Page 31 of Ribbons and Roses
I lower my voice more than it already is. “You know how these things can be, Phi. I’ve got to be on guard. Even when it seems like it’s nothing.”
She softens moving closer, reaching up to frame my face with her hands. Her touch is immediately soothing, releasing some of the tension clenched inside my body like only she can.
“I hate that you have to be on guard all the time,” she sighs. “Part of this trip was supposed to help you unwind. Get you to let go and celebrate Christmas.”
My hand covers one of hers as it rests on my cheek. “You’ve been doing that. But I’m always going to be ready for anything that goes wrong. It comes with being in this lifestyle. You know that better than anyone.”
“I’ll make you relax,” she whispers then presses a soft kiss to my mouth. “Next time we’re alone, I’m going to suck your cock so good you’re going to be out of it for the rest of the night.”
I chuckle at her promise, more than aware she’s serious. Leave it to Delphine to make such a threat given our circumstance.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“You still haven’t seen my surprise and what I have planned for you.”
“Looks like I have something to look forward to.”
She links her hand with mine and tugs me toward the bed. Instead of laying down with the kids, we sit down on the small sofa by the window and huddle close. My arm comes around Delphine and she burrows against my side.
It’s how we remain for the rest of the night.
The power’s on come morning. I drifted off to sleep at some late hour after Delphine did. I sit up, lifting my numb arm from under her, and glance around the room. The kids are right where we left them, spread out on the king-sized bed.
I’ve got a crick in my neck and an ache in my back standing up from the sofa. It wasn’t the most comfortable place to rest for as long as we have, but it was better than disturbing the kids while they rested. I leave Delphine asleep on the sofa and the kids in the bed so I can scope out the rest of the vacation home.
Ernest is already up, seated in the kitchen sipping on coffee.
“Merry Christmas,” he says in greeting. “How’d you end up sleeping?”
I crack my neck on either side. “Not the best night’s sleep. You?”
“Same. I found it hard to sleep straight through. Coffee? I made a whole pot.”
I join him at the table and accept the mug of black coffee he passes me. “Power’s back now. That’s all that matters.”
“Has Delphine mentioned anything about Marcel calling her?”
“Should she have?”
“He tried calling me last night. I have four missed calls from him. But when I tried calling him back, he didn’t answer.”
“He hasn’t answered my calls either.”
I look over my shoulder at the sound of Delphine’s voice. She’s wandered downstairs and walked into the kitchen, still in her clothes from last night.
“It’s true,” she says, frowning. “Marcel called several times and then wouldn’t answer. I think something’s wrong.”
11
delphine
“I haveto know what happened to my son,” Dad says, rising out of his chair. “I’ll head out into the local town and scour the area to see if anyone’s seen him.”
“Dad, you’re not headed all the way into town on Christmas morning.”
“You stay here with the family, Delphi. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
I shake my head. “It’s entirely possible Marcel’s back in Northam and just ignoring our calls. How about I ask Medjine to check in on him? Maybe not today since it’s Christmas, but she can probably drop by tomorrow?—”