Lynette Eason - Holiday Illusion

Pulling out his phone, he dialed his father’s number.

“Hello?” The voice sounded weaker, not quite containing the strength it had had three years ago.

“Hello, Father, it’s me, Lucas.”

Silence.

“Father?”

A throat clearing was his only clue that the line hadn’t been disconnected.

“Lucas. Well, I must say, son, you’ve taken me quite by surprise.” The voice was stronger now, although Lucas heard the shock in the words. “May I ask the purpose of your call?” The British accent had never faded from his father’s voice in all the time he’d been in the United States. The formal stiffness the man injected into his tone was enough to intimidate the most stalwart. Fortunately, Lucas was immune.

“Yes sir, I’ve had a question that’s been bothering me for the last three years or so, and I’ve finally decided to ask it.”

“Very well. What is it?” Typical. Straight to the point. No, how are you? Where’ve you been? What have you been doing with your life since you’ve been gone? Old hurt and new anger shot through him.

“Did you really mean it when you said it should have been me that died in the fire instead of Lance?”

Anna sat by the bedside of the sick boy, praying like she’d never prayed before. For Paulo, for herself, for Lucas. And for the strength to face her fear. She would not think about the past right now. Ella would be back in a few minutes. She’d taken a short break to run a few personal errands before ensconcing herself by Paulo’s side.

Reaching for the backpack Anna carried in lieu of a purse, she grabbed her Bible and turned to the verse that had become her mantra over the last four years. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. She whispered the verse to herself, praying, God, I know the time has come to face the past, but I’ve got to be honest with You. I’m scared. Really, really scared…and I don’t want to be. Don’t let the fear handicap me. Could You please keep Your hand of protection on whatever it is I’m getting myself back into?

“Hey.”

She looked up to see Lucas standing in the door looking rumpled and wonderful, his reddish-blond hair windblown…or maybe it was messy from the number of times he’d shoved his fingers through it. No matter. He still looked good, safe, a comfort zone. She wondered what he’d do if she ran to him and threw her arms around him. Better not find out. Instead, she cleared her throat and asked, “Hey, yourself. Did you get your errand run?”

When his jaw started twitching, she figured that was the wrong question to ask.

“Something like that,” he muttered. “More like an overdue phone call.”

“Ah.” She refused to press. He’d tell her eventually; he always did. At least he used to. “What did Mark say?”

“He agrees we need to change two of Paulo’s meds. There are newer, more effective ones on the market now. I didn’t even know about them until two weeks ago.” He shook his head. “I’ve been out of touch too long.”

“Lucas, you can’t blame yourself. Paulo arrived on our doorstep as sick as any child I’ve ever seen. But he seemed perfectly healthy after recovering from that virus. There’s no way any of us could have known it affected his heart.”

“Mentally, I know that. I did the best I could. But still…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I can’t help wondering if I missed something, should have suggested bringing him to the U. S. sooner.”

“Brazil is so far behind in health care. If you hadn’t acted as you did, Paulo would be gone by now. Unfortunately, he’s a product of his country…and very, very blessed that you were there when he needed you.”

Lucas slipped an arm around her shoulders for a squeeze then let her go. “Thanks. You always know the right thing to say.”

Anna blinked. Not that she and Lucas hadn’t shared a friendly hug or two, but it always surprised her. He wasn’t normally the most demonstrative person. Growing up in a strict British household, he’d told her affectionate moments were few and far between.

“Sure,” she gulped. “You’re welcome.”

Lucas leaned over Paulo one more time while Anna stepped to the side, eyeing the phone on the nightstand by the bed. She took a deep breath, wondering if she should call Justin and just…check in. Let him know she was back in the States; get an update on de Chastelain. The old adage keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer ran through her mind.

“What’s going on in that head of yours, Anna?”

Lucas’s insightful question startled her. Chewing her lip, she debated how much she could tell him. She could just shrug the question off, but found herself wanting him to know. Wanting to confide in him. Open up to him. Carrying her burden alone had become so tiresome. “I was just thinking about how I ended up in Brazil. I told you a little about it.”

“You just said you had to get away from home for a while. That you’d witnessed a crime and didn’t feel safe.”

“Right, well, it’s a little more in-depth than that.”

“Okay.” He held out his hand. “Why don’t we walk down to the cafeteria and get a bite to eat. You can explain over our savory hospital food.”

Anna was about to agree when the door opened. Dr. Mark Priestly entered, followed by an orderly pushing a gurney. “I thought Paulo might like a roommate. Sometimes it can get awfully lonely when you can’t get out of bed. The television will probably get old fast.”

A boy about Paulo’s age lay on the gurney. Wide green eyes took in his new surroundings. A shock of red hair stood on end and the freckles on his pasty white cheeks appeared three-dimensional. The portable heart monitor rode in front of him, the oxygen tube blended into his face. A worried mother, the last to enter the room, was in her early thirties and the feminine version of her son.

Mark spoke up. “Missy, I’d like to introduce you to some friends of mine. This is Anna Freeman and Lucas Bennett. They’re here with Paulo who’s over there sleeping.” He gestured toward the newcomers. “This is Missy and Andy Spears. Andy’s waiting on a new heart, too. He’s ten.”

Anna shook the woman’s hand. “I wish it were under other circumstances, but it’s nice to meet you.”

Giving a wan smile, Missy shrugged. “I’m just glad Andy will have someone to talk to…when he feels like talking. He seems to be getting weaker all the time.” Tears appeared but didn’t fall. Just as quickly, they were gone. Anna suspected Missy probably went through this many times during her days—and nights.

“I know Paulo will appreciate it. I’m sure the two of them will hit it right off, although Paulo is very weak, too. I don’t know how much talking he’ll do.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Missy stroked her son’s red hair. “As long as he’s willing to listen, my Andy will keep the conversation going.”

“Okay guys,” Mark said from the door. “I’m off to check on other patients, but let me know if there’s anything else you need. I’ll be back this afternoon.”

“Thanks, Dr. Priestly,” Missy all but whispered, and sat on the bed beside her son who was fumbling with the remote.

Lucas waved to Missy and stepped outside to speak privately with Mark. Anna turned to Missy. “We were just going down to grab a bite to eat. Would you like to join us?” Although she really needed to talk to Lucas alone, she felt sorry for the sad-eyed mom.

“No, we’re fine. I’ll stay here with Andy. Thanks, though.”

“Anytime. I’m sure I’ll see you later.”

Stepping from the room, she was just in time to watch Mark disappear around the corner at the end of the hall. Turning to Lucas, she said, “Ready now?”