Page 23 of Rescued By the Ranger

“Uncle Rhodes!” Kyla and Maya call out and then they see someone else behind us. “Jazzy!” They run to her and all three giggle.

“I tried to call you and let you know that I saw him here!” Shane exclaims before pulling me against him in a long hug.

“Let’s go.” The sheriff and deputy drag a wobbly Cary to his feet.

“This isn’t the end,” he spouts at me. “You’re going to?—”

The sheriff shuts him down. “Yeah, yeah, you can tell it to the judge. Folks we’ll need statements, but that can wait. Enjoy your holiday.”

And like that, Cary is carried off from my life.

Jazzy comes from the living room. “Is Daddy going to be okay?”

It’s going to be hard to explain to her what’s happened and what might happen. But I didn’t do this. I’m going to undo this by getting both of us into a healthy relationship.

I lift her into my arms and Rhodes wraps his around both of us, his chin resting on my shoulder.

It’s amazing that Shane and Quinton have said nothing. With gaping mouths, they seem stunned.

“Are you two…” Shane starts and then shakes his head. “What… How…”

I chuckle. “I haven’t seen you have this much trouble speaking since you realized thatSchitt’s Creekwas only six seasons long.”

“But… you two are a thing?”

And then I realize that Shane had nothing to do with this. Rhodes and I simply stumbled upon each other amidst the turmoil and tumult of our lives. It was as if fate had intervened, orchestrating a meeting between two strangers who found solace and understanding in each other's company.

Our paths may have crossed by chance, but it felt like destiny had played a hand in our encounter. As I look up into Rhodes’s eyes, a sense of peace washes over me. In the midst of this chaotic world, I found a kindred soul, someone who understood me without needing any words or explanations.

Do I know what will happen after this? No. But for now, we are bound together by something greater than ourselves. In this moment, we are each other’s saviors, rescuing one another from the chaos and confusion that threatened to consume us.

And for that, I will be forever grateful to the man who stands behind me, offering me a moment of respite in the midst of the storm.

10

RHODES

The electricity cameon about an hour after Shane and Quinton and the girls arrived. The relief that washed over all of us was palpable, and the once tense atmosphere melted away like snow in the sun.

Shane and Quinton quickly got to work, setting up the Christmas tree and stringing up lights around the house. The girls bounce around with excitement, eager to help in any way they can. They enthusiastically hang ornaments on the tree, their fingers covered in glitter and pine needles.

As the hours pass, the house slowly transforms into a winter wonderland. The smell of gingerbread and food fills the air, and the sounds of Christmas carols can be heard from the stereo. Kids laughing and running around with such joy, it almost takes me to my knees. It’s a cozy and comforting scene that I haven’t allowed myself to experience in years.

As the evening wears on, the family gathers around the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa and playing games. The children’s laughter echoing through the house, and everything feels just perfect.

This was what Christmas is all about, the simple joy of spending time with loved ones. And as the clock strikes midnight and the snow continued to fall outside, I know this will be a Christmas we will never forget.

I stand up, the day’s events waying heavily on me. With the girls all tucked in and only the adults enjoying a final drink, I raise my glass. “I want to say something.”

Everyone turns to me and all I see are eyes that care so much for me, for Leesa, and for the girls. My brother might be a pain in my ass, but in the end, I know he cares.

“The last couple of days have shown me a few things. First, that I need to come clean with all of you to really have an honest relationship. I witnessed my soldiers being taken down by men who could care less about my or your happiness. They took more than just my friends from me that day. They took my sense of purpose. They took my heart. Second, when I came up here, I thought I would wallow in my pain, and that’s when I met someone who understood me. Who treated me like I deserved to be here on this earth when I questioned why I was still here when my friends weren’t. And now I know that I have a purpose.”

I walk to Leesa. “Leesa, I know this is insane to say but I love you, I love Jazzy, and I hope that you’ll go on a date with me.”

She stands. “Well, considering you saved my daughter, me, and you like my chocolate chip cookies, I’m pretty fuckin’ smitten with you, too.”

I lean in and kiss her softly. I pull back. “You owe a dollar.”

---