Page 84 of Burnin' For You
Reuben hadn’t exactly chosen God that day he walked off the ranch—in fact, he remembered making a pretty clear decisionnotto choose God.
No wonder he felt like God wasn’t on his side…he wasn’t onGod’sside. And yet God had shown up to save him over and over and…
My dad always preaches that we have to believe God when He says He loves us and has a good plan for our lives. That’s how we get peace for today and bright hope for tomorrow, like the hymn says. But only if we trust in Him.Maybe it was time to trust God, let Him set Reuben free.
No more hanging onto regrets or his hurt or even his fears and letting them steal his tomorrows.
Letting them steal Gilly.
He didn’t want to make her choose—he wanted her to be free to have both worlds. Firefightinganddancing in his arms.
Conner picked up his pack, shouldered it. “It’s not our fault Jock and the crew died. I hate it as much as you do. But we aren’t responsible for their deaths, Rube. We did what we were supposed to do, and by God’s grace, we lived. We just have to do what we are called to do and let God take care of the rest.”
Just stand, do your part, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.
Reuben shook his father’s voice from his head, too angry to hear his wisdom.
“And that means letting God protect Gilly.”
Only… what if…
Reuben grabbed his helmet. “I’ll meet you on the tarmac.”
Gilly was already out by the Annie doing her walk-through as a couple of hotshots filled the tanks with retardant.
Reuben watched her for a moment as she tested the new airplane struts then continued with the external check before turning to the fuel lines.
He had no doubt they’d be fully topped off before the plane left the ground.
He threw his gear into the empty cargo area of the plane beside two parachutes in the back of the tanker, probably left there from their previous run.
Then he climbed into the copilot’s seat. Put his hand on the yoke. Heard his father, teaching him to fly.
Just hold it steady, Reuben. Bring her home. Attaboy.
He lifted his hands off the yoke, swallowed down the rise of memory. Except maybe not such a bad memory, either.
Hold it steady. Bring her home.
“What are you doing here?” Gilly opened her door, was trying not to wince—yeah, he saw that—as she climbed into the cockpit.
“I’m your copilot,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument.
Apparently it worked, because she settled into her seat. “Don’t get sick on me.” She handed him a ringed binder.
He took it. “Preflight checklist?”
“Yes, please.”
He read it off, starting with the prop, then the doorstop and oil can, moving on to the avionics.
“Magneto switch off.”
“Check.”
“Flight controls free.”
Gilly moved the yoke, but when she went to move the pedals, Reuben added his own power.