Moose Ridge, Book 1 – Ending to Beginning
Inspirational Fiction / Women’s Fiction
Date Published: 08-02-2021
Publisher: Champagne Book Group
Faced with hardship and heartbreak, Jazmine finds solace and hope amidst
the hallowed halls of Harvard. Raised in a world of privilege that swiftly
crumbled beneath her feet, she emerged from the ashes as a foster child,
forever marked by the scars of her past. But fate has a way of weaving
unexpected blessings into the tapestry of our lives.
Embarking on a new chapter alongside Michael, a promising medical student,
Jazmine is finally poised to seize the idyllic future she has fought so hard
for. Leaving behind the familiar streets of Boston and New York, she
ventures into uncharted territory – the vast, untamed landscapes of Wyoming
– where Michael will complete his rigorous neurosurgical residency.
It’s a profound turning point, the culmination of Jazmine’s
unwavering dedication and boundless determination. For once, the universe
aligns with her dreams, assuring her that this time will be different.
But just as life teeters on the precipice of fulfillment, an unforeseen
letter shatters Jazmine’s newfound happiness, thrusting her into a
whirlwind of uncertainty. The fates conspire to test her strength once more,
as she grapples with overwhelming choices and unstoppable forces that
threaten to unravel all of her dreams.
“MOOSE RIDGE: ENDING TO BEGINNING” is a poignant tale of
resilience and the indomitable spirit of the human heart. It is a story that
will transport you from the towering spires of Harvard to the rugged plains
of Wyoming, and ultimately deep into the depths of emotion. Join Jazmine on
a transformative journey, as she learns that the true measure of triumph
lies not in the fairytale endings we crave, but in the unexpected beginnings
that arise from the ashes of our shattered dreams.
EXCERPT
He gives a sort of snort and turns to me. “Are you forgetting something?”
“I don’t think so. You said we needed to wait until the stallion is awake and eating. You can open the gates, and we can start back. Can’t we?”
“Are you forgetting we’re low on fuel?”
“Not at all. You said it was fine since it never used the gas. We’re okay, right?”
“Not quite. Yes, you never used the gasoline, but we’re thirty miles from anyone who might have diesel and at least forty miles from a fuel station.”
“Okay, what’s the problem?”
“The tank with the diesel has less than an eighth. I doubt we’d get ten miles with this rough terrain. The engine might be fine, but we have no fuel to get anywhere. The diesel in the other is mixed with gasoline so it’s useless.”
“Wait…you mean we’re stuck out here?” I almost scream. This can’t be. “There’s nowhere to get gas?”
“Except we don’t need gas, we need diesel. We have plenty of gas. Twelve gallons of the stuff, wasn’t it?” He must think his smirk is cute.
“Hold it. I’ve got my cell. I’ll call someone and have them bring us diesel.”
“That would be great.”
Is he snickering? With a glare his way, I select the phone app.
“You might want to check for a connection before you bother dialing,” he says with obvious sarcasm.
I check, and there’s nothing. Not even one bar. “There’s no connection! How can this be?”
“Might be because the closest cell tower is, oh, I don’t know, forty miles from here.” Again, with his snicker. He sits watching the horses like there’s nothing to worry about.
“You’re not concerned we’re in the middle of nowhere with no phone connection and no gas?”
“Again, we have plenty of gas.” He sits back and pulls his hat down over his eyes. Why is he so smug?
“Fine, no diesel! Happy now?” I huff. “What are you going to do?” I demand.
“Well, I could walk to the nearest ranch and hope they’re home and have diesel. That could take several hours.”
“You mean leave me here alone in this wilderness?” I shake my head vehemently. “Not on your life, buster.”
“You go then. Take the trail back to the road. Hang a right and follow it until you reach a ranch. Can’t be much over thirty miles. I’d stay on the road and go soon, because we’re losing daylight.” His hat is still covering his eyes.
“Are you crazy?” I’m on the edge of panic when I get an idea. “You can ride a horse to the ranch and they can drive you back.” I know there’s always a solution. You must remain calm and consider your options—like they teach so well at Harvard.
“One of those horses?” He’s pointing to the corral.
“Yes, they appear sturdy enough. They run wild all the time. I bet they’re in excellent shape.”
“I’m sure they are. For wild horses—emphasis on wild. As in, they’ve never been ridden. They’ve never even seen a saddle or a bridle, let alone worn them, which matters little since we have neither. Believe me, no one is riding one of those horses tonight.”
With his comedy routine complete, we revert to sitting in silence. Two can play the silent treatment game. After a while, Jason gets out and opens both gates. Several of the horses are quick moving to the other corral. He hurries back to the truck.
“Shut the door!” I tell him. “You’re letting in the cold air.”
“Wow, for someone who caused all this, you sure are bossy.”
I can’t believe he said that. “You’re saying this is my fault?”
“Um, yeah. You put in the gasoline.”
“And who let me take a truck low on gas…I mean diesel?” How can he blame this on me?
“The one who knew he had half a tank of diesel.”
“Right, half a tank. In a truck getting ten miles per gallon. Not even enough for a hundred miles when we’re close to a hundred fifty miles from home.” The audacity of him accusing me.
“Yes, a hundred miles’ worth, and we’re forty miles from the fuel station. We could make it twice, but someone put gasoline in the tank, so now it’s worthless except for starting forest fires.”
“You mean the extra tank you never mentioned, or that the truck needed diesel, I might add. No, sir, this is not my fault. It’s all on you.” This ends the conversation.
“I’m sorry, I thought they covered reading at Harvard.” Seems he didn’t get the hint. “It says it on the flap you opened to get to the cap, beside the cap you removed to pump the fuel, and believe it or not, even on the cap itself. We should write Ford and let them know about their lack of explicit markings.”
“Great, you agree, it wasn’t my fault. Now we’re getting somewhere.” I’m glad he’s coming to his senses. “Now, how are you getting us out of here?” When I glance over, he’s snickering—again—which gets louder, and soon, he’s in borderline hysterics. “You find this funny?”
About the Author
Born in Muncie, IN, Craig is as typical middle-America as they come. He was
young when his parents divorced and his grandmother came to live with him,
his mother, and two sisters. Seeing his grandmother’s faith in God on
a regular basis led him to accept and know everything is okay, God’s
in charge.
Craig served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and followed this as a DoD
contractor where he had multiple tours overseas and around the U.S. While
there were events in his life that tested his faith in God, nothing compared
to when his first son was born with major medical issues. As a
twenty-one-year-old father with a young devastated wife, his faith had never
been tested more. After enduring several surgeries, some considered
experimental, his son passed away at six months and two weeks. But even in
his brief life, he had a tremendous impact on Craig and others.
Since then, God has blessed Craig with two more sons and has been a
constant guidance in his life. Craig’s time in the military and as a
contractor afterward included over 20 years overseas, where he was part of
local mission churches. On their last return to the states, God led him and
his wife to Oklahoma, where he teaches Bible studies and serves in a local
church.
The memory of what God did to help him through his parent’s divorce,
his son’s illness and death, and many other events in his life, has
led him to want to share what impact God had and has with him.
Nowhere are we promised a life without tragedies, setbacks, problems, or
devastating events we have no control over, but God’s word does
promise, ‘It’s okay, God’s in charge.’
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