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Reindeer Paws (Hope of Christmas Book 1)

By Joi Copeland

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Rylan's hurt.
Holland Murphy's knuckles turned white, her hands gripping the steering wheel of her truck. Like a broken record, her father's words ran through her mind. She'd barely given him the opportunity to tell her they were at urgent care in town. She bit her lip to keep it from trembling.
"Please, Jesus. Please, Jesus. Let him be okay," she muttered to the empty cab. She'd never forgive herself if her son's injury was serious. Holly's patience level with her six-year-old son had reached its max that morning. Before she lost her temper, her dad offered to watch Rylan for a few hours so she could look at a few new reindeer for their farm. She'd jumped at his offer, knowing Rylan needed a break from her just as much as she needed one from him.
Now, guilt tore at her. Why couldn't she be more patient like her older sister? Deni had it all together. Always patient and kind. One would think having two boys close in age ought to drive her sister crazy. Yet, Deni took it all in stride. She adored her boys, disciplined them without being angry, and kept her life in order. Deni seldom, if ever, had hard days. Certainly not enough to drop her boys off at the farm so she could have a few moments of peace. The few times Holly and her dad babysat the boys were when Deni had an appointment she couldn't take them to. Deni would never allow harm to come to her boys, even if she wasn't with them. How did she do that?
Which made the guilt dig deeper into Holly's heart. What could she have done differently to protect Rylan? Living at the ranch with her father, Rylan had been taught to be aware of the dangers his entire childhood. So what harm could’ve come his way only an hour after she'd left him? Holly groaned. Instead of hanging up on her father, why didn't she allow him to finish his sentence? But no. She acted impulsively, as always, and hung up on him after he told her where they were. She didn't even know the extent of Rylan's injury.
Calling herself all kinds of stupid, she screeched into the parking lot, grabbed her purse from the seat next to her, and ran into the building. Holly's eyes darted back and forth in the waiting room, searching for her father and Rylan.
"Holly," her father's voice stopped her in her tracks. Holly spun on her heel, racing to her son.
"Ry, you okay? What happened?" Holly knelt in front of Rylan, scanning his tear-stained face.
A sucker stick hung from the side of his mouth, a smile lifting the corners of her son's mouth.
"We were out feeding the reindeer," her father began, ruffling Rylan's blond hair, "and this guy tripped on a rock. Peppermint ran over to see if he was alright and stepped on his hand. Just a mishap, Hol."
To prove the truth of her father's story, Rylan held up his left hand, two fingers taped together.
Holly met her father's gaze. Not a small man by any means, her six-foot-three father filled out the emergency room chair. Cowboy hat hanging on his jean clad knee, Kent Murphy's rich brown hair stuck up in odd places.
He ran his hand through his hair, compassion filling his eyes. "He's okay, Hol."
"I'm sorry I hung up on you, Dad." Holly lifted Rylan onto her lap, wrapping her arms around his stomach. "I should've asked what happened. Been more levelheaded."
"That's why we stayed put, kiddo." Dad stood and stretched. "Already saw the doctor, took x-rays. He said it's a mild sprain, which is why his fingers are taped. I knew if I called you, you wouldn't answer. So, we just waited."
Holly blinked away the tears threatening to blind her. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Ry and I had a sucker, a soda," her father's eyes twinkled, "and played a game of I-spy. We're good, huh, kiddo?"
Tears spilled down Holly's face. "I should've been here."
"M-m-mama," Rylan stuttered, "d-don't cry." Her sweet son caressed her face, the tape on his fingers scratching her. "I'm good."
"I know you are, baby. I'm okay. Just scared." Holly sniffed and released Rylan. "Let's head home, huh? Make sure those pesky reindeer know you're all right."
Dad flipped his hat onto his head. His brown flannel brought out the specks of gold in his eyes. "You wanna ride with me, partner, or are you gonna hang with your mama?"
Holly forced her lips into a smile. "You can go with Pops. I know you want to."
Rylan planted a kiss on her cheek. "Thanks, M-m-mama."
Rylan grasped Dad's hand with his good one and skipped out the door. Holly inhaled a shaky breath and stood. Being a single parent proved difficult at times like this. Ever since she was little, she longed to be a mother. Holly imagined parenting with a husband, though, not alone or with her father as a helper. Even though she wouldn't have it any other way, this wasn’t exactly how she envisioned her life.
The ringing of her phone brought her to the present. "Hey, Fin," she answered, climbing into her truck. "Hold on a sec. I need to put my headphones in so I can drive."
"No problem, Hol," Fin replied.
Holly hung her phone in the holder attached to the windshield and slid the earpieces into her ears. "Sorry, bro." She sighed, turning the key in the ignition and pulling out of the urgent care parking lot. "What's up?"
"Dad told me about Ry."
Of course, he did. Dad, always the protector, making sure Holly had someone to confide in, since he couldn't be that person for her at the moment. Choosing Finland, the sibling who knew her better than she knew herself at times, was smart. Since Fin lived in Oklahoma at the moment, he wouldn't see the unwanted tears sliding down her face. He'd hear them, though. Because that was Fin. Always attentive.
"Yeah. It's been a rough few hours."
"You couldn't have prevented it, Hol, no matter how much you tell yourself otherwise."
"How do you do that?"
"What?" Fin mocked innocence.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Holly sniffed. "How do you know how I feel before I even tell you? You're not even here."
"Holly," Fin's voice softened, "I know you. Since Rylan's come into your life, you’ve carried a weight on your shoulders. One you're not supposed to carry."
"I'm a mother. I'm supposed to worry. It's in the job description." Holly flipped the blinker on and turned right onto Highway 287. She didn't have to think about where to go. Living in Pine Tree, Colorado, all of her life, she could find her way with her eyes closed.
"Not the way you do it, sis. I don't have any experience with kids. I get that. But you've got to entrust your son into God's hands. Mom used to always tell all us kids she left us in God's hands daily."
Tears spilled down Holly's face. "I miss her. I wish...well, you know what I wish. We all wish it."
"True," Fin's voice cracked. "Man, you're not supposed to make me get all emotional. Let's talk about Rylan. Dad said he's fine. A few sprained fingers, but overall, he'll live."
"A mishap, Dad called it. Rylan's a tough kid." Holly rolled her shoulders. "I need some of his toughness."
"That’s Dad for you. Always trying to put the situation in perspective. You never know. Something good might come from Rylan’s mishap.” Fin laughed. “You've already got Rylan’s toughness, sis. It's in the Murphy genes. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to ride bulls and broncos." Pride etched Fin's words.
"How's that going?"
"Great! I have a big rodeo coming up soon."
Holly's stomach clinched. Her brother on the back of a bull? She shivered. Keep him safe, Lord. "I don't even know how you do it."
"I've got adventure running in my veins."
Holly eased the truck onto the gravel road, the Reindeer Paws sign welcoming her back to their ranch. "I'm going to have to visit you soon. It's been a long time since I've seen you."
"That would be awesome. Rylan would love it! Not that he isn't familiar with animals already."
"Reindeer, yes. Bulls, uh, no. He's not familiar with them."
Fin snorted. "I wouldn't put him on a bull, Hol. Give me a little credit."
"Sorry. Chalk it up to a rough day."
"I get it. It's okay, sis."
"Thanks, Fin. I better go. Dad and Rylan beat me home. I gotta go make sure Dad isn't filling him up with more junk food." Holly climbed out of the truck and slid her phone into her back pocket.
"Love you, Hol. Take a deep breath. God's in control."
"Love you, too, Fin." Holly removed the headphones, put them in their case and dropped it into her purse. Yes, God was in control, but that didn't stop bad things from happening. How could she trust God, knowing harm could still come her family’s way?

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