Page 135 of One Last Stand

Only then did Shep see a pair of snowshoes parked on the ground near the fire.

“Always carry a Sierra cup and some flint with me,” Judah said and winked. “Boy Scouts.”

Of course, London stepped into his brain. He shook her away. “Good thing you happened along.”

“God’s path always takes you in the right direction.”

Shep frowned, then stood up and radioed Moose.

“I’ll send Axel your way with a litter,” said Moose.

Meanwhile, Judah had put another log on the small campfire he’d built. It glowed in the darkness, the howl of the wolves still lifting in the breeze. “We can give you a ride back to your cabin,” Shep said.

“Then I’d miss the beauty of the starry night,” Judah said. “It’s in the extreme darkness that the light shines the brightest.”

Judah and his old man would make good friends. “And you’re not afraid of getting lost?”

“You’re only lost when you think you have a destination.”

Oh boy.“Of course.”

“My destination is simply to follow.” He pointed to the sky, the swath of Milky Way. “There is enough light from the heavens to get me home.”

Huh.Still, “I can’t, in good conscience, leave you out here to freeze.”

In the distance, he heard Axel’s voice calling.

“Over here!” He turned back to Judah. “It’s not safe.”

“Safe is not a destination, Shep. It’s a perspective. An understanding.” He crouched in front of Willis, grabbed the Sierra cup. “Even when the world seems to be unraveling around you.”

“Yeah, you can’t think yourself safe there, pal.”

Judah poured more hot water into the Sierra cup after adding another packet of cocoa. Now he handed it to Willis. “Drink. You’ll be okay.” Then he stood up. “Safety is about faith. Knowing that even if something goes terribly wrong, God still has you.”

It was like talking to his old man.

“But you have to have faith. Without it, you can do everything right and still end up lost, right, Willis?”

The man looked up at him, holding his cup with both hands. They needed to get him to warmth, pronto. “I’m sorry. I just can’t leave you out here.”

“Because that is who you are.” Judah had started to kick snow onto the fire. It sizzled in the flames. “You’re a rescuer. That is your calling. Your mission.”

The words settled inside him.“Are you still on mission?”

Axel came through the path, dragging the litter behind him like a sled. “Hey-ho.” He frowned at the sight of Judah. “Who are you?”

“Judah. Lion,” said the man, who held out his mittened hand to Axel. “Just a traveler. Let me help you get Willis into the basket.”

Shep and Axel tucked Willis in—the man had gone dangerously quiet—and they packed him with a blanket, put a hat on him.

The fire had nearly died out, leaving just glowing embers.

“I’m going to say it one more time,” Shep said, taking the other side of the sled handle. “Let us bring you home. Last chance.”

“Not all those who wander are lost,” said Judah. He winked. “Love that book. Take care of my friend Willis.” He picked up a pack, shouldered it on, and headed out into the darkness, up the trail.

“Is he okay?” Axel said as he took the handle of the sled. “And what book?”

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