Page 48 of Mountain Struggle

“It’s two p.m. We had lunch less than two hours ago. You’re always hungry, Gael,” Kat complained.

“Yeah, so? I have a healthy metabolism!”

Damien laughed. “Sure. We can stop.”

Ten minutes later they were standing at the famous Chamonix food truck.

“Frites, really?” Kat asked.

“You want some?” Gael asked, offering her the cone full of golden fries.

“Nah, I don’t have time tonight to run the marathon I’d need to run in order to burn those calories.”

“Suit yourself, Kitty Kat,” Gael said, stuffing another fry in his mouth. “They’re good.”

“Gael, if you call me that one more time—”

Gael’s green eyes crinkled.

“Relax, I’m just kidding, I’m—”

Gael and Kat’s phones started ringing at the same time.

Never a good sign.

It was Kat who picked up first.

“Hello?” A moment later she offered her phone to him, her expression grim. “It’s Drake. Something’s happened, and you’re not picking up.”

Chapter 16

Damien

“Drake? What’s going on?”

“Where are you, Damien?”

“We’re at the Index Bus, Drake. What’s going on?”

“You need to come to Place Balmat, Damien.”

Damien’s hand clenched around the phone so tight the plastic cracked. Place Balmat was right next Jamie’s morning summer camp.

“Is Jamie okay?”

“Jamie’s fine.”

“Is Tess okay?”

Drake took longer to answer this time around.

Please let her be okay.

“She’s fine, Damien.”

“Drake—”

“She’s okay, just shook up. She was on her way to pick Jamie up when a car almost ran her over. She’s fine, Damien. That’s not the problem.”