Free Holiday Illusion by Lynette Eason

but you’re the only link.”
    â€œI don’t know what to tell you except I only want to help you.” Anna winced at the pause. Then Justin said, “I promise you this, I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
    â€œYeah.” She bit her lip, thought about everything. “Okay, it’s just that things started going crazy as soon as I landed on American soil.”
    â€œAnd I’m going to help you figure out why. But I promise, it’s not me.”
    â€œI want to believe that, I really do,” she whispered.
    A long pause. Then, “Will you accept my help? Let me send someone to keep an eye on you and the little guy at the hospital? Put you under protection?”
    â€œNot a chance. But if something happens to Paulo and I find out you’re behind it, I’ll hunt you down, Justin.” She hung up the phone, grief nearly sending her to her knees. She couldn’t believe Justin was behind this, she just couldn’t.
    Arriving at the right room, she shoved off the lingering fear from her elevator scare and the worry that Justin had something to do with the attempts on her life. Drawing in a calming breath, she gently pushed the door open to see Paulo breathlessly laughing at something Andy had said. Somehow the two of them were managing to communicate in spite of the language barrier. Paulo had picked up a lot of English at the orphanage. He’d even known some before he’d arrived on their doorstep in Tefe.
    In just the few hours since he’d been in this hospital, he’d gained a little color. Yes, he still looked tired and weak, but his eyes were shining. When he saw her, he grinned. In his raspy, labored voice, he said, “Miss Anna. I have a new friend. This is Andy. His mom went downstairs to get something to drink. Senhorita Ella went to the restroom.”
    Crossing to his side, she clasped his small hand then glanced at the boy in the other bed. “Hello, Andy. It’s good to see you again. How are you feeling? Better?”
    â€œYes, but getting tired again.”
    Paulo rasped, “Yes, me, too.”
    Sadness gripped her. If she could rip out her own heart and put it into that little body, she’d do it. The fierce love that swept over her rocked her to her very soul and she knew Paulo had become the son she’d never have. She thought about the elevator incident. Was she putting Paulo in danger by being here?
    Sure, it’s possible she’d been paranoid this time, but that didn’t mean next time it wouldn’t be the real deal. Sadly, Anna realized that this may have to be her last visit with the little guy depending on how things went in her investigation. She’d just have to make the decision of whether or not to visit a daily judgment. There was no way she was leading anyone anywhere near this child. She choked back the sudden surge of tears, forcing a smile as she leaned over to kiss his silky black curls. “I know, but soon you will be running and playing and building snowmen in the snow.”
    â€œChristmas. The day Jesus was born, sim? A very special day. You told me all about it, remember?”
    â€œI sure do.” And she did. About six months ago, when Paulo had been sick with the virus that damaged his heart, she’d sat by his bed, reading the story of Christ’s birth from Luke chapter two. He’d been fascinated with the fact that Jesus was really God but came down as a baby to save the world. She’d read the story so many times over the course of his illness, she could practically quote it now.
    â€œWhat do you want for Christmas, Paulo? Something special?”
    Andy piped in. “I know what I want. I want an Xbox.”
    Paulo studied Anna’s features very seriously before saying, “I do not know. But I will think on it.” His eyes fluttered closed. Anna waited, thinking he’d fallen asleep, but then very faintly, she heard, “Sing for me, Miss