Chapter 126

Christmas Day...

Beside Rosa on a loveseat in Gayle's living room, Marie smiled at the excited voices of children, the cooing noises of infants, and the chatter among adults. Five dogs lay sleeping atop shredded wrapping paper and bows littering the floor from what had been the sweet chaos of opening gifts. The scent of glazed ham wafted from the kitchen. Flames in the huge stone fireplace danced behind stockings hanging from the mantel. A fresh cut fir tree decorated with lights and ornaments twinkled by the bay window. Two inches of fluffy white snow blanketed the yard from overnight.