Page 25 of A Secret Baby for Christmas
“Keep the nose up and don’t go too…”
His words are cut off as I rev the engine. With a little pressure, the snowmobile bumps out of the shed and I’m heading down the mountain. I give Hans a grateful lift of my hand but keep my eyes focused forward.
I’m going to claim my woman and my child, and no snowstorm is going to stop me.
11
CHLOE
My windscreen wipers are going full tilt, and I still can’t see much ahead of me. Hugo wails from the back seat, probably picking up on my anxiety.
“It’s okay, baby,” I say in what I hope is a reassuring voice, hoping he doesn’t hear the panic lying just underneath. It’s not okay. It’s far from okay.
The road is thick with snow, and visibility is low. Even with chains on my tires I’m creeping along, terrified each corner is going to send us skidding off the mountain.
There’s a straight bit up ahead, and I pull as far to the side as I can. If it was only me in the car I’d risk the journey and keep going. But it’s not just me I have to think about now.
There’s a little guy in the back seat who’s depending on me to keep him safe and alive. If I’d known it was going to turn this bad I wouldn’t have come, but in the last hour the snow turned from a light dusting to a full on deluge.
I can’t go on in this, and I can’t turn back. The best thing to do is stay in the car and wait it out.
I keep the engine running for warmth and climb over to the back seat.
There’s a blanket in the trunk, and I reach over to get it then take Hugo out of his seat. It takes a while to calm his crying, but at least it’s warmer with his body pressed to mine. We’ll have to wait out the storm here and hope we don’t freeze to death.
I try my phone, but we’re in a dark spot. Once the snow stops, I’ll walk back until we get a signal and call for help.
“I’m sorry your maman’s such a hot mess.”
I kiss the top of his head, and tears spring to my eyes. I came here thinking we’d find a family, but now I’ve lost the man I love and my best friend and we’re stranded in a snowstorm. This is the worst Christmas ever, and if we survive, I promise I’ll make it up to Hugo.
“We’ll have turkey every Christmas and pumpkin pie. You’ll have loads of presents, because your maman will spoil you.”
He smiles at the sound of my voice, and I keep talking just to see the smile on his face.
Thoughts of Christmas spent in France without Mr. Porter have tears stinging my eyes. I came back because I couldn’t live without him, but I’m just going to have to find a way.
Hugo snuggles into my chest, and I zip my jacket around him to keep him warm. I should turn the engine off to save battery, but we’re too snuggly now.
He settles to sleep, and I lean my head back on the chair rest thinking about all the ways I’ve messed up my life, but having Hugo wasn’t one of them. Despite what’s happened, despite it not going the way I wanted it to, at least I’ll always have him. My boy and my reminder of Mr. Porter, the only man I’ll ever love. If we can only make it through the next twenty-four hours, I vow I’ll dedicate my life to Hugo and giving him the best upbringing I can.
I’m dozing when I hear the faint buzz of an engine. I scramble to sit up, and Hugo gives an annoyed wail.
“Sorry, little guy, but this might be our way out of here.”
I fumble for the door and manage to push it open, clearing the snow that’s piled up around it. I step onto the side of the road with Hugo held close just as a snowmobile zooms around the corner.
Relief floods me as I raise an arm in the air, signaling for it to stop. From the markings down the side, it must be mountain rescue checking the roads for dumbasses like me.
The snowmobile pulls to a stop, and relief turns to happiness when I see who’s driving.
Mr. Porter cuts the engine and jumps off as nimble as someone half his age. He strides toward me, a pained look on his face.
“I thought I’d lost you.” He throws his arms around me, pulling me and Hugo into his chest. His solid frame is reassuring, and I lean into it. He’s here. He came for me.
“I love you, Chloe. Don’t you know that?”
His words are all I ever wanted to hear, but is he just saying that to appease me? His eyes search mine, and they look haunted.
