A Highland Christmas (The Shadows Series Book 5)

by Juliette Duncan

  Memories of Rosemary sitting with her not that long ago flashed through Brianna’s mind. God’s first touch on a life was such a precious time… inexplicable, but real, nonetheless. She sat quietly with her arm around Alana’s shoulder, giving time for her sister to compose herself before saying anything. When Alana raised her head slightly, Brianna searched her eyes. “Are you all right, Alana? Would you like to talk?”

  Alana nodded, sniffing.

  “God’s affecting you inside, isn’t He?”

  Alana nodded again.

  “I’d love to pray for you, and then maybe we can spend some time chatting. Would you like that?”

  Another nod. Another sniff.

  Bowing her head, Brianna paused before beginning. Her heart was filled with gratitude that this moment had finally arrived, and she didn’t want to spoil it. She took a slow breath and began in a quiet voice. “Dear God, thank You for my precious sister, Alana. You know what’s going on inside her, the hurt she’s experienced, the disappointments, the lack of hope. Thank You for gently reaching out to her, showing her how much You love her, how precious she is to You. Lord God, I pray that today, as we celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus, who came into the world so that all who believe in Him can have eternal life, I pray that You’ll touch her in a real way, and that she might open her heart to You and to Your healing. Lord God, I pray special blessings upon her life, and I thank You so much for her precious little boy. Bless Quinn, dear Lord, and may he also come to know You. I ask all these things in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”

  Brianna wiped her own eyes as she raised her head and gave Alana a big hug.

  Sniffing, and with eyes moist, Alana hugged her back. “Thank you.”

  “You’re more than welcome.”

  Alana blew her nose. “I’ve… I’ve never really believed in God too much. I guess I always assumed He was there, but never thought He was of any use in my life. But since being here, with you, and Danny and Lizzy, and all the others, I can see that He’s changed you all, and I think I want what you’ve got.” Tears streamed down her cheeks again.

  “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.” Brianna handed Alana a clean tissue. “It’s really simple. You just have to be sorry for all the things you’ve done wrong, and then claim the forgiveness that Jesus brought when he died on the cross, and then ask Him to come and live in your heart. It sounds a bit mysterious, but Jesus, being perfect, took on the sins of the whole world when He died on the cross, so that anyone who believes can be made clean in God’s sight and have new life. It’s a lot to take in, and we can talk about it more, but that’s basically it.”

  “It sounds great, but I think I need to understand a little better before I make a decision.”

  “That’s perfectly fine. It’s a big thing, and you shouldn’t do it lightly, but having an open heart is the first step. That’s all He asks of you, to open your heart and your mind, and He’ll gently lead you to Himself when you’re ready. But let me tell you, when you do, it’s like a whole new world opening up. I couldn’t believe how free I felt after all those years of drug addiction and self-hate. God has made such a difference in my life, and He can in yours, too.”

  “I really want to know more. I’m tired of living like I do.” Alana blinked back tears again.

  Pulling her close, Brianna rubbed Alana’s back, rocking her like a baby. “I know. Believe me, I know.”

  They sat there for several more minutes before Brianna straightened. “We can chat more later, okay?”

  “Yes, thanks.” Alana dabbed her nose and nodded.

  “Let’s grab a coffee.”

  “Sounds great.”

  Brianna stood first and helped Alana up. Although the chapel was now empty, a special sense of God’s presence filled the air.

  Chapter 15

  Andrew followed his parents out of the chapel with Quinn perched on his hip and shot a backwards glance to Brianna. His heart was with her, but Alana would be more comfortable chatting with her sister alone. Besides, there was that talk with his parents. He walked behind them, gathering his courage. How would his parents take the news that they had an eleven-year-old grandson? Would they be excited, as Brianna had suggested, or would they be disappointed he’d fathered a child out of wedlock? Or maybe both? He guessed the latter. For years his mother had been at him to find a nice girl and settle down and to give her some grandbabies… but Andy was no baby; he was almost a teen. But his parents loved God, and they loved people, and so there was no reason why they wouldn’t love Andy. They might just be in shock for a while.

  Last night, unable to sleep after Brianna went to bed, Andrew had spent the rest of the night in the kitchen preparing not only breakfast, but all the vegetables and everything else for Christmas lunch. He’d told Caitlin earlier what still needed to be done in case he got held up, and while he diced carrots, potatoes and pumpkin, he thought through what it would be like to be a father to Andy. A real father, not just a biological father. The prospect scared, yet excited him.

  He not only thought, but he prayed, asking God for wisdom. Not only with regard to Andy, but also with Brianna. Andrew hadn’t been looking for an instant family, but it seemed highly likely that God had been planning it. Brianna would be the perfect mother for Andy. Kind, caring, understanding, and empathetic. She might not have had any experience with teenagers, but Andrew was sure she’d rise to the challenge. But was he only interested in her because he’d soon be responsible for a motherless child? The more he thought and prayed, the more he realised how much he already liked her… dare he say it, loved her? But could you love someone you’ve only just met? All these thoughts and more still ran around his head as he exited the chapel, and he almost bumped into his parents who’d stopped at the door and were putting on coats and scarves.

  Andrew pulled himself up, placed Quinn on the stone floor, and helped him into his little coat. Although the chapel was only a short distance from the main house, the day had dawned bitterly cold, and dark, heavy clouds filled the sky. The family had started scampering back to the house to freshen up before Christmas lunch, so as Andrew and his parents followed along behind, he cleared his throat. “Mum, Dad, can we have a chat?”

  His parents both slowed. “Sure, son, what’s up?” his father asked.

  “Let’s grab a coffee when we get into the house and find somewhere to talk.”

  “Is it about you and Brianna?” His mother sounded hopeful.

  “Kind of…”

  “That sounds promising.” Her eyes sparkled.

  Andrew gulped. Yes, but wait until you hear the rest of it. “I’ll make some coffee and we can sit and talk. In the small drawing room?”

  “Sure. Sounds intriguing, son.” His father angled his head, placing his hand lightly on Andrew’s back.

  “Yes, well… let me make that coffee. Mum, can you take Quinn? Maybe see if he can play with the other children?”

  “My pleasure.” His mother flashed a smile and then bent down and took Quinn’s hand. “I love the trucks on your sleeves, Quinn.”

  “Auntie Ash made them.” Quinn pointed to his sleeves proudly.

  “She’s a very clever auntie.”

  Nodding, Quinn walked off happily with Rosemary.

  Andrew headed straight to the kitchen, poured three cups of coffee from the percolator Caitlin had ready, popped them on a tray along with three generous slices of Christmas cake, and walked to the smaller drawing room where his father had already retreated. He stood with his back to the fire. Andrew placed the tray on the coffee table as his mother came into the room. His parents took a seat on the couch while he sat in the single armchair.

  “So, son, what is it you need to tell us?” His father leaned back and crossed his legs.

  Andrew picked up his coffee and took a slow sip before lifting his gaze, shifting it between his parents. “Do you remember a girl called Shelley that I used to date?”

  His mother’s brow puckered. “I’m not sure
I do.” Rosemary turned and looked at her husband, her head tilting in question. “Do you remember her, love?”

  Shaking his head, David leaned forward. “Anyway, son, what about her?”

  Andrew cleared his throat. “She contacted me recently.” Adrenaline surged through his body like a locomotive. Best just to blurt it out and be done with it. “I have an eleven-year old son.”

  His mother’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening. “What do you mean, an eleven-year old son? How do you know he’s yours?”

  “I thought you’d ask that. I’ve met him… that’s how. He looks exactly like I did at that age. And I’ve also had a DNA test done.”

  “So why did this, what did you say her name was?” his father asked, his brows pinching together.

  “Shelley… her name’s Shelley.”

  “So why did this Shelley just tell you now? Does she want something from you?” His father sounded disbelieving. Annoyed.

  Andrew’s shoulders sagged. “Yes, she does.” He stared into his coffee mug. “Shelley’s dying, and she wants me to take the boy.” His heart beat fast as he studied his parents’ reactions.

  Tears welled in his mother’s eyes. “Does the boy know his mother’s dying?”

  Andrew shook his head. “Not yet, but I’m sure he knows something’s wrong.”

  “How long does she have?” his father asked, taking Rosemary’s hand, his voice softening.

  “Not long… maybe two months.”

  “Are you going to take him?” Rosemary dabbed her eyes.

  Andrew swallowed hard. “I’m not sure, but I think so.”

  His father released a heavy sigh. “We never expected this, son, and it will take a while to sink in, but if he is your son, then you have to take him. I gather there’s no one else lining up for him?”

  “No… she hooked up with someone else after we went our own ways, but it didn’t last.”

  “What about her family?” Rosemary asked.

  “She hasn’t had anything to do with them for years. Her parents are divorced and basically disowned her. Shelley is adamant. She wants me to have him.”

  His father narrowed his eyes. “How do you feel about that?”

  Andrew looked down at his hands. “I was shocked to start with. And angry.” Shaking his head, he lifted his gaze, remembering back to the last time he’d seen Shelley. He’d had no idea she was expecting. “If she’d told me she was pregnant, we might have stayed together.” Blinking, he wondered whether it would have worked. They were both pretty messed up back then.

  “We broke up not long before I went on that walk, but she never said a word.”

  “It must have been a real surprise.” His mother reached out and squeezed his hand.

  Andrew nodded. “It took a while, but I finally agreed to meet him. We met in a park, but Shelley didn’t tell Andy, that’s his name, that I was his dad. She just said I was a friend.” Pausing, Andrew glanced out the window before turning and meeting his parents’ stunned gazes. “He still doesn’t know… she’s waiting on my answer before she tells him the truth.”

  His father’s gaze was steady. “And have you decided?”

  Andrew’s heart pounded so hard he was sure his parents could hear it. Now, it wasn’t just something that might happen… it was happening. “I’ve been praying about it a lot, and I feel God wants me to. I’m scared, but excited at the same time.”

  His father gave him an understanding smile. “I can understand that, especially being on your own.”

  His mother leaned forward. “How does Brianna fit into the picture. Does she know?”

  Andrew blinked. His mother was very perceptive, but was putting him on the spot. “I thought you’d ask that.”

  “She’s a nice girl, Andrew, but can you expect her to be interested in you if you have a son?”

  “That’s what I thought, but I told her last night, and she’s okay with it.”

  His father’s brow furrowed again. “Your having a child by another woman doesn’t concern her?”

  Andrew shook his head. “No.” A slow grin replaced the grim line of his mouth as he recalled the genuine warmth of her reaction. “In fact, she was happy for me.”

  “Well, sometimes God surprises us with His plans.” His mother chuckled as she dabbed her eyes again. “I was starting to think you were never going to give me any grandchildren, and now we’ve got an instant one. I’d love to meet him, Andrew. He’ll always be welcome here.”

  Tears stung Andrew’s eyes as a deep sense of peace filled his heart. Maybe this really was God’s plan for him. “Thanks, Mum. He’d love it here.”

  David angled his head as a gong sounded. “Is that the dinner bell?”

  Andrew glanced at his watch. “I think so. We’d best be going.” He stood and raked a trembling hand through his hair. “I’m sorry I shocked you… I was sweating on telling you.”

  “We all have things in our lives that would surprise others, son.” David eased himself up from the couch and then helped Rosemary up. “You needn’t have worried.” He slipped his arm around her shoulder. “This news has made your mother’s day. It’s the best Christmas present you could have given her.”

  Andrew chuckled. “That’s what Brianna said you’d say.”

  “Brianna’s a clever girl.” His mother moved closer, her eyes shining. “Let me give you a hug.” Pulling Andrew close, Rosemary rubbed his back. “You’ll make a great father, Andrew.”

  Coming from his mother, those words were music to his ears. “Thanks, Mum. I appreciate your confidence.”

  “Come on you two. I don’t want to miss my Christmas lunch.” David moved to the door, and as he opened it, a flash of red caught Andrew’s eye. Brianna.

  Andrew hurried to the door and poked his head out to call her name. Brianna and Alana both paused and looked back down the hallway. Alana squeezed Brianna’s hand and whispered something to her before stepping away and continuing on her way. As his gaze met Brianna’s, his heart did a quick flip. Yes, he’d fallen for her big time. He smiled and extended his hand. “Got a second?”

  Nodding, Brianna stepped towards him, her gaze shifting between his and his father’s.

  Andrew slipped an arm around her shoulder and motioned for his father to go back into the room. “Brianna, I’ve just told Mum and Dad about Andy, and about us…”

  “And we’re thrilled.” His mother stepped forward and gave her a big hug, bringing tears to his eyes. Every minute that passed confirmed this was God’s doing.

  Letting out a small laugh, Brianna winked at him as she returned his mother’s hug. “It’s a weekend of surprises.”

  “It is indeed.” Rosemary agreed.

  David headed to the door again. “I truly like all this love and togetherness, but we’re going to miss our Christmas lunch if we don’t go now.”

  The other three laughed, then they all headed for the dining room.

  As Lizzy listened to the happy chatter at the Christmas table, her thoughts drifted. What would life have been like had she married Mathew Carter instead of Daniel? Not for one moment did she regret marrying him, but Mathew had been her first love, and she’d been so looking forward to supporting his ministry as his wife. So much water under the bridge, but there’d been a time when she thought she’d made a mistake marrying Daniel, as had everyone else, given his alcoholism and abuse issues. However, God had brought them through that time, and now she couldn’t imagine life without him.

  The chat they’d just had following the service made her realise that God had a sense of humour. Daniel had found her when everyone was filing out of the chapel, his eyes alight and full of excitement. “Lizzy, Lizzy love, wait up. I’ve got something I want to run past you.”

  She’d stopped and angled her head. “What?”

  “I think I know what God wants us to do.”

  Her eyes widened. They’d been praying for His guidance, but until now, no clear direction had been forthcoming. “Are you going to share?”
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  “Yes. I think He wants me to be a preacher.”

  Lizzy laughed. Preaching was a perfect job for Daniel. He loved talking, he was great with people, and he loved God. He was a born communicator, and God did have a sense of humour. She, Elizabeth O’Connor, née Walton-Smythe, would be a minister’s wife after all. Just not Mathew’s wife, but Daniel’s. Her heart soared, it felt so right. “You’ll make a wonderful preacher, Daniel. So… you’re thinking Bible College? Four years of study?” Her brow lifted.

  “I guess so. I haven’t thought that far, but if that’s what it takes.”

  “There’s a college near Mother and Father’s… maybe we could consider that one?”

  Slipping his arms around her waist, Daniel gazed into her eyes. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

  Lizzy nodded. She loved Scotland and the ruggedness of the Highlands. She loved the people and the ministry they had here, but she missed her home, and her parents would love their grandchildren living near them. “I think it would be perfect.”

  Daniel leaned forward and kissed her. “Let’s pray about it, shall we?”

  “Yes. If that’s where God wants us, I’m sure He’ll show us the way.”

  “I love you, Liz. Thank you for standing by me when things were bad.”

  “I love you too, Daniel. God’s been good to us.”

  “He has. Amazingly good.”

  “So, do we say anything?”

  “Not yet… let’s keep it our secret for now, but you’re on board?”

  “Absolutely. You’re a born preacher, and God will use you mightily. It feels so right.”

  When Ryan stood and dinged his glass, Lizzy’s thoughts returned to the present. When he announced that he and Grace were expecting a baby and everyone clapped and laughed with elation, Lizzy was so glad she and Daniel had decided not to say anything about their idea just yet. Time enough for that once they were completely sure, although in her mind, there was no doubt.