Page 14 of The Mountain that Saved Christmas

“Ready as I'll ever be, child. Sally Forth, over and out.”

I'm filled with both excitement and a sense of purpose as we pull into the parking lot of the Gnomery,

When Gramma let me and Star read George's letter, I'd never been more compelled to help a stranger before. This was a man who has given—and continues to give—everything to his hometown and his family's legacy. A man who holdsallof the town's positions because I suspect there's no one else who can orwantsto do it.

Now all he wants is a Christmas people dream about and being here in person, I canseejust how much this town needs this. How muchGeorgeneeds this.

Thankfully, our ranch family and the Sallys are all on the same page and want to do everything in our power to give him his Christmas wish. First things first, we need to surprise George and tell him why we're here.

Star and I step out of the truck, greeted by the crisp winter air and the sound of cheerful chatter from our friends, everyone buzzing with energy and eager to start on our mission.

A rosy-cheeked Ruthie approaches us with a grin. “Alright, y'all. Let's head inside and get the introductions out of the way. Later we can all come up with a game plan for the week.”

'Includin' more challenges. Cause I'mnotlosin' to LandryandCora again,” Toby grumbles, ever the competitor. Sometimes I wonder if it's because he's the middle child of five siblings, our sister Tess the only one living away from home now.

“C'mon, Tobes. I can't help it if I got all the talent in the family,” I muse, puffing my chest out just that little bit extra.

The rest of the family chuckles, including Dee who bear hugs her pouting husband.

“After you, Gramma,” I say, holding my elbow out for her arm before I lead her toward the front door of the building.

“Is it crazy that I'm feelin' a wee bit nervous about meetin' him?” Gramma whispers for my ears only.

I cover her hand with mine and lean in close. “You've been talkin' to each other for a while and now you're goin' to meet your friend for the first time. If he knewyouwere comin', he'd be nervous too. We've got you, Gramma. It's goin' to be fine.”

She grins up at me and I feel it right in the middle of my chest. “You're a good man, Landry Graham. Star is a lucky woman.”

“It's the other way around, ma'am,” I say just before I hold the door open for her and usher her inside.

The bell above the door jingles as we enter, and I can't help but smile at the cozy atmosphere of the place.

The whole shop is filled to the brim with allkindsof things that you'd expect to find in an all-in-one gas, convenience, post office, and hardware store. Then there's the gnomery part of the business.

There are gnomes of all shapes and sizes lining the shelves, each one with a unique personality. There are some new ones from the last time Star and I were here, ones I think might have been inspired by our visit, like a white goat that could pass for our little Nelly Nosey Parker back home, a dog that I swear looks like Rhett and Cora's Bruno, a few Halloween ones, a turkey, and even one dressed like a mountain man cowboy, complete with a plaid shirt and hat.

George walks out from the back of the store, looking no different than the first time I saw him months ago when we came for Mags and Red's surprise rodeo wedding.

Standing no more than five feet tall, his build is stout and sturdy, his skin thick and weathered, like a man who's lived his life to the fullest. Then there's the bulbous nose and bushy brows arched over honest eyes which just make him look like someone you instantly trust.And apparently want to cross the state to meet.

His big toothy grin falters ever so slightly as he takes in the big group who have now all filed in behind us. His eyes widen in surprise when he sees Ruthie, a smile slowly spreading across his features. Without a word, he runs around the counter andcrosses the room in quick steps, his arms opening wide as Ruthie meets him in the middle for what seems like a long-overdue hug.

“I can't believe you're here,” he says, stepping back before looking again at the rest of the family. “Well, now. There sure is a bunch of y'all. Red! You came back!”

“Sure did,” Red replies, stepping forward hand in hand with Mags. “We heard that you've been writin' Miss Ruthie here and we justhadto come by for another visit. My wife and I have good memories of Rainbow Springs and your cabin.” I bite back a smirk at Red's words because it was in this town and George's rented cabin that Red and Mags got together.

“That's mighty nice of you,” George says, his eyes looking a little glassy. “I can't believe you brought your family back here too. Not sure my little shop here has everhadthis many people at once.”

“A cute place like this? You must be lyin', George,” Mags says with a wink.

George's face softens. “And you're too nice. I remember you. You suggested I change the name of the shop so it wasn't such a mouthful.”

“And that new sign of yours outside looksgreat,” Red adds.

“So, what are y'all doin' here? Just stopping by? I didn't know there was another rodeo event…” George says, his whole demeanor so much brighter than when we walked in. “Can I interest any of y'all in a gnome for the gnome fence?”

The Sunday School Sallys step forward to join Gramma and I take that as my cue to move back to my wife.

“We're here because I got your last letter,” Ruthie says. “The one about your Christmas wish.”

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