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hour it was a battle to the death with more wins for the men of the house.
“I don’t think it’s fair,” Fleur pouted.
Crystal gave her a big hug. “It isn’t.” She bent down and whispered, “Where’s your game of Escargot? We’ll show up the men.”
Her face lit up. “It’s right there on the shelf.” She ran to get it.
It was kind of like the game of hopscotch, requiring lots of hopping to get to the center of a large snail, with lots of contortions and accidents as spaces were claimed and initialed by each player so you couldn’t step on them without receiving a penalty.
As it turned out, their uncle Raoul lost the competition for the men when he tried to do the impossible and landed in the middle of the game on his back. It sent the girls into squeals of laughter and pretty soon everyone joined in.
Crystal was still laughing hard when her eyes accidentally met Raoul’s as he got to his feet. The look he shot her sent a private message that bespoke pleasure. They’d shared so much over the last few days, she’d felt a change in their relationship. As if they were friends like they’d been when Suzanne was alive, and yet it felt so different now.
Reaching for Philippe, she pulled him aside. “It’s late and I need to get back to your grandparents in case they need me for any reason. Give me a kiss good-night and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Mommy.” He hugged and kissed her hard. This was her happy child, the one she never wanted to see disappear again.
She made the rounds hugging the children, then thanked Vivige and Bernard for a wonderful time. “I’ll pick the children up tomorrow and take them skiing.”
Philippe darted over to her and whispered in her ear. “You’re going to take us skiing?”
“Yes,” she whispered back.
“But I thought you didn’t like to ski anymore.”
“I love it, honey.”
His eyes rounded. “So do I!”
“You do? I thought maybe you didn’t like it because you didn’t want to go with Grandpa.”
He stared at her with those innocent blue eyes. “I wanted you to take me.”
“Oh, darling.” She clutched him to her. So many misunderstandings. Over her shoulder she saw Raoul watching them and wondered if his eyes were glistening, or maybe it was a trick of the light.
After letting him go, she left the house and walked out to Raoul’s car. He was only a few steps behind her. Soon they were on their way back to Les Pecles. With Christmas so close, the decorated streets were filled with locals and tourists enjoying an atmosphere like nowhere else in the world.
Today there’d been moments when she’d experienced every emotion—from fear, to sadness, to excitement and incomparable joy that Raoul had returned safely from his rescue expedition. He was the reason for all of those feelings. For hours she’d had a legitimate excuse to be in his company. There was no one like him and never would be.
When they reached the house, Jules and Arlette were still up. While Raoul stored the sleigh bells, she told them about the sleigh ride and the party at Vivige’s house.
Her father-in-law sat there with tears in his eyes. “You’ve got that smile back.”
“It was a perfect day, Jules. You look wonderful. Are you really feeling better?”
“Mais oui, ma fille.”
Arlette smiled at her. “He’s looking more like his old self every day. It’s because we have our whole family around us. We’ve been talking about having a family picture professionally done after Christmas right here by the tree. What do you think?”
“It will make a wonderful souvenir for Philippe.”
“Who’s talking souvenirs?” Raoul had just entered the salon. His eyes impaled her. “You just got here.” Though he’d said it in a light tone, she knew it had upset him. Now she understood why. He would miss Philippe horribly when they left.
His father chuckled. “Come in and sit, mon fils. That is, if you can. Crystal told us about your accident.”
To her surprise a low chuckle came out of Raoul, changing his mood. She felt it resonate to her insides. “It was Crystal’s fault. She put Fleur up to getting out that blasted game.”
Jules hooted. “It’s a good thing your clients didn’t see it happen or they’d take their business elsewhere.”
“I think it was worth it. Don’t you, Crystal?” That question said in his deep male voice haunted her. His eyes forced her to look at him. “Have you ever seen Philippe have more fun?”
She knew what he was really asking. “Thanks to you, I think today topped everything in his world.”
And mine.
Though he still smiled, she got the feeling her answer didn’t seem to please him.
His father looked at him. “Was anyone injured in that climbing party you rescued?”
“Two of them got hypothermia, but they’re doing fine now.”
“What happened?”
“One of the climbers didn’t throw his ax hard enough. The ice didn’t hold and he fell. It took the guide time to get down to him on the ropes. By then it was dark and they decided to wait it out until daylight.”
“What chute was it?”
“The ‘épingle.’”
His father nodded. “That’s too difficult a place for inexperienced climbers.”
“I agree and told the guide.”
“Well, all’s well that ends well. I’m glad you got back safely. I think I’m ready for bed now. Coming, Arlette?” She nodded. Everyone got to their feet.
“I’ll lock up the house for you, Papa.”
“Merci, mon fils.”
They all kissed good-night, leaving Raoul alone with Crystal. After they’d gone upstairs, she turned to him. “Thank you for the sleigh ride. I think you know it was like a day out of time, one that neither Philippe or I will ever forget.” Her voice throbbed.
“You keep giving goodbye speeches. Can’t you let it rest until you leave?”
“It was a figure of speech, but as you and I both know, nothing’s forever.”
That forbidding look stole over his face once more. It had been missing for the last two days. “Wouldn’t it be horrifying if it were true,” he muttered, absently rubbing his chest. “I’ll come by tomorrow with ski gear for you and Philippe from the shop. With four children, we’ll need two cars.”
Her pulse accelerated to a wild pitch. She’d hoped he’d want to join them. “They’ll love it more if you’re there.” The children would provide a buffer so she could enjoy his company. A stab of pain jolted her to realize the New Year would be here before she knew it. The thought of being without Raoul was anathema to her now.
“Before you go, I have a question. I know what Lise and Fleur want for Christmas, but I need help with Albert. What do you think?”
“He loves games with plastic pieces and can never have enough.”
“That helps me. In town I saw a pirate ship he could build. I don’t think he has one. At least I didn’t see one over there this evening.”
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t. He and Philippe will have a lot of fun putting it together.”
She nodded. “See you tomorrow.”