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CHAPTER ONE

“MOM, EVEN THOUGH I know there’s no Santa, is it still okay to have a stocking?”

Bailey Voss se, but every now and then she thought ht

“Of course,” she told her seven-year-old “Christ our traditions A stocking is a tradition”

Chloe beas? And decorate the house?” Her bright, adorable girl paused “When we ht? Can we put up our Christht?”

“We can,” Bailey pro day of , but deterirl

Chloe had already been through so o But she was happy and thriving now Bailey and her daughter had made a place for themselves in Fool’s Gold and they were less than ainto what Bailey hoped was their forever horeat job she loved, Chloe had friends and was doing well in school A wonderful holiday season was exactly how she planned to finish up her year

Chloe walked to the calendar attached to the refrigerator and counted out the days

“Seventeen days until Thanksgiving,” she said excitedly “Then twelve s” She hurried over to her ed her “It’s almost Christmas!”

Bailey held her tightly, then stroked her hair “I’ too e help to me”

Her daughter looked up her “I love you, Mom”

“I love you, too, sweet girl” She glanced at the clock on the stove and held in a shriek “We are so late!”

Chloe laughed and pulled back, then ran out of the kitchen “I’m ready I just need my coat”