the sound of Emma laughing. Mrs. Alvarez had joined her, and together they were trying to place a wooden star on the highest branch of the tree.
Daniel glanced toward them.
“Emma stays here with Mrs. Alvarez. We won’t be gone long.”
“You can’t leave her on Christmas Eve.”
“Mrs. Alvarez is practically family. She’ll be safer and happier here than in an empty building.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“I know.”
He took his coat from the back of the chair, then held mine out to me.
“I’ll have Mrs. Alvarez
