Earlier that day, at the manor home of Kenneth Snow, everyone had been rearranging the furniture to make room for the gigantic Christmas tree that would be put up in the evening. Kenneth always loved to surprise his adopted son with the tree. He never allowed Nate to join him to pick out the tree, preferring to see the boy’s joy the next morning.

“I know you’ve already found most of the presents I’ve hidden. At least let me surprise you with this.” He smiled as he told Nate he had to wait to see the tree.