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"I’m so sorry" She stopped "Itan arm around her waist, and kept it there even after she kept walking "It sucked Without a brother or sister to help absorb so up an only child, I thought I had it s TV, bathrooon" They turned the corner to a street that took lighting for Christmas to a whole new level "I never kne one and I was alone"

"I can’t is do you have?"

"There are five of us Duncan is the oldest, Fin, myself, Cian and Amber My parents made sure we had each other, so when the tiether"

"You’re lucky to have such a large faainst his shoulder They walked in silence for awhile Todd’s fingers held her waist, sending a shiver down her spine The touch wasn’t roup of children stood out in front of one of the ho carols They stopped and watched

"Todd Blakely? Is that you, lad?" A voice from one of the homes called

They both turned at the mention of Todd’s name An elderly man stood in the doorhere the carolers had just been

Todd shbor "Hello, Mr McGregor You’ve outdone yourself this year Has Abby kept you buying lights all year?"

"It gives one Who do you have here?"

"Max McGregor, this is Myra MacCoinnich, a friend of reeted hilish "Happy Christes, as was her custo hairline "Ah, lass, I’ve not heard that since randmamma was alive Happy Christmas to you"

"Max! Have you lost your manners? Ask them in, it’s cold out there" Abby called from the hall, "We have warhts, Mrs McGregor,"

Todd told the aging wo how the elderly ht

There was no getting out of a few or’s They sipped apple cider on the front porch and enjoyed the crowd gathering around the neighborhood to look at the lights Myra and Todd listened to the couple banter

"So, you’re from Scotland are you?"

"Aye, I am" Myra said without worry Abby’s s

"She spoke in Gaelic, Abby I didn’t know anyone spoke that anymore"

Myra smiled and moved closer to Todd on the bench they shared "If no one speaks it, then how do you recognize it, Mr McGregor?"

"Good point, lass"

"Still, it is nice to hear," Abby added

"And ‘tis nice to speak," Myra said in Gaelic, then translated in English for Todd’s benefit

Todd sor talked about his grandchildren, and how they were going to travel to Texas to visit them over the holiday Myra heard little of it She concentrated instead on the way Todd held her hand, how his fingers stroked the inside of her pal her whole body tingle How could so innocent a touch make her body yearn? Make her want? What?