She grinned at his way of stating a fact they both knew was smart. “You’re saying I need to stay for the night.”
“Did you look outside? It’s brutal out there. I’m not sure the taxis are even running now.”
“Right. I should have left earlier when it wasn’t so bad, but I think I’m stuck here now.”
When he pointed behind her, his arm touched hers, making her jump. He quickly pulled away, his voice becoming matter-of-fact. “You take Gisele’s bedroom. I’m fine here on the couch.”
Silly her, she’d noticed his change of clothes and hadn’t thought about how he’d gotten them. Of course, he’d intended on staying here with the children.
“This house is quite chilly, Colin. The children fell asleep together in Maisie’s bed, so I’ll use Charlie’s empty one. That leaves Gisele’s bedroom for you.” She held up her hand. “No, don’t argue. I doubt that there’s extra blankets anyway.”
They stood facing each other, the discomfort suddenly rising between them. Hating for the evening to end in such a way, Jaqueline moved right out of her comfort zone to step into his space, put her hands on his chest and reach up to kiss his cheek. Though he stiffened, he didn’t move back.
“Thank you for being the kind of person I wasn’t sure still existed. Goodnight.”
His voice husky, he whispered, “You too, Jaq… like the kids call you. Goodnight.”
She took only one step back when loud screams had them both running for Maisie. “Maman, Maman.”
Chapter Ten
Scooping the distraught child into her arms, Jaqueline held her close, rocking her back and forth. “Darling, it’s okay. Don’t be scared. Jaq and Colin are here with you too, baby.”
Terrified, Maisie pushed her body close to Jaqueline, hiding her tear-stained face while hiccups broke up her tiny voice. “I want my Maman, Jaq. Pwease. I want her now.” Loud howls followed her pleas and even Charlie couldn’t soothe her though he tried his best.
“Maisie, stop crying.” His small hand patted her arm as he pushed himself forward to be closer. “Remember, what I told you? Maman is an angel now. Human people can’t see angels. But she’s here. And she’ll be upset to see you cry.”
Colin lifted Charlie on his lap, cuddling him close before he spoke to the frightened little girl. “Charlie’s right, Maisie sweetheart. You know… before your Maman fell asleep, I talked to her, right? Remember? Just me and her alone.”
Maisie lifted her tear-stained big blue eyes to stare at Colin. Her blonde curls framed her pretty, little-girl face, and the heartbreak clearly written there for all to see tore at Jaqueline’s heart. She didn’t say anything, waiting with the other two for what Colin had to share.
“Y-es-ss.” Sniff.
“That’s when she asked for my promise to look after you and Charlie.”
Charlie stared up at Colin… his own blond curls mussed, and his little-boy expression amazingly serious. “What did you say?”
“I said I promise.”
“So you’re like our dad now?”
“Kinda. If the courts allow me to become your guardian, then I’ll be able to take care of you until you’re all grown up.”
Charlie pulled away so he could sit facing Colin, his own blue eyes filled with questions. One in particular seemed to take precedence. Straight to the point, he asked the important thing that needed to be said. “I still don’t understand why you want us. We don’t really know you.”
Colin pushed his hand through his hair, his expression filled with the need to explain himself. “Trust you to ask me the hardest thing to answer and yet the most important. Like I explained to Jaq earlier, I don’t have kids of my own, but I envy every man I see with children. I know being a parent is hard, but it can also enrich one’s life.” He turned to Charlie, his voice soft with emotion. “I’m a fortunate man, son, with enough to provide you both with a good home and enough love inside me to share it with you. And when you’re ready, I hope you’ll give me the chance to be your father.”
Jaqueline saw that both the kids had begun to sag, tiredness taking it’s toll. Deciding that they’d had enough excitement for one night, she intervened. “Maisie, you can sleep with me if you want or you can stay with Charlie. So you know, I’ll be staying inthe bedroom with you, so you don’t have to be scared anymore. Okay?”
Maisie clung to Charlie, showing her preference by hauling him back into the bed with her. But she looked for Jaqueline, her eyes searching for reassurance. “You will stay with us in this room?”
“Yes, honey. I’ll sleep right there in Charlie’s bed. I just have to brush my teeth and slip out of my clothes. You settle down now, both of you. I promise I’ll be here soon.”
And she kept her word. As the storm raged overhead and chilled the little house even more, Jaqueline laid awake, imagining their future where she prayed she’d be involved.
Chapter Eleven
Thankfully by morning the storm had passed leaving a lot more snow, but it was a beautiful sunny day. Once they cleaned up the breakfast table and washed the dishes with the children’s help, Jaqueline suggested they set up their reindeer display.
