“I like Jean-Marc, too. He seems to be a good match for her. Watching him today I can understand why he’d like to be number one with you.”
“Why is that?” She had Luc’s full attention now.
“It’s obvious Giselle adores you. He wants to measure up in every way.”
Luc stroked her cheek with his thumb. “He lit up around you, just like Giles does. You have that effect on men.”
“But not on your mother.”
His chest rose and fell visibly. “I promise by the time our baby arrives, she’ll come around. She’s really a wonderful person.”
“I know that, Luc. Otherwise you wouldn’t be the kind of man you are.”
He was the only man Rachel wanted to light up. But for that to happen, she needed to have come into his life before he’d ever met Paulette.
While she stood there wishing she could get his mind off of his sadness for a little while, an idea came to her.
“Wait here. I’ve got something to show you.”
His sensuous mouth lifted at one corner. “Another surprise?”
“In a way.”
“If you’re after another bottle of wine you’ve got tucked away, I can save you the trouble. My cellar is fully stocked.”
“That’s nice to know now that the doctor has taken me off alcohol.” While he was still chuckling she added, “Actually I have something else in mind, but it’s related.”
“Now you’ve got me curious.”
“Good. I’ll be right back.”
She hurried to the bedroom where she’d noticed her laptop on one of the chairs.
After finding the adapter in her purse, she carried everything back to the kitchen and plugged the cord into the wall outlet behind the bistro table.
She felt Luc’s dark eyes watching her. “Come over here. This could take some time.”
She set her computer on the tabletop and pulled up the file so he could view the screen.
Luc sat down opposite her. “What’s this?”
“Read it and find out.”
“‘Alsace: God’s Vineyard’,” he read aloud.
His raised his head. This time when he looked at her, she could tell this was something that had caught his interest. “That’s a perfect title. Whose article is this?”
It was a lot more than an article. She’d already written three chapters of a twenty-chapter book she hoped to get published one day. She’d done a mock-up of the pictures she’d already taken to illustrate the passages. There were dozens of photographs that demonstrated everything from the various kinds and sizes of Chartier vineyards to the varieties of grapes that went into their wines. Giles happened to be in several of them.
“Keep on reading and you’ll find out.”
When she could see he was fully engrossed, she brought the tray in from the living room and cleaned up the kitchen. The whole time she worked, she realized she was holding her breath waiting for his response.
The next time he raised his head, he stared at her as if he’d never seen her before.
“Are you upset with me for the liberties I’ve taken?” she asked in a nervous voice.
After studying her for a moment, he got up from the table and walked over to her.
His hands went to her shoulders. “On top of everything else, I find I’m married to a writer who has an exceptional grasp of an industry I’ve worked in all my life. You possess a remarkable gift for combining the technical aspects of wine culture with the ability to express your excitement as only you can do.”
A smile broke out on her face. “Thank you.”
“It’s only the truth. When we first met, one of the qualities I enjoyed most about you was the depth of your appreciation for life. That empathy with the world surrounding you flies off the pages and makes the words live.”
His approval meant everything to her. “So you don’t mind that you and Giles served as my inspiration?”
His gaze traveled over her upturned features. “You know better than to ask me that question,” he murmured. “As I was reading, I marveled to see the thoughts and feelings I’ve held for years brought to life with such artistry and accuracy.
“Once you’ve spent some time with Jean-Marc, you can devote a section to Pinot Noir. A good red wine is difficult to achieve. He knows the secret and will be only too happy to tell you all about it.”
Luc’s unexpected comment thrilled her. She was starting to get really excited about her project.
“I’m hoping that one day when I’ve finished it, a publisher might be interested.” She took an extra breath. “If by some miracle that should happen, would you be willing to write the preface?”
His hands cupped her face. “I’d be honored,” he whispered against her lips.
They were leaning against each other, but Luc didn’t pull her closer, or try to kiss her the way he’d once done.
Since flying to New York, he was a different person who treated her as if she were an honored guest rather than the love of his life. Since she was neither, she would have settled for something in between.
When she’d agreed to marry him, she’d thought he expected they would sleep together. But he was acting as if he no longer wanted her in that way.
Her heart plunged to her feet. What if he didn’t?
She couldn’t imagine living with him on a twenty-four-hour basis without the intimacy that had created their baby.
“Your book is such a delight to me, Rachel, I want to return the favor. I haven’t furnished the small bedroom off the guest bathroom yet. How would you like to drive into town and we’ll start buying some things for a nursery? Anything your heart desires.”
Anything her heart desired…
If you didn’t love your wife, then the next best thing to do was buy her gifts. But in Rachel’s case, everything was for their baby.
She couldn’t take exception to that. Her life had been in so much turmoil, she hadn’t been able to give a lot of thought to cribs and changing tables yet. But Luc had been through all this before. Though he admitted to being terrified that something could happen to their baby, she sensed he was eager to get busy doing all the fatherly things.
“I’d love it,” she said before walking over to the table to get her laptop. “Give me time to change and I’ll meet you at the car.”
As she started to leave the kitchen she felt his gaze burn through the back of her top.
If she were to turn around now, she had the impression she would see the brooding Luc she’d first met. The man whose moods could change like quicksilver depending on certain situations triggering them.
Was he thinking of the time he and Paulette had picked out a christening cap and gown for their little boy? The joy they’d felt because nothing had yet happened to blot the sun from their universe?
With tears threatening, she ran the rest of the way to the bedroom and went straight for the closet.
Luc had hung up her garment bags. She unzipped one of them and pulled out the white suit she’d worn on her first day in Alsace.
In case they bumped into people he knew while they were in town, she didn’t want to let him down.
In an area like this where everyone knew the Chartier name even if they didn’t all know him personally, his recent marriage to Rachel was going to create a lot of talk.
Giselle and Jean-Marc’s warm welcome had gone a long way to help her handle it. But if by any chance they were to see Luc’s in-laws or his mother…
Rachel couldn’t think about that right now or she’d have to tell Luc she’d changed her mind about leaving the house.
Once dressed, she removed the ribbon from her hair and brushed it until it swirled against her shoulders.
A touch of lipstick and she felt presentable enough to spend an afternoon out in public with her husband.
Luc’s striking coloring and looks made him a target for any woman with eyes to see. Rachel loved him so much she couldn’t help but feel a fierce pride to be the woman in his exclus
ive company.
No one would know she was dying inside for want of the one element needed to make theirs a true marriage.
Somehow she had to present a contented front that would fool Luc into believing everything was all right. But she didn’t know how long she could keep it up if he chose to sleep in separate bedrooms tonight.
Luc had just shrugged into his sport jacket when his cell phone rang, the caller ID indicating it was Yves.
By now the news that Luc was married to the pregnant woman he’d gone to see on the same day Paulette had been laid to rest would have reached the Brouets’ ears through Luc’s mother.
That kind of news would have stretched the limits of friendship with them.
Yves must have run into Jean-Marc or Giselle and knew Luc was back from the States, thus the reason for the call.
Since Rachel would be emerging from the bedroom any minute, Luc stepped out the front door to talk to him in private.
Once they were seen buying baby furniture in Ribeauville, word of their marriage would spread to the four corners of Alsace. In the days to come after a routine had been established, it was inevitable Rachel would run into certain people who would shun her out of loyalty to Paulette. Luc wouldn’t always be at her side to protect her.
He clicked on and said hello.
“Is it true you’re married to Rachel Valentine, and expecting a baby, and you didn’t tell me first?”
Luc bowed his head. “We just got back from New York last night.”
“Do you have any idea how long I’ve prayed for someone to come along and sweep you off your feet? Giles told me how valiant you were trying to fight your attraction to Rachel, but he said the coup de foudre hit you so hard, both of you went around in a daze that was fascinating to watch.”
Those words unlocked the vise holding Luc in its grip. Too much emotion made it difficult to talk for a minute.
“Camille and I want to meet her. How about bringing her over to the house for dinner tonight? I don’t think I can wait any longer. Giles says she’s a real beauty.”
“She is,” Luc whispered in a thick-toned voice as his wife stepped out on the porch wearing the white suit he loved. The heart-stopping memory of her sitting in the hotel dining room savoring the Tokay would stay with him all his days.
“Just a second and I’ll check with her.”
“Who is it?” she mouthed the words nervously.
The day Rachel no longer had to worry about being accepted couldn’t come soon enough for Luc. Yves’ phone call was a giant step in the right direction.
He cupped her neck and whispered into her ear. “Yves. He and Camille have invited us for a celebration dinner at their house this evening. Would you like to do that after we’re through shopping?”
When he sensed her hesitation he added, “He called us, not the other way around. It means he’s happy for us and wants the four of us to start doing things together. No man ever had a better friend.”
He felt the fortifying breath she took. “Under the circumstances, he must be exceptional.”
“He is.”
“Of course I want to go if you do.”
He kissed her soft cheek, then spoke into the phone again.
“We’d love to come, Yves. What time?”
“Camille says any time after six.”
“We’ll be there. Merci, mon ami.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
WHILE the men were outside with the children, Rachel helped Camille do the dishes.
Rachel knew there would be times when Luc needed to talk about Paulette. Who better than with her brother Yves? Rachel would give her husband all the space he needed.
As for Camille, Rachel had felt an instant rapport with her. She reminded her of Emma. Sweet and unpretentious.
“You’re a fabulous cook like my half sister, who’s the head chef at Bella Lucia. Thank you for going to all this trouble for us.”
“It was our pleasure, believe me. Luc is family. It’s been hard to see how empty his life has been over the last three years. But now I know the reason.”
“What do you mean?”
“He clearly had to wait until your grandfather asked you to come to Alsace so you and he could meet. It was all part of a grand design, but I didn’t realize it before tonight.”
Her eyes smiled at Rachel. “You’re wonderful for Luc. That book you’re writing on wines shows you value not only him, but the work he does. Not every woman makes a good vintner’s wife.”
Was Camille telling her something about Paulette? Rachel didn’t dare ask. Instead she put the dried plates away in the cupboard.
“If I were you, I know I’d be riddled with curiosity about Paulette,” Camille confided. “But since you’re too polite to bring her name up, then let me.”
She smiled at Rachel. “She was blond like Yves, fun and full of life like he is. If you know Yves, you know Paulette.”
Since Rachel was already crazy about Yves, who kept them all laughing, she could understand how Luc would have adored his sister.
“I understand they knew each other for years.”
“Yes, and from an early age Paulette set her sights on Luc. In that respect she wasn’t any different from all the other females around who considered Lucien Chartier the catch of all time.”
He still was…
“Instead of going away to college, she stayed in St Hippolyte to break Luc down and get in his face until he married her. Her goal in life was to be his wife and have his children.”
The two women stared at each other before Rachel said, “Not every dream works out exactly as we want, does it? My twin sister Rebecca suffers from endometriosis. I know she’s frightened she can’t have children. It’s very sad.”
“Life is strange,” Camille murmured. “I was a schoolteacher and wanted a few years alone with Yves before children came along, but they came anyway. Not that I’m complaining, you understand.” She laughed gently.
“I—I’m afraid I never gave it a great deal of thought until I discovered I was pregnant,” Rachel confessed. “For the first month I was in total shock, but after today I must admit I’m getting excited.”
“Lucky you to be married to a man who can’t wait for the big event. It looks like he bought out the stores this afternoon.”
“As you saw from everything, we went overboard.”
“Why not? Luc’s going to make a terrific father.”
“I’m sure of it. But my heart still breaks when I think of the pain he and Paulette went through losing their baby.” Her voice trembled.
“Any miscarriage is a terrible loss. I had one between my son and daughter.”
“Luc told me. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right, Rachel, and it should have been all right for Paulette because the doctor told her there was no reason why she couldn’t try again.
“I truly believe that if she’d had more going on in her life so she didn’t obsess over getting pregnant, she wouldn’t have gone off the deep end after she miscarried.”
“Was it postpartum depression?”
“That too—however, Yves and I think Paulette had a chemical imbalance. The problem was, she refused to see a psychiatrist so she didn’t get the help she needed.
“Her paranoia got so bad she accused Luc of not loving her anymore because she couldn’t produce his baby. It made no sense. He would have done anything and told her they could adopt. But she wouldn’t hear of it. It had to be Luc’s baby or nothing. She simply wasn’t rational about it.”
Rachel shivered. “He said she pushed him away.”
“It’s true. When she asked for the divorce, we all realized how sick she was. Everyone loved Paulette, but she needed professional help to get past her grief. Not even Yves’ parents could get her to consider it.”
“How tragic.”
Camille patted her arm. “It’s over now. Luc has put it behind him. You need to do the same thing.”
When Rachel started to protest Camille
said, “I know. It’s easier said than done. If I could give you one piece of advice whether you want it or not, don’t hold anything back from Luc. Not your fears or your concerns. Talk to him. Tell him what you’re thinking and feeling. Don’t shut him out the way she did.
“Paulette’s mental state put him in a straightjacket. A marriage like that can’t survive under those conditions.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Thank you.” She hugged Camille before they walked through the house. It sounded as if the men had come in with the children.
Rachel would take Camille’s advice, but she feared her marriage wouldn’t survive despite Luc’s determination to make it work. He wasn’t in love with her. It was that simple.
As she entered the living room his brown eyes cast her a speculative glance.
“You look tired. After the full day we’ve put in, I’m not surprised. I think it’s time to get you home to bed.”
She didn’t feel in the least tired, but her heart pounded against her ribs to think he might desire her enough to want their honeymoon to begin tonight.
“Come on, everyone.” Yves spoke to his family. “Let’s help take out all these baby things to Luc’s car.”
“Thank you for the dinner, and the mobile,” Rachel said a few minutes later, giving Camille and Yves another hug.
“We’ll have you over for dinner next weekend,” Luc said before helping Rachel into the front seat of the Wagoneer.
“A bientôt.”
During the drive home, Rachel turned to him. “They’re lovely people. I never expected such a warm welcome.”
“They like you.”
“Because of you.”
She smiled. “My grandfather used to say you can judge a man’s character by his closest friend. Yves is a choice person. So is his wife.”
He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “After spending the evening with you, they genuinely want to be your friend.”
His gaze searched hers. “What did you and Camille talk about so long in the kitchen?”
Rachel had already made up her mind to follow the other woman’s advice. “Paulette.”
Slowly he let go of her hand and put his back on the steering wheel.
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