Reunited with the Hero - Heroes of Freedom Ridge - 1 - Christmas arrival

Jul 31, 2026

Upload by Ezra

A woman drives back to Freedom, Colorado for a month-long housesit during Christmas, hoping the change will help her reconnect with her hometown and support her daughter Makayla. As the family prepares prayers and holiday traditions, a dream about a familiar man who knows Dad raises emotional uncertainty. The journey quickly turns from road-trip anticipation to deeper family reckoning, including memories of loss, faith, and an upcoming job opportunity connected to Freedom Ridge Resort.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages151

Reading Time3 h 53 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Arrival and homesitting plan

Christmas traditions and family prayer

Dream, fear, and unexpected connections

REUNITED WITH THE HERO HEROES OF FREEDOM RIDGE [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) M. E. WEYERBACHER [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) In honor of Officer Vick who faithfully served our local elementary school. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) 1 T he blustery December wind of Freedom, Colorado pressed against the rental car as Thea Riley rounded the sharpest bend on the way to her sister ’s house. Sage would be toe-tapping with impatience by now, same as when they were younger. Thea couldn’t blow her flight or it’d be a ruined Christmas for everyone. The sisters were trading places in a sense—Sage getting away from the cold, while Thea was looking forward to it. It’d been years since she’d visited with her dad during Christmas. Her daughter Makayla needed it more than any of them. Thea’s fingers coiled tighter around the steering wheel. Sage’s proposition for Thea to housesit for a month while she was on an extended beach vacation became the perfect window of opportunity for Thea to get reacquainted with her hometown of Freedom, Colorado. The favor worked in both their interests, giving Sage well-deserved time off from the corporate buzz, while Thea could make sure Freedom was worth a full-blown move from the East coast where she and Makayla had lived with her mom for years. If the time here proved settling down to be a hairbrained idea, Thea could simply unenroll Makayla from Freedom Elementary. Being temporarily unemployed—unless the job her dad was scheduled to talk over with her went well—allowed room to play. Plus, she hadn’t discussed her moving intentions with her mom. Thea’s stomach churned for a moment. She never thought leaving North Carolina would feel like a covert operation. When she remembered the reason for making this trip, her heart warmed to the thought of going a month without being micromanaged, both at the marketing firm back east and by her mom. As Sage’s house crept closer, the turns and hills were as familiar as lines engraved in one’s palm. Décor, games, and music festivities filled Thea’s mind as they traveled the last leg of the journey. Sandwiched between tall towering pines and double yellow lines, childhood memories of growing up in Freedom flooded Thea’s mind. She wished Ian could’ve seen this place at least once, but that was all the more reason to get Makayla here, visiting with Poppy, experiencing the life and love Freedom beheld. Maybe one day her mom would heal, and they’d all be together in Freedom for Christmas. For now, she had to trust God would deal with the hurt inside her parents. Thea drove through downtown where Christmas lights were strung from post to post. The glowing lights created a picturesque scene. A few minutes later, she exited the downtown district where houses were farther apart in the thick woods. The crunch of snow beneath the tires filled Thea with a sense of wonder. The fresh snow held the possibility of a new beginning. She could almost taste Sage’s famous sugar cookies on the tip of her tongue. Too bad Thea was tasked with taking over the Christmas baking this year. Hopefully, no one would lose a tooth. “Can I play with my toys, or will I only get to look at them?”Makayla quizzed Thea, a hint of whine escaping. Her daughter had awoken from along nap just in time. “Of course. Aunt Sage is particular, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.” Thea glanced at her young daughter in the backseat. She kept her mouth clamped tight to prevent from bellowing at the sight of her slender arms folded tight, puckered lips, and chin held high—a Riley side of the family expression by far. “Good,” Makayla replied.“Because I hope she knows turning nine has changed me.” One day, the kid would be a good leader. “Oh, how so?” Makayla’s voice grew serious. “I had a dream last night with a man init, and he told me this year would be different.” “Aman? Have you seen him before?” “He felt familiar, but no. Said he knew Dad.” Thea’

FAQs

Why does Thea return to Freedom, Colorado for Christmas?

Sage offers her the chance to housesit for a month while Sage is away, giving Thea a window to return and reconnect with her hometown and daughter.

What does Makayla’s dream reveal?

Makayla says a man from the dream felt familiar, told her this year would be different, and said he knew Dad.

What role does faith play in their trip?

Makayla asks to say her favorite prayer when they arrive, a prayer connected to Ian’s deployment and their personal grief.

Jul 31, 2026

Upload by Ezra