Chapter 86

Kate wanted to go out for a long walk in the cool evening. She wore a hoodie over her dress in case it began to snow and tucked her hands in a glove. It was snowing lightly, enough to make evening walkers enjoy their stroll. A little girl caught a snow droplet and placed it on her tongue. When Kate saw her dissatisfied look, she chuckled.

“It tastes like water,” the little girl told the older woman beside her with a frown.

“Of course, Santa hasn’t released sweeteners in the snow yet…not until we all behave ourselves.”

Her eyes sparkled with hope and Kate wished she could do over and explain the truth to the little girl. She moved on, along the snowy sidewalk with her hand firmly tucked in the pockets of her cardigan. She glanced across the street where street hawkers and buyers stood in their exchange of crisp dollar notes for grilled and barbecued flesh. Kate didn’t consider herself as one who loved roadside food or eating outside generally. If she wanted grilled chicken, she would