The sled pulled up to an enclosed gazebo that had Christmas lights strung all over it along with red ribbons and holly wreaths. In the middle of the building was a large circular fireplace with a roaring fire already in place.

Icicles hung from the edge of the roof, but the inside was dry and looked much warmer than outside.

“What about Harry?” He nodded to the horse as they slowed.

“He’ll be okay until we head back.” She pulled gently on the reins and let the horse wander into a smaller shelter area. Fresh hay lay on the ground and Harry started nibbling on what looked like grain from a long trough at the back of the lean-to.

He helped Crystal down from the sled and stood back as she pulled a large wicker basket he hadn’t noticed before from the back of the sled.

“Where did…” He shook his head, then reached for the basket, but Crystal shook her head no.

“You’re not supposed to lift more than five pounds with that arm.” She moved around him with the heavy basket. “You can help me lay everything out.”

The snow was now falling gently, but it was deep as they trudged down a semi-cleared pathway to the gazebo.

When they stepped in, he glanced around and realized how nice the gazebo was. Several of its sides were open and overlooked the dark ocean beyond a cliff, but the other sides were closed in with solid walls of windows or stone, which made the place extremely cozy.

“Here.” She handed him a large blanket. “You can lay that out in front of the fireplace.”

There were long outdoor iron sofas circling the open fireplace. They didn’t look close enough to the fire to gain any warmth, but he knew Crystal wouldn’t let him pull them closer.

Taking the blanket, he laid it out and then helped her set up the dinner Adam had obviously made and packed for them.

There was a loaf of fresh French bread, a container of basil potato soup that was still very hot, two homemade potpies with flaky crust, containers of cucumber and avocado rice pilaf, hummus, pita chips, large olives, red grapes, and cheese. There was a bottle of red wine and brownies with fresh raspberry reduction to spread on the top.

“It looks like Adam thought of everything.” He set the glasses and bowls down, and Crystal spooned the soup into the bowls.

“He has a talent.” She smiled and handed him a bowl of steamy soup.

“Do you do this part every year?” he asked between bites.

“No, normally I just let Harry take me around the island.” She sipped some wine and glanced into the fire. “I like this much better.”

“So, do I.” He held up his wine glass and she clicked hers with his. “To great food, the people we love, and never getting shot at again.”

Once the food was finished, he helped her pack up the mess, then wrapped the blanket around them both and watched the fire die down.

When the air turned too cold, he carried the lighter basket to the sled and helped her get Harry out of the warm lean-to.

“Think I can drive us back?” he asked, when they climbed aboard.

Crystal smiled and handed over the reins. “He likes a gentle touch,” she warned. He snapped the leather lightly and the horse moved forward.

When Crystal snuggled against his shoulder, he wished he could wrap his damaged arm around her, but knew it would cause the pain to surface again. Instead, he enjoyed her warmth and her hand in his as the horse made its way back to the main building.

“I don’t know how I’m going to beat this night,” he said as they went. “It’s almost like we’re back in one of those black-and-white Bing Crosby movies.”

She chuckled, and he glanced down at her. “What? Don’t tell me you don’t enjoy those?”

“Of course, I do. If only life was filled with singing and dancing and romance.” She sighed.

“It could be.” He smiled down at her. “Ours was filled with snow, horse-drawn sleds, and a picnic that most people would die for.”

“True.” She nodded, then a frown grew. “As well as financial theft, property destruction, and someone shooting at us. Maybe we’re in a gangster movie instead of a romance.”

“What about your cards?” he asked, pulling the horse to a stop just outside the main stairs.

“My cards?” She turned towards him.

“When you read my cards, you said that I would go through danger, but that everything would turn out okay.”

She smiled and leaned over to place a kiss on his cheek. “So, I did.” She took his hand as he helped her down from the sleigh. Her smile had grown since he’d mentioned the reading. They made their way back to their rooms to warm up in front of their own fire.

* * *

Rory would never have guessed how much it meant to Crystal that he remembered what she’d told him during his tarot reading. She’d remembered his cards vaguely, but had done several more readings for him since then. They had been similar, but with small changes.

His readings always had many of the Sword cards, which could be taken as threats to his person. Seeing the white bandages on his shoulder as he slept next to her now, she realized just how correct her cards had been.

Then she sat up and gasped.

“What?” Rory came up with her, glancing around the room for any immediate danger.

She scrambled from the bed to grab her stack of cards from her bag. “I need to do another reading.”

When she turned back to Rory, he was blinking and running his hands through his hair. “What?” He yawned and rolled his shoulders, hissing hiss when he moved his bad shoulder.

“A reading.” She straightened out the comforter of the bed to make a flat surface for her cards. She shuffled them, then motioned for him to pick three cards.

He’d been so interested in her cards that she was teaching him how to read them.

“What’s this all about?” he asked, taking three cards.

“I’ve been so blind,” she said, flipping the three cards over and sighing. “It’s not me, it’s you.” Her eyes moved up to him.

“What is?” he asked, wiping his eyes once more.

“They weren’t shooting at me. Whoever broke into my house was after you.” She pointed to the cards. “It’s all here.”

“What?” He reached over and flipped on the bedside light. “Hey.” He reached for her. “You’re white as a sheet.” He pulled her closer, dislodging the cards from the bed. “What’s this all about?”

“I… should have seen it.” She laid her head against his good shoulder and closed her eyes. “I just didn’t pay attention. It’s all my fault.”

“Not this again.” He sighed and leaned back, his hands going into her messy hair. His dark eyes searched hers. “It’s not your fault.”

“It’s not Joe.” She scrambled around and picked up the three cards he’d pulled. “It’s right here. Someone you trust has betrayed you, stabbed you in the back.”

She watched him blink a few times. “You really believe…” He took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s visit this again in the morning.” He took the cards from her and set them on the nightstand. “For now, let’s put a couple more logs on the fire and enjoy the quiet.”

He tended the fire and then turned back to her. “It’s still snowing. We might be stuck on the island for a few more days.”

She tried to get her mind to settle, but there was no returning to normal now that she knew. Someone Rory knew and trusted was the one behind the break-in and the shooting, and she was more determined now to figure out who and why.

She lay in his arms, listening to him sleep as the fire crackled and the snow fell outside their window.

She was concerned that whoever was behind it hadn’t finished the job and wouldn’t stop until they had killed the man she loved.

She’d lost the love of her life once and knew that she couldn’t bear to lose Rory now that she had finally found him.

When she noticed the change of light in the room, she snuck out of bed, wrapped a thick robe around her body, and tiptoed out of their room.

Making her way through the hotel was easy enough in the dark. She knew every hallway, every doorway. She didn’t have to use a key to get into Serenity’s office, since there was a light coming from under the doorway. She knocked and opened it when Ben called out.

“Morning.” He looked her over. “Is everything okay?” He stood up, concern flooding her sons-in-law’s eyes.

“I need your help,” she said, moving into the room and shutting the door behind her.