Because You Love Me ; Journey to My Heart

by Terra Little

  Corra responded by adding, “Aunt Rita is the best cook in Boyle County.”

  “And don’t forget about Tracee,” Tayler added. “You know she’s the best pastry chef in the county and we’re going to hate to see her go. But I’m more than happy for her at the same time.” Tayler held a glass of orange juice up to salute Tracee.

  Tracee held her glass up in return, blushing, and winked at Tayler.

  “So I’ve heard,” Thomas Martin said, smiling at Tracee. “I hope we get to sample some of your work today.”

  Tracee was surprised that he spoke directly to her. Laurent squeezed her hand under the table again. “As a matter of fact, I baked a carrot cake and a golden cake with buttercream frosting for today’s brunch.”

  “And her cakes are to die for,” Rollin added. “At least that’s what the girls say, right?” He gestured to Tayler and Corra before Tayler blew him a kiss.

  “That’s right. When the U-pick store was open, we couldn’t keep Tracee’s desserts on the shelf. And I’m sure that will continue now that we’ll be your number-one customer,” Corra said to Tracee.

  “As long as you pay your bill every month, you’ll always be my number one,” Tracee replied.

  Everyone at the table got a good laugh out of Tracee’s response.

  Finally, Rollin stood up and tapped his fork against his glass. “Folks, I’d like to make a toast before we all get scattered around.”

  Tracee gave Laurent a thin-lipped smile, not sure what her cousin was about to say.

  “First of all, I want to say thank you to Laurent for building such a nice hotel that is likely to steal some of my customers.”

  Everyone laughed again, and Laurent shook his head.

  Rollin continued. “No, really. Hotel Nicholas is going to be a tremendous asset to the community. The whole town is excited about what you’re doing. And we’re excited about you making Tracee’s Cake World a part of that excitement. I see nothing but good things in the future for you two. Here’s to a successful grand opening celebration tonight. Oh, and don’t forget to take a stack of our brochures to keep in your lobby.”

  Tayler yanked at Rollin’s shirt, laughing, while he held his glass high. “To Hotel Nicholas.”

  The minute everyone took a sip, Laurent pushed his chair back and came to his feet.

  “Keep your glasses up. I’d like to say a few words also.” He cleared his throat and glanced around the room at everyone, stopping at his father. “I’d like to thank my parents for taking the time out of their schedules to fly down for the grand opening.” He nodded at his parents.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” his father said.

  Laurent continued, “And for coming a day early in order to join this Sunday brunch. I told you it was going to be some of the best food you’d ever put in your mouth.”

  Thomas Martin nodded first to Laurent, then in Rollin’s direction.

  “And Rollin, you keep doing what you’re doing. I don’t think you’ll have a thing to worry about as far as customers are concerned. If there’s one thing I learned in researching Danville and its residents, is that the Coleman House farm and bed-and-breakfast has a stellar reputation. If anything, you might want to send your overflow my way.”

  Rollin gave Laurent a wide-eyed look before nodding.

  “Seriously, I want to thank everyone for the hospitality you’ve shown me from that first Sunday brunch I attended here over six months ago, to assisting me with making some choices in regards to the grand opening. I’ve bragged about you to everyone I know, and I’m happy to call you friends. I look forward to entertaining you tonight, so here’s to having a good time.”

  * * *

  After the last toast, everyone finished their meals and Tracee helped Rita and Tayler serve dessert. Rollin had started a conversation with Laurent’s father when Rita reentered the room with a camera.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Martin, if you don’t mind, may I have a picture for my wall?” She pointed to the pictures above the sideboard of the celebrities and local heroes who’d eaten or stayed at the bed-and-breakfast.

  Laurent’s father stood up, smoothing his tie down the front of his chest before helping his wife up. “Of course, we’re honored that you asked.”

  “Well, it’s not every day that we have the president of a five-star hotel chain dining with us. Tracee showed me your hotels on the internet. Very impressive!”

  Thomas Martin grinned as if he’d been complimented by the queen of England.

  After pictures and dessert, Rollin offered Laurent’s parents a tour of the property. Thomas Martin said he hadn’t spent time on a farm since his childhood growing up in Evanston, Illinois. A fact that he repeated a few times before the day was over.

  Tracee stepped out on the front porch and took a seat in one of the white rockers to get some air and to pinch herself. She couldn’t believe everything that was going on inside. Everyone was happy, peaceful and enjoying one another. This was turning into the perfect day. The front door opened, and Laurent’s father stepped outside.

  “Here you are, Ms. Tracee.” He walked over and took a seat in the rocker a table away from her. “I owe you an apology. The first time we met, I was an obnoxious blowhard. I said some unkind things to you, and I hope you’ve forgiven me for my bad behavior.”

  Tracee had been scared of Laurent’s father, thinking he’d never apologize to her because he might have thought it beneath him. But he was just a man like every other man in there. “Thank you, sir. I was scared to talk to Laurent after you left. But we talked it over, and I think I understood the pressure you were under. So, you’re more than forgiven.”

  Mr. Martin smiled. “Well, we’re lucky that Laurent never listens to me. He’s headstrong and capable of making his own decisions. What frightened me was the fact that he hadn’t settled the deal, and I knew this was his future. All of my hotels will be left to my sons when I pass on. But an Abelle hotel isn’t what Laurent wants for himself. I know him. Don’t tell my other sons, but he’s the most creative and talented of the three of them. He needs to express himself in his own way, with his own property. He’s young, but Laurent is ready for ownership, and I hope you are as well. He shared his plans for Café Amour with me.”

  She tried not to show every tooth in her mouth as she smiled. “Yes, sir, I’m more than ready. You see, having my own business is a lifelong dream for me. My grandmother opened a coffee stand in the Rival Hotel years ago, and my cousin carried on the tradition until she passed. Now in that same spot I want to take her dream to the next level. I want to make my family proud as well.”

  Mr. Martin smiled. “I admire your drive, and I see why my son has fallen in love with you. You’re not just a pretty face.”

  Tracee tried her best not to blush. “No, sir. I’m not.”

  * * *

  “Sometimes It Snows in April,” according to Prince, but not today. The weather was perfect, and the trees and flowers had begun to bloom.

  Laurent’s original plan had been to purchase the Rival Hotel, return to California and hire a project manager to oversee the renovations. However, after developing a relationship with Tracee, he’d decided to take up residency in Danville and handle the renovations himself. After all, Hotel Nicholas was his!

  For the grand opening, he’d hired a local DJ to play old-school music all night. All of the hotel’s staff played a part, from serving hors d’oeuvres to giving tours and greeting guests with gift bags that included samples from Tracee’s Cake World. Local business owners and event planners, along with newspaper and magazine people from the surrounding counties, were in attendance. Everybody wanted to see what the new hotel looked like.

  Laurent walked through the crowd greeting and welcoming everyone. In the corridor leading to the gym he ran into Sam and his wife, Janet.

  “Laurent, this place is absolutely magnificent. Man
, you’ve created a unique brand experience with the new hotel, and we love it.”

  “Thanks, man.” Laurent pumped shoulders with Sam, before kissing Janet on the cheek. “I appreciate that, really I do.”

  “So we see you’ve found something to do around here for fun,” Janet said.

  Laurent laughed at her reference to him being bored when he first arrived in Danville. “Yeah, I found something and someone. Like Sam said—” he reached out and grasped Sam by the shoulder “—find a good woman and settle down. And I’ve been having nothing but fun ever since.”

  “Looks like we spoke her up. Here comes Tracee now,” Sam said.

  Laurent turned around as the woman who’d completely turned his world upside down sashayed toward them. Tracee looked stunning with her hair swept back from her face into a long ponytail running down her back. Her little black cocktail dress was a traffic stopper. It hugged every curve of her body, showing off her beautiful figure. When she smiled at him, his heart filled with warmth and nothing but love for her. Before leaving California, he’d made sure his father knew that one day Tracee would be a part of their family.

  Walking alongside her was her best friend, Mae. They might not be business partners, but their friendship remained intact.

  “Hey, guys, what are you doing standing out here? Café Amour is open and Tracee’s Cake World is serving up dessert.” Tracee hugged and kissed Sam and Janet before motioning them toward the café.

  “Now this I’m looking forward to,” Sam said. “You’ve created a sweet spot and a jazz spot under one roof. I think I’m going to have a new hangout.”

  “That’s right, we have all your pastry needs during the day, then stick around for some smooth jazz in the evenings from Thursday through Sunday. I might even play a little something from time to time,” Laurent added.

  “Now you’re talking. Thank you both for sharing your gifts with us. We’ll be customers for sure,” Sam said, smiling at his wife.

  “And you know I’ve already reserved a table for John and me for this Friday night,” Mae added before reaching out to give Laurent a hug.

  After all the well wishes, Sam, his wife and Mae left them and went to check out the café.

  Laurent took the moment they were alone to pull Tracee into his arms and kiss her inviting red lips. “You look so beautiful tonight—ready for the red carpet.”

  She snapped her fingers. “That’s what we should have done. Rolled out the red carpet. Everyone from the local press is here. We’re going to be on the front page tomorrow, you know.”

  He smiled. “I know. I’ve given a few interviews, but I have a feeling we’ll be giving a few more before the night’s over. I just want to take this moment to say thank you for entering my life and being there when I needed you most. Tracee Coleman, I love you so much.”

  She smiled. “I should be thanking you. Remember, I was the one who had the boring life until this good-looking guy from California showed up. A couple of days turned into a couple of weeks, and I was hooked. I love you back, Laurent Martin.”

  The hotel lights began to flicker, indicating it was time for everyone to assemble in the lobby for a speech from the new owner.

  Laurent walked into the circle his staff had assembled for him and looked around at everyone in attendance with awe. Tracee’s entire family was there. His parents were there, and his brother Marquis had arrived just in time for the reception. His other brother, Aubrey, sent his well wishes and apologized for not being able to get back from Hong Kong for the opening.

  Butterflies were dancing in Laurent’s stomach as he delivered his thank-you speech. He wasn’t nervous about the speaking, but the little box in his jacket pocket had his heart beating double time. After he thanked everyone, he asked Tracee to join him. He introduced her to anyone who didn’t already know who she was. Then, as if on cue, the DJ played her favorite song, “Why I Love You” by Major.

  Tracee turned and smiled at the DJ, who was posted up in the corner. When the crowd gasped, she turned back around—Laurent had pulled the box from his pocket and gotten down on one knee. Her hand flew over her mouth.

  Laurent reached out for her hand. “Tracee, I feel as if the stars have all aligned and God brought you to me. I love you with everything inside me, and I want to be there for you until the end of time. I want us to grow this thing together. I love you, I need you and I want you to be my partner in life. What do you say? Will you marry me?”

  Tears streamed down Tracee’s cheeks as she looked down at Laurent smiling up at her with wide eyes, waiting for her answer. She closed her eyes, wanting to savor the moment for just a second longer. This man was everything she’d ever wanted, even when she didn’t know it. She loved him more than anything and couldn’t bear to be without him. She opened her eyes and removed her hand from her mouth. “Yes!” she screamed and held up her shaking hand for Laurent to slide a beautiful engagement ring on her finger.

  The applause sounded like thunder in her ears while Laurent stood up and kissed her before wrapping his arms around her and giving her the best hug yet. She cried some more, thankful that she’d never have to go without his hugs ever again.

  * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Love in San Francisco by Shirley Hailstock.

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  Love in San Francisco

  by Shirley Hailstock

  Chapter 1

  Elliana Hamilton loved parties. They were usually a lot of fun, unless it was your party and you were the host. And this was Ellie’s annual fund-raiser. But it was more than that. This was her evaluation. The Thorns, her employers, were expected at any moment. Ellie’s stress level increased at the mere thought of them. Nothing could go wrong, she told herself for the umpteenth time that day. She was in the hot seat. Every detail had to go as planned.

  Ellie stood at the top of the stairs. A couple appeared at the door. She drew in a breath and released it as she recognized the couple. It wasn’t the Thorns. Suddenly she questioned her decision to go with holding the affair at the Riverton Mansion. The place was absolutely majestic. The staircase alone was worthy of Architectural Digest. Yet if she had to run up and down it one more time, she was going to have to change her shoes—or her legs. She didn’t know which, but one of them had to go. Whoever thought to put the workroom on a separate level from the activities had to be a man with no sense of engineering or workflow. Her shoes usually fitted like soft gloves, bu
t with this much abuse, her feet were protesting. Unfortunately she couldn’t complain, at least not out loud.

  Seeing Darlene, one of her assistants, Ellie headed for her. “Here are the ribbons,” she said, handing the colorful collection to her.

  “Everything’s going to be fine,” the woman said, obviously homing in on Ellie’s stress level. “I think the Thorns are arriving.”

  Ellie tensed at the sound of their names.

  “Breathe,” Darlene said.

  The Thorns ran a chain of department stores. Ellie was the executive director of their charity, the Deborah Thorn Give It to the Girl Foundation. Every year the entire family came for the fund-raiser that supported the charity’s programs. Well, almost all of them. The manager of the House of Thorn San Francisco hadn’t appeared once during Ellie’s three-year tenure.

  When she first took the job, she’d avoided the store, feeling she’d inadvertently run into Blake Thorn, but after a while she felt it was unprofessional to be in the same city and not introduce herself. She’d made several failed attempts. He was always away when she tried to reach him. Maybe he knew who she was and didn’t want to see her. The thought struck her, adding to her stress level. Calming down, she told herself he hadn’t come in the past. Why should she expect to see him tonight?

  Doing as Darlene suggested, Ellie took a deep breath and headed for the door. The first person to come through was definitely one of the Thorns. The resemblance to his father was unmistakable. Ellie had seen him once before, but she’d been too distraught to give him much attention. It had to be Blake.

  Ellie’s breath caught in her throat and she stopped with her foot in the air, balancing on one high heel. She was suddenly glad she’d climbed those stairs, or she’d have missed seeing him.

  She forgot about her feet. His presence arrested her attention, and everything around her seemed to stop. His gaze changed from daydreaming to focusing on her. Ellie didn’t even think of moving her eyes from his. They were tied together, bonded by invisible threads to each other.