Abby moved her gaze from Nic to the tree. “She has to restock it every couple of days.”

“Why over here and not out by the sunporch?”

“She’ll tell you because this tree is the perfect size, but I think it’s because there aren’t any feeders over here and she can see this tree from the living room when she’s sitting by the fire.”

Nic turned to her. “Your dad is absent a lot?”

Abby stared at her, wondering if she should discuss her parents’ relationship with her or not. “He’s working again…so…”

Nic said nothing—she only tucked her hands under her arms.

“Are you cold?”

“A little.”

“Do you have anything on under your jeans? Tights or leggings or something.”

Nic gave her a wry smile. “No.”

Abby laughed. “Not your thing, huh? Well, you should get some anyway. No one will know you have them on. You’ll be thankful to have them.”

“Can we walk a little?”

“Of course.” Abby wondered if she wanted to talk. “Let’s go down the driveway to the forest road.”

“What kind of gifts are we going to get each other?”

Abby shrugged. “I have no idea. I’m awful with gifts.”

“What about the others? Should I get something for them?”

“No, no. That’s not necessary. Our gift giving is not at all personal or even thoughtful, for that matter. My parents give us money each year. My grandparents give us money. I give Amazon gift cards to all of them.”

“What about Holly and Aaron?”

“I got them a gift card to a restaurant.”

Nic laughed. “So opening gifts on Christmas morning is not all warm and fuzzy?”

“Oh, when we were kids, it was. Keep in mind that Aaron is four years older than me, so he was already out of the Santa phase long before me. I guess I was in high school when the gifts dwindled to a couple and the money tradition started. Of course, back then and when I was in college, getting a chunk of cash was a lifesaver.”

“Like a hundred bucks’ chunk or larger than that?”

Abby hesitated. She didn’t want to sound like she was privileged or anything, especially considering how Nic had grown up with Christmas as an afterthought. Nic seemed to recognize her hesitation for what it was.

“Sorry. None of my business.”

“It was an obscene amount. Still is. My paltry hundred-dollar gift cards pale in comparison.”

“Why gift cards?”