Raoul found a chair and cleared his throat. “Whether you believe me or not, I want you to know that your stepsister is the only woman I’ve ever loved in my life. We knew how we felt about each other by the end of that first night we met at the Guinguet.”
The same thing had happened to Nathalie by the time she’d left the tent that first morning. Meeting Dominic had changed her life forever. She could fully relate.
“Before I’d met her, I’d been seeing a woman named Sabine Murat. We slept together once, but I knew deep down I didn’t love her the way I should, and I ended things. Soon after, Toinette came into my life. I felt I’d been reborn and wanted to marry her on the spot. Then came the nightmare when Sabine phoned and said she was carrying my child.”
Nathalie nodded. “Dominic told me.”
“The worst moment in my life came when I had to tell Toinette the truth.”
“She’d been so deeply in love with you, no wonder she went into depression.”
Pain was written all over Raoul’s face. “Toinette heard me out, then said goodbye to me and I never saw her again. I tried phoning her many times so we could talk, but she didn’t answer. Of course, I couldn’t blame her. No one could overcome such a cruel reality.”
Tears trickled down Nathalie’s cheeks. “Since then Dominic told me you’ve lost a baby.”
“Yes. I loved our little Celine, but I found out recently she wasn’t my daughter.”
“Oh, no—” Nathalie cried.
“It’s in the past and I’m getting a divorce.”
Nathalie shared a worried glance with Dominic. “Raoul—there’s something vital you need to know. It’s the only reason I’ve been looking for you.”
“What is it?”
“Antoinette died of a staph infection over sixteen months ago.”
Raoul went white as a sheet. Dominic rushed over to him, but he shot to his feet. “She’s gone?”
“Yes.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, looking totally shattered.
“She’s buried in La Gaude. But what’s more important right now is the fact that she had your baby before she died.”
Raoul staggered backward. “My baby?” The man had received too many shocks.
“Yes.”
“I—I can’t believe it,” his voice faltered.
Nathalie smiled. “He looks like you, but he also resembles your two cousins.”
“He?” Raoul cried.
“Yes. Alain is almost seventeen months old now. My stepsister named him that before she died. My mother and I have been raising him since my stepfather died.”
“Toinette called our son Alain?” Suddenly the pain on his face gave way to joy, answering the most vital question for her. “That’s a name in my family’s line. We talked about having children.”
Nathalie stood up with a smile. “Well, you got your wish. I have no proof he’s yours, not without a DNA test. But here’s a picture of him.”
When she handed it to him, he took one look and sank back down on the couch with a low sob before studying it.
“I’m going to leave now, Raoul, and give you a chance to think about everything.” She needed to get away before she broke down in tears too.
“Please don’t leave yet, Nathalie.”
“I have responsibilities at home. Dominic knows how to get in touch with me when you’re ready. I’ll see myself out.”
She might have known Dominic would follow her to the car. After she climbed inside, she started the engine before looking up at him through the open window. “I pray I’ve done the right thing. A man has the right to know he’s a father.”
He reached in to brush the tears off her cheek. His touch sent a quiver through her body. “Equally true, a son has the right to know his father. Because of you, that’s going to happen.”
Dominic’s words sank deep into her soul.
“You’ve done something so courageous and honorable, my cousin will be down on his knees to you when he sees the boy he and your stepsister created out of love.” She felt his breath on her mouth before he gave her a brief kiss.
She lowered her eyes. “You should go back in. He needs you.”
“Nathalie—”
She heard his cry, but couldn’t remain there. After putting the car in gear, she headed for the entrance to the estate. The touch of his mouth remained with her all the way home. How wonderful it would feel to be able to give him a son or daughter...
Twenty minutes later she reached the house. Her mother had already put Alain down for the night. Nathalie found her cleaning the high chair and putting things away.
“Maman?”
She lifted her head. “Where have you been?”
“At Dominic’s apartment in the Fontesquieu Chateau. It’s a long story. He came to the pharmacy at closing time, and now I have news.”
“What is it?”
“I gave Dominic a picture of Antoinette from my wallet. Neither he nor Etienne had ever met or known her. Then he showed it to Raoul Fontesquieu, his first cousin who’s vice president of sales and marketing. I met him at the vineyard a few days ago. Raoul also resembles his cousins.”
“You mean all three men look alike?”
“To an incredible degree. Right now he lives with Dominic while he’s going through a bitter divorce. He took one look at the photo and confessed he’d been in love with Antoinette and would have married her but for impossible circumstances. I’ll tell you about them later.”
Silence surrounded them. “Is this the truth?”
Nathalie nodded. “Then I told him he had a son named Alain and showed him a photo. Though a DNA test would be needed for proof, he sounded and looked so overjoyed, his reaction thrilled my heart. But I left to give him time to absorb the news.
“He’s had a shock, especially to hear that Antoinette had died. I have no doubt we’ll be hearing from him before long, unless another impossible circumstance happens that prevents him.”
A light entered her mother’s gray-blue eyes. “He really loved her?”
“With every fiber of his being.”
Her eyes filmed over and the two of them embraced. “Darling, this means you don’t have to feel guilt over how much you care for Dominic.”
Nathalie grasped the back of the nearest kitchen chair. “But I do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maman—I fell for Dominic when I believed he and Antoinette had been lovers. Knowing she was my stepsister didn’t stop me from kissing him and wanting to be with him all night. That was wrong.”
Her mother shook her head. “But look what has happened because you were so anxious to find Alain’s father. I believe you were guided.”
“Maybe. But there’s something else. You know what it is. I can’t have children. The doctor told me it would take a miracle. I love Dominic with every fiber of my being. He says he loves me, but I can’t give him a son or daughter. After what happened with Guy, I—I don’t know if I could handle it if it changed Dominic’s feelings for me. I’m frightened, Maman.”
“But, darling—”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Bonne nuit.”
* * *
“Can you believe I have a son?” Raoul stood in the apartment a different man since hearing the revelation.
Dominic eyed his cousin. The news had made new men out of both of them. Nathalie no longer had to feel guilty now that she knew he and her stepsister had never been involved. As for Raoul, he had a whole new reason to live. “It’s the greatest news you could have been given.”
“I’ll have to keep this quiet until my divorce is final.”
“I agree.”
“Would you talk to Nathalie and ask her how soon I could see Alain in private?”
His pulse raced. “I’ll call her right now and find out what can
be arranged. Even if she’s in bed, she’ll understand the urgency.”
“What would I do without you, Dom?”
Feeling euphoric, he patted his cousin’s shoulder before pulling out his cell phone. With the whole truth revealed, nothing could keep him and Nathalie apart now. His pulse raced when she picked up on the third ring.
“Dominic?”
“Dieu merci you’re home safely. I needed to hear your voice and am calling for my cousin. How soon can he see his little boy? Considering Raoul is in the middle of a divorce, it should probably be someplace away from your home where he won’t be seen.”
“I can understand that. How soon could he come?”
“Tomorrow. You set the time and the spot.”
“There’s a park I take him to not far from the house. It’s at the Place des Canards. We could meet tomorrow around noon by the pond with the ducks. Afterward I’ll take him home and leave for the pharmacy.”
“Does your mother know what has happened?”
“Yes. I’ve told her everything. She believes this was meant to be.”
His eyes closed tightly for a minute. “You’re an angel, Nathalie.”
“I’m anything but.”
She was still struggling with her guilt. He had plans to help her with that. “Raoul agrees with me. A toute à l’heure.”
* * *
Tuesday morning they both cleared their schedules to be gone from the estate at noon and left for La Gaude in Dominic’s car. En route, Raoul asked him to stop at a store where he could buy a toy. He soon came out with a bag that contained a little blue-and-white sailboat like the one Raoul owned.
Using the GPS, they found the Place des Canards and parked along the side of the road near the pond. He couldn’t miss Nathalie’s gleaming hair, which she’d left loose today. In those jeans and frilly blouse, her feminine figure took his breath away.
Alain formed a contrast with his black curls. Today she’d dressed him in a navy short-sleeved romper with small red-and-white horizontal stripes.
They got out of the car and approached slowly so they wouldn’t startle him. She saw them first and smiled. “Bonjour.”
That brought Alain’s head around. Up close Dominic could see why Nathalie had believed her nephew looked like their family. In person the resemblance to the Fontesquieux was absolutely uncanny. One day he’d grow to be a tall, dark-haired duplicate of his father.
“Alain?” She picked him up so Raoul could get a good look at him.
Raoul eyed him in wonder. “He has Toinette’s cheeks and mouth.” The moment he spoke in an awe-filled voice, Alain squirmed. His eyes, black as poppy throats, darted toward the pond.
“I’ve brought something for him, Nathalie.” He pulled the little sailboat out of the bag.
She smiled. “Oh, look, Alain.”
When the toddler switched directions again, Raoul handed him the toy. “Here’s a bateau for you.”
“Can you say bateau, sweetheart?” He started turning it around in his hands. “You’ll have to play with it when you’re taking your bath.”
Between the way she loved her nephew, and the incredible sight of seeing father and son meet each other for the first time, Dominic’s heart was melting on the spot.
“Look, Alain. Canards!”
As she pointed to some that had come close to the edge, Alain pointed too. “Cans.”
“Yes. Lots and lots of them. And now you’ve got this bateau.”
“Bat!” he burst out, causing all three of them to chuckle.
Her eyes met Raoul’s. “He knows about eight words. So far all of them are one syllable.”
Raoul grinned. “What does he call you?”
“Nat.”
“And your mother?”
“Gran.”
“I’m anxious to meet her.”
“She feels exactly the same way.” Nathalie lowered Alain to the grass. “Let’s walk over to the bench where we left our bag and feed the canards.”
Alain toddled alongside her in his sandals, clutching his toy. He had a lean build like his father all right. Anyone at the park would think father and son were enjoying the sunshine with Nathalie. Once more Dominic thanked providence that she’d never been with his cousin.
She pulled out a bag of wheat grains provided by the park. Raoul took some and threw them near one of the ducks. It was eaten immediately. That prompted Alain to do the same thing.
While the two were happily occupied, Dominic walked over to Nathalie and put his arm around her shoulders. “This is a moment my cousin will remember all his life, and you’re the reason for it.”
She lifted those light green eyes that were filled with unshed tears. “They look wonderful together, don’t they? If only my stepsister could see them.”
He pulled her closer. “Maybe she can,” he murmured against her neck. “After all, you were given divine inspiration to find him. Thank heaven for a woman like you who was willing to pick grapes on enemy territory to achieve a result like this. My heart almost stopped beating when this exquisite woman handed me her application. I haven’t been the same since.”
“Mine almost stopped too,” she admitted. “I couldn’t believe I was looking at the man I thought could be Alain’s father.”
Dominic sucked in his breath. “Raoul lost his raison d’être when he had to give up Antoinette and then lose his child, even if he found out Celine wasn’t his. You don’t know it yet, but learning he has a son has made him feel reborn. He’ll praise you forever for what you’ve done.”
They could hear Raoul’s chuckle before Alain came running back to Nathalie and wrapped his arms around her legs. She smiled down at him. “Did you have fun?”
Raoul followed with a smile that filled his handsome features with happiness. “I want to see him every day.”
“I want you to,” Nathalie cried with excitement.
“I could come every lunch hour.”
“That would be perfect! Minerve, the nanny who takes care of him while my mother and I are at the pharmacy, could plan to meet you here. She drives a red car. We’ll tell her about you. If you come here tomorrow at noon, I’ll take off work so you can meet her. He’s already seen you today, so it won’t be a surprise for him tomorrow.”
Raoul tousled Alain’s curls. “I don’t know how to begin to thank you for what you’ve done, but I’ll find a way.”
“After close to seventeen long months it’s been my joy to unite you at last. Now if you’ll forgive me, I can tell he’s hungry. I need to take him home.”
“Understood.”
Dominic watched his cousin hunker down to look at Alain close up. The love in his black eyes was alive. “I’ll see you tomorrow, mon fils.”
Nathalie put the sailboat in her bag, then picked up Alain and waved to them. Alain copied her. Raoul walked with her and helped put Alain in his car seat. After Nathalie drove off, Raoul strode to Dominic’s car with an illuminated expression of joy.
When he climbed inside, he turned to him. “Tell me I didn’t dream this up. It’s like having a part of Toinette back. Tomorrow I’ll talk to Nathalie about a DNA test. I already love him in a way I didn’t know was possible.”
That was the way Dominic felt about Nathalie.
“I’m beyond happy for you, Raoul. That rose-colored villa with the swimming pool we saw is looking better and better. I can see a little boy and his father having fun out there with a bunch of colored bats.” They both laughed. “Why don’t we stop by the Realtor on our way home?”
“You’re reading my mind, Dom. I want to put in an offer before anyone else takes it off the market. Sabine plans to wipe me out, but no matter what, I have a son to love and raise. Because of circumstances, I’ve missed out on Toinette’s pregnancy and seventeen months of Alain’s life. Never again. There’s no way I’m letting the div
orce rob me of another second to be the father my son needs.”
While Dominic waited for him outside the realty office, he texted Nathalie.
I have to see you tonight. Will you be at the pharmacy?
Her answer wasn’t long in coming.
No. I’ll be home.
That was good news.
I’ll come by your house and pick you up at seven. No excuses, Nathalie. Alain’s existence changes things for all of us. One way or another we’re family now.
This was only the beginning.
She texted back.
You’re right. Let your cousin know that tomorrow Maman will come to the park too so she can meet him.
Raoul would be thrilled.
He texted her again.
Parfait! A demain, ma belle.
* * *
Ma belle...
Dominic had never used that endearment with her before.
Nathalie looked down at Alain, who’d just fallen asleep in his crib holding the bateau. Too much was happening too fast, but it was the result she’d wanted, even if she hadn’t realized it until now.
Today the world had shifted. There’d be no adoption. Alain belonged to Raoul. At the pond, his rightful papa had claimed him. In a millisecond, he had become a true Fontesquieu. Nathalie knew in her heart her stepsister would be overjoyed to see her son and the man she’d loved together forever.
But now Nathalie had to make a drastic decision about what to do with the rest of her life. Her mother had done the heavy lifting after Alain had come into their lives. She would always want to live near her grandson and Raoul.
The question for Nathalie was how to get through the rest of her life when she would be Alain’s tante from now on rather than his adoptive maman. She and her mother would have to help Raoul with the transition once Alain went to live with him. But Dominic and Raoul were closer than brothers. Dominic would always be around. Nathalie couldn’t imagine how that would work.
She couldn’t bear the pain of living this close to Dominic’s orbit. Though they hadn’t made love, it was what had been in her mind and heart that counted. She’d pushed thoughts of Antoinette away when she’d been in Dominic’s arms. If he had thoughts of marriage, she feared his reaction when he learned she couldn’t give him a child.
Falling For Her French Tycoon (Escape To Provence Book 1) Page 12
