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what we thought was right, and you could hardly have just dropped the gifts off without seeing the children.”
Tyne sighed, pushed her empty dinner plate away from her and held her cup out for Morley to fill. “I know. But I’ve also wondered if we did the right thing in buying Christmas presents for them. We’re not part of their family now, and Ruby has probably got them something, anyway.” She crossed her arms on the table, and thought how much she would just like to lay her head down on them and go to sleep. “And yet, what if our gifts are the only ones they get? How dreadful if they didn’t have anything to open on Christmas morning.”
Morley replaced the coffee pot on the stove, and took his place at the table across from her. “I still say you did the right thing. And it wouldn’t surprise me if Ruby and Bill didn’t get them a thing. I hate to think that, Tyne, but from what I’ve heard about Bill Harrison, nothing would surprise me.”
“Do you know him well?”
Morley shook his head, “I’ve never actually met him so I shouldn’t judge, but word does get around and, as far as I can tell, he’s not well thought of – by the townspeople or anyone.” He poured cream into his coffee and stirred as he spoke. “I’ve known his brother-in-law for several years, though. Corky used to come out to help my dad during harvest when I was in my teens. I liked him. That was before he started drinking heavily.”
Tyne nodded. “I’ve always liked Corky, too. It’s funny, you know, although he’s known as the town drunk, you never hear anyone say anything unkind about him. But, like most people, I’ve never taken to Bill.”
Tyne finished her coffee and got up to clear the table. “The eldest girl, Lyssa, has a serious problem; she seemed so hostile. I’m almost afraid for her.” She paused as she stacked dishes in the sink, added soap and covered them with hot water. “You know, it amazes me how we’ve suddenly become so involved in the lives of those two families.”
Morley carried his cup to the counter. “God works in mysterious ways, Tyne. I have no doubt that his hand is in this, and that he plans to use us in some way.”
Libros Libertad 