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held a hostile spark, and Tyne felt a wrench in her gut that made her wince as if in pain.
An awkward silence followed. In the moments that they stood looking at each other, Tyne saw several emotions play across Rachael’s pale face – hope followed by distrust, then anger. Tyne felt as though she would be sick in the middle of that inhospitable room. Pulling herself together, she smiled at Rachael and motioned towards the tree.
“I brought you and Bobby Christmas gifts.” Her smile took in the two Harrison girls. “And there are little packages of sweets for every one of you.”
“For me, too?”
The sound of another voice in the room startled Tyne until she realized that Lark had spoken and moved towards her. The child’s eyes were bright.
“Yes Lark, for all of you.” Tyne reached into her bag and began to lay out the bright packages on a side table near a stuffed sofa chair. Then she handed one to Lark. “And this one has your name on it.”
Eyes alight, the child took it and began to untie the ribbon. Tyne glanced at Rachael whose eyes, although she had not left the doorway, were riveted on her cousin’s busy hands. Tyne suddenly realized she had better intervene.
“Perhaps, Lark, you had better wait to ask your mom if you can have candy this close to supper time. You could save it for later, don’t you think?”
Lark’s features registered her disappointment but she stopped working the ribbon, and held the treat close to her chest. She looked up at Tyne and smiled shyly. “Thank you.”
Tyne picked up two more packages of fudge, checked to make sure they had the right names, then handed one to Lyssa. “This one is for you, Lyssa, and ….” Taking a few steps towards the doorway, she handed the other package to Rachael, who after only a moment’s hesitation, took it eagerly.
“Thank you, Mrs. Cresswell,” she said soberly.
Tyne’s eyes stung, and she had to blink to stop the tears. Mrs. Cresswell?
Libros Libertad 