved him, and what he must have done to earn a living. Months later, I was watching the national news when they gave a report on a decorated WWII veteran from Oklahoma, who was currently ninety years old and illiterate. He’d lived a very humble life to raise his family. Apparently his wife of sixty-two years had covered for his reading disability until her death in 2009. Since that time, this good man had struggled with his disability and had finally just learned to read. These two events were the inspiration for my new book, A Forest Ranger’s Christmas.

  In A Forest Ranger’s Christmas, the heroine returns to her family home for the holidays, intending to convince her elderly grandfather to move to Las Vegas with her, where she works as a pharmacist. She arrives in time to discover that her grandfather has been cutting down numerous Christmas trees without a permit. But cutting the trees is the manifest of a greater underlying problem. He can’t read and didn’t know he was supposed to buy tree permits. This sweet story not only addresses the problem of illiteracy, but also the issue of elderly parents as they reach a point of dependency and must rely on their loved ones to ensure they are cared for. As life expectancies increase, this is becoming a predominant concern for many people in the United States and other nations of the world. Dealing with these issues requires love, compassion and patience.

  I hope you enjoy reading A Forest Ranger’s Christmas, and I invite you to visit my website at www.LeighBale.com to learn more about my books.

  May you find peace in the Lord’s words!

  Leigh Bale

  Questions for Discussion

  In A Forest Ranger’s Christmas, Josie has commitment phobias because she watched her own parents go through a painful divorce when she was young. Now that she’s a grown woman, the only family Josie has left is her elderly grandpa. She yearns for a family of her own, but struggles with how to commit to personal relationships. Have you or someone you know ever struggled with this problem? What do you believe is at the root of this fear? How can we exercise faith in ourselves and others so that we might have strong personal relationships?