A Simple Christmas Wish Read Online Free PDF

waited until dusk and went to the Brookfield Zoo to enjoy the million lights, the laser show, and all the other festivities.
    On Friday morning, however, just as they were preparing to set out for a Christmas window-shopping tour along the Magnificent Mile, Walt Swanson called. Walt had been Michael’s boss and mentor and Rachel had already had a conversation with him regarding her responsibilities with Holly, but he’d told her they would meet to go over the legal details of Michael and Miri’s will and estate later. It seemed that later had come.
    “I hope you’ve had enough time . . . you know, to rest and recover . . . especially after all you and Holly have been through.” He spoke haltingly, almost as if something wastroubling him. “But I think it’s time to go over some things now. Can you come by my office this afternoon, around two?”
    The law office was on Michigan Avenue, not far from the apartment, and so after their window-shopping trip and a lunch of hot dogs from a street vendor, they set out for Swanson, Myers, and Milligan.
    “Your daddy always loved walking to work,” Rachel told Holly as she held her hand to cross the street. It felt so natural talking to Holly like this. They had both gotten comfortable talking about things Michael and Miri used to do—what they liked and what they didn’t. Rachel felt that speaking openly like this somehow helped to keep them alive, and that seemed important—at least for now. Perhaps the time would come when a whole day would pass and neither of them would mention the dearly departed, but Rachel doubted it would be anytime soon.
    “You can wait in here,” Rachel told Holly as they walked into the law office.
    “I know.” Holly nodded importantly. “I’ve waited in here before. Lots of times. Sometimes when I came with Daddy. Sometimes when Mommy brought me.” She pointed to the door that still had Michael’s name on it. “That’s Daddy’s office right there. Sometimes I went inside to see him. Sometimes I waited out here while Mommy went in to see him.”
    Walt Swanson came out of his office. He gave Holly a sad little smile, grasping her hand in his big one. “How is my favorite little lady?”
    She smiled back. “I’m fine, thank you. How are you?”
    He grinned. “I’m doing all right.” He nodded to thereception desk. “I think Donna’s got some Christmas candy over there.” He glanced at Rachel. “If that’s okay?”
    “A little won’t hurt,” Rachel told him, looking at Holly. “Just don’t overdo it. Remember we’re trying to cut back on sweets.”
    Holly went over to Donna’s desk while Walt led Rachel into his office. Although she’d been in Michael’s office many times, she’d never been in Walt’s. Since Walt was the boss, his office was naturally bigger and more impressive than Michael’s.
    “Have a seat.” Walt waved to a pair of leather chairs.
    She sat down and waited, curious as to why this face-to-face meeting was necessary. Perhaps there was more paperwork, or something she needed to sign in person.
    Walt cleared his throat. “As you know, Michael was like a son to me. I cannot even tell you how sad I am to lose him.”
    She nodded. “We all are.”
    “Yes . . . I know.”
    “But at least I have Holly.” She sighed. “That makes all the difference.”
    “Ah yes—that is precisely what we need to talk about today.”
    Something about his tone—or was it his words?—felt like an alarm going off inside of her. “What do you mean?” She studied him closely, watching as he folded his hands, then unfolded them.
    “There’s no easy way to say this, Rachel. I would’ve told you last week, except that I knew your hands were full. Plus I knew you were still in the midst of your grief. I had hoped . . . I had really hoped . . . there would be another way out of this.”
    “Out of what?” Her mouth felt dry.

    “I know how much you love Holly, Rachel. I know that you expected to have