The Christmas Night Miracle. Кэрол Мортимер

remembering all the clutter his sisters-in-law always seemed to carry around for their kids.

      ‘We’re only staying at my parents’ until Boxing Day,’ Meg answered him as she collected the plates together, at the same time, it seemed, carefully avoiding his gaze.

      They didn’t have Boxing Day in the States, made do with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for the holidays over there, but it seemed to him that Meg had travelled a long way for a three-day, now two-day, visit. Why?

      ‘We’re going to see my granma and grandad,’ Scot told him brightly.

      ‘So I understand.’ Jed nodded, finding himself smiling at the little boy in spite of himself.

      Children, especially little ones like this, were not part of his everyday life. Although, despite what he might have said earlier, he was fond enough of his nieces and nephews.

      ‘Do you know my granma and grandad?’ Scot looked up at him expectantly.

      He gave a shake of his head. ‘I can’t say that I’ve ever met them, no.’

      ‘Scott, it really is time for your—’

      ‘Neither have I.’ Scott spoke at the same time as his mother, his expression wistful now.

      Curiouser and curiouser, Jed mulled frowningly. Scott had to be at least three, perhaps a little older, and yet he claimed never to have met his own grandparents. Jed could understand the lapse where the boy’s father’s parents were concerned, but not with his maternal grandparents.

      What sort of people were the Hamiltons never to have even met their own grandson?