Chapter Twelve
It was late that night before Jack, Shelly, and Crystal left. Christoff stood on the porch with his arms wrapped around Edna. Jack had returned in time for dinner and had listened in bewildered amusement as Crystal told him about the sleigh ride. Afterwards, they had sat around the brightly lit tree. Shelly, Edna, and Crystal sang songs of bells and snowmen and other lively tunes while he and Jack sat listening and talking.
Christoff’s eyes darkened to a deep gold as he remembered the other man’s heartfelt thanks as he watched his daughter. He could feel the love the man had for her, and his pain. He remembered the look in his own father’s eyes so long ago.
“She will be alright,” Christoff murmured.
Jack sipped on the hot mug of chocolate that Shelly had handed him a few
