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Chapter 45

One of his nieces came up to him, hugged him, and asked where Adrienne was. It was Cindy, one of the cousins to whom Adrienne had been especially close while growing up. She was followed by a young man whom Ray had never seen before.

Not sure how he should explain Adrienne’s absence to one of her cousins, he merely said, “She couldn’t make it.”

Cindy pouted and said that she had something exciting to share with her. She grasped the young man’s hand as she did so. Ray took a deep breath.

His sister Megan came up and greeted him with a cheery Merry Christmas, a hug, and a kiss on the cheek. Megan was Cindy’s mother. Ray returned her greeting.

“Have Cindy and Charles shared their good news?” she asked, beaming at her daughter and Cindy’s embarrassed beau.

“Not directly,” Ray said, conjuring a smile, “but I kind of figured it out. Congratulations.” He gave Cindy a hug and shook Charles’ hand.