The Christmas Child

By Penny Musco

Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus' birth, but for Hannah and Robert Jessup, there is no joy, only the crushing sorrow of a childless marriage. Despite Hannah's newfound faith--another source of tension with her husband--she feels the pain of infertility keenly. When their unmarried maid offers them her unborn baby, Hannah sees it as an answer to prayer, but Robert refuses and banishes Rosa from their home. Will infertility and a wife's newfound faith crush Robert and Hannah's marriage? How will God answer Hannah's desperate prayers for a child and her husband's salvation?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harbourlight Books
• Release date: Dec 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781522301684

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The Christmas Child

Penny Musco

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are 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.

The Christmas Child

COPYRIGHT 2018 by Penny Musco

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Pelican Ventures, LLC except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

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Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated are taken from the King James translation, public domain.

Excerpts from The Overcoming Life by D. L. Moody, Fleming H. Revell Company, 1896, public domain.

Cover Art by Nicola Martinez

White Rose Publishing, a division of Pelican Ventures, LLC

www.pelicanbookgroup.com PO Box 1738 *Aztec, NM * 87410

White Rose Publishing Circle and Rosebud logo is a trademark of Pelican Ventures, LLC

Publishing History

First White Rose Edition, 2018

Electronic Edition ISBN 978-1-5223-0168-4

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To my husband, partner in our own struggle with infertility and to our brown-eyed girl, our happy ending.

1

Another month. Another disappointment.

Hannah stared at the small calendar on her desk. After two years of disappointing months, it should be easier, but it wasn’t. The tiny spark of hope that sometimes consumed her like a blazing fire flickered feebly this morning. A certain coolness would soon settle in around her heart until the next month. And the next.

With a swirl of her taffeta underskirt, Hannah left the parlor. Breakfast waited. Robert undoubtedly was already at the table. There would be no child in the Jessup household in 1891 after all.

Good morning, darling. Her husband’s cheerfulness almost brought out the tears that threatened to break the surface. But she would say nothing. Their childlessness remained an unspoken subject.

The door from the kitchen swished open as Hannah took her place, Rosa’s timing impeccable as usual. Hannah glanced around the table. Precisely laid dishes, attentive husband, efficient maid. The familiar morning routine. Everything as it should be. Except—no baby.

Rosa’s hands trembled slightly as she poured the tea, and a few drops spilled on the white damask tablecloth. The girl hurried to blot the stain with her apron.

Leave it for now. I’ll take care of it later. Hannah’s gaze moved from the mark to her maid’s unusually pale face. Are you all right?

Yes, ma’am. Rosa’s voice, with its mere hint of Italian accent, wavered. Everything is almost ready. She hurried out, the smell of bacon on the verge of burning wafting in from the kitchen.

Well, things are off to a poor start all around today, I’d say. Robert’s warm gray eyes smiled into hers. What’s the matter, darling?

I’m just a little...off this morning. She bit her lips and nodded toward the door. I’m concerned about Rosa, though. She hasn’t been herself for the past week or so.

Then you should get to the bottom of it if it concerns you so much.

I suppose so. She reached for the sugar bowl. But nothing I say or do seems to make any difference to anyone in this house these days.

A flush crept up Robert’s face.

Hannah instantly regretted her words. Still, at least this was one topic out in the open.

Hannah, you do a fine job taking care of the house. I meant no criticism. Robert’s tone remained even. But I can manage myself quite well, thank you. I’d think you’d be glad that at least I go with you to your new church.

Hannah stirred her tea. I do appreciate you accompanying me every Sunday these last months. But this isn’t a passing fancy with me, as you seem to feel. She took a sip of the steaming beverage. You’re correct about one thing, though. I’m sorry. I don’t have the right to impose my beliefs on anyone, even you.

Robert was prevented from answering by the return of Rosa with their meals and the newspaper. Not wanting to press the matter further, Hannah busied herself with eggs and toast, noting that the bacon was only slightly darker than normal.

Robert pulled out his pocket watch. Look at the time, he murmured, obviously just as happy to leave the subject alone. He scanned the paper as he hurried through his own breakfast. Ten minutes later, he gulped the last of his tea and pushed back his chair. Remember, I’ll be home early tonight, since we’re having dinner at the Duffs’ at six then going on to the opera with them.

Hannah nodded. The evening with the president of the bank where her husband worked and his wife was not something she particularly looked forward to, even if she was curious to see their new home near Central Park. "My outfit is being