He smiled and eased forward, the knife ready to strike. She held out her hands. “Philip, no.”
“Come on, Rachel. You’ve wanted to meet the vigilante. Now you have. Too bad you won’t be around to write a story about it.”
Her foot struck the double doors leading to the balcony. There was nowhere else to go but outside. Pushing the doors open, she stepped onto the snow-covered balcony. In the distance police sirens wailed. “Philip, the police are on their way. It’ll be better for you if you give up now.”
He laughed and followed her onto the balcony. “Don’t be absurd, Rachel. They could be going anywhere.”
Rachel cowered against the railing and felt it shake. With a gasp she straightened, but her throat refused to scream. She glanced at the ground three stories below and back to Philip. There was no escape.
“God, help me.” The cry ripped from her throat.
A splintering crash echoed through the apartment and Philip whirled toward the sound.
Matt, his gun trained on Philip, burst through the open door and inched across the living room. “Philip, get away from her.”
Philip glanced at Matt and back at Rachel. “You’re not going to stop me, Matt. Not when I’m this close.”
With the knife raised above his head, Philip lunged toward Rachel. A shot rang out and Philip clutched his chest. The knife clattered to the balcony floor. Stumbling forward, he fell against the balcony railing. His eyes grew wide with fear as the railing ripped loose from its supports. He grabbed for Rachel but she jerked free as he tumbled from the balcony toward the ground.
Rachel flailed her arms for something to steady her but there was nothing. Fighting to regain her balance, she teetered on the edge and stared at Philip’s body hurtling downward. She screamed, “Matt!”
She swayed forward. Then two arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her to safety. Matt held her close and crooned in her ear. “Rachel, Rachel. You’re safe now.” He guided her back into the living room to the couch. “Sit here. I need to check on Philip.”
She nodded, unable to speak, and sat there trembling as he ran from the room. It seemed like hours before he reappeared. When he did, he sat down beside her and took her hand in his. “Philip’s still alive. He’s on his way to the hospital. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
Her fear returned at how close she’d come to death and tears gushed from her eyes. “Oh, Matt. If it wasn’t for you, I’d be dead.”
He put his arm around her and drew her against his chest. “I’ll always be there for you, Rachel. I love you.”
The words she’d wanted to hear for so long filled her with peace. She snuggled close to him and smiled. “I love you, too.”
They loved each other. That’s all she needed to know. There would be time later to sort out their problems. For now she just wanted to feel Matt next to her.
Four days later Rachel still could hardly believe how happy she was. She took a sip of her after-dinner coffee and snuggled into the cushions of her mother’s living room couch. The events of earlier in the week hadn’t spoiled this Christmas Day. It had been her happiest ever from the opening of presents to the huge dinner her mother prepared.
She thought of Little Eddie and hoped his mother had been able to spend time with him at the hospital this morning. His recovery and the family in another state who’d agreed to take him in had made this a happy Christmas for him, too.
Philip wasn’t going to be quite so fortunate. In addition to the chest wound from the gunshot, Philip had also sustained severe injuries to his spine in the fall. He still had a long hospital stay and several surgeries ahead before he’d have to face the consequences of his crimes. She shivered at how close Philip had come to carrying out his plans and would have if not for Matt.
She glanced at Matt sitting beside her and smiled. He set his cup on the end table and rubbed his stomach. “I’m as stuffed as that turkey was an hour ago. Your mother is a great cook.”
Rachel smiled. “I noticed you ate like a maniac. I imagine Christmas dinner at your house was a bigger occasion than ours.”
He shook his head and frowned. “No, it wasn’t, Rachel. This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
She scooted closer and grinned at him. “And just what makes this Christmas Day so special?”
He reached out and traced his finger down the side of her cheek. “Because I’m here with you. And because for the first time in my life, I’m in love. I never thought it would happen to me.”
Tears blurred her vision. “I didn’t think it would for me either.”
He pulled his hand away and frowned. “And to think I almost messed it up. I’m sorry I accused you of those awful things.”
She smiled. “It’s all right, Matt. I think we’ve both laid our doubts to rest. After I escaped from my sinking car, I realized God had given me a chance at happiness and I’d almost let it slip away. I decided that I was going to put my life in His hands and let Him show me how to live without worrying about what might happen.”
“I’m glad. I want that, too.” He leaned back and stared at the Christmas tree and all the opened presents underneath. “I think Cara liked the bracelet you gave her.”
Rachel laughed. “Not as much as she liked the perfume you gave her. Thank you for giving my mother and sister those gifts. You didn’t have to do that.”
“But I wanted to.”
She reached up and touched the earrings he’d given her. “I love these earrings. Thank you.”
He turned to face her. “I have one more present for you. Well, I don’t actually have it here but I have a promise of what’s to come.”
She sat up straighter. “You didn’t have to get me anything else.”
He pulled a small wrapped package from his pocket. “I hope you like it.”
Rachel tore the package open to reveal a small plastic box. When she lifted the top, a folded piece of paper lay inside. She frowned. “What’s this?”
He grinned. “Look at it.”
Rachel reached inside and pulled out a page torn from a catalog. She gasped at the picture of the most beautiful diamond ring she’d ever seen. Stunned, she glanced up at Matt. “I don’t understand.”
He reached for her hand. “I didn’t want to buy one until you could pick out the one you want. I love you, Rachel, and I want you to be my wife.”
She stared in disbelief from the picture to Matt. “B-b-but, Matt. You know what my future may hold. Are you sure you can face the possibility that Cara may become my responsibility?”
He nodded. “You don’t have to worry about Cara’s future. As David once told me, what good is my money if I can’t use it to help people?”
A tear trickled from her eye. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. Not only do I love you, but I love your mother and sister, Rachel. Please marry me and let me be a part of this family.”
The pleading look in his eyes sent a surge of happiness through her. “I love you, Matt. I want to marry you.”
He pulled her toward him but let go just as Cara ran into the room. With a big smile on her face she squeezed between them on the couch and glanced from one to the other. “Merry Christmas!”
Matt and Rachel both draped an arm around Cara and hugged her.
Matt stared at Rachel over Cara’s head. “It is a merry Christmas, Cara. The best one I’ve ever had.”
Dear Reader,
Each December I get more excited as Christmas approaches. The decorations, shopping for gifts and the special foods make me feel like a child waiting for a visit from Santa Claus.
However, I’ve discovered there are people who are so troubled that they only want the hectic season to end. Many times it’s because they’ve missed out on the joy that the reason for Christmas can bring.
In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet told of the birth of a baby who would bring hope and joy to mankind when he said, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the gover
nment shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
It is my prayer that you have found His peace in your life.
Sandra Robbins
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Since Rachel Long was a child, she has felt a great responsibility to her special-needs sister. Have you ever dealt with a family member or know someone who must have such care? How can all the needs within the family unit be met?
Matt Franklin grew up as a child of privilege, but he was unhappy. Have you ever thought money can solve all your problems? What does the Bible teach about money?
Rachel wanted a job that paid more money. Is there anything wrong with desiring to advance in your career?
Matt and Rachel were concerned over the problems their city faced because of the gangs who’d taken over some of the neighborhoods. Has your hometown experienced a rise in street gangs? How are the police handling the problem?
What can citizens do to keep gangs from infiltrating their neighborhoods?
What should parents and schools teach children about the effect gangs will have on their lives? What can be done to keep teenagers from being lured into gang life?
The villain’s act of downloading spyware on Rachel’s phone reminds us that we live in an age of advanced technology. How can parents protect their children from those who would prey on them in cyberspace?
Matt’s judgment about Rachel’s motives for a relationship with him was colored by his past experiences. Do you tend to judge people by what others have done to you or do you look below the surface of the individual to their true character?
When Matt and Rachel argued, he realized he was wrong and begged Rachel to forgive him. She refused. Have you ever ignored someone’s plea for forgiveness? What does the Bible teach about forgiveness?
Matt longed to be part of a family that really cared about its members. Do you value your family? Do you get so wrapped up in your daily activities that you forget to tell them you love them?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7666-0
YULETIDE DEFENDER
Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Robbins
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either 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.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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