The Christmas Baby. Lisa Carter

      

      Mistletoe Mommy

      Anna Reyes is pregnant and widowed, and a Christmas homecoming isn’t so simple. Reuniting with her best friend, Ryan Savage, makes it easier—even though she knows he’ll soon be leaving their small coastal hometown. After putting his career on hold for his family’s business, Ryan’s finally ready to pursue his goals. But as he and Anna work to make the holidays special for a group of at-risk kids, Ryan wonders if he can give up one dream for another. They’re determined to make this a Christmas to remember, but can Ryan and Anna also make their holiday family last forever?

      “There’s something else you can keep me from.” Ryan grinned.

      Anna rested her hand on top of her basketball-size stomach. “What’s that?”

      “You can keep me from another Friday night of eating alone.” He winked at her. “Dinner will give us a chance to catch up. Our Christmas reunion. A lot has happened since we last saw each other.”

      “No kidding.” Her gaze fell to the wooden steps. “I’m sorry about your dad, Ryan.” She dropped her hand to her side. “Mateo was going through chemo and...”

      “We lost touch. No problem. So...dinner?”

      Her lashes feathered her skin. “I never could say no to you.”

      Which wasn’t how he remembered high school. Though more often than not, he hadn’t given her a chance to say no. He’d been too scared to ask Anna to prom or on a date. He’d reckoned it best to be content being best friends. But how many times had he secretly wished for more...

      Dear Reader,

      Sometimes we find love. And sometimes, like an unexpected gift, love finds us.

      In writing this story, I was forced to ask myself, how far was I willing to go for love? What would I sacrifice? What would I risk?

      To risk much for love, like Anna, I have to be willing to come to the end of my pride and self-sufficiency if I am to discover God’s best, often unexpected, gift for me. Like Ryan, I, too, have grappled with what this kind of love will cost me. Sometimes I lacked the courage to love this way—feeling the cost too high. The price of obedience. The cost of laying down my plans. The death of self.

      But love is a choice. An unconditional love with no expectation of return demands courage. My prayer—like Ryan’s—is for God’s love to be born in me so that I might love the way God loves us. And to persevere in loving, despite knowing the outcome may never be what I long for most—but trusting God anyway.

      Bethlehem and Calvary are the greatest love story. God’s love story for all mankind when He chose to make our heart His home. Love is calling, and I pray you will answer love’s call.

      I hope you have enjoyed taking this Christmas journey with me, Anna and Ryan. I would love to hear from you. You may email me at [email protected] or visit www.lisacarterauthor.com.

      Wishing you fair winds and following seas,

      Lisa Carter

      LISA CARTER and her family make their home in North Carolina. In addition to her Love Inspired novels, she writes romantic suspense for Abingdon Press. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales, teaching writing workshops and researching her next exotic adventure. She has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. She loves to hear from readers. Connect with Lisa at lisacarterauthor.com.

      The Christmas Baby

      Lisa Carter

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      Now before the Feast of the Passover,

      Jesus knew that His hour had come that

      He would depart out of this world to the Father,

      having loved His own who were in the world,

      He loved them to the end.

      —John 13:1

      This book is dedicated to my late uncle, Hugh Adams.

      You are missed. Thank you for sharing your family

      with me. I will always treasure the memories of

      fun, golf and barbecue chicken.

      But most of all, thank you for Christmas.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       Dear Reader

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven