Or maybe Luc was warning her not to read more into today than the events deserved. Too many mixed signals were throwing her emotions into chaos.
He stared at her through veiled eyes. “Enjoy your stay.”
Though he’d been perfectly civil in front of the other man, Rachel got the impression he was anxious to be gone.
Far be it from her to detain him. “Thank you, Monsieur Chartier. I’m sure I will.”
There was a distinct pause while his enigmatic gaze focused on her hot cheeks. “A demain.”
Rachel turned away from him to go upstairs.
See you tomorrow, he’d said.
Fine.
The moment she reached the rustic room built of rafters and floorboards from a bygone age, she changed into jeans and a knit top. After finding her walking shoes, she sat down on the dark four-poster to tie them.
Once that was accomplished she left the auberge.
Charming as her room was, she couldn’t have remained in there or she would have gone a little crazy.
Hopefully on her walk through the countryside her mind would clear and she would regain the common sense she thought she’d been born with.
But as she made her way along one of the forest roads, she realized she was in trouble.
It was no use telling herself this was simply a strong physical attraction that would be forgotten once she left the area.
This time her emotions were involved even though it was too soon to be having these kinds of feelings for a man she barely knew.
When it happens, you’ll know it, her grandfather had said.
Rachel was very much afraid she did know it.
“Sorry I’m late,” Luc explained as he entered his attorney’s office. “I couldn’t get here any sooner.”
It was close to three o’clock. Paul was probably due in court on some case. Luc hated holding him up.
The time he’d spent with Rachel today hadn’t been nearly long enough. When he’d seen Paul’s caller ID, Luc had been tempted to ignore it. But at the last minute he’d known he had to find out what was so important.
“I had to make hotel arrangements for a client who has come here on a buying trip.”
The thought of not seeing her until tomorrow was a torment already eating at him.
“Pas de problème, Luc. It has given me time to go over some other cases.” He removed his reading glasses to look at him.
“I thought you should know that the Brouets have gotten rid of their first attorney.”
Luc stiffened. “What do you mean, first?”
“I’m getting to that. It appears they’ve hired a well known lawyer from Paris named Lebaux. He’s had a lot of experience in these kinds of cases.”
Luc’s eyes held a far-away look. “If that’s true, then they can’t afford him.”
Yves owned a computer store. His business was making a steady profit. That was good news for Luc’s friend, who had a wife and two children to support.
But it killed Luc that Yves had probably contributed the most money in the Brouet family in order to pay for a high-powered attorney.
“Nevertheless Lebaux has been retained and he has already brought the original court date forward with the judge for a preliminary hearing.”
That meant Paulette’s family had either gotten a loan from the bank, or they’d mortgaged their home to come up with the kind of funds required.
Fresh guilt pierced him.
“How soon?”
“The twentieth. That’s this coming Monday. Two o’clock. I have to tell you honestly, Luc. It’ll be a hard case for you to win.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Still, you do have one thing that will let the judge know of your sincere desire for her full recovery. It’s your unquestionable devotion to her for the last three years. No one can argue that you didn’t love your wife, divorced or not.”
Luc jumped up from the chair, stung because his thoughts since last evening had been centered on Rachel.
Today he’d found himself so attracted, he didn’t want to entertain thoughts of her leaving Alsace.
It was one thing to feel desire for a near stranger he could slake with one passionate interlude before parting company. But it was quite another to imagine wanting this woman in his life.
When he thought back on his relationship with Paulette, his feelings for her had developed slowly over the years.
He couldn’t relate to the man he was right now. Rachel’s effect on him was a shocking reality he didn’t know how to deal with because he felt a connection to her beyond the physical. How could it have happened this fast and hard while he was still fighting for Paulette to wake up?
He rubbed his neck in abject frustration and guilt.
“I appreciate what you’re doing for me, Paul. I’ll be in touch with you before the hearing.”
“Hold on, Luc. We need to plan a new strategy. If you’ve got the time, let’s do it now.”
“I’m afraid I can’t. I’m sorry.” He knew himself too well. Something was happening to him. Someone had happened to him. He couldn’t think clearly right now.
“Bon. The only other time I’ve got before Monday is tomorrow morning.”
Tomorrow Luc was planning to spend the time with Rachel before he went to that damn banquet.
“What time do you want me here in the morning?”
“Ten o’clock. Is that all right?”
It would have to be. “Yes. Thanks, Paul. See you then.”
After he left the law office, he headed straight to the hospital.
The nurses on the afternoon shift nodded to him.
How many hundreds of times had he walked past them in the hope that they’d run after him with news that his ex-wife was coming around?
Before he reached her room, he heard the sound of the machines. They haunted him in his sleep.
He picked up the newspaper, his daily ritual, and began to read the day’s events to her. After the headlines, he found articles on anything to do with fashion, travel and entertainment.
He stayed a couple hours before finally putting the paper aside.
“Paulette?” He reached for her hand, which he held between both of his.
“Have I made a mistake by hoping you’d wake up after all this time?
“Do you want this to be over? Everyone says you do. Yves is convinced of it. Maybe he knows something I don’t. He loved you before I did.
“Tell me, chérie. I’m begging you to communicate with me. Heaven knows I don’t want to do the wrong thing.”
He waited for an answer as he did every time he spoke to her.
None came.
In the final analysis, maybe no answer was his answer.
Kissing the back of her hand, he promised to return soon. When he left the hospital, he headed for his house.
Since his plans for tomorrow had to be changed, he needed to inform Rachel. But he intended to relay that information in person.
Before he did that, he needed a shower and shave.
It was after seven o’clock when Rachel returned from her long walk. She paused outside the window of the farmhouse’s gift shop, marveling at the variety of souvenirs for sale.
When Luc had checked her in, she’d read the sign at the front desk. It said the family-owned inn had been operating for well over two hundred years.
No wonder there were so many unusual gifts to choose from. As she studied the items the dying rays of the sun illuminated several pieces of jewelry. Her interest was suddenly captured by the hand-painted porcelain pendant depicting three trees. It hung from a fine gold chain.
After the experience of hearing the Thann legend from Luc’s lips, she had to have it in memory of the magical day she’d spent with him, even if it had been cut short.
Before she went up to her room for dinner, she decided to buy it now. The saleslady inside asked how she could help her.
“I’d like to see the pendant I noticed in the window.”
The woman smiled. “You know about the Miracle of the Firs?”
“Yes. From someone very special.”
“Just a moment and I’ll get one from the back.”
While Rachel waited, she wandered around until she came upon an Alsatian cookbook that was a first edition from the nineteenth century. She knew a certain chef who would love it. Without hesitation she pulled it from the shelf and carried it to the counter.
But another guest had gotten there ahead of her.
A certain tall, dark-haired male dressed in a dusky blue sport shirt and beige chinos, whose very presence had the power to turn her inside out.
Luc.
His bold gaze wandered up her jean-clad hips and body to her face, not missing a square inch of everything in between. He might just as well have set a torch to her.
“Bonsoir, Rachel.”
Shock at seeing him here tonight rendered her speechless.
The saleslady reappeared behind the counter. “Here’s the pendant you asked for. The green of the firs against the white background makes it a lovely piece of jewelry.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Luc concurred, sounding self-satisfied.
Rachel had not only been caught looking disheveled, she’d been caught in the act of making this particular purchase. It gave Luc tangible proof that his time spent with her had made an impact.
His eyes held a heart-pounding gleam. “Let me put it on you.”
In a lightning move, he took it from the satin-lined box and stepped behind Rachel to place it around her neck.
He smelled wonderful. He was wonderful, and exuded too much sex appeal.
When he lifted her hair to fasten it, she swayed from the sensation of his hands against her hot skin.
“She’ll take it,” he told the woman, “and the book.” Before Rachel could credit it, he’d drawn it from her arm and had put it on the counter.
“No, Luc—I’ll pay for everything,” she cried. His gesture had brought her out of her dream-like state, but it was no use. Ignoring her, he reached for his wallet and handed his credit card to the woman.
Rachel knew better than to make a scene. Later when they were alone, she would repay him.
The woman put the book and box in a bag.
After taking possession of it, he ushered Rachel into the lobby as if it were perfectly natural to treat her as if they were a couple.
The second she felt his hand grip her arm, the contact made her breath catch.
He steered her toward the staircase.
“Remy is sending up something special for our dinner. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t eaten all day and now I’m starving.”
Rachel was feverish over this unexpected opportunity to be with him. In fact she felt close to a faint. If he hadn’t been supporting her once they started up the stairs, she would have embarrassed them both by falling.
Her room was midway down the second-floor hall.
She fumbled in her purse for the key, which he took from her hand and inserted in the lock.
He opened the door, then waited for her to enter before shutting it behind them.
For one hysterical moment she wished he were her bridegroom, and he’d just carried her over the threshold to start their new life together.
But she wore no wedding ring, only the pendant he’d bought for her.
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’ll freshen up.”
“Take your time, Rachel. I’m in no hurry now.”
Her limbs trembling in reaction, she hurried into the bathroom to brush her hair and put on fresh lipstick.
One look in the mirror confirmed her suspicions.
Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes shone like the love-struck woman she’d become since being around him.
The pendant drew her gaze. With the memory of what had gone on in the gift shop still fresh in her mind, she needed to do something so he wouldn’t read too much into it.
After undoing the clasp and leaving it on the counter, she entered the living room. A quick glance around and she saw that he’d opened the double doors leading to the deck containing a table and chairs. She had to remember he’d probably entertained dozens of clients like this before.
Taking advantage of the moment, she opened her purse and signed one of her traveler’s checks.
Filled with purpose, she walked across the room to join him. He darted her a quizzical glance when she extended him the check.
He made no move to take it. In fact a grimace stole over his attractive features because he’d noticed she’d removed the pendant.
“Keep your money, Rachel.”
“Under other circumstances, I would,” she said quietly.
“However, I bought the pendant for my twin sister, Rebecca. A peace offering, if you like, in the hope that another miracle might happen one day.”
Though she’d made that story up on the spur of the moment, she realized she wanted to buy a second one to send her sister.
He looked surprised. “I didn’t know you had a full sibling. Are you identical?”
“No.”
She would have said more but there was a tap on the door.
“I’ll get it.”
Luc’s well-honed physique moved past her to let the waiter in.
The younger man pushed the teacart through to the deck. Luc slipped him a tip and saw him out.
Rachel put the check in her pocket, then busied herself putting their food on the table.
Luc approached carrying a bottle of wine from the carton.
“The main course we’re going to eat tonight is best enjoyed with this particular vintage of our Riesling.”
They were both still standing as he opened it and poured the pale liquid into their wineglasses.
He handed one to her. His slumberous gaze didn’t leave her face.
“To Rachel Valentine, Bella Lucia’s finest ambassadeuse.”
She shouldn’t have been cut to the quick by his reference to her professional status, but she was…
To make certain he didn’t get the wrong idea about her feelings, she clinked his glass with hers.
“To Louis Delacroix, who is ultimately responsible for the Chartier wines that will grace our tables in future.”
She thought Luc would say, “Touché,” but he didn’t. That pleased her.
She took a quick swallow without tasting it, and sat down so he wouldn’t come near her.
If he drank more of his wine, she didn’t watch.
Maybe other women could handle a situation like this without getting burned. Unfortunately Rachel didn’t know the rules.
Was Luc playing a game with her?
Some moments she could swear he wasn’t toying with her. Yet in the next breath he said something that knocked the foundation out from under her, leaving her uncertain and more vulnerable than she’d ever been in her life.
“How do you like your meal?” he inquired after a few minutes.
“It’s delicious. So is the wine.” She refused to meet his eyes.
“Does your sister live in London too?”
Now that she’d told him the jewelry was for Rebecca, he wasn’t about to leave the subject alone.
“No. New York, and everywhere else her advertising job takes her.”
A tension-filled silence followed.
“Rachel—what have I said that has upset you so much?”
The concern in his deep voice defeated her. She wiped the corner of her mouth with her napkin.
“It’s nothing to do with you, Luc,” she lied. “I’m sorry if I gave you that impression.”
“Then this has to be about your sister.”
“Yes.” She seized on the kernel of truth he’d thrown her. “We haven’t been close in years. I don’t know how to fix it.”
“What happened to cause the breach between twins?”
Unbidden tears stung her eyes.
Damn.
“I—I wasn’t there when Mother died. I loved her desperate
ly, and I should have gotten there in time, but I was on business wi— Oh—it doesn’t matter what the reasons were that delayed me. The fact remains I got there too late and Rebecca has never forgiven me.
“No matter how many times Grandfather has told me it wasn’t my fault, I’ve never been able to forgive myself.
“He says the only thing I’ve done wrong is not allowing myself to get over this and move on. But how do you throw off that kind of guilt?” she cried before she realized what a fool she was making of herself. What was she doing pouring her heart out to a man she’d only met twenty-four hours ago? It didn’t make any sense!
Luc looked at her with too much compassion. She couldn’t handle it.
“Forgive me for breaking down in front of you,” she said in a dull voice. “I can’t believe I did that.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m flattered that you felt comfortable enough with me to let go of your emotions.”
She sensed a pause before he said, “We all suffer from our own brand of demons.”
No doubt he was speaking from experience. Divorce left its scars.
“Maybe, but yours couldn’t possibly be as bad as mine.”
When he didn’t say anything, she worried she’d touched a nerve and hurried to cover her gaffe. “The dynamics of the Valentine family are very complicated, but I’ve already told you that.”
His hand unexpectedly grasped hers across the table. “No matter how much you may have suffered inwardly, all I see is a successful, confident woman. I admire you for that more than you know, Rachel.”
He squeezed her fingers before letting them go.
“Thank you.” She lifted her eyes to his. “From my vantage point, your demons don’t appear to have affected your performance either. You have unmatchable status in a country that prides itself on producing the world’s greatest wines. It’s a privilge to know you, Luc.”
He eyed her through shuttered lids. “You sound like you’re giving a goodbye speech. I’m still here if there’s more you’d like to talk about.”
Oh, Luc— He could have no idea how much she wanted to take him up on his offer.
But because she didn’t know where it would lead, she needed him to go. One false step could take her beyond the point of no return.
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