Ranger Station Haven

By S.A. Stovall

Federal park ranger Carter Williams dislikes kids almost as much as he dislikes Christmas. He chose his career to escape human contact, not embrace it. And no matter how much his husband Owen tries to sway his opinion, Carter is a grump who would rather ignore the holiday. Owen’s efforts are put on hold, however, when they get a call about six missing foster kids lost in the park.

Christmas Eve takes a turn for the worse when Owen injures himself rescuing the children. Stranded in a snowstorm until dawn, Carter has to keep Owen awake and healthy while simultaneously watching six runaways. What he thinks is a nightmare come to life is actually a beautiful gift in disguise—the kids transform the ranger station into a Christmas wonderland. And before it’s all said and done, they might transform Carter’s heart as well—if he can keep his bah humbug attitude in check.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar "Bah Humbug."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781635331929

S.A. Stovall

S.A. Stovall grew up in California’s central valley with a single mother and little brother. Despite no one in her family having a degree higher than a GED, she put herself through college (earning a BA in History), and then continued on to law school where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. As a child, Stovall’s favorite novel was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. The adventure on a deserted island opened her mind to ideas and realities she had never given thought before—and it was the moment Stovall realized that storytelling (specifically fiction) became her passion. Anything that told a story, be it a movie, book, video game, or comic, she had to experience. Now as a professor and author, Stovall wants to add her voice to the myriad of stories in the world, and she hopes you enjoy. You can contact her at the following addresses: Twitter: @GameOverStation Email: [e-mail]

Book preview

Ranger Station Haven

By S.A. Stovall

Federal park ranger Carter Williams dislikes kids almost as much as he dislikes Christmas. He chose his career to escape human contact, not embrace it. And no matter how much his husband Owen tries to sway his opinion, Carter is a grump who would rather ignore the holiday. Owen’s efforts are put on hold, however, when they get a call about six missing foster kids lost in the park.

Christmas Eve takes a turn for the worse when Owen injures himself rescuing the children. Stranded in a snowstorm until dawn, Carter has to keep Owen awake and healthy while simultaneously watching six runaways. What he thinks is a nightmare come to life is actually a beautiful gift in disguise—the kids transform the ranger station into a Christmas wonderland. And before it’s all said and done, they might transform Carter’s heart as well—if he can keep his bah humbug attitude in check.

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By S.A. Stovall

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THE CHILL and intensity of the wind tells me a storm is on its way. Perfect. Just what I need. A Minnesota snowstorm.

I walk up to the cabin and fiddle with my keys, running through the twenty or so I have until finally finding the correct one. The northern Voyageurs National Park Ranger Station exemplifies 1930s outdoorsman architecture, right down to the natural finish on the logs used for the walls. The building is modern and up to code, but from the outside it looks like it was plucked straight out of an old-world fairy tale.

"It’s Christmas Eve eve, Owen says, slapping me on the shoulder. The day before Christmas Eve. You can really feel it in the air."

Funny, I thought that was the first sign of hail, I quip, unlocking the door.

I’ve got a good feeling about this Christmas.

I’ve got a good feeling that we’re about to get snowed in.

We walk into the cabin, and Owen heads straight to the fireplace. When we started as federal park rangers seven years ago, the cabin had the feel of an office building forgotten by time. Over the years, Owen transformed the place into a quaint little retreat, complete with pictures of us and our families. He got away with it by claiming the place needed to feel warm and inviting to visitors. There’s technically an office in the back, but otherwise it’s our secluded home during the winter months.

I peel off my jacket and hang it on one of the hooks by the front door. Owen kicks off his boots and has a fire going by the time I’ve removed mine. He doesn’t waste time—he disappears into the kitchen and starts humming Jingle Bells before I even make it to the couch.

Carter, he calls out. You want a cup of hot chocolate?

We’re rugged outdoorsmen, I call back. "Rugged outdoorsmen drink coffee, not hot chocolate."

"Is that a no? Because I’m not making coffee on Christmas Eve eve."

I groan aloud and throw myself back on the couch. It strains beneath me—the furniture is worn with love—and I settle myself with one foot up on the cushions and the other planted firmly on the rug.

Fine, I reply, my tone betraying all of my irritation. I’ll take a cup of hot chocolate.

Owen does this every year. Every damn day of December is just an eve to Christmas. Yesterday it was Christmas Eve eve eve, and the day before that, it was Christmas Eve eve eve eve. The lunacy with him never stops.

I watch the fire crackle and toil over the wood. It’s pleasant enough, but I’m sure Owen will want to roast chestnuts or do some other absurd Christmas-themed thing with it. I’m content to treat the day like any other in winter—relax and wait for any calls over the radio regarding park safety. A lot of weirdos trying to chop down trees or experience a Christmas miracle get lost in the Voyageurs National Park at this time of year. It’s best to just tend to them and forget about Christmas for myself altogether.

One order of hot chocolate!

I crane my neck and spot Owen stroll into the front room with two

Reviews for Ranger Station Haven

[ellelainey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book 1: Ranger Station Haven
POV: 1st person, one character
Star rating - ★★★★★
Length: 42 pages

The cuteness of this story is just off the charts! I love a good Christmas story, but add in kids, a grump like Carter, and I'm in love.

Owen is the Christmas cheer of the story, but I'll admit that while I love Christmas, Carter is exactly me. Totally anti-social, not comfortable around kids, and just wants to get the work done. We're soul mates and I loved the turn around, the twists, and the slow progression of Scrooge to Santa. And, the best part was the mix of some of my all time favourite movies – Scrooge, Star Wars and Ghostbusters. Who'd have thunk it?

I loved the characterisation, which was really strong for such a short story. Tiny Tim and Seabiscuit were my favourites, along with Carter. The snark was strong with that one.

~

Favourite Quote

““Carter,” he calls out. “You want a cup of hot chocolate?”
“We're rugged outdoorsmen,” I call back. “Rugged outdoorsmen drink coffee, not hot chocolate.””