Rancher For The Holidays (Love Inspired) by Myra Johnson

Author:Myra Johnson [Johnson, Myra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction, Family Life, Series, Cowboys, Western, Christmas, Holiday Season, Christian, Religious, Faith, Inspirational, Spirituality, Love Inspired, Holiday Time, Christmas Wishes, Cowboy, Rancher, Corporate Job, Uncle's Spread, City Slicker, Bachelor, Volunteering, Wedding Bells, Babies, Country Girl, Alpine, Texas, First Job Offer, Forever Cowboy, Single Woman
Goodreads: 25363462
Publisher: Love Inspired
Published: 2015-11-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Got my toothbrush, shaving supplies, extra pair of sneakers...” Ben was more than a little amazed at himself for actually going through with the Candelaria trip, but still jobless and with no prospects on the horizon, he’d run out of excuses to back out. Brows scrunched together, he tossed a duffel bag into the backseat of his uncle’s pickup. “Guess this is it. Hope I didn’t forget anything.”

Uncle Steve climbed in behind the wheel. “If you did, somebody’ll have something you can borrow. They keep the reimbursement store pretty well stocked, too.”

Ben pictured the little red barn in Marley’s photograph and wondered if the store carried his favorite brand of ice cream.

Probably not.

Aunt Jane came around to Ben’s side of the pickup. “Don’t forget to deliver the little gift I’m sending along.”

“Packed it right on top. No worries.”

Gripping Ben’s face between her palms, Aunt Jane planted a noisy kiss on his cheek, then wrapped him in a hug. “So glad you’re doing this. It’ll be the experience of a lifetime.”

Ben had no doubt she was right, but her enthusiasm didn’t lessen his discomfort. “You keep Uncle Steve in line while I’m gone. And don’t forget to check my email.” Although he had few hopes of employment news during a holiday month.

Aunt Jane patted Ben on the backside and nudged him into the pickup. “Have a little faith, honey. God’ll work it all out.”

Ben kept his smile in place as he pulled the door shut and waved through the window. He’d definitely gotten an earful about faith since coming to Alpine. Not that he hadn’t felt the pressure from his dad and brother back in Houston, but Ben wasn’t sure he knew what faith was anymore.

The first fingers of dawn had just crept over the horizon when Uncle Steve pulled into the Spirit Fellowship parking lot. Marley, Ernie and Pastor Chris stood in a circle with the college students from Texas Tech, heads bowed and holding hands.

“Go on over,” Uncle Steve said as he shut off the engine. “I’ll bring your things.”

“That’s okay. Wouldn’t want to interrupt.”

Too late. Marley caught his eye through the windshield and signaled him over. Pulling air into his lungs, Ben stepped from the pickup and strode to Marley’s side. She made room for him to join the circle and took his hand. He tensed at her touch, then folded his fingers around hers.

Pastor Chris, standing on Marley’s other side, leaned forward. “Everybody, this is Marley’s friend Ben Fisher. He helped a lot with our fund-raiser event, so we’re glad it worked out for him to join us on the trip.”

Murmured greetings traveled the circle and Ben nodded in response. Why a bunch of college kids should make him so nervous, he had no idea.

“We were just about to pray over the trip.” Pastor Chris cleared his throat and lowered his head.

Ben was surrounded by people who believed in a God who cared. Something shifted in his gut as Pastor Chris began his prayer.

“Dear Lord, we ask Your blessing on this journey.

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