A Christmas Gift Sample by New Hope Publishers

“I love how Kathi Macias’s books take me away to exotic places on an adventure. But that adventure unfolds to reveal secrets and social injustices her characters have to navigate ters, I grow as a person. I love the rich settings and deeply moving situations in A Christmas Gift.” ANGELA BREIDENBACH, Christian Authors Network president, author, and national speaker

“What if a widow steps out of her comfort zone to serve in

packed with compelling and sobering truths about the bro ken and sometimes evil world around us as well as the reality

won’t soon forget.” S U S A N G . M AT H I S ,

author of The Remarriage Adventure and Countdown for Couples “A Christmas Gift shines with endearing characters, in cannot bring back, the adventure that beckons, the adjust A Christmas Gift ending hope for a new life, a new land, and the sweetness of a new beginning.” JA N E T P E R E Z E C K L E S , author and international speaker “The La Paz mission compound in southern Mexico could be exactly the change of scenery that high school teacher Julia Bennington needs. Certainly, they need her. But more awaits her in the remote jungles than wildlife and beauty.

A sinister grappling for her very life forces her to consider the imminent death. “In A Christmas Gift, Kathi Macias takes her readers to the stunning rain forests of southern Mexico where American teacher Julia Bennington tries to do the right thing. The very thing that may end up taking her life. A Christmas Gift grips the heart as one woman’s unspeakable evil.”

— DAVA LY N N

SPENCER,

author of The Snowbound Bride “A Christmas Gift not been to Chiapas, but I have been to areas much like the one that is the setting for the story. I love missionaries, and I love the Mexican people. All of these elements in the story were so true to the life that I’ve personally seen and experienced. I fell in love with the main characters, and the suspenseful storyline kept me turning pages until the end. I highly recommend this book.”

—LENA

NELSON DOOLEY,

Abducted to Kill

CHRISTMAS G I F T Can a simple man and his faith be enough for her to stay? Multiple Award-Winning Author

K AT H I M A C I A S

Publishers PO Box 12065

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any

the publisher.

A Christmas gift / Kathi Macias. pages cm 1. Christmas stories. 2. Christian fiction. I. Title. PS3563.I42319C45 2014 2014021838

THE

was more than simply the natural darkness that came from being blind folded or even the realization that at any moment she could be killed and catapulted into an eternity she wasn’t certain she DA R K N E S S T H AT E N V E LO P E D H E R

so heavy and oppressive and terrifying that she struggled just to breathe. And, unlike the darkness of her worst nightmares, there was no hope of awakening to the sunlight streaming through her window or the songs of birds or even monkeys greeting the dawn in nearby trees. No hope of laying eyes sights and sounds she despaired of experiencing ever again. Julia thought back to the minutes immediately preceding her kidnapping. She had felt so peaceful and serene, basking in the noonday sunlight that penetrated the thick trees and relishing the beauty of the colorful ti plants in the lush rain forest that surrounded the La Paz Compound. She had come to La Paz a few months earlier to teach children who otherwise had little chance of an education or of escaping the poverty that was so prevalent in the ancient Mayan culture of southern Mexico. If only she’d listened to her family’s warnings and stayed in the States, where her life had been predictable and relatively safe, even if less than exciting. More importantly, if only she’d listened to the cautions of those within the compound, all of whom had been here much longer than she, and not ventured out alone beyond the compound’s walls. Yet she’d done it several times before, though never on her own, and had never had a problem.

PROLOGUE

had heard her captors say they were asking a million dollars parents or grown children could ever raise. Oh, how she

no doubt in Julia’s mind that death was the only realistic end to her situation. She’d already heard her captors talking about her, saying that if her family couldn’t come up with the money, they might be able to sell her to the local curanderos, or shamans, for a human sacrifice. As terrifying as that thought was, she couldn’t help but hear the question echoing in her Then what?

bound her hands and feet to the hard chair where she’d been sitting now for longer than she could estimate, she wetting her already damp blindfold. Through a dry throat and cracked lips, she begged once more for mercy, but the only answer was laughter and a sneer about mercy not being part of the plan. “Por favor,” she whispered. “Please! Just some water . . .” Instead of receiving even a drop of water, a fist slammed into her left cheek, knocking her head to the right. Before she could cry out, welcome relief came in the form of unconsciousness.

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J U L I A L AW S O N B E N N I N G TO N had a wonderful childhood. An only child, she was raised by loving parents in a small but Beach, just a few miles from the border of Mexico and blocks from the seashore. But then, during her sophomore year of slightly more than he’d made at the previous one, he was thrilled to accept it and move his family an hour north to the thriving community of Temecula, where it was hotter in the summer, cooler in the winter, and an hour from the beach. from the ocean to be able to walk there. The only thing worse was leaving her friends behind and trying to get reestablished But she’d managed, even adapting to the fact that she could no longer stroll the beach on a daily basis. Before long she made a few friends and began to enjoy the Old Town

to work toward earning her teaching degree. It was there she met Tom Bennington, one year ahead of her and also studying to become a teacher.

encouraged them to wait until after they’d graduated and gotten jobs, they opted for a small wedding during Tom’s

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Julia thought she’d never been happier than during the nearly three years they lived in that tiny studio apartment less than a mile from school. She smiled now at the memory, as she sat on the comfy leather sectional in her spacious family room, her mind sorting through snapshots of happier times. Tom had called this room his “man cave,” as he spent countless hours there watching college and pro football, munching on his favorite snack of caramel popcorn, and rooting for his favorite teams. Julia’s smile faded. Could she still consider this room a man cave, even though her man was no longer here? It had been two years since a heart attack claimed Tom’s life, leaving Two years. Two years of crying and telling myself to get set me up with someone else. Don’t they understand? I don’t want me? What am I to do with the rest of my life? How am I supposed to go on without you? She picked up Tom’s favorite sweater from her lap, burying her head in the soft knit and sobbing as she inhaled what was left of his scent. She knew she was being overly to lose a beloved husband. She knew too that she had much

beginning their own lives yet both attentive and loving to her. And she had her teacher’s position, didn’t she? Every year she welcomed a new crop of high school students, some rowdy, some studious, some downright obnoxious, but all needing to learn and mature. She was blessed to be part of that process, so how could she complain? listen. She hated being a widow, hated living alone in a house full of memories that never seemed to let up, always tugging

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at her heart and her tear ducts. Would her life ever change? Would she ever experience laughter and joy again? Every one assured her she would and she desperately wanted to believe them, But, right now, with her face buried in her late husband’s sweater, she couldn’t imagine how that could ever happen.

“J U L I A ? J U L I A , where are you?” The familiar voice eased her into consciousness, actual sleep. She seemed to be spending more and more time there lately. “In here, Mom,” she called, clearing her throat. “Come on in.” Marie Lawson stepped into the doorway and stopped. “You’ve been crying again,” she observed, resuming her approach until she sat down on the brown leather couch concern as she laid a hand on Julia’s. “You spend far too much time alone in here, thinking and crying.” She paused. “You can’t bring him back, you know.” “I know that, Mom.” She hoped the trace of irritation she felt at such a pointless statement didn’t come through in her words. She had no desire to hurt her mother, but there were times the woman overstated the obvious, and it got on her nerves. Marie squeezed Julia’s hand. “I don’t doubt that you know it; I just wish you’d do something about it. You need to get out more.” Here we go again! “I get out plenty,” Julia reminded her Marie nodded. “True. But not in the summer. It’s the after school lets out?”

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Julia’s head began to pound. “I haven’t had time to think about that yet, Mom. Right now I’m swamped

for why she’d no doubt sit around all summer, weeping and feeling sorry for herself, but right now it was all she had to offer in hopes of staving off her mother’s unwanted advice. “It’s not enough,” Marie countered. “I know all that will keep you busy for a few more weeks, but then what?” Julia wanted to reply that she would lock herself in her house and hide, but she wasn’t about to open that can of worms with her mother. “The kids will be home,” she said, grasping at that thought as she pushed a short lock of unruly red hair from her forehead. “They’ll keep me busy.” to some degree. But you know Tyler will be working at his old job, delivering pizzas, like he does every summer. And time catching up with her friends. So where does that leave you? What exactly are you going to do? Just sit around here, moping all day and waiting for them to drop in now and then so you can make them a sandwich?” She sighed and shook wonderful man, and you two were so in love. But he’s been gone more than two years now. You really do need to begin making a new life for yourself.” for exploding at her mother, who only wanted the best for her, and yet unable to hold her feelings in any longer. “What

recently, a wonderful marriage. Isn’t that enough? Why do I need more?” Marie’s gray eyes held a pained expression, but Julia knew it was for her daughter more than herself. “I’m sorry,

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Mom,” she said, her voice softer now. “I didn’t mean to yell. “I know, dear.” Marie patted Julia’s hand. “I know you’re lonely and hurting and brokenhearted, and what you really want is to have your life back the way it was before . . . before Tom died.” She paused. “But that will never happen, sweetheart. And you can’t spend the remainder of your life living in the past.” her mother was right, quite another to acknowledge it or

that’s enough for me.” Marie shook her head. “I don’t think so. You know, you?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “She and her husband, they’re venturing out into something new. In fact, you won’t believe what they’re doing.” She smiled, as her words picked up speed, her enthusiasm showing as her eyes danced. “They’ve ture is still very strong, and education and job opportunities are almost nonexistent. They’ve taken the position of directors at a small compound in Chiapas State, just outside the town of San Juan Chamula and not far from the larger city of San Cristobal de las Casas. They live and work in the compound, running a school for the children there, as well as a small

them to do, so they rented out their house and just up and went. Isn’t that amazing? They’ve been looking for at least one more teacher to come down and help them, but so far, Every time I get a letter from them, they talk about how much they love their work there . . .”

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Julia watched as much as listened to her mother’s animated monologue, not so much absorbing the words as processing what the Barneses had decided to do. Teach in a faraway land, where children had little or no chance at education or a better life? It was something she’d dreamed of doing for years, even when she was in high school, long before she met and married Tom. She imagined that dream

Julia asked, no doubt surprising her mother nearly as much as she surprised herself. “And what sort of teacher are they looking for?” Marie’s eyebrows shot up an extra notch, and she hes itated before answering. “I’m . . . not sure. Why do you ask?” “Because I . . . I think I just might be interested in something like that. Seriously, Mom. You know it’s something I wanted to do when I was younger, but I never imagined I’d have the opportunity. Besides, I met Tom and settled into my life with him. All other dreams went on the back burner then. But now . . .” Marie’s eyes were as wide as saucers now, and Julia knew her mother was regretting ever bringing up the sub ject. But it was too late. She’d already told her daughter about it and suddenly, inexplicably, Julia thought that just maybe there might be something more for her to do after all.

MARIE

her daughter the Barneses’ contact information, but Julia had tracked them down on one of her social networks. Appar ently they had at least sporadic Internet service in this remote area of southern Mexico. If that was the case, how really desolate or dangerous HAD

REFUSED

GIVE

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Julia caught herself humming as she searched the Internet for more info on the area. San Juan Chamula, the closest town to the compound, seemed to be somewhat of a tourist attraction. It has to be a charming place, with its mixture of

Christmas procession on the way to the building. I can’t wait to see it! She was especially intrigued with the descriptions of the curanderos, or shamans, men and women who practiced warning of rumors that some of them still practiced human their strict evangelical beliefs, would even consider such a thing to be possible in this day and age. Besides, with all her research, she had yet to unearth any serious proof of such

a real concern, though that seemed more prevalent in large cities than in such remote areas as San Juan Chamula. And with the school being inside the locked compound, she felt Julia sighed. It was as if the possibilities had not only resurrected her youthful dream of teaching children in

Tom died. when she’d tried to explain it to her. “What about the students

stricken area, there are plenty of places right here in our own country. Why do you have to go so far away?” But the more her parents argued, the more Julia was Barneses had been encouraging, and she would be meeting

A CHRISTMAS G I F T

with them when they came home in June for a brief vacation to take care of some business and to visit their grandchildren. Julia could hardly wait. Meanwhile, she stayed busy tying up all the loose ends that went with wrapping up another school year. The students would no sooner walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, toss their caps into the air, and cheer their accomplishments than Brittney and Tyler would be arriving again! But how would they react to her news? She had sworn her parents to secrecy so as not to spoil the surprise. She

get to them soon enough and try to plant seeds of doubt and fear in their minds, but she hoped they would see her point of view and support her.

with or without the support of her parents. True, her children she would be gone less than a year. And they would have their grandparents to go to if they needed something. They would all just have to understand and trust that she knew what she was doing.

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