The mall was packed. Teeming would be the best description; foot traffic was so tight that simply crossing the thoroughfare to reach the store opposite involved a detour of about sixty yards while Nicholas negotiated the nonstop flow of people. Either that or riot police. And having a strong aversion to crowds helped him not in the slightest.

Even reaching the Hallmark’s had made Nicholas feel more akin to a salmon than a human. With so many people holiday shopping, he had almost decided to leave his jacket in the car, but the black leather had turned out to have been a welcome added layer of protection against the crush. His belted jeans and leather Red Wings would have held up, he thought, but his feared his plain grey gym shirt would have lasted all of five minutes. His height was his only advantage, at least allowing him to look where he was going, but it was small comfort to the brown-haired man. At least he was safe for the moment; he wandered slowly through the small aisles, attempting not to look as dazed as he felt.

Unfortunately today’s visit could not be avoided. His second niece was having her ninth birthday in a week, and Nicholas Flaherty had been hunting almost nonstop since late August. Today was the first chance he’d had since to act like a normal person without worrying about travel time or expenses; and from the looks of the message board the last time he’d checked the Net, his schedule was only going to get tighter.

Nicholas chastised himself for not shopping during the summer, when he’d had the time. Attempting to do anything in late November was lunacy.

Then again, he might as well be shooting blindfolded at the moment for all the good it would do him. With his current occupation, his ability to visit family or friends was severely limited. He hadn’t seen and had barely talked to anyone in almost a year and a half; his presents last year had been educated guesses. Now the best he could do was stand in the back of a Hallmark’s and feel lost.

Did Janie even like stuffed animals anymore? And if not, would she at least realise he was trying to think about her? He didn’t want her to grow up jaded about her rotten Uncle Nick because he was never in touch. There was enough angst in kids’ lives these days without him adding to any of hers. It was a blessing, he supposed, that she was only his niece, and not his daughter. He would be lucky to even have a child.

He was reaching for a small plush puppy with black floppy ears and a contented smile when the Sight took him.