Leigh Bale - The Forest Ranger's Christmas

A Small-Town Christmas

Josie Rushton’s in Camlin for the holidays—but not for long. She has just a few weeks to persuade her ailing grandfather to leave his small Nevada town and move closer to her Las Vegas home. But after seventy-five happy years in his house, Gramps isn’t going anywhere. Josie can’t imagine what’s so great about Camlin. When she meets single dad and forest ranger Clint Hamilton, she quickly begins to see the appeal. Clint shows Josie the joys of living in a close-knit community, especially at Christmas. She’s soon falling for the town, Clint’s charm and his adorable daughter. Can Clint convince her that love and family are the best gifts of all?

A flush warmed Josie’s face.

Clint took a sip of sparkling cider, but he didn’t meet her eyes. Since they’d confided so much to each other at the hospital, he hadn’t been the same. It was as though she couldn’t reach him anymore.

Oh, why pretend she didn’t understand? She’d be leaving soon. Going home to Vegas. She had a challenging job, but no one to share it with. As much as she’d like to stay here in Camlin, she couldn’t. She had to earn a living, and help provide for Gramps.

But leaving Camlin wouldn’t be easy.

Their meal ended all too soon. Gramps sat in his recliner beside the Christmas tree, with Gracie in his lap. Wearing expectant grins, they cast a conspiratorial gaze at Josie and Clint.

“What are you two up to?” Clint asked.

Gramps pointed over their heads. In unison, they looked up. A sprig of mistletoe hung directly above, tied with red curling ribbon.

“Now you have to kiss her, Daddy,” Gracie ordered with a laugh.

LEIGH BALE

is an award-winning, multipublished novelist who won a prestigious RWA Golden Heart in 2006. More recently, she was a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. She is the daughter of a retired U.S. forest ranger, holds a B.A. in history with honors and loves grandkids, spending time with family, weeding the garden with her dog Sophie and watching the little sagebrush lizards that live in her rock flower beds.

Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband now have two wonderful children and two grandchildren. But life has not always been rosy. In 1996, Leigh’s seven-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. In the dark years that followed, God never abandoned them. After six surgeries, 284 stitches, a year of chemo and a myriad of other difficulties, Leigh’s daughter is now a grown woman and considered less than 1 percent survivorship in the world for her type of tumor. Life is good!

Truly the Lord has blessed Leigh’s family. She now transfers the love and faith she’s known into the characters of her stories. Readers who have their own trials can find respite within the uplifting message of Leigh’s books. You can reach Leigh at P.O. Box 61381, Reno, Nevada 89506, or visit her website at www.leighbale.com.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.

—Psalms 37:7

This book is dedicated to Rose and Angie,

two bright lights in my life.

Many thanks to Mike Fritz, RPh, for taking the time

to answer my questions about pharmacies. And

thanks also to Julie Muhle for her medical expertise.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Small-Town Christmas Josie Rushton’s in Camlin for the holidays—but not for long. She has just a few weeks to persuade her ailing grandfather to leave his small Nevada town and move closer to her Las Vegas home. But after seventy-five happy years in his house, Gramps isn’t going anywhere. Josie can’t imagine what’s so great about Camlin. When she meets single dad and forest ranger Clint Hamilton, she quickly begins to see the appeal. Clint shows Josie the joys of living in a close-knit community, especially at Christmas. She’s soon falling for the town, Clint’s charm and his adorable daughter. Can Clint convince her that love and family are the best gifts of all?

Introduction A flush warmed Josie’s face. Clint took a sip of sparkling cider, but he didn’t meet her eyes. Since they’d confided so much to each other at the hospital, he hadn’t been the same. It was as though she couldn’t reach him anymore. Oh, why pretend she didn’t understand? She’d be leaving soon. Going home to Vegas. She had a challenging job, but no one to share it with. As much as she’d like to stay here in Camlin, she couldn’t. She had to earn a living, and help provide for Gramps. But leaving Camlin wouldn’t be easy. Their meal ended all too soon. Gramps sat in his recliner beside the Christmas tree, with Gracie in his lap. Wearing expectant grins, they cast a conspiratorial gaze at Josie and Clint. “What are you two up to?” Clint asked. Gramps pointed over their heads. In unison, they looked up. A sprig of mistletoe hung directly above, tied with red curling ribbon. “Now you have to kiss her, Daddy,” Gracie ordered with a laugh.

About the Author LEIGH BALE is an award-winning, multipublished novelist who won a prestigious RWA Golden Heart in 2006. More recently, she was a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. She is the daughter of a retired U.S. forest ranger, holds a B.A. in history with honors and loves grandkids, spending time with family, weeding the garden with her dog Sophie and watching the little sagebrush lizards that live in her rock flower beds. Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband now have two wonderful children and two grandchildren. But life has not always been rosy. In 1996, Leigh’s seven-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. In the dark years that followed, God never abandoned them. After six surgeries, 284 stitches, a year of chemo and a myriad of other difficulties, Leigh’s daughter is now a grown woman and considered less than 1 percent survivorship in the world for her type of tumor. Life is good! Truly the Lord has blessed Leigh’s family. She now transfers the love and faith she’s known into the characters of her stories. Readers who have their own trials can find respite within the uplifting message of Leigh’s books. You can reach Leigh at P.O. Box 61381, Reno, Nevada 89506, or visit her website at www.leighbale.com .

Title Page The Forest Ranger’s Christmas Leigh Bale www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. —Psalms 37:7

Dedication This book is dedicated to Rose and Angie, two bright lights in my life. Many thanks to Mike Fritz, RPh, for taking the time to answer my questions about pharmacies. And thanks also to Julie Muhle for her medical expertise.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Jocelyn Rushton decreased her speed and switched on the windshield wipers as she entered the sleepy mining town of Camlin, Nevada. Home for the holidays. Or at least the only place on earth Josie had ever considered a real home.

As she turned down Garson Way, a siren sounded behind her. She peered into her rearview mirror at the squad car coming up behind her. Great! Just great. A speeding ticket to welcome her home.