She forced herself not to stare at him as he put down money and left the café. Once his tall, dark figure had disappeared, she poured herself another drink, then looked up the nearest car rental on her phone.
Raoul would have lent her a car from the business in a second, but she didn’t want any more favors from him. She needed to be independent this trip. Before leaving Chamonix she’d given Eric’s family the sports car. She had no idea what they’d done with it. As for their Peugeot, she’d sold it in order to buy another car for her and Philippe after they reached Breckenridge.
At first the man at the rental car place told her there were none available right now because of Christmas. But when he heard the name Broussard, magic happened. Within ten minutes a driver pulled up in front of the café and drove her to the rental agency.
She was touched that all the employees working there offered their condolences about Eric and asked for her autograph. One of the cute younger men said, “Are you here to do some racing?” His eyes danced.
“Not this time.”
“I like to ski, but I need to perfect my technique. Maybe the great Crystal Broussard could give me a few lessons? I’m off day after tomorrow. I would be the envy of every man in the valley. Please tell me you’ll say yes.”
He was hitting on her, but he was nice and it built her confidence. After the way Eric had forgotten she’d been a skier, too, this man’s attention was a balm to the loss of her self-esteem.
“I won’t be skiing this holiday, but you’re very kind to ask. Maybe another time.”
She signed on the dotted line for the car and drove away, thinking hard about the guy who’d asked her for a ski lesson. If the truth be told, while he’d been flirting with her, she’d wished it had been Raoul. But that had to remain her secret.
As for the rental car guy, he’d actually given her an idea. Provided Jules kept improving, she might just do some skiing tomorrow morning after she dropped Philippe off at school. It was hard to believe she hadn’t been on skis since Eric’s death.
For the next few hours she went in and out of the darling shops for children and bought toys she knew Philippe would love. When they went home she would have to buy another suitcase just to get everything back to Breckenridge, but she couldn’t resist the items you could never find in the States.
Another day she’d take Philippe shopping. Together they’d pick out gifts for the cousins and family, but today was the perfect time to get his. She’d keep them hidden in the trunk and he’d never know. When he was asleep, she’d smuggle them into the house.
She arrived back at the school at quarter to three, surprised there’d been no call yet. Eager to know how his day had gone, she slipped inside the building and stood outside the door to his room.
The children were doing their maths. Philippe’s blond head was bent over the desk while he wrote, reminding her of Schroeder, the little boy bent over his piano playing Beethoven in the Charlie Brown cartoon. The thought brought a smile to her face.
“Looks like your son is thriving.”
Raoul. She felt his warmth. “Yes,” she said without looking at him.
“All that worry for nothing.”
The bell rang, preventing her from having to answer because the children shouted in happiness and came charging out of the room. Philippe flew into her arms. “The teacher said I could come all the time!”
With those words it meant he wanted to be at school with Albert. His homesickness was cured simply by being back. “That’s wonderful, honey.”
In the next breath she hugged Albert. “Thank you for being such a good friend to him.”
“It was fun. The teacher asked him to help us with our English. When he told us the name of his favorite dessert in English, the class laughed their heads off.”
Raoul grinned. “The Americans have their funny names for food, too.” When Crystal looked at him, his eyes were laughing, filling a dark space inside her. After the way he’d left the café earlier, she didn’t think it was possible. “You’ll have to tell that story to Grand-père. Let’s go see him. I happen to know he’s waiting for you two.”
Taking a fortifying breath, Crystal went down the hall and out the door with the three of them. When they reached the car, she said, “You guys go with Uncle Raoul. I’ll follow in my car.”
Philippe’s eyes grew huge. “You bought a new car?”
“No, honey. It’s a rental to use while we’re here. See you in a few minutes.” She kept walking toward the red car, not wanting to witness Raoul’s reaction.
He’d been waiting on her and Philippe for too long. Eric was gone now and things had changed. Arranging for a rental car made the statement that Raoul didn’t have to take care of her anymore. That was how she wanted it.
The boys waved to her en route to the hospital. Albert was the blessing Philippe needed right now. He provided the companionship her son had been denying himself.
When they reached the hospital and the boys crowded around their grand-père’s bed, she could see they were a blessing to Jules too. He was delighted to see them and laughed when they told him all about their day at school.
The best news was that he no longer wore an oxygen tube and was propped up eating some broth. She glanced at Raoul, who didn’t look as worried as before. The signs of recovery couldn’t be better.
Suddenly he caught her staring at him. His eyes spoke for him. She felt his chastisement. You should never have left. See what coming back with me has done for him?
Yes, she saw. She also sensed he wasn’t pleased she’d acted on her own to get the rental car, but he had to understand she wanted him to get on with his own life. Crystal had to get on with hers and was doubly thankful she’d rented it. Now she could come and go with Philippe on her own. That way Raoul would have no reason to be on call for them day and night.
After the children had entertained Jules with more stories about school, she gave him a kiss. “My father always told me a good visit was a short one. We’re going to leave now so you can rest and get better.”
“I’m feeling like a new man.”
“That’s the best news in the world. When we come back tomorrow, I hope to see you walking around.” She squeezed his hand.
“Ciao, Grand-père.” Both boys blew him a kiss before they left the room.
Jules’s laughter followed them out the door. “Ciao, mes petits-fils!” His voice was definitely stronger.
Crystal ushered them from the hospital to Raoul’s car. “Say goodbye to Albert, honey. Uncle Raoul’s going to drive him home.”
He threw his head back to look at her. “But Uncle Raoul said we could go over to his house.”
“Not tonight, honey. Your grandmother will have dinner ready and you’re going to need an early night if you’re going to school again tomorrow.”
“But
