Free The Forest Ranger's Christmas by Leigh Bale

lived for her, determined to keep her safe and to raise her with all the love he could shower upon her.
    Life hadn’t been easy, moving on without Karen. Finding quality child care for his precious daughter. Meeting Gracie’s needs while keeping his employer satisfied. But the Lord had buoyed Clint up. Through the power of prayer, he’d found the strength to carry on. To keep moving forward even when he floundered in the depths of despair. Gracie was always his first priority.
    Now, Josie Rushton had entered his life like a blast of fresh summer air after a long, chilling winter. At first, he’d thought her career came first. But seeing how she acted with Frank and Gracie, he wasn’t so sure. Discovering she was gravely concerned for Frank’s welfare challenged Clint’s preconceived notions about the woman. He certainly never would have suspected she wanted Frank to move with her to Vegas.
    Clint briefly entertained the thought of asking Josie out on a date, but decided no. With a child to raise, he didn’t have the luxury of going out with just anyone. He must be careful. Above all else, he had to protect Gracie, and the last thing they needed in their lives right now was another high-maintenance woman with deep emotional issues. That’s what Clint feared Josie might be.
    A sharp crack sounded as the second tree started to fall. Frank gripped the trunk with his gloved hands and Clint jumped out of the way. The tree dropped, its branches shivering as it hit the ground. Frank’s breath rushed in and out of his lungs like a laboring ventilator.
    Glancing at the elderly man, Clint wondered if this physical activity was too much for him. “You okay?” he asked.
    Frank grinned, as though having the time of his life. “I sure am. I’m with my family. What could be better than that?”
    Clint’s heart gave a powerful squeeze. He loved this old man, no doubt about it. But for them to become a real family, he’d have to marry Josie. And that wasn’t going to happen. Not now. Not ever.
    Wondering how Frank had cut so many trees on his own, Clint took the brunt of the tree’s weight. Without discussion, he dragged the fallen fir over to his truck and hefted it into the back. Within twenty minutes, he had the second tree loaded and ready to go.
    “Who wants hot chocolate?” he crowed in victory.
    Gracie squealed with excitement and Clint reached inside the truck for the thermos and cups. While his daughter stuck two rock eyes onto the snowman’s face, Josie jabbed sticks into the rounded body for arms. Clint whipped out the camera he kept stowed in the glove box.
    “Smile,” he called.
    The two girls posed together, with Gracie standing on a fallen tree trunk. At that height she was able to stretch her arm up and hold two fingers over the top of Josie’s head.
    When she discovered what the little girl was up to, Josie tickled her. “Oh, I’m going to get you now.”
    Gracie shrieked and wriggled away. Clint snapped several more pictures of the two chasing each other through the snow. They finally came running toward him, gasping from their exertions. Clint laughed, for no other reason than because he felt happy inside. He handed Josie a cup of chocolate and a pair of thick socks from his fire pack.
    She lifted the gray wool between two fingers and stared as though she held a dead rat. “What is this?”
    “Socks. Don’t worry. They’re clean.”
    She crinkled her nose with disgust. “But what are they for?”
    “Your cold feet. For the trip home.” His lips twitched, but he forced himself not to laugh.
    “Thanks.” She smiled, the expression lighting up her face and making her eyes sparkle.
    Wow, she was lovely.
    “I believe I’m going to need them. I can’t feel my toes anymore,” she finally conceded.
    “Yeah, I’d hate to have to amputate. Why don’t you climb inside the truck and I’ll get the heater going. We need to warm you up.”
    As she headed for the truck, she laughed, not seeming