Her heart broke and she didn’t try to finish his sentence. No wonder he didn’t like Christmas. That was the saddest thing. She stared out at the vast mountains, this time barely noticing the snow-covered trees and the wide blue sky above. She was imagining a very lonely, scared little boy stuck in a smashed-up car with his deceased parents, knowing his sister was missing. How could anyone bear that?
‘You need space tonight,’ she muttered.
There would be space in a lodge in the mountains. Knowing him, it would be a big house with lots of room.
‘You understand?’ he confirmed.
‘Of course I do.’
So much now fell into place. She would be there beside him if he wanted, just silent, saying something stupid if he wanted distraction. But he didn’t. He wanted distance. He always wanted distance.
And she didn’t blame him. Some wounds were too deep ever to be healed.
Half an hour later, Violet stared slack-jawed at the massive stone and wooden lodge, with its enormous deck and lights that twinkled warmly even now, in the middle of the very cold day. Through the left set of windows, she saw a huge Christmas tree inside, gorgeously decorated.
‘It’s been in the family for years,’ Roman said. ‘My great-grandfather built it. My grandfather added on to it.’
‘It’s...’ She couldn’t think of the word—any words.
‘Roman?’ An older woman bustled out from the building, a stunned look on her face. ‘I had no idea you were coming.’
‘I know, Linda. It’s okay.’ He smiled as the woman raced down the stone steps. ‘Violet, this is Linda. Linda, Violet.’
The woman nodded kindly at Violet but the concern didn’t leave her face as she quickly glanced back to Roman. ‘Your suite is ready, of course.’ Now she looked even more anxious. ‘You remember...it’s the ball tonight? It’s Christmas Eve.’
Roman stilled. There was the slightest of caught breaths before he replied. ‘Of course. I...’
‘Should I cancel it?’ Linda wiped her hands again. ‘I can—’
‘No. Definitely not. That wouldn’t be fair to everyone.’ He pushed out a smile but Violet saw the tension in his stance. ‘I’m sure you’ll have done a wonderful job with the preparations.’
Linda’s eyes suddenly filled.
‘I’ll show Violet the rest of the lodge,’ Roman said quickly. ‘Give you time to double-check our rooms. I know you’ll want to ensure they’re perfect, even though I also know they already will be.’
Linda flashed a tremulous smile.
Roman hesitated. ‘I’ll...stay in the upstairs wing tonight.’ His voice was husky. ‘Won’t encroach.’
‘Of course.’
Violet’s heart ached as Roman led her up the stairs. It was Christmas Eve, he wanted to be alone and there was going to be some big party here?
‘I forgot there was the Christmas Eve ball,’ he said as he guided her across the deck and then into the vast entrance of the lodge.
‘You’ve had other things on your mind,’ Violet said lightly. ‘Is it a thing here?’
‘A tradition my grandparents started a long time ago. It’s a celebration and a fundraiser for the local community. Linda does it all every year.’
‘She’s lived here a long time?’
‘They’ve looked after the lodge for longer than I’ve been alive. She and her husband Dennis live in the gatehouse we passed at the edge of the property.’
That would be the gorgeous gingerbread-house building she’d seen. She’d thoughtthatwas the lodge, but it was tiny compared to this. This place was like one of his hotels, only it was private.
‘They raised their family there,’ Roman continued. ‘They have grandchildren now. One’s a formidable snowboarder.’
Were they almost family, then? Violet’s heart ached even more. This was someone who’d known Roman a long time. Who’d known all his family too. Yet there’d been an obvious strain just now. Linda clearly cared about him but she also knew better than to make a fuss. Roman’s preference for isolation was deeply entrenched. That knowledge made her anxious. How was he really going to feel about fatherhood?