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"You brought that for me?" The ansas obvious and Linnette felt even more uncomfortable Silently she vowed she’d make sure he understood this was their last date It was the right thing to do

"For you" His gaze moved past her to Gloria, who stepped out of the other roohbor Gloria" As she spoke, she set the plant on her coffee table, where it provided a festive touch

Gloria came forith her hand extended "Hello, Cal, I’ve been hearing a lot about you"

Cal’s gaze shot to Linnette, and he seemed both pleased and surprised "My p-pleas-sure," he said, shaking hands

"I’ll check in with you after the weekend," Gloria said as she moved past Cal on her way out the door "Have fun, you two"

"I’ll just grab loves," Linnette said and momentarily left him She opened the hall closet to retrieve what she needed, and for good o out with Cal, they hadn’t decided what to do She’d suggested ato carry on a conversation over dinner Because she wasn’t all that interested, she hadn’t bothered to look at the s

When she returned, Cal’s appreciative smile warmed her He took her coat and as he held it, she slid her ar he didn’t possess such i at him, she buttoned her coat, wrapped the scarf around her neck and put on her gloves They left the apart the doorknob--just like her father always did

"Did you decide which movie you want to see?" she asked as they started down the staircase The wind chilled her face immediately and it seemed about to snow

He shook his head "Did you?"

"Oh, I didn’t really look Should I go back to the apartry?" he asked

"Not very I had a late lunch"

They continued walking, and Linnette had to admit that Cal was an attractivehiloves, and he rehetti western days

"Let’s…j-just walk," he suggested

"Okay, if that’s what you want"

Cal tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and they aht the traffic--both vehicle and foot traffic--was particularly heavy for a Saturday night, but didn’t comment Several other observations occurred to her, but she resisted ed to respond Conversation often seemed aard for him After a few minutes, she came to enjoy the companionable silence

Then suddenly it was i!" she cried when a fat,her "Cal, look! It’s actually snowing"

He laughed at her obvious delight "I see"

"We never get snow…" In the light of the street lamps, Linnette saw his face break into a broad set snow, but it’s so rare, especially this close to the waterfront"

"Christree It’s absolutely perfect that it’s December and Christmas is only about teeks away"

They followed the sidewalk past the waterfront park and the marina and rounded the curve toward the clinic and City Hall By that ti down fast and furious

Fascinated as she was by the snow, Linnette didn’t i in the same direction they were Everyone, it seeroup of carolers who lined the steps of the City Hall building They were dressed in Victorian costubooks held open They began with "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleht up in the sheer wonder and joy of the season, Linnette could only listen raptly She counted three- or possibly four-part harmony The performance was lovely in every way The carolers in their costue decorated tree, the snow--it was about as idyllic a Christined

She watched the perfor on her shoulders, and she realized his body was blocking the wind Once again she wished he wasn’t so thoughtful

Afterward, when the carolers had finished, and the Christgested a cup of hot cocoa at the Potbelly Deli Chilled to the bone, Linnette readily agreed They were fortunate to find a table by the big potbellied stove in thefronized several people and they exchanged smiles

The hot chocolate was delicious and served with a candy cane, in honor of the season She and Cal shared a plate of shortbread cookies cut in Christmas shapes--trees and bells and snowain and they walked toward her apartment Once more, Cal tucked her arm in his elbow This was the time to tell hi her announcement would destroy the festive mood

"That was just wonderful," she said, her steps easily keeping pace with his

"Yes," he murmured

"So Christmassy" She hadn’t felt much Christmas spirit yet She blamed Chad for her lack of holiday cheer; she’d assu at the saether But that hadn’t turned out to be true; they saw each other only in passing and hardly ever had a chance to talk She wondered darkly if he’d planned it that way