A Christmas of Secrets: Love, Lies and Redemption in the Storm.

e had always been protective of the twins, and the thought o

eyes. He seemed to genuinely care about the twins, and h

ly, making a decision. "

e. "Great," he said. "I'll pic

nse of trepidation. What w

iting when Ryan arrived. He was driving a sleek black c

ldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The estate was

ere was his mother, a elegant woman with a warm smile, an

ckly won them over. They played games and ran arou

titude towards Ryan. He had promised to ta

talked to her about Ryan's past. Lacey listened, fascinated,

is mother said, smiling. "But he's grown u

hope. Maybe, just maybe, Ryan was

nse of exhaustion wash over her. It had been a l

he way he interacted with the twins. He was a good

ned to Lacey and smiled. "Thank you for

sense of warmth towards him.

o her and asked, "Would you like to go ou

request. She hadn't been on a date in years, and

cerity there. He wasn't just asking her out for

inally, making a dec

at the corners. "Great," he sa

ut feel a sense of excitement. She was taking a chan

a figure watching her from across the street. It wa

e as the woman turned and walked away

d impression.Lacey spent the rest of the day getting ready for her date with Ryan. She took a long bath

s a knock at the door. It was Ryan, looking

" he said, his eyes scan

d thanked him. She couldn't believe how nervous she wa

ice the way Ryan looked at her. It was like he was really see

delicious menu. Lacey and Ryan talked and laughed as they

e comfortable around Ryan. She was surprised by how much she e

yan reached across the table and took Lacey's hand. It

d, looking into her eyes. "Would you

sense of excitement. "