A Christmas Family Miracle: Snowbound with Her Hero / Baby Under the Christmas Tree / Single Dad's Christmas Miracle

“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.”

“Bonne nuit, Crystal.”

CHAPTER SEVEN (#ubd062ee4-959f-5056-91b3-21bed7dcb1e1)

ALBERT RAN UP TO Raoul, who was putting all their ski equipment in the car. “Now that we’re through skiing, will you take us to that Christmas movie?” Philippe was right behind him. “Please?”

Raoul’s gaze flicked to Crystal’s. She’d just handed him Fleur’s skis and poles. “What do you think?”

“I’d like to see it myself.”

“Hooray,” the children shouted. The girls got in Crystal’s car. Albert and Philippe had already claimed Raoul’s.

Satisfied that Crystal wasn’t trying to get away from him, Raoul’s body relaxed. After he’d closed the trunk she said, “With Christmas Eve tomorrow, I’m sure Arlette and Vivige are appreciating the free time to get a lot of things done today. I’ll follow you to the complex.”

They drove in tandem from the beginners’ slopes at Argentière to the center of Chamonix, where they had lunch, then walked to the movie theater. Raoul had been loving this too much. It gutted him to think of it ending.

When they went inside, the kids chose to sit together. Raoul and Crystal sat a couple of rows behind them. The place was packed. There was so much noise, no one would hear if they whispered.

He handed her some candy but she refused. “We got here just in time.”

“I know. It’s perfect. I can tell my son feels very grown up being here without his mother sitting at his side like he’s a baby.”

Raoul glanced at her lovely profile. “Being with his cousins has given him a lot more confidence.”

“I’m going to have to work on some more play dates for him when we’re back in Colorado.”

His stomach knotted to even hear the word. He hated to tell her this, but if she thought she’d had problems with him over the last year, it was going to be much harder for him to go back now. But instead of getting into it with her on such a fabulous day, he changed the subject.

“I don’t know about you, but I think Lise is turning into an excellent skier.”

“You know why. She’s fearless. Provided she starts working on her technique, there might be another medalist in the family one day.”

“Just like you.”

She turned her head to glance at him. “Like you, too. Des once told me you’re so amazing when you scale those sheer walls, even he finds himself swallowing hard.”

“He told you that to keep your attention. In case you didn’t know it, he had a crush on you.”

“Now you’re being ridiculous.”

“Not at all. He bemoaned the fact that he couldn’t find a woman like you.”

“Like me?”

“Um. The kind a man’s dreams are made of.” Raoul could have sworn she blushed.

“I had no idea.”

“That’s a quality I admire about you. You’re very unself-aware.”

“Are you chatting me up?” she teased unexpectedly.

A chuckle escaped his throat. “Is it working?”

“Chut!” someone said from behind them.

Crystal flashed Raoul an embarrassed look and sank a little lower in her seat. In her vulnerability he’d never wanted to kiss her more than at this moment, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. He decided it was just as well because this wasn’t the place to do what he really wanted to do with her.

He had no clue what the movie was about, not while his body ached with longings that needed assuaging soon. It was an actual physical relief when the film ended and they could get out in the cold air, where he could walk off the energy created by simply sitting next to her.

They drove back to Vivige’s for soup and fruit. Then Crystal excused her and Philippe. She’d promised to help his mother with some cooking before going to bed.

He followed them home to see how his father was faring. Along with Philippe, the three of them played some board games. Total entertainment. The last thing Raoul wanted to do was go back to his empty house. Every so often he went into the kitchen for a snack. Crystal smiled at him while she was working. “Who’s winning?”

“Philippe.”

“Again? Isn’t that about the tenth time?”

“I took a leaf out of your book from the other day.”

Her broad smile caught at his heart. “You’re spoiling him.”

“That’s what I’m here for.” When she turned her head away too quickly, he realized he needed to leave. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He started out of the kitchen.