Christmas Eve services—all bring joy. And what better place to experience Christmas than at a snowy ranch in Colorado?
Lily and Carson do experience Christmas joy, but they have pain to overcome before they can open themselves to love. The loss of his wife, Lily’s friend, leaves them both with unresolved issues to overcome.
The topic of suicide is a very painful one, but it is a reality that touches many lives, my own included. I have tried to portray fairly both the depth of misery that can lead someone to take their own life and the guilt that remains with survivors. Help is available: the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, offers free and confidential support 24/7. As the gospel tells us in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
That is my wish for you and yours in this Christmas season: abundant life.
Thank you for visiting Redemption Ranch! Sign up for my newsletter if you’d like notification when the next book comes out: www.leetobinmcclain.com.
Warm Christmas wishes,
Lee
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
—1 Corinthians 13:12
To Kathy, Colleen and Sally, who helped me brainstorm this story, and to Bill, for research assistance and emotional support. You guys are the best.
Contents
You can do this.
Lily Watkins forced a smile as she carried the last of her photography gear into Redemption Ranch’s Cabin Four and then came back out onto the small front porch. “Honestly, I’m fine being alone on Christmas,” she said to her aunt. Which was true; at twenty-six, she’d already spent a fair number of holidays alone. “It’ll be peaceful. Just what I need to finish my project.”
The harder task would be to find out whether her fallen comrade’s kids were being mistreated by their manipulative, cruel father. Doing that, according to her army therapist, might bring her some measure of peace.
She just had to figure out how to investigate the status of Pam’s kids without losing her cool.
“I know several people in town who’d love to have you join them for Christmas dinner.” Aunt Penny pulled out her phone. “Want me to make some calls?”
She did need to go down into the town of Esperanza Springs, talk to people, in order to find out the truth about Pam’s husband and kids. But Christmas dinner wasn’t the time to do that. And although she needed to make new friends and get on with her life, she wasn’t likely to settle here in Colorado.
“No, thanks,” she said. “I appreciate the offer, and I appreciate your letting me stay. The place is lovely, and I’ve been so busy. I’ll enjoy a little solitude, to be honest.”
To
