would lead her back to him. He’d said those words, and meant them, but then a few hours later, he’d felt he should chase after her. Why hadn’t he received the second prompting sooner? She wouldn’t have been forced to walk for hours in the cold or been subjected to James. He knew God had a plan in all things, so he tried not to question, but seeing her being held against her will by James and then seven-eighths-frozen was rough.
She was here now. He’d concentrate on that. Would she leave him again, ditch him, run, or was there a chance this experience would soften her heart? He didn’t want to force her to be with him, but when he held her, he knew them together was the right choice. He was pretty certain she knew it too, but something was holding her back. It might just be her aversion to faith, but he feared it was deeper even than that.
Grams came out and grabbed a water bottle and a bottle of orange juice, instructing him to find clothes for Mavyn. He hurried upstairs to Iris’s old room and found a pair of yoga pants and a long-sleeved running shirt. They would drown Mavyn—Iris was taller than her—but they’d be comfortable and warm. He ran down the stairs, handed them off to Grams through a crack in the bedroom door, and then returned to his pacing.
Pulling out his phone, he called for a tow truck to pull Mavyn’s Tahoe out and bring it back here unless it needed to go into the shop. Then he called Iris to tell her what had happened and that he and Mavyn wouldn’t be to the Christmas Eve party until tonight, or maybe they wouldn’t make it at all. As soon as Mavyn was decent, he’d force Grams to leave so he could be there for Mavyn. He didn’t want Grams to miss out on the Christmas Eve festivities of sledding, ice skating, the spa’s pools and hot tubs, and food and games in the main area. The entire Chadwick family—except Quill who had a hockey game tonight—, guests of the lodge, and most of the valley would be there. He and Mavyn wouldn’t be missed.
Iris promised to bring food over if he and Mavyn couldn’t come and assured him they’d all be praying for her. He hung up and felt reassured. Praying for her. He knew prayer worked and today was another manifestation that God was in the details of his and Mavyn’s lives. He’d almost been too late, but miracles continued to happen. Was the miracle of Mavyn softening and allowing him into her heart ever going to happen?
He took to pacing the cabin again, feeling cooped up and concerned. He wanted to burst into that bedroom and check on Mavyn, but he also wanted to make sure her privacy and dignity stayed intact.
Finally, finally, Grams came out. She smiled at him as she gently closed the door and said, “Calm down, my boy. She’s right as rain. She just needs some rest and some food, when we can talk her into it. She claims she’s not hungry now.”
Ren felt his shoulders relax. She was all right. He still wanted to see her for himself and if possible, hold her while she rested. “Thank you, Grams.”
“Of course, my boy. Now I’m going to clean up this mess. I can deal with the pie fillings tomorrow morning. I’m assuming you’ll stay here with Mavyn and bring her over if she feels up to it later.”
“Yes.” He didn’t like missing out on time with his family, but Mavyn was his priority right now. He wondered if she always would be. What would that mean for his demanding and dangerous career? He didn’t know, but she could write from anywhere and his home in Redding wasn’t too far from San Francisco. It wouldn’t be ideal to not be in the same town, but all he wanted was to be with her. He was getting far ahead of himself, but during the past four months, she’d never been far from his mind. He’d thought he wanted a groveling apology from her, but now he realized he only wanted her.
“You let her rest though, you hear?” Grams demanded.
“Ah, Grams, I just want to hold her.”
Grams shook her head at him. “Well, you’re sure as snot not holding her in my bed so hold your horses, lover boy.”
The bedroom door opened and Mavyn stood there. The shirt and