Jill Weatherholt - A Father For Bella

He zipped into the last available parking space. Good sign—the place was busy. No surprise there, because his father never owned anything that didn’t make his wallet bulge.

Joshua stepped out of the car and pulled the crisp mountain air deep into his lungs. He’d always loved the smell of fresh pine. For the first time in months, his shoulders relaxed while he repeated slow and even breaths. The bitter divorce had taken a toll on him both physically and emotionally. He sauntered up the sidewalk, forgoing his luggage for now. He gripped the icy doorknob, wishing he’d worn gloves.

The pine floor gleamed as he crossed the threshold of the front entrance. He inhaled the citrus aroma filling the air. A winding staircase led to the second floor, where he spied a young couple sneaking a kiss—probably newlyweds. I wonder how long that will last. He shook away the negative thought. Not every relationship ends with your first and only love walking out the door.

“Bella! Where are you?”

With a jerk, he bolted to the back of the inn toward a woman’s frantic scream.

“Bella!”

Joshua burst through the kitchen’s swinging door and ran straight out the open back door. “What’s going on?”

The woman jumped when he spoke. “It’s my daughter, Bella. I can’t find her.” Tall and slender, dressed in blue jeans and a crisp white blouse, she raked her fingers through her wavy caramel brown hair spilling down her shoulders. She sprinted to the side of the building.

Joshua trailed behind, shoving his hands deep inside his coat pockets. It was early January and much too cold for her to go without a coat.

“Bella!” she shouted again and pressed her palms to the side of her head. “She asked if she could play outside with Plato. I told her to stay in sight.” Her voice grew hoarse.

“Plato?”

“Her new puppy.” The woman took off like a gazelle, stopping short at the edge of the forest. “It’ll be dark soon.” She cupped her hands to the sides of her mouth. “Bella! Answer me, please.” She spun around and their eyes locked. “She’s almost six and she’s small for her age. And the forest is full of black bears and coyotes.”

He swallowed hard, but the lump remained lodged in his throat. His hand grazed her forearm and she flinched at his touch. “Sorry—we’ll find her, but we’ll need some flashlights. It’ll be dark soon.”

“I can find her myself,” she snapped.

“We’ll find her sooner with both of us looking. Please, get me a flashlight, too.” He sensed his presence made her feel like a mouse cornered by a barnyard cat, but there wasn’t time to explain who he was and that he was only trying to help. The only things that mattered were that the sun was sinking fast and her daughter was somewhere in the thick forest.

Her left eyebrow arched. “I don’t need—”

Boy, she was stubborn. “Yes, you do need my help and right now we’re wasting daylight.” He rubbed his hand across his cleanly shaved face.

She turned on her heel and bolted toward the open back door.

Joshua glanced to the sky. Daylight was fading as though on a dimmer switch.

The woman ran from the house with a flashlight in each hand, hesitating before passing it to him. “Here.” For a second, her eyes narrowed as she scanned his face. “I’m Faith Brennan. Who are you?” She stepped back. “What are you doing back here?”

Of course she’d be alarmed. A strange man comes out of nowhere and wants her to go into the woods with him. “I’m Joshua Carlson—I’m a guest at the inn.” He followed behind her as she tossed quick glances over her slender shoulder. Leaves crunched underneath his Burberry leather shoes. Massive Fraser firs canopied the trampled path. Fraser fir, the only type of tree his father ever brought into their lavish Bethesda, Maryland, home at Christmas time. They’re the best tree, and we will only allow the best in this house. He forced his father’s voice from his head. “Is Bella familiar with the forest?”

“No. The path leads to the Shenandoah River. I’ve told her the force of the water is strong since we’ve had some heavy rains, but if Plato took off down the path, she’d go after him.” Faith shook her flashlight and rammed it once against her thigh. “The batteries—they’re going dead.”

With a slight movement, his shoes slid on a patch of ice. “It’ll be black as ink soon. Let me go ahead, I can move faster alone. You head back toward the inn, but keep calling her name.” Thoughts of the path leading to the river propelled him deeper into darkness.

“Joshua!”

He came to a sudden halt and his feet skidded on the slushy leaves. “What is it?” Joshua turned and headed back in the direction he’d come.

Faith stood frozen. “It’s one of her pink hair ribbons. She wanted her hair in ponytails this morning.” Her hand flew over her mouth and tears erupted.

“Keep calling for her. I’ll head toward the river.” Faith’s cries faded as he trekked farther into the forest. He turned on his flashlight and pointed it to the ground. Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Please keep Bella safe until we find her.

Moments later, and deeper into the forest, the sound of rushing water filled his ears. The river was close. His pace quickened as tree branches smacked his face. His shoe caught on an exposed root and he went flying. His hands jammed into the frozen ground, breaking his fall. Springing to his feet, he wiped his hands down the front of his slacks.

“Mommy, help. It’s so dark, and I’m cold.”

At the sound of the tiny voice, Joshua halted in his tracks, his racing heart slowing. She’s safe, thank You. Your timing is always perfect. “Bella, your mommy and I are here. Keep yelling so we know exactly where you are.”

“My mommy says I shouldn’t talk to strangers.”

Relief washed over him as he moved closer, allowing her voice to guide him through the darkness. “She’s right, but she’s here, too.”

“I can’t see her.”

“She’s just up the path, Bella.” He shoved a branch from his face and darted toward the fearful voice. His breath caught in his throat when he spotted a mass of brown sugar curls on one side of her head and a ponytail tied with a pink ribbon on the other side. She was crouched on the cold path, her face snuggled against a snow-white puppy.

“Who are you?” She pushed the curls from her face to reveal the biggest blue eyes he’d ever seen. “Where’s my mommy?”

Her voice, sweet as honeysuckle, clutched hold of his heart. “She’s here. I’m Joshua, a guest at the inn. I heard your mommy yelling for you when I arrived.” He reached for her hand to help her off the frozen ground.

She kissed the top of Plato’s head and sprung to her feet, holding the puppy tight. “She always worries. She thinks I’m still a baby.”

At the sound of leaves rustling and twigs snapping along the path, Joshua turned and saw the girl’s mother.

“You’ll always be my baby,” Faith proclaimed and pulled Bella into her arms, smothering her face with kisses. “You know you’re not supposed to wander into the forest. We’ve talked about the dangers.”

“Mommy, you’re squishing Plato.” Bella nuzzled her face into the white ball of fur. “I had to. Plato chased a squirrel. He can’t be alone—he’s too little.”

Faith swiped a tear. “So are you, young lady. Now promise me, no more venturing off alone.”

He studied mother and daughter. The discernible love between Faith and Bella brought a slow smile to Joshua’s lips as it reminded him of his own relationship with his mother before she went to be with the Lord. “You must get your striking blue eyes from your daddy.”