owner behind him, carrying a box, covered with a cloth.  Ryan handed Destiny to Christine, then went back to the rear of the wagon to thank the store owner.  They shook hands, the store owner slipping Ryan an envelope he put in his pocket, and Ryan joined Christine on the wagon seat.  Christine was looking back, into the buckboard, trying to inspect the contents of the box, wondering if she could see a hint of what was underneath that sheet.  Ryan smiled at her childlike innocence, and leaned over, and whispered in her ear.

     “Christmas is a time for secrets,” he said into her ear, teasing her, and she straightened up in her seat, holding Dessie.

     She lowered her head, for a moment, smiling shyly at his teasing, as he prom...

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