Holiday Illusion by Lynette Eason Page A

started forward and Anna stepped back. “Wait,” Paulo said. The gurney stopped. He looked at Lucas and Anna and said, “I want to pray. Is it okay?”
    Uncomfortable, Lucas shuffled his feet a little. Anna jumped right in. “Of course it’s okay. Do you want to or do you want me to?”
    â€œYou prayed in the room. Now I will say the prayer on my heart. My old heart.”
    He still held on to Lucas’s hand and reached again for Anna’s. She took it, bowing her head. Lucas cleared his throat but didn’t argue.
    â€œDear Jesus, this is Paulo. I thank You for the gift of this new heart. I know the girl’s family is sad and missing her. Please tell them that she is okay and that she is with You, so she is very happy right now. Thank You for sending Miss Anna to watch over me since my own mama is also with You. Miss Anna is a very good mama so that I don’t miss mine so much now. Thank You for Ella, too. I am a lucky boy because it’s like I almost have two mamas.” He paused to draw in a shuddering breath.
    Lucas didn’t know how much longer Anna was going to be able to hold it together, but she was giving it her best effort. He almost motioned for the tech to start the journey into the surgery room, but Paulo wasn’t finished yet.
    â€œAnd I pray for my doctor Lucas. He is very sad sometimes, but he is a very good doctor. I don’t think he has Your gift, though, so could You please give him a new heart, too? But one that has You in it. I think he would be much happier then. And please send my friend Andy a new heart, too. That’s all, God. Please give the doctors a good day. Amen.”
    Lucas coughed, felt tears push behind his eyes. They had to get that boy in surgery or he and Anna both would be one big sobbing, slobbering mess. He almost thanked God himself when the gurney finally disappeared behind the double doors. When he turned to Anna, silent tears tracked their way down her cheeks and he gave in to the urge to pull her to him. She rested her forehead on his chest, and her arms encircled his waist to link her hands at the small of his back. He whispered, “He’ll be fine.”
    â€œSure, I know that.”
    â€œHe prayed for me.”
    She nodded against his chest. “I noticed that, too.”
    â€œHe didn’t say a word about himself.”
    â€œNo, he wouldn’t.”
    Lucas swallowed hard. “I’m going to go be with him.”
    â€œYeah, you do that. I’m going to go pray.”
    â€œYeah…me, too.” Okay, God, I think You’ve got me. I also think I’m at the point where I might need to start praying and let You take control. We’ll talk about this later, okay?

EIGHT
    I t was morning, her tenth day back in the United States and she basked in what had quickly become her favorite time of the day. The boathouse stood quiet as the sun first peeked over the horizon, then came on up to get a full look at the new day. Fortunately, there’d been no more evidence of the man who attacked her in the stairwell at the hospital. That relieved—and bothered—her.
    As she waited for Lucas, Anna pushed the disturbing memories away, prayed, thanked God for the blessings He’d bestowed lately. Paulo was out of surgery and everything had gone smoothly.
    Anna had been there when Paulo had first awakened from the surgery. Unfortunately, the little guy had been in a good deal of pain, crying until the nurse upped his pain meds. Once the drugs kicked in, he’d relaxed and fallen back into a deep sleep. He’d be in the intensive-care unit for about a week, then would have another three to four weeks in the hospital. Then he could go home. Of course he would be on the autoimmune system drugs for the rest of his life, but at least he would have a “rest of his life.”
    Ella would stay with Paulo around the clock since it would be impossible for Anna to care for him like he