Jeanne-Marie called the clinic as soon as she reached the inn and learned Antoine had been stabilized and then airlifted to a hospital in Marseilles. The diagnosis was a heart attack, but he’d been awake and lucid before leaving the clinic. The hope was he’d recover fully.
Putting down the phone, she smiled tentatively at Matt, who hovered nearby.
“He’s going to recover?” he asked.
“They think so. This sure isn’t the vacation you envisioned, I bet.”
“Hey, glad I was here. I would hate to think of you going through something like this on your own.”
“I never want to think of going through another day like today.”
“I’ll take you and Alexandre out tonight. Le Chat Noir’s your favorite, I have it on good authority.”
“Then a walk back along the beach?”
“Yes.” Between now and then he had some serious thinking to do.
Jeanne-Marie bathed Alexandre, then put him down for a nap, citing his busy day and the dinner in the offing that night. He was asleep in less than five minutes. She then went to take a long shower, washing away the grit and dirt, trying to wash away the memories of that horrible few minutes when she saw her son on the ledge with no apparent way to get down. She didn’t want to relive the climb. Matt had seen every handhold and toehold and he’d been right; it was easy enough for a five-year-old. Still, it would never rank as a favorite hobby with her.
Matt—he’d been what she’d clung to during the climb. His voice, calm and assured. His vow he would let no harm come to her, his confidence in her ability to reach her son. He’d been there for her at the most crucial time.
She thought about him as she donned a pretty sundress. She owed him more than she could ever repay. And he deserved her best at dinner. She almost wished Alexandre could go and visit Michelle or another of her friends with children for the evening. Then she chided herself for the thought. Her precious son was safe and it would be a long while before she’d feel comfortable with him away from her.
Thoughts spiraled back to Matt. Did he mind that Alexandre would be going with them? He seemed to like him. He was always kind, always had time for him. Not many men would want to spend their vacation with a five-year-old.
There was no question Alexandre adored Matt—especially after their climb together. That had been all he’d talked about ever since that day.
Ready at last, she went out to the lounge area, disappointed not to see Matt there. She walked to the French doors and there he was, sitting on a chair near the far edge of the veranda.
“You look lovely,” he said, rising.
“Thank you. I can get us some sandwiches and lemonade for lunch, if you like. To tide us over until dinner.”
“Just a snack’ll do. I’ll come with you but let’s eat out here.”
They made the sandwiches together, bumping into each other, laughing, working in harmony.
Eating alfresco was a favorite part of living by the beach for Jeanne-Marie. She did it often and was pleased Matt seemed to like it as well.
Finished, replete, the heat of the afternoon making her a bit sleepy, she leaned back in her chair, content with the day and the way things had turned out. Now if she’d only hear her father-in-law was going to recover fully, everything would be perfect. Or almost perfect. Matt was leaving in the morning.
“Jeanne-Marie?”
Slowly she looked at him.
“I was going to wait.”
“For what?”
“To ask you to marry me.”
“What?” She sat up at that, totally shocked.
Matt rose and came to kneel by her chair. “I was going to wait until tonight when Alexandre was asleep and Rene had gone home. When it was just you and me. I love you, Jeanne-Marie. That became abundantly clear today when I couldn’t scale the hill with you but felt your fear and uncertainty. The awful thought came—what if you fell? I couldn’t imagine living through a loss like that again. I knew then the feelings I’ve felt over the last weeks were more than those for a friend. You have captured my heart. I never thought I’d love again. I never wanted to live in fear of something happening to someone else I love. But today proved I don’t always get what I want.”
“You never said you were starting to care for me. We haven’t even dated. Are you trying to protect us or something? Did today make you think I can’t cope on my own and need a keeper?”
He laughed. “No, you’re the last person who needs a keeper. Today made me vividly aware that I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it. I want you for my wife. I don’t want to leave tomorrow without knowing you’ll be part of my life. I know this is fast. We haven’t known each other long. But sometimes it doesn’t take long—to find the perfect life partner. I’ve found her and want to spend all my time with her—you.”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, trying to assimilate all he was saying. Her heart blossomed. He loved her? She loved him. It was fast. It also felt right.
“I want to see you every day, eat your amazing breakfasts, hear your laughter, see your smile, touch your silky skin. I want you to be part of my life,” he said, his eyes holding her gaze, the sincerity shining through. How could she have thought him stern? He was so wonderful she couldn’t believe it.
She reached out and touched his cheek, her eyes growing moist.
“Today when you went up that cliff, all I could think of was what if you fell? What if you were hurt worse than I was? What if something happened and you died? I knew at that moment that I couldn’t go on if that happened.” He took her hand in his and kissed the center of her palm, wrapping his fingers around, relishing the touch of her skin, wanting more than anything to draw her into his embrace. But he wanted her answer first!
“I have a son—”
“Whom I already love. He’s a precious child and I would be honored to have a hand in raising him. In the Loire Valley, here, wherever we live. Come, my love, make a family with me, grow old with me. Let me love you until the end of time.”
Before she could open her mouth to give him an answer, he pulled her into his embrace and kissed her as they both tumbled to the veranda.
Jeanne-Marie felt like she was floating. She moved closer into his embrace, letting the love she’d kept hidden blossom and shine. She loved this man and he said he loved her.
“Mama, Mama, why are you on the floor kissing Matt?” Alexandre asked, running out from the lounge.
They pulled apart, sat up and looked at the little boy.
“I’ve asked your mother to marry me and come live with me in my castle. Would you like that?” Matt asked, opening his arm for the child to join them.
“Can I come, too?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t take her without you.” Matt scooped him up with his good arm and faced Jeanne-Marie. “I’m waiting to hear her answer,” he told Alexandre. Both of them looked at her.
She laughed and reached out to touch Matt’s face again, free to do so, knowing she could touch him whenever she wanted—forever. “I love you. I would be honored to marry you and come and live in your castle. As long as we can vacation here by the sea. And how many children do you want?”
“A houseful. No onlys for us.”
“I think that can be arranged.” She looked beyond him at Les Calanques and grew pensive. “I never thought I’d fall in love again.” Looking at him, she smiled brightly. “But look what they brought me. How lucky can one person be?”
“Ah, ma chère, I’m the lucky one. I lost my family and now found a new one. One I’ll love and cherish forever. You’ll be the happiest woman on the earth if I can help it.”
“I already am! I love you, Matthieu Sommer, and always will.”
“Me, too,” Alexandre said, smiling happily. “Now can you take me climbing again?”
ISBN: 978-1-4592-0811-7
FROM DAREDEVIL TO DEVOTED DADDY
First North American Publication 2011
Copyright © 2011 by B
arbara McMahon
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From Daredevil to Devoted Daddy Page 16
