‘I have a landline,’ Luc confirmed, ‘though mobile lines are dead. You can ring the hotel and leave a message.’
‘Sure?’
‘Of course.’
‘That’s very kind of you.’
This was too polite, she mused as Luc steered her away to the left; a bit like the calm before the storm.
‘My chalet’s over here.’
‘So close,’ she exclaimed with surprise.
‘As close as the black ski run where I found you.’ Luc’s voice held irony and humour in matching amounts. ‘You might have had a shock if you’d gone that way.’
‘Terrifying,’ she agreed. ‘Particularly as I can’t ski.’
‘Nor can I without skis,’ Luc pointed out dryly.
In all probability, Luc had saved her life. ‘I can never thank you enough for finding me.’
‘We’ll find a way.’
Her heart almost leapt out of her chest. Her brain said it was a throwaway remark, but it was still Luc speaking. She hoped he’d say more. He didn’t. Locking an arm around her waist, he steered her until finally he half carried her up a slope that had probably been steps to his chalet before the snows came.
‘Thank you,’ she said as he steadied her on the ground as the impressive entrance door swung open.
‘You’ll have plenty of chances to thank me,’ he observed with some irony. ‘You won’t be going anywhere tonight. Neither of us will. You’ll have to stay in the chalet with me.’
Left with that alarming thought, she smiled as obliging staff gathered on the doorstep to greet them. Without exception, they were relieved to see Lucas return safely. He introduced Stacey to his housekeeper, a rosy-cheeked older woman called Maria, who wanted nothing more than to take Stacey under her wing, but they all paused in the same instant as a thin wail cut through their greeting.
‘Did you hear that?’ Stacey asked.
‘Go inside while I take a look around,’ Luc instructed.
‘No way. I’m coming with you. It isn’t safe to be out on your own tonight.’
‘Says you?’ he countered with a devastating smile. ‘Do you think two of us will be safer?’
‘Two will stand more chance of finding someone stranded.’
‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘You’re freezing. Go inside.’
‘I can last a little longer, and if there is someone out there, we have to find them.’
‘You have to call your team,’ he reminded her.
‘And I will, just as soon as I get back.’
Luc frowned. ‘That sounds like an animal in distress…’
‘Let’s go,’ Stacey insisted, tugging on his arm.
An hour later, she and Maria were tending a cat after a most astonishing encounter in Luc’s boot room. Two calls later, and Stacey had informed her team that she was safe and they should stay where they were. ‘I’ll give you an update tomorrow,’ she promised.
‘Bath. Now,’ Luc instructed from the doorway. ‘I won’t be answerable for your well-being if you don’t take my advice.’
‘I didn’t ask you to be answerable.’ She couldn’t bring herself to add,I’m fine. I can look after myself, as the blizzard had clearly proved her wrong about that.
