A Christmas Stolen (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  What People Are Saying

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  Thank you

  You Can Help!

  God Can Help!

  Free Book Offer

  A Christmas Stolen

  Lillian Duncan

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  A Christmas Stolen

  COPYRIGHT 2018 by Lillian Duncan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Pelican Ventures, LLC except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  eBook editions are licensed for your personal enjoyment only. eBooks may not be re-sold, copied or given to other people. If you would like to share an eBook edition, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version(R), NIV(R), Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

  Cover Art by Nicola Martinez

  White Rose Publishing, a division of Pelican Ventures, LLC

  www.pelicanbookgroup.com PO Box 1738 *Aztec, NM * 87410

  White Rose Publishing Circle and Rosebud logo is a trademark of Pelican Ventures, LLC

  Publishing History

  First White Rose Edition, 2018

  Electronic Edition ISBN 978-1-5223-0179-0

  Published in the United States of America

  Dedication

  This and all I do is for God’s glory. To my amazing husband who fills my life with love and laughter.

  What People Are Saying

  A Christmas Stolen is a powerful inspirational novella of forgiveness and love all wrapped up in a fast-paced, suspenseful story unfolding just days before Christmas. This heart-rendering tale of a kidnapped baby, combined with the story of a lost love, is a perfect example of how Lillian Duncan is an author who knows how to draw the reader into the story through realistic dialogue and compelling characters, while presenting the Christian message in a subtle yet convincing way. Readers will not be disappointed in A Christmas Stolen. It held my interest from page one and never let go. ~ from Luana Ehrlich, author of The Titus Ray Thriller Series

  "Reading A Stolen Christmas reminded me of why Lillian Duncan is one of my favorite authors. Unfolding high tension began on page one with a foreshadowing of things to come that didn’t let up until I turned the last page. The Christmas setting added poignancy to this taut tale of love, fear, loss, desperation, and forgiveness. A quick and stellar read. Highly recommended!" ~ V. B. Tenery, author of the awarding winning Matt Foley series

  A harrowing, heartwarming tale of a Christmas miracle baby, a kidnapping ring, long lost love, and long-awaited forgiveness during one special Ohio Christmas. Duncan shares a lovely contemporary story to remind us who we’ve been and Whose we are. Forgiveness doesn’t have to wait to remind us of all that we can become. - Lisa Lickel, author of Meow Mistletoe

  In A Christmas Stolen, author Lillian Duncan grabs the reader by the heart and leads them through a gut-wrenching story. Just a few days before Christmas, Danica returns home for the holidays to find her infant niece has just been kidnapped. Now she's faced with juggling her sister Leah's anguish, the press, the police and the FBI. If that weren't enough, she comes face to face with people who hurt her twelve years before on graduation night. Her boyfriend, Conner, believed a liar, and broke her heart. How could they now be a pastor and the Chief of Police? She must come to terms with her unforgiveness, which could change her life, all while she's trying to rescue her baby niece from evil kidnappers. The characters are engaging, the plot a real page-turner, and the resolution is a satisfying Christmas miracle. Highly recommended. ~ Jody Day, author of Mistletoe Mix-up

  1

  Leah Barnes sat in the rocker as she softly hummed a Christmas carol and gazed at her newborn daughter, Angelica.

  The doorbell rang.

  Leah wasn’t expecting anyone for several more hours. With the snow falling it could be a while before her sister would be here to spend the holiday with them.

  But with the birth of Angelica, it seemed as if every person she knew was stopping by for a peek at her sweet little Christmas angel. The doctors had told her she had no chance of ever conceiving, let alone carrying a baby to term, but God gave her a miracle—just as He had more than two thousand years ago at the very first Christmas. And how special this Christmas would be because of this precious little wonder.

  Leah set the baby in her bassinet then went and opened the front door.

  The young woman, a stranger, had on a parka, the hood covering most of her face. Huge black glasses hid the girl’s eyes. She smiled at Leah. “Hi. My name’s Maria. I’m from Mothers’ Helpers.”

  “I don’t know what that is.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I was told you’d been contacted and would be expecting me today.”

  “I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Mothers’ Helpers is an outreach program at our church. The Good News Church. Anyway, volunteers lend a helping hand to new mothers. We come to your house a few times every week for that first crucial month.” She handed Leah a pamphlet. “This explains all about it.”

  “I don’t go to Good News. They must have given you the wrong information.”

  “Do you have a new baby?”

  “Yes, but—”

  Maria smiled and took a few steps inside forcing Leah to step back. “Then that’s why I’m here. Someone must have given your name to Anna Mae—that’s the lady in charge. Anyway, we’re here to help make life a little bit easier for you. We know how difficult it can be with a new baby. It’s a service we provide for the community, not just church members.” She took another step toward Leah.

  Leah stepped back again. “Oh. That’s nice, but I’m fine. I really don’t need anything. But thanks.”

  Maria took a few more steps and closed the door. Her smile brightened. “We better close that door before your house is freezing. We don’t want the baby to catch a draft, do we?”

  “I’m sorry you came out in this weather, but you have the wrong place.”

  “Your name and your address and a new baby so not the wrong place. Someone must have wanted to surprise you. I guess Anna Mae dropped the ball and forgot to call.”

  “That’s really nice, but we’re fine.”

  “We’re here to help in whatever way we can. It’s stressful to have a new baby. We can go grocery shopping if you need. Wash a few clothes for you. Or maybe you’d just like to take a short nap and a shower.”

  “That’s really great of you but my husband’s been taking good care of us. Angelica and I don’t need a thing.”

  “How wonderful for you. Is he here? Now?” The woman flipped off her hood, revealing dark black hair that hung strai
ght down. The long bangs met the big glasses. It wasn’t the best look. This young woman could definitely use a little fashion help.

  “He’s at work. But he made sure we had everything we could want or need while he’s gone.”

  Maria partially unzipped her parka. “Well, I’m here now so I might as well help out a little. Maybe I can wash up a few dishes for you or sit with the baby while you take a shower.”

  She sure was persistent. Leah didn’t want to be rude, but she really didn’t need any help. “Maybe the church can give you the name of another new mother. Someone who really does need some help.”

  Maria shrugged. “Yeah, I’ll check with them later. But isn’t there something I can do for you since I’m already here?” Maria moved past her and into the living room. “So your baby is Angelica? That’s a beautiful name.”

  “Thanks. I wanted to name her Angel because she’s my little Christmas angel but my husband’s grandmother’s name was Angelica, so we decided that would be the perfect name.”

  “How sweet. Where is she?”

  “In the bassinet.” Leah pointed toward the corner where the pink wicker bassinet sat.

  “Oh my. She’s so pretty.” Maria stared at the baby.

  “She really is, isn’t she? I thought maybe it was just me. You know because she’s my daughter, but I think she’s beautiful.”

  “I agree with you. She’s so beautiful. That curly red hair and those big blue eyes. She’ll break a lot of hearts someday.”

  Angelica opened her eyes, her nose crinkled, and a squeaky cry emerged from her tiny mouth.

  Leah didn’t want to breastfeed in front of a stranger. “Sounds like she’s hungry. Thanks so much for com—”

  “Not a problem. Hey, why don’t you start feeding her, and I’ll make you a cup of coffee or tea or hot chocolate before I go. Then I’ll get out of your hair. But you can call us if you need any help in the next few weeks.”

  “I don’t want to put you out.”

  “That’s what Mothers’ Helpers is all about. Are all about?” She brushed her bangs away from her eyes and grinned. “I don’t know which way is grammatically right, but either way, we just want to make life a little easier for new mommies.”

  Leah lifted her daughter out of the pink bassinet. “A cup of tea would be great. If you really don’t mind. It’s sitting on the counter.”

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  Leah settled into the rocking chair and hummed. By the time Maria was back with the tea, Angelica was happily having her second breakfast of the day.

  Maria set the teacup on the table beside Leah. “I put some sugar in it. I hope it wasn’t too much.”

  She didn’t actually use sugar in her tea, but Leah took a sip anyway. “It’s perfect.” Not the best tea she’d ever had but it was nice of Maria to try. She took several more sips to show her appreciation.

  Maria smiled as she sat down on the sofa. “What a sweet picture the two of you make.”

  “Speaking of pictures, why don’t you take a picture of us? My phone is on the coffee table.”

  “Great idea.” Maria picked up the phone then snapped a picture.

  “This is so nice of you. Do you know who gave the church my name?”

  “Sorry, I don’t.” Maria adjusted her glasses. “They just told me this is where I should come.”

  “Whoever it is, I’d like to thank them even though we don’t need the service.”

  “I’ll find out and let you know.” Maria motioned toward the three Christmas trees in the living room. “Wow. Your decorations are great. You guys went all out for Angelica’s first Christmas, huh?”

  “Not really. We do this every year. It’s a fun way to honor Jesus’s birthday. Of course, this year we made sure it was all set up before Thanksgiving since we weren’t quite sure when Angelica would make her appearance. She was a little later than we expected.” Leah yawned. “Sorry.”

  “Not a problem.” Maria walked over and touched a tree limb. “You do this every year?”

  “Yep.” Another yawn.

  “Isn’t that a lot of work?”

  “Yes, but once it’s all finished, I love it. Every time I look at the trees or something else, I can feel God smiling down at me.”

  “Wow. That’s cool.”

  Another yawn. “Sorry. I haven’t had much sleep lately. My husband’s offered to get up in the middle of the night to help, but since he has to work I didn’t want him being tired all day.” Leah held the baby to her shoulder and tapped lightly. Her own eyelids drooped. She was tired, but to fall asleep while she was talking with someone was ridiculous. “I think she’s all done.”

  “You look exhausted. I think you need a nap.”

  “No…I’m…fine.” Her lids closed.

  Maria took Angelica from her arms and placed her in the bassinet. She walked over to Leah. “Let me help you to bed. Then I’ll just sit here and watch your little angel sleep while you get a little rest as well. Sleep as long as you like. Angelica’s in good hands.”

  2

  This would be an amazing Christmas.

  And that was saying a lot in her family of Christmas lovers. Danica Jordan’s parents had instilled the wonder of Christmas in their children without going overboard on the Santa thing. Or the presents. But they’d had more than enough of both. She’d never felt cheated because she knew the true meaning of the holiday. And now there was a new generation to do the same for. Danica couldn’t wait to get started.

  Her car crawled through the snow-covered roads at a snail’s pace. And the weathermen were calling for even more snow. It would definitely be a white Christmas. It had been a long time since she’d had one—Florida wasn’t conducive to white Christmases but that was OK. Give her sunshine any day.

  Anticipation built as she thought about seeing her precious niece for the first time. Leah had sent dozens of pictures in the past four days, but that only whetted Danica’s appetite to hold the special Christmas angel in her arms.

  Mary probably felt the same on that very first Christmas morn. Imagine knowing she’d just given birth to the long-awaited Messiah—Savior of the world. Had Mary really understood what that meant—even when the angel told her? Or the pain that would come with that miracle?

  Danica’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank You, God for this amazing Christmas gift called Angelica as well as for the gift of Your Son—the gift that compares to no other gift.”

  Her car fishtailed. Stay focused on the road, Dani. Save the tears and introspection for another time. She wiped under her eyes and smiled.

  Yes, it would be an amazing Christmas.

  She’d hoped to be at Leah’s by lunch. Thanks to the falling snow that hadn’t happened. Oh well, she’d get there when she got there—better safe than sorry. She hummed along to Christmas carols playing on the radio but kept her attention focused on the slick road now iced with patches of black ice.

  She had to admit the snow was beautiful even if it was treacherous. Since her parents had died, she’d managed to talk Leah and Mark into coming to her house for Christmas. Who wouldn’t love a Florida beach, especially in the middle of winter? But with baby Angelica’s arrival, there was no way she would suggest they come to her house this year. Even though her hometown didn’t hold any sweet memories, she couldn’t avoid coming home for the holiday.

  She would spend time in her sister’s house with the new baby. That way she’d avoid seeing anyone she didn’t want to see—not that she cared anyway. When she’d left for college, she’d put all that in the past and moved forward with her life.

  Her heart did an extra thump as she passed the high school. All that high school drama was in the past. Danica brought her gaze back to the road and refused to think about any of it. “Stay focused on the present.” The past wouldn’t ruin her present, her very first Christmas with her niece.

  Besides, most everyone suffered a broken heart at some time in life. There wasn’t anything special about that.
She just didn’t know why it still hurt. And that was the reason she never spoke of it to anyone—even her sister. She glanced around, vigilant in this weather.

  The big, stuffed snowman in the passenger’s seat looked at Danica with a silly expression. Her sister had warned her not to go overboard on the presents, but she hadn’t been able to resist one more when the goofy, plush snowman at the last gas station called her name.

  Danica breathed a sigh of relief as her sister’s street came into view. Finally. The car swayed as she turned the corner. She fought the urge to slam on the brake. Her foot moved away as she let the car right itself. “Ahh, I hate snow.”

  She grabbed the stuffed snowman and made her way through the snow and ice and up to the steps. The door wasn’t quite latched. Had Leah left it open for her? That seemed unlikely. Probably just hadn’t noticed when she’d closed the door the last time. Danica pressed the doorbell. And waited. And waited some more.

  Surely, Leah hadn’t gone out with Angelica in this weather. Or maybe she had. This was Ohio. Her sister probably thought nothing of going out to run a few errands in what looked like a blizzard to Danica’s Florida eyes.

  But the baby was only four days old.

  Well, Danica wasn’t standing out here and freezing to death waiting for her sister. She walked inside and made sure the door latched. Her mouth dropped open as she gazed around the living room. Of course, Leah loved Christmas trees. But Danica had thought with the baby coming that her sister would forego her usual decorating frenzy.

  Along with three trees in front of the picture window, the fireplace was framed in greenery and boughs of holly. A Nativity scene was set up in the middle.

  Danica took a deep sniff, appreciating the spicy pine scent.

  The pictures on the walls had been transformed by wrapping them in gift wrapping and bows to look like gifts. Another tree stood in the breakfast nook of the kitchen. That made four. How many more would she find? But it was all so very pretty and cheerful—and Christmassy. It really would be a great holiday—even if it was in Shreve.