by LoRee Peery
“Congratulations. You get to keep your cabin.”
“Thanks. I can’t tell you what it means. From the very beginning I had the sense of belonging here in the woods. The first thing I’ll move out from the loft is the finch feeder. Goldfinches will need the thistle seed come winter.”
“Since I’ll be hanging around, though, think you could agree to let me install taller doors and raise the ceilings?”
“That might be arranged. So you do want to hang around?”
“If you’ll have me. And I’m thinking Grace would appreciate that tree house you once mentioned.”
“You remember I said that? Talk about sentimental.” She raised up and pecked him on the chin with a soft kiss. “Can we build it together?”
“You betcha. How is Grace?”
“Wonderful. Happy in foster care, and happy that her father is getting help.” She linked her arms around his neck. “You won’t mind driving from here to work in Lincoln?”
“I’m willing to do anything, as long as we’re together. I think we need to celebrate, Ms. Phillips. How would you like to visit Wolf Canyon?”
She squeezed him tight and whispered, “I’d love to.”
He kissed her.
Oh, how she’d missed him.
Finally, he broke their intense kiss. “Let’s be on our way.”
****
Before long, they stood on high ground with only a fence and railing between them and a pair of nuzzling wolves, Lakota and a young female the keeper called Sonoma. Aiden was struck anew by how the pack had warmed right up to the injured wolf while he was recovering. The younger female and Lakota took to one another without an older male raising a ruckus.
“I’ve seen my dad,” he announced without preamble.
“Aiden. Wow. That’s huge. You couldn’t wait for November. Did it go OK?”
“It went, with hugs and tears.” He’d been convicted to follow the Lord’s leading, to make amends before he could start a life with Beth.
She said nothing, so he elaborated. “I determined to accept my earthly father, to overlook his supposed abandonment.”
“So you now believe people can truly change, through faith.”
“Yep. If Jesus can forgive the sins of the world, He enabled me to forgive my father for any supposed sins.”
“And that’s what grace is all about.”
“I sure was skeptical after meeting you and associating you with your past. Anyway, Dad didn’t know how much I needed to rely on him. But when Mom died, he was as lost as I was. He said he kind of set aside my feelings, because his grief lumped in the sight of me with the loss of Mom. It was easier to walk away than deal with reminders of her.”
“So, you’ve forgiven him for sure?”
“Totally. I knew I had to do something about that animosity, or I’d never be clean enough to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Thank you, I think. I would hope that down deep, you wanted that fresh start because the Lord removed your animosity.”
Silence reigned for a spell, except for the murmurings of the wolves.
Aiden considered how far he had come in a scant few months. From hating wolves to rejoicing in their existence. The way God had chosen a lone wolf, who’d scared him at first, to shape him into the man he was today.
They watched the wolves’ muted colors blend right in with the browning leaves of autumn.
He couldn’t keep it to himself. “Isn’t it something, the path we’ve been on lately? When I first met you, you were protecting yourself and your wolf. You had risked coming home, to a place where you might not be welcomed, but you came anyway. And found a home and friends in Platteville.”
Beth picked up when he paused. “I had nowhere else to turn. Don’t ever think I wasn’t afraid. And the wolf I met was afraid, as well.”
“Then when I came onto the scene, I threatened your sanctuary as well as your protection of the wolf.” Yet I fell for you, and your wolf, and your God.
“I had some growing to do.”
“Look at that,” Aiden said, pointing at Lakota and Sonoma, while pulling Beth to his side. “God had a mate picked out for each of us.”
“You mean—?”
“Yes, Beth Phillips Todd Littlefield Phillips. I love you. More than I ever dreamt possible. And I’ve never been more certain of anything, other than my salvation. Are you willing to add Holt to the back of that list?”
With a whoop and a jump, she pumped her fist in the air. Once on firm ground, she cupped his face in the palm of her hand.
“Yes, I will marry you. And Holt will forever be at the front of that list for me. I knew I loved you after you went back to work in Lincoln. What I went through thinking you were lost to me.” She shook her head as though shaking off a memory. “Our Lord is the best foundation a marriage could have. Who could ask for better security in knowing who you are, and that He holds our future in His hand?”
He pulled her close for another kiss, feeling so complete, the way her softness filled all the right places, especially his heart.
“Aiden. How I love you.” She stretched up to initiate a kiss, just a light meeting of the lips. “Thank you for bringing me here today. God is so good to have changed us both. And He’s made you into such a good man!”
“I’ll only be good, able to go on with my life, as long as I can protect you, and keep Littlefield out of your way for the rest of our life.”
She smoothed a finger over his lips. “Let’s vow to never say his name again. Let’s begin sharing the first chapter of the story you and I will live the rest of our life, starting today.”
“Talk about chapters. Have you ever considering writing?”
“No, but I’m beginning to get into words. And the definition of names.” She gave him a quirky grin. “Holt. English. From the forest, just where I belong.”
“Perfect. I wondered how long it would take before you checked out the literal meaning of my name.” Her lazy finger, now tracing his bottom lip, was raising havoc with his senses.
“Soon to be my name, as well.” Beth accepted his kiss as though she’d waited for it her whole life. “You are so worthy, my love. I love you. I trust you. For me, that’s huge.”
He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I’m eager to put into practice the meaning of my first name.”
“I looked it up as well. Aiden, warmth of the home. I’ll help you create the warmth in our home.”
“We can’t forget to magnify the name of Jesus.”
“How right you are. Since you’ve been thinking about this longer than I have, do you have the logistics worked out?”
“Logistics? Well, I want you to come look at rings with me, give me some ideas.”
She beamed. “Can hardly wait. But I was thinking more on the lines of, will we live in the cabin just on weekends, or do I move to Lincoln?”
“Let’s take it as it comes.” He leaned in for a long kiss and wondered if socks could sizzle.
“Let’s not wait too long.”
“I agree, and for the record, I’m willing to commute.”
“In the meantime, I’ll continue to stay in the loft. We’ll decide once the cabin is finished, how’s that?”
“I like the idea of living in the woods.” He gave her a squeeze. “After all, it’s where I found you.”
“We’ll be able to tell our children how you found Jesus in the woods. Rather, He met us there.”
So wrapped up in Beth, he’d forgotten where they were. From the corner of his eye, he watched Lakota and Sonoma approach from the tree cover. “Look. Lakota approves.”
“Our Lakota was lost and found in the woods, just like us.”
Author’s Note
Abuse in its various forms is very real. There is help if you know of someone in Grace’s situation or identify with Beth’s predicament. Crisis lines for child advocacy or domestic violence are listed in the telephone directory, available online, or by calling a church office.
Remember, Jesus says to fear not. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Thank you for purchasing this White Rose Publishing title. For other inspirational stories, please visit our on-line bookstore at www.pelicanbookgroup.com.
For questions or more information, contact us at [email protected].
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May God’s glory shine through
this inspirational work of fiction.
AMDG