Read Online Holiday Illusion by Lynette Eason - Free Book Online Page A

said, “All right. Just give me a minute to freshen up.”
    Anna disappeared back into the room, and Lucas went downstairs to wait just inside the front door for her. When she appeared only moments later, he took a deep breath as he registered just how beautiful she was—even with the nasty-looking goose egg on her forehead.
    â€œHow’s the head?”
    â€œI’ll live. The medicine helped, but I’ll need a couple more in an hour or so.”
    Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, Lucas led her out into the chilly darkness. His eyes darted into the shadows, the hit-and-run incident still fresh in his mind, causing his nerves to jump under his skin. The sun had disappeared about thirty minutes ago, taking every ounce of warmth with it. Anna had on a long-sleeved T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes along with a light jacket that he hoped would be warm enough. The air smelled like snow, but wasn’t cold enough for it even though it sure felt like it. In the distance, he heard the waves crashing against the shore and, with a pang, realized he’d missed his home over the past years.
    Since the rental car had been towed off, Lucas had his father’s chauffeur pull one of the cars around from the garage. The late-sixty-something man stepped out of the silver Jaguar and handed Lucas the keys. “Thanks, Ted.”
    â€œHave a good evening, sir.”
    Anna slid into the passenger seat and sighed. Lucas had forgotten what a luxury it was to drive such a nice vehicle and nearly went into culture shock. The scent of rich, leather seats filled his nose and the quiet engine purred, whispering the promise of a sweet, smooth ride.
    Anna asked, “Does Ted live here, too?”
    â€œYes. He’s been with my family since I was in the third grade. He and his wife, Joni, live in one of the cottages down by the beach. Their children are grown and gone and Ted could retire anytime, but he insists on staying with my father. At least that’s the story as of three years ago. I’m assuming it’s still true.”
    â€œNice.”
    â€œVery. They’re good people, you’d like them. They’ve been trying to get my father to come to church with them for years. You’d think they’d have given up by now.”
    â€œWhy don’t you go to church, Lucas? Every time the subject of God comes up, you run away.”
    He stiffened, not wanting the conversation to go down that road. “I don’t run away. I just don’t believe God cares.”
    â€œWhy? What would make you think that?”
    â€œCome on, Anna, look around you. All the suffering, the pain, the prayers for help that go unanswered. Look at little Paulo in the hospital, waiting for a new heart. Tell me the God you serve cares about all that. And if He does, then why doesn’t He do something about it?” The words tumbled from his lips faster than he could keep up with them. But once said, he felt relief. Glad he finally blurted out his true feelings about the subject. He’d never been that blunt about it before. But this was Anna, he could tell her anything.
    â€œOh, Lucas.” She placed a hand on his right arm, and he slid his hand from the wheel to grip her fingers. “I’m so sorry you see it that way. And I’ll be honest, I don’t have all the answers. Unfortunately, it’s not a perfect world. When sin entered it, so did all the pain and misery you’re describing. But, God promises to be there during the hard times, and I know from personal experience that He is. I can’t always explain it, I just know that even when I’m feeling at my lowest, if I praise His name anyway, I get peace.”
    â€œI wish I could understand that.”
    She gave his hand one last squeeze. “The only way is to give Him a try.”
    â€œYeah.” He changed the subject as he made a right turn into the hospital parking lot. “Here we are—and without