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Carrie reached out and silently squeezed Mackenzie’s hand

The girl squeezed back "I didn’t mention it last Saturday, but that was the first time I’ve ever baked homemade cookies Dad helped me bake a cake once, but it came in a box"

Carrie had suspected as much

"I like the e can sit down and talk You seem to understand what’s in irl in h all I can do is those snowflakes You taughtto be finished soon, and Dad and I are going to move away I’ain Won’t you please, please marry my dad?"

"Oh, sweetheart," Carrie whispered and wrapped her ar her forehead on Mackenzie’s head "It isn’t as simple as that Couldn’t I just be your friend?"

Mackenzie sniffled and nodded "Will you come visit me e move?"

"You bet"

"But Mada to roaned inwardly "Madame Frederickto tell you so that’s just between you and me"

"Okay" Mackenzie stared at her intently

"Mada in that crystal ball of hers"

"But--"

"I know She says what she thinks should happen or what she hopes will happen, and in doing so puts the idea in people’s minds If her predictions come true, it’s because those people have steered the course of their lives in the direction she pointed"

"But she sees"

"Her confidence is all part of the act"