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wanted. Regardless of how he made her feel, she had to keep her head straight about him.
    "We'll see. The first of the year can be busy. It just depends on many factors. I'll give you one of my friend's cards."
    His lids drooped over his intense blue eyes, and Leona sensed his disappointment.
    Had he expected her to just fill in Marissa's vacated spot? He didn't know anything about her. She sipped the last of her coffee and then slid off the stool. "We should be heading back."
    "Yes, we should." Cameron donned his stocking cap and followed Leona toward the door.
    Before they mounted the snowmobiles, Cameron stopped. "Leona, I want you to know that your words last night touched a nerve."
    What could she have said? This was the story of her life: always opening her mouth and inserting her foot. "What words?"
    "Last night when we were outside you talked about seeing God's majesty. Few people I'm around speak about God. I've allowed Him to slip away. Your words were a reminder for me. Thank you."
    She hadn't expected that. Thank you, Lord. Draw him closer to You. She averted her gaze to keep him from seeing the tears forming in her eyes. "I'm glad God is speaking to you, Cameron. It sounds like he wants you back in his life." She'd never been good at evangelism, but she'd never shied away from talking about her faith.
    "I think you're right."
    "I feel closer to Him for some reason here. Maybe it's the beauty of this snow, these mountains—all new experiences for me. Maybe I feel such gratitude in having this opportunity. I'm loving my time here. I’m thankful to Chef for inviting me and your Dad for hiring us." She mounted the snowmobile.
    "I'm thankful for them, too." He grinned then donned his helmet and started his machine.
    She started her snowmobile. The engine fired up, and she turned the throttle and followed Cameron up the powdery trail. She absorbed the awesome beauty along the trail. The sunlight reflected off the snow making the fresh powder sparkle like a field of diamonds. The snow brushed up by Cameron's machine captured the sunlight making tiny rainbow prisms in the air. Everything seemed a wonder to her, and she believed she'd been given the best Christmas gift ever.
    Thank You, Lord. She prayed for Cameron and for his relationship with God and with Marissa. There seemed to be a story with those two, but she couldn't figure it out. Chef was right. There was more to Cameron Fleming than what she saw.
     
    ****
     
    Cameron pulled into the clearing where the group waited. Everyone boarded their respective snowmobiles, and Bryan hopped on the back with Leona. She turned around and followed the Chambers back down the mountain. Once again, Cameron and Marissa pulled up the rear.
    Leona had become distant when he'd mentioned moving into the Quarter near her. Was she seeing someone? He hadn't bothered to ask. She was more reserved than most of the women he met. Usually, after one date, he knew more than he wanted to. Already, Marissa had shared far more than he needed or wanted to know.
    Marissa hesitated getting on the snowmobile when he'd returned. She and Bryan sat next to the fire deep in conversation. Maybe Bryan would be the recipient of her affection for the rest of the vacation time. She wasn't holding on to Cameron as tightly as she had on the trip up.
    When they entered the lodge, Chef had readied the kitchen for their cookie-making adventure.
    Leona took charge and began setting up stations for Cameron, Marissa, and Bryan.
    "Bryan, would you like to help me roll out the dough?"
    "Sure."
    "Cameron, you and Marissa can use these." She handed Marissa several aluminum cookie cutters. "Once you've cut out the shapes. You can place them on these trays." She sprayed each tray with cooking spray.
    With Christmas music playing in the background, they began working. Max bounced in the nearby living room with CG and Coco, who chatted quietly. The Chambers had retired to their bedroom for a nap before dinner.
    Bryan