The Christmas Baby. Lisa Carter

on his knees, Charlie steepled his hands under his chin. “With the rest of the Pruitts scattered far and wide this Christmas, there’s plenty of room for you at the house.”

      She looked at her brother with his Clark Kent good looks. “I appreciate the offer, but I rented a house on Quayside Lane before I left Texas.”

      His brow furrowed. “This is your home, Anna.”

      With her older brothers, Jaxon and Ben, on active military duty and firefighter Will on the mainland, it had fallen to Charlie to keep the home fires burning. A home where she’d spent a happy childhood.

      Charlie frowned. “You don’t have to do everything by yourself, Anna.”

      Evy slid onto the sofa beside Anna. “We want to be here for you.”

      Anna’s gaze darted between them. “I love you both for your support, but it’s better this way.”

      “Quayside is so remote.” He lifted his chin, the cleft clearly visible. “It’s not good for you to be out there alone. Especially with winter upon us.”

      “I’m the big sister, remember, Charlie? I’ll be fine.”

      Anna glanced out the picture window at the maples lining the street. Having dropped the last of their leaves, the bare branches revealed the stark beauty of winter. Christmas used to be her favorite time of year.

      She hardly remembered the girl she’d once been. Full of optimism as she headed off to college. Surprised by love’s possibilities after meeting handsome Marine Corps PFC Reyes. And because of Mateo’s deployment, a whirlwind wedding. The girl she’d been before death and fear took their toll.

      “Why did you do this, Anna?” Her brother’s pensive tone pulled her away from her memories. “Why not start a new family with someone else?”

      She stiffened. “I want Mateo’s child.”

      “His child keeps you mired in the past.” Charlie’s lips tightened. “You lost your teaching job over this, didn’t you?”

      She knotted her hands in her lap. “There were side effects with the fertility drugs. I was absent a lot.” It was the understatement of the century. “The school district chose not to renew my contract. But I have to do this. This child is Mateo’s legacy preserved forever.”

      “Do you hear yourself, Anna?” His eyes widened. “What kind of burden is that for a kid to bear? Being someone’s memorial candle. How dare Mateo Reyes ask you to do this.”

      She stood so fast she swayed. “That’s not how it was. I want to do this. I need to do this.” She squared her shoulders. “I didn’t go into this lightly.”

      “Help us to understand.” Evy caught Anna’s arm. “Please sit down.”

      She allowed Evy to pull her onto the sofa again. “Neither Mateo or I ever believed he wouldn’t win the war against the cancer. He was so young. So strong. So full of life...” Her voice broke. “Don’t you think I’ve considered what it will mean to bring a fatherless child into the world?”

      Charlie came out of his chair and crouched in front of her. “Raising a child as a single mother is going to be so hard, sis.” He reached for her hand.

      “This was Mateo’s greatest desire—to have a child.”

      Her brother’s hazel eyes bored into hers. “There was a court case a few years ago, which made national headlines. Posthumous children aren’t entitled to Social Security or military benefits. They have few legal rights.” He blew out a breath.

      Charlie didn’t know the half of it. The procedure hadn’t been covered by the VA. She didn’t want her family to know how she’d depleted her savings.

      “At first, I tried artificial insemination. But after three failed attempts—”

      “You weren’t pregnant at our wedding a year ago.” Evy put her hand to her throat. “How long have you been trying to conceive, Anna?”

      A question she preferred not to answer. “The good news is that the in vitro finally worked.” After two failed procedures.

      She’d sold anything she could live without. Everything she owned in the world sat in her VW Beetle parked in front of the house.

      Charlie rocked on his heels. “Stay here, Anna. With people who love you.”

      She shook her head. “I need to do this on my own.”

      Evy’s expressive blue eyes clouded. “Need or want?”

      Anna chewed her bottom lip. “When Mrs. Savage forwarded the notice of the interim position so close to Christmas, I thought...”

      Thanks to pregnancy hormones, she’d been weepy the day the email arrived. She’d given in to the growing desire to come home. To spend Christmas with those near and dear to her heart. But above all, to make a new life for her child.

      And the kindergarten opening offered a small financial cushion to take the edge off her empty bank account. As she was learning, babies were expensive.

      Charlie glanced at the mantel clock. “It’s the middle of the night in Europe, but we can call Mom and Dad first thing—”

      “I’m not ready to tell them yet.” She fisted the hem of her vest.

      “They deserve to know the truth.”

      “Please, Charlie. A few more weeks.” She opened her palms on her lap. “Let me be the one to tell them.”

      Single parenting would be the ultimate and final letdown of everything they once hoped and dreamed for her.

      He sighed. “But in the meantime, what will you say to people in town?”

      In Kiptohanock, everybody was always up in everybody else’s business.

      She sniffed. “Why should I have to say anything?”

      He frowned. “Their accent may be slow, but their minds aren’t. People in Kiptohanock can count. They know your husband’s been dead for three years. You don’t want people thinking the worst.”

      “The worst?” She gestured at her belly. “You think this is the worst? Let me tell you about worst, little brother.”

      “I’m thinking of your reputation, Anna.”

      “By the time I was twenty-eight, I’d already suffered the worst day of my life. Holding the hand of my husband as he breathed his last breath.” Her lips twisted. “People need to mind their own business.”

      “It’s not that simple, Anna.” He flexed his jaw. “And you know it.”

      Evy touched Anna’s hand. “I don’t think you’re giving people enough credit. They will want to help.”

      Like Ryan? Except for God, she’d felt alone for a long time. She wouldn’t have survived without His help. She believed in the deepest part of her being this baby was part of God’s plan for her.

      “I have to do this, Charlie,” she whispered.

      Her brother rose with a groan. “I guess I have no choice but to let you do this your way.”

      Evy helped her off the couch. “Don’t forget how much we love you and want to be here for you, Anna.”

      She hugged the petite woman who’d become the closest thing to a sister she’d ever known. Saying a quick goodbye before her resolve weakened, Anna lumbered out the door. And nearly fell off the wide-planked porch in disbelief.

      Ankles crossed and arms folded, Ryan leaned against her car.

      She had a hard time regaining her breath and not only because she walked the distance between the living room and veranda. “What’re you doing here?”

      “You caught me by surprise before.” Behind the