Only Her Smokejumper Firefighter - Cami Checketts Page 0,18

Lord have given her a feeling that would break through her wall and get her to stay? Why wasn’t his touch enough to keep her here? For him, her touch was heaven and had made him quickly forgive and forget the anguish of the past four months. He wanted to forge a future together. How long would it be until heaven put Mavyn in his path again? He didn’t know that he could handle another four months of this longing for her.

He glanced at the tall, beautiful Christmas tree and the present he’d dropped next to it when Mavyn had fallen down the stairs. Why hadn’t he thought to at least give her the present and tell her what it meant to him, what he hoped it could mean to her? Stupid.

The door sprang open and his hopes leaped. “Mave?” He started that direction.

Grams strode through the door. “Where’s Mavyn? Her car’s gone.”

“I know.” Bitter disappointment licked through him. “She left.”

“What? How could you let her leave? Have I taught you nothing?”

Ren sank onto a nearby couch and buried his head in his hands. “She doesn’t want me, Grams. I tried, but there’s nothing I could say that made a difference.”

Grams came to his side, sat next to him, and rubbed his back. “I’m sorry, love. I really thought she was the one for you.”

“So did I.” He straightened and looked at her. “Is that insane? I hardly know her but it’s so right when I’m with her, especially when we touch.” His face heated up thinking of last night.

“How good was the make-out last night?” Grams asked.

“Grams.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe you set me up like that.”

“You weren’t complaining when you were kissing her.”

Ren smiled in remembrance but quickly sobered. “What am I going to do? I told her she was my destiny and she could run but the good Lord would keep bringing us back together.”

“Wow. Do you believe that?”

“I did when I said it. I felt impressed to say that and let her leave. Now I’m thinking I sounded like an evangelical, idiotic wimp. No wonder she’s running away from me. I’ve preached more fiery sermons to her than Pastor Brent ever has on a Sunday.”

Grams smiled. “And she’s not a believer, so it rubs her the wrong way.”

“Probably. Guess I shouldn’t have come on so strong.” Would the Lord really bring her back? He was doubting his faith and he hated that. He never doubted his faith.

“You’re a warrior, Ren. You know what you believe in and what’s right. You see your future and you go for it. There’s nothing wrong with that, but yeah, maybe you could’ve toned it down a bit.”

Ren drew in a steadying breath. “What do I do now?”

“What do you want to do?” Grams studied him. She’d always supported him and could boss him around plenty, but she’d never forced her will or ideas on him. She’d taught him to trust in God and think for himself. Right now, he knew exactly what he wanted to do, and it had nothing to do with toning it down, slowing down, or listening to the impression that God would bring her back.

“I want to follow her, catch her before she flies out of Missoula, drag her back here, and force her to have Christmas with us and kiss me every other minute.” He smiled at how unrealistic his ideas were. “I’m sure that’ll go over well.”

“Maybe dragging and forcing isn’t the best idea.” She winked and patted him on the hand. “Maybe you need to learn some patience. She’s Cora’s best friend. Cora and Quill are meant to be together as they’ll both discover at his hockey game tonight. Maybe you should wait for Him to help her see the light like you said. You’ll cross paths with Mavyn again—if not because of divine intervention, because of Cora and Quill. Mavyn might need some time to see what is so obvious to you and to feel the Spirit work in her life.”

Ren nodded, but it didn’t feel right. Was it just his warrior instinct as Grams always called it? He wanted to be a man of action, wanted to chase Mavyn down and show her it was right between them. He’d waited four months for her. He’d been half angry with her the entire time, but he’d never stopped longing for her. Did he really have to wait longer? He squeezed his eyes shut and prayed hard for direction, and