“Understandable, not gross.” Tyler heaped potatoes onto his plate. “Sooner or later you’re going to have to get used to the fact that your dad is a sex symbol.”
Alice sent him a disapproving look but Jess snorted with laughter.
“Dad, that is even more gross.”
“Women just can’t help themselves around me.”
Jackson rolled his eyes. “Did you rebook them for next week?”
Jess was still giggling. “The mom rebooked. For two more sessions.”
They chatted, shared news and stories, and Élise sat quietly, her hand resting on Maple’s soft head.
Maybe they’d get through tonight, but what would happen next time? Not just family night but Christmas, celebrations, birthdays and anniversaries. Would he stay away then, too?
While she was here, he’d never be able to come home, would he?
She’d stolen this from him.
She’d stolen his family.
She looked at Jackson who was laughing at something Tyler had said. Dear Jackson, who had saved her when her life had hit rock bottom. From the first day she’d arrived at Snow Crystal, she’d known she wanted to live here forever, but how could she stay when staying meant sending an earthquake through the family?
She looked at Walter who was smiling at Alice and heaping his plate with vegetables grown in his own garden. He was improving by the day and with the winter ahead he’d be looking forward to skiing with his three grandsons.
And Elizabeth—dear Elizabeth who was like a mother to her.
They’d been so good to her.
“I wanted to thank you all.” The words blurted out and she saw their surprise. “I just— I don’t know if I have said this before but you are wonderful people and you have given me a home and a job and a life when I needed it and I will always love you very much. I just wanted to say that while we are all together here because, well, it is important to sometimes say these things.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened. “We love you, too, dear. We’re so lucky to have you.”
“I’d have to agree with that.” Walter grunted and gave her a wink. “Even if your idea of what makes a good pancake differs from mine.”
“I love her pancakes,” Alice said happily. “I’m knitting you a new scarf for Christmas, Élise. This one will be green. And I’m knitting you a sweater, Tyler.”
Tyler’s expression switched to one of alarm. “You don’t have to do that, Grams. That’s way too much work for you. You just knit Élise a scarf and I’ll enjoy looking at it.”
Alice beamed. “It’s no trouble. And with winter coming I’ll have plenty of time to knit.”
Élise looked at the wool and thought of the previous Christmas when Alice had knitted everyone a red scarf. She’d been careful to wear it every time she’d visited them.
“Are you all right?” It was Jackson who asked her the question. Jackson who noticed that she wasn’t herself.
“Me? I am fine.” She switched on her most exaggerated smile. “But it’s important sometimes to say these things so people know they are loved and appreciated.” She hadn’t done it with her mother and because of that she had to live with the fact that her mother had died not knowing how much she was loved. “You are all very special to me. The most important thing in my life.”
“Are they all like you in France?” Tyler finished his beer. “Because I don’t have a problem being loved and appreciated. Maybe I should move there.”
Everyone laughed and the attention moved away from Élise. She stroked Maple gently, drinking in their faces and their voices. And when Jackson asked her once again if she was sure she was all right, she smiled and nodded.
She was fine. She was going to be fine.
* * *
“DR. O’NEIL? Your brother wants to speak to you. He says it’s an emergency.”
Sean looked up from the MRI scan he was studying. Emergency? Was it his grandfather? His heart lurched. He hadn’t been in touch all week. Not since the conversation with Élise. There had been a missed call from Jackson but no message and he hadn’t returned the call. “Which phone?”