and the tree leaned slightly to one side before settling.
Emma clapped.
“Now it’s a real Christmas tree.”
I climbed down.
She wrapped her arms around my waist. This time I did not freeze.
“Come back before morning,” she whispered.
“I will if I can.”
She pulled back and frowned. “That sounds like grown-up talk.”
I laughed softly.
“You’re right.”
“Then say something better.”
I looked at her serious little face.
“I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
“That’s better.”
Daniel watched us with an expression I couldn’t read.
