Page 24 of Muskoka Miracle (Muskoka Shores #7)

“So walk back. He’s there, waiting, His hand is always stretched out toward you. Just take it.”

He shuddered out a breath. “I’ve really messed up though.”

“He still loves you.”

“I mean, I’ve really done some dumb things.”

“You don’t honestly think that’s taken God by surprise, do you? If God loved a man called Paul who was killing Christians, and then used him to write a quarter of the books in the New Testament, don’t you think He can love and use you too?”

“Well, I haven’t killed anyone.”

“That’s good. Well done.”

He snickered. “You’re a smart-alec.”

“You’re a bigger one.”

He laughed.

“You know what we need to do?” She beckoned for Dan to join them. “We need to pray. Right now. And you,” she pointed to Sam, “need to repent again and ask God to show you His love and His plans for you. Okay?”

“Okay,” he agreed meekly.

“Have I ever mentioned how amazing you are?” Dan murmured to her later that night when they were in bed.

“A few times.”

“You’re amazing.” He kissed her throat. “I can’t believe that one little talk with you and bang, Sam is ready to recommit his life.”

“Come on.” She pulled away. “He’d just spent the last three days with his big brother and Boyd and hearing all this stuff about how great God is. God was prepping the soil. I was just there at the end.”

He sighed. “I thank God for you.”

“And I thank God for you.”

He kissed her thoroughly. Then groaned, wincing as he eased back.

Concern roiled within. She stroked his cheek. “Are you okay?”

“Man, I know that I sound like an old man when I complain, but my body really feels so much more sore this time round.”

“Maybe you do need to do the camp differently. Especially if Boyd is not around.”

Dan exhaled, and rolled away, popping his neck and shoulders before settling on the pillow. “I just hate to give it up. It’s been such a blessing and touched so many lives.”

“Boyd mentioned that Travis was a junior leader this year.”

“Yeah. He and Georgia are still going strong.” He sighed. “That’s why I don’t feel like it’s something I should just stop. But my body says I can’t keep doing this anymore.”

She turned to face him, head propped on her hand. “Are you saying you want to try glamping with them instead?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not a glamper.”

She snickered. “Could’ve fooled me. I’ve seen that you don’t mind a bit of luxury when you can get it.”

“That’s only because my wife refuses to tent again.”

“It’s sleeping bags and air mattresses I have a problem with,” she corrected.

“They don’t all have mice.”

“Once was enough. I now have trust issues. And I’m okay with that.”

He laughed. Then sighed. “I wish I knew what to do.”

“Hey, God knows what to do.”

“Then I wish He’d tell me. I felt like a liar today telling them that we’d be back next year when every molecule in my body was protesting the idea.”

Hmm. “Lord,” she prayed aloud. “What is Your solution?”

She closed her eyes, and silence filled the room. Dan was quiet, too. Then a conversation trickled back to awareness. Her breathing hitched.

“What is it, Sar?”

Lord? “Probably nothing.”

“But possibly something?”

“Possibly.” She told him about the conversation that she’d heard at Jackie’s about the former campsite, and how it had housed poor elderly people who had been scammed.

“I remember thinking at the time how awful it was for them, and that it’d be awesome to somehow fix the place up and see it get used for housing again.

But maybe it’d be better for your camp.”

“There’s plenty of camps up this way.”

“Yes, but most of those are the glamorous types, with all the facilities and things. Not the tents and Survivor -like type you’re so fond of.”

“But that’s the thing. I don’t think I can do Survivor -style anymore.”

“But maybe you could tweak it so it’s better sleeping accommodation, with the option of tents for those who want it, and still do your rustic stuff.”

“Maybe.”

He was silent for a long moment. Why was she saying all this?

She’d be more than happy to keep Dan to herself.

But he was right. Seeing how people like Travis and Georgia had grown so much in God since she and Dan had encountered them at their first camp all those years ago, well, it’d be cruel to stop it.

Cruel to stop the chance for someone to find hope in God, like Sam had rediscovered tonight.

Then he heaved out another sigh. “Sar, I like your enthusiasm, but how do we even know it’s suitable?”

“Someone—Anna, I think—said it was once used as a campground. So I guess it wouldn’t be too hard to return it to that again.”

“If it’s available.”

“I got the impression from what the others were saying that apparently the locals aren’t fans because of what’s happened before. So you might be able to find an estate agent who’d be very happy to negotiate the price with you.”

“Where is it?”

A few moments later they were peering at some images of the old Muskoka Ferns site on his phone.

The mix of rugged terrain, lake frontage, and assortment of buildings certainly didn’t scream luxury.

Certainly didn’t scream appropriate accommodation for the vulnerable in any way, shape or form.

But as Dan flicked through the pictures, she sensed his interest. Certain pictures showed scenes that didn’t look too dissimilar to the campsite Dan used that she recalled from her trip before.

She pointed to one picture of a white, weathered tree lying on a sandy shore. “Look, it even has similar trees like I remember.”

“I remember that too.” He smiled at her, then returned to frowning at the pictures, then put his phone away.

“Hmm.”

“What are you thinking?” she murmured in the darkness.

“I can’t believe we’re even talking about this.”

“Hey, you wanted a solution. We prayed, and God reminded me of this. It may come to nothing, or may just be something that opens your eyes to thinking about the camp in a different way.”

“You’ve always been able to help me see things in a different way.

That’s one of the things I love about you.

” He nuzzled her neck, and soon all thoughts of camps or anything else fled, except for how good it was to be back in Dan’s arms, kissing him, feeling the deepest sense of connection, until they were both exhausted and slept.

Later, she woke, the soft snuffles of Dan’s snores bringing a smile to her lips. Poor man was exhausted. And considering all the hits he took on the ice, he did deserve a good sleep. Both now, and for any future camp experience.

She lay there, thinking over their earlier conversation. Was the use of the old Muskoka Ferns property a God-given answer to Dan’s dilemma? Maybe.

Lord, if it’s Your will, make it plain, and make a way .

Then another thought hit. If Dan was somehow able to use the site, then what would that mean for all those poor people who had been kicked out?

Was there a God solution to both dilemmas?

Her heart thumped, suggesting there quite possibly was more than just one use for a site once known for corruption.

But then, God was a Redeemer, and liked to use broken things for His purposes, after all.