As the Snow Fell by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Author:Deanna Lynn Sletten [Sletten, Deanna Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deanna Lynn Sletten
Published: 2017-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

***

It was late afternoon by the time Mallory’s trunk was packed with the gifts and she’d headed out. They’d eaten lunch and cake after she’d opened the presents, and Amelia was the first one to make a beeline for the door. “I have a late tennis match,” she’d said as way of an excuse. Mallory didn’t care why she’d left, she was just happy she had. The atmosphere of the party grew lighter after she was gone.

Mallory felt guilty for thinking that, but it was true. She’d always known that Amelia was a perfectionist, but she’d never thought of her as a snob until recently. The moment Amelia had entered her parents’ house, Mallory saw her look around with her nose wrinkled as if the place smelled. She hadn’t said the typical niceties that people do upon seeing someone’s home for the first time. Not even a half-hearted, “What a nice home you have.” Mallory’s parents did have a nice home—the kind of home that anyone would be happy to grow up in, with a large backyard and a neighborhood full of decent, hardworking people. Mallory hadn’t grown up rich, but her parents weren’t poor, either. They had a modest split-level home, nice cars, and went on yearly vacations. And they were loveable, kind, warm-hearted people. One thing was for certain—Mallory had never felt unloved growing up. After seeing the cold way that Amelia behaved, she’d bet Brent hadn’t always felt warmth from his family.

The sun was low in the west when Mallory turned into her narrow driveway and shut off her car. Winter days were short, with the sun setting by five o’clock. She noticed that some of the neighbors’ Christmas lights had already come on, brightening the neighborhood. Mallory wished she’d had time to decorate this year, but she doubted she’d even put up a tree. That thought made her sad.

She opened the trunk and pulled out all the bags Amber had packed her gifts into, reaching deep into the trunk not to miss anything. Arms full, she headed to the front door when suddenly a shadow stood up and blocked her way. She stopped so quickly, she nearly fell over.

“Don’t be scared. It’s just me,” James said, walking toward her.

Mallory heard a snort and snuffle.

“Oh, and Brewster too,” James added.

She took a calming breath as her heartbeat slowed from the jolt it had felt. “Why are you here?” She headed again for the door.

“I’m sorry we scared you,” James said. “Brewster and I were sitting on the front steps, waiting, and I hadn’t realized how dark it had become until you drove in.”

Mallory juggled the bags as she unlocked the front door. “Come in,” she told James when he hesitated.

“Brewster too?”

“Sure. It’s cold out. Do I seem like the type of person who’d let people and dogs stand outside in the cold?” She had meant to sound like she was teasing, but it came out sounding irritated and annoyed.

“Maybe we should leave,” James said, standing just inside the door.

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