Dominic rubbed his jaw, tortured by everything she’d revealed. “But in that time he made a lasting impression.”
“Yes.”
“Nathalie... How long ago did he disappear?”
“It’s been two and a half years.”
“That long?” He was incredulous.
She nodded. “That’s why it’s absurd for me to keep looking. For all I know he’s been in another part of the world all this time.”
But at this point Dominic was frozen in place.
Two and a half years ago, Raoul had been forced to break off with Toinette.
Was it possible? Raoul was a Fontesquieu... All the men in their family were tall and dark. Provencal. That’s how Nathalie had described him.
No...
Dominic didn’t even want to think it. But what if by a stroke of fate, Nathalie had been the woman Raoul had adored, and she had used a different name with him?
Why would she be looking for him now? She knew he’d had to marry another woman. Did she come to the vineyard to find out about his life because she’d never been able to let him go in her heart?
If it was true, Dominic was haunted by the thought that Nathalie had loved his cousin and had been looking for him. He knew Raoul had never forgotten his love for her.
Dominic’s eyes closed tightly for a minute when he considered yesterday when he’d started kissing her again in the galley. If she hadn’t stopped him, they might have ended up making love all night long. Bon Dieu.
Until he’d had a certain conversation with his cousin tonight and ascertained the truth, he needed to take her home now.
“Dominic? I know that what I’ve revealed has shocked you.”
You mean crucified me. “That’s one way of putting it, but I’m glad I have the truth at last and will drive you back to your house.”
“Thank you. I hope you can forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. The vineyard is grateful for the excellent work you’ve put in. Pretty soon those red stains will be gone.” He started the car and took her home.
She opened the door and jumped out the second he pulled up in front of her house. “Whether you believe me or not, I’ve loved every moment we’ve spent together.” There were tears in her voice. “I’ll never forget you, Dominic.”
Those throbbing words would stay with him all the way to Vence. “A bientôt, Nathalie.”
He’d rebelled against saying goodbye to her. But if she and Raoul had been lovers... His cousin would soon be free of Sabine. He and Nathalie could finally be together.
Raw pain clawed his insides as he drove to the estate and hurried inside his apartment. He and his cousin were going to have the talk of their lives. For the first time in his, he felt like death.
But Raoul texted him later and told him a problem had come up at work and he’d had to drive to their warehouse in Saint Jeannet. He wouldn’t be back until the next evening.
It was just as well since Dominic needed to calm down before he talked to his cousin. He didn’t want them to have been lovers.
Dominic couldn’t bear it.
* * *
Nathalie had been staying home for the rest of the week to take care of Alain while her mother ran the pharmacy with Denis. It gave Minerve some time off. Next week Nathalie would go back to her routine at the pharmacy.
She adored her nephew and played with him to her heart’s content. He would be her baby one day, the only one she would ever have. She would spend the rest of her life giving him all the love she could while she loved Dominic in silence. There was no man in the world like him.
If he was the one Antoinette had fallen for, Nathalie understood why she’d told Claire he was the only man she would ever love. Nathalie couldn’t imagine loving another man either.
On Saturday morning she took Alain to the local park as usual and walked around with him, holding his hand. His little giggles while they fed the ducks in the pond delighted her. When she could tell he was tired, she took him home for lunch and a nap.
While it was quiet, she phoned Claire to tell her everything that had happened. “I quit my job.” She’d also said goodbye to Dominic, but she didn’t confess her feelings for him to Claire. That would have to remain her secret.
“I know you had hopes, but I can’t say I blame you.”
“You and Mom were right. I have no proof. But I want to thank you with all my heart for your help.”
“Oh, Nathalie. I was happy to give you any information I could. What are you going to do now?”
“Start adoption proceedings for Alain.”
“How wonderful!”
“I’m his doting, would-be mother. After it’s official, I want him to start calling me Maman and we’ll all live together with my mother. He loves his grand-mere.”
“Antoinette was lucky you’re there for her son. I miss her.”
“So do I. One day I’ll bring Alain by to meet you. Thanks again for everything. Talk to you soon.”
“I’d love that. Au revoir, Nathalie.”
They clicked off, but she was restless and went to her room to take a shower. As she was getting dressed in a skirt and blouse, she received a text. Maybe it was her mother. She reached for her phone on the dresser.
Dominic.
The blood pounded in her ears as she read it.
I have some information you’ve been wanting. If you’re interested come to my office between five thirty and six today. You can pick up your paycheck at the same time. If you don’t come I’ll have it deposited in your bank.
Dominic—
She let out an agonized groan. To hear from him now when the separation had been so excruciating for her... What information did he think he’d found for her when she believed either he or his brother could have been the man involved with Antoinette? Or not. Did she dare break down and walk through fire in order to be with him again?
While she stood there in utter turmoil, that fluttering organ she called her heart gave her the answer. Fool that she was, she answered back. I’ll come.
Having done that, she rushed around to get ready and left the house after her mother got home at three.
She battled fear and excitement all the way and felt feverish by the time she drove onto the estate. The road led around the magnificent seventeenth-century chateau. Seeing his home in all its glory up close brought back the conversation she’d had with Dominic about his family.
The big modern business building beyond the chateau and sculptured topiary trees looked out of place. She studied the cars parked in the lot on the side. The black Renault and silver Mercedes caught her eye immediately.
On trembling legs she got out of her car and entered the door of the main entrance.
A well-dressed, attractive receptionist seated at a desk smiled at her. “Bonjour. Can I help you?”
“Yes.” She could see Dominic’s name on the door to the right. “I’m Mademoiselle Fournier. I was told to pick up my paycheck in Monsieur Dominic Fontesquieu’s office.”
“Très bien. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
A few seconds later the door opened. The tall, dark Frenchman she loved with all her heart and soul stood there dressed casually in jeans and a tan sport shirt. Every inch of him was so arresting, she felt inundated with longings, but lines marred his handsome face and she noticed a certain pallor. Maybe he’d caught his brother’s flu.
“I’m glad you could make it. Entrez, Mademoiselle Fournier.”
He’d never been this formal with her. “Thank you.”
Nathalie stepped inside, but came to a sudden halt. She’d thought Dominic would be alone. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another tall, dark-haired man standing near the desk wearing a blue business suit. He was on his phone.
After he hung up, he turned in her direction. She let out
a tiny gasp, unable to trust the sight before her eyes. This man reminded her of Dominic and Etienne. With his coloring and those familiar features, he had to be another Fontesquieu! Incredibly he had a look of Alain, as well. Now she really knew she was losing it.
His smiling black eyes looked over her with male interest. “Dom? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Dominic didn’t answer. What was going on?
“I’m Nathalie Fournier.” She spoke up to ease the sudden tension. “And you?”
“Raoul Fontesquieu.”
Dominic’s cousin! The one going through the painful divorce. “It’s very nice to meet you, Monsieur Fontesquieu.”
“I hear you did an excellent job of picking grapes while you were here. Not everyone has a knack for it.”
“I don’t know about that, but thank you.”
He walked over to Dominic and patted his shoulder. “We’ll talk later at home.”
That’s right. She remembered his cousin had moved in with Dominic while getting his divorce.
Raoul flashed Nathalie another glance. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Dominic walked him to the door. After his cousin left, he turned to her, but he looked like a different person. The lines around his compelling mouth had disappeared, but he didn’t say a word to her, making her uncomfortable.
“Dominic, I wouldn’t have come if I’d known you were busy.”
“I asked you to come. My cousin only dropped by for a minute.”
“Why are you staring at me like that?” She didn’t understand.
“Because you’re even more breathtaking than when we swam in the lagoon.”
So was he. She swallowed hard. “You said in your text that you had some information for me I’ve been wanting.”
Nathalie heard his sharp intake of breath. “You don’t have to believe me, but until just a little while ago I thought I might have found the man you’ve been looking for. But my source was mistaken.”
“I believe you because I know you wouldn’t make that up.”
“Thank you for that,” he said in a thick-toned voice. In the next breath, he walked over to his desk and handed her the envelope with her paycheck. She put it in her purse.
“How are things going with your cousin?”
“It’s a waiting game until his court date. His wife is fighting to stop the divorce.”
“That’s awful.”
He grimaced. “Other things are worse, like not being able to see you anymore. Are you really planning to go through your whole life putting your personal life on hold while you wait to find the man who disappeared without a trace?”
Don’t.
“I—I shouldn’t have come and need to get home.” Her voice faltered. “Thank you for the check.” She started for the door.
“Just know that when you leave, there’s a man here who’s aching for you. That ache isn’t going to go away.”
She knew all about the pain he was describing. Nathalie hurried out of the building to her car. The situation had become impossible.
To add to her turmoil, there was the shocking realization that Raoul Fontesquieu could have been Antoinette’s lover. The thought wouldn’t leave her alone.
On the way home, she went over the conversation with Dominic when he’d told her about Raoul’s unhappy marriage.
“I’m so sorry. Did they love each other before they got married?”
“He’d been seeing her, but hadn’t proposed marriage. Both their families wanted it desperately. One night he met a girl and overnight fell deeply in love with her, wanting marriage. But by then Sabine was pregnant.
“Raoul only slept with her once, but he did the noble thing and married her. Sadly he had to cut everything off with the girl he loved. Then their baby died. He buried his heart with his little girl. Since the funeral there’s been an emptiness in him that worries me.”
“I can’t imagine so much pain.”
“You’re not a Fontesquieu.”
The same looks ran in some families. Sometimes it was astounding. The Fontesquieu men were incredibly handsome in a similar way that made them unique. But she had to be realistic. Although Alain had many of their traits, he might not belong to any of them and probably didn’t.
It was imperative she put all this behind her for good.
What her family needed was a vacation. They hadn’t been anywhere since her stepfather died, and ought to go someplace far away with Alain.
When she arrived at the house to discuss it with her mother, she discovered Tante Patrice and Oncle Tommaso had dropped in for a visit. They were playing with Alain. He laughed so hard he got the hiccups.
Nathalie loved their extended family and got into the mix, spending a wonderful evening with them. She caught up on their news about her two cousins who were married and had children. One of the little girls named Angelique had just had her second birthday. She and Alain could play together.
After a while they talked about Nathalie’s plans to adopt Alain. He would be her life from now on.
CHAPTER EIGHT
SUNDAY MORNING, AFTER being awake most of the night, Dominic got showered and dressed. He and Raoul went out for breakfast and talked. Very soon now his trial date would be set with the judge.
Afterward they went house hunting for Raoul, who had no desire to return to his apartment at the chateau once he was divorced. They found several possibilities. As they drove on, Raoul said, “Let’s find one for you too, Dominic.”
He frowned. “If I were getting married, I’d do it in a shot.”
“Since I know you’re head over heels in love with Nathalie Fournier, I don’t understand why there’s an if. Dom—I’ve poured out my soul to you. Now it’s my turn to listen while you tell me what has you gutted.”
“I finally learned the truth. She’s in love with a man who told her he worked in our vineyard, but he disappeared on her two and half years ago. They were only together a month. Nathalie came to our vineyard trying to find him. She didn’t know his name, but she described him as Provencal.” He flashed his cousin a glance. “Because certain pieces of information fit, I thought it might be you.”
Raoul let out a strange sound. “So that’s why you called me into your office just minutes before she showed up? You thought she was the woman I’d loved?”
“I thought it could be a possibility and she’d used another name with you.”
“Well, now that you know I’m not the one, why aren’t you with her right now?”
He shook his head. “Until she finds this man and has closure, she refuses to be with me.”
“Closure is different from being in love. It’s been over two and a half years since she last saw him!”
“Then how do you explain why she quit work at the vineyard?”
“Because she has fallen in love with you, but you’ve been her employer. She’s probably nervous about getting involved. I saw the way she looked at you. After the vibes I got from you two yesterday, I can promise you she couldn’t still be in love with that other guy.
“Come on. Take me back to your apartment so you can go after her and break her down. Don’t lose the woman who makes your life worth living. She’ll most likely be home.”
Raoul had been talking to a desperate man. His advice made so much sense, Dominic dropped his cousin off and left for La Gaude under a warm noon sun. Before long he turned the corner onto her street.
The red car he’d seen in front of her house the other day was gone. He saw Nathalie get out of the blue car parked at the side of the house. Her long shapely legs emerged first. She wore navy shorts and a sailor top.
He pulled to a stop, not wanting her to see him yet.
Next, she opened the rear door and reached for a little boy maybe the same age as Etienne’s daughter, buckled in a car seat. She kissed his bla
ck curls several times before putting him down so he could walk. The child reached for her hand.
That trusting gesture caused Dominic’s throat to swell with emotion.
Her son? He was staggered by the fact that Nathalie was a single mother and hadn’t been able to admit it to him.
Dominic wondered how she’d been able to handle being away from her little boy during the harvest. She said she lived with her mother, who was also a pharmacist. No doubt Nathalie had hired someone to take care of him while she’d been working at the vineyard.
As for her picking grapes, it explained why she came home every night instead of staying in the mobile home. No wonder she’d come looking for the man who’d made her pregnant. With her stepfather deceased, she and her mother were her son’s only support.
All of these thoughts ran through his mind. Yet he wondered why she’d waited until this summer to look for the man who’d changed her life.
Not about to give up, Dominic pulled out his phone and texted her.
Nathalie? I’m out in front of your house. When I came to see you just now, I watched you take a little boy inside with you. Is it his father you’re looking for? I would like to talk to you and see what I can do to help. When will you be free?
A minute later she responded.
I’m putting him down now. It may take a half hour.
At least she hadn’t said no.
Then I’ll grab lunch for both of us and come back.
He drove to a bistro and picked up some food for them. When he returned, she came out of the house having changed into jeans and a blouse. She looked good enough to eat.
“Do you have to stay out in front?” he asked after she’d climbed in the car.
“No. My mother is home today.”
Good. “In that case I’ll drive us to that overlook we went to before.”
He felt her cast him a covert glance. “I can’t believe you came.” There was a tremor in her voice.
“As you can see, I’m unable to stay away from you.” Dominic drove up into the hills and parked the car under the same olive tree. “I bought us some meat pies and coffee.” He reached in back for their lunch and they both started to eat.
Falling For Her French Tycoon (Escape To Provence Book 1) Page 10
