Page 117 - The Last Gift

seemed to chok the air out of her.
Pressing her nose against the window, she

saw wreaths and garland hung everywhere,
stockings already hung over the fireplace, and a
tree stood in the corner with gifts stacked high
under it. Each one was beautifully wrapped in
bright, colorful paper with a bow on top.

She didn’t stay long that night. She couldn’t
stand the way she felt.

When she walked into her own house, it was
all she could do to stem the tears that were
welling up around her eyes. Mother Davis set
aside her knitting. “Well?”

Trying to act cheerful, she replied “It looks
like it’s done. I’d say we should be welcoming
neighbors any day.”

Mother Davis seemed to sense that Rachel

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