“You’re talking about that American woman staying at the petit château who is out for all she can get. Jean-Marc told me you met her in St. Saphorin. Whatever possessed you to bring her here?”
“With the property sold, she and her friends didn’t feel right about staying on the vineyard for their vacation. I invited them to come here for a few days.”
“But only one arrived with you. How dare you take her to the funeral! It shocked everyone to see you with someone else so soon after Angélique’s death.”
So soon? After two years? Raoul had to count to ten.
“I heard you took her to the banquet last night. Solange expected you to take her.”
“I’m not interested in Solange and never will be. Abby has never been to France and I wanted to be a good host.”
“She’s not one of us,” his father muttered angrily. “It would never do for you to form an attachment. You must see that! I want you to get rid of her.”
Raoul grimaced because part of what his father said kept his guilt alive. “Was there something important about vineyard business you needed to discuss with me?”
“How soon is she leaving?”
“I have no idea.” That much was the truth at least.
“You can’t allow this to go on. Your mother and sister won’t stand for it and I forbid it! The whole family is in an uproar. Pierre rang me when he got home from the banquet, demanding to know how she managed to be at the head table. If you don’t cut her loose, I’ll cut you out of the family business.”
It didn’t surprise him that his father would go that far. Again, Raoul chose to ignore it. “How are you feeling today?”
“How do you think?
“I’ve made arrangements for Dr. Filbert to be by later to check on you and the grandparents. He’ll give me an update on your condition.”
“The only thing I want you to do is make sure she’s gone by tonight.”
Click.
He didn’t like that his father was in pain and suffered, but since the crash, Raoul hadn’t let anyone dictate what he’d do with his life. After setting the electronic lock, he drove back to the cottage for a shower and shave. Then he made the phone call to Abby, prepared to tell her he didn’t want her to leave.
“Raoul,” she answered on the second ring. “I’m glad you called. There’s been a change in plans with my friends. I won’t be able to meet up with Ginger until Tuesday, but I’ll book my flight for tomorrow around noon.”
“If she’s not going to be there until Tuesday, then you and I should make the most of the time.”
“I... I’m afraid it’s just prolonging the inevitable,” her voice faltered.
“I never want you to leave, so don’t pretend otherwise.” When his heart rate slowed down he said, “If you’re ready, I’ll come by for you now, and take you to breakfast. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”
“All right.” Her quiet response was all he needed to hear.
After hanging up, he hardly remembered getting in the Maserati to drive to her apartment. She was out in front when he drove up. Those jewel-green eyes were the first thing he saw. Raoul sensed Abby was anxious, but she looked a vision in jeans and the same white-on-black print top she’d been wearing the day they met.
“Bonjour, ma belle.”
“Good morning,” came her slightly breathless greeting. While her glazed eyes played over him, a little vein throbbed at the base of her throat.
“I thought about you all night.” Heat swept into her cheeks. He walked her to the car, holding on to her arm. “Are you hungry?”
“I think by now you know you don’t ever have to ask me that question.”
He gave her a kiss on the cheek after helping her into the passenger seat. “I’m hoping you’ll enjoy La Mère Valois. It serves a simple breakfast eaten by the locals. Homemade country-style bread fresh from the oven and hot coffee.”
“Mmm. A totally French breakfast.”
“Oui. They have yogurt and fresh fruit if you ask for it.”
“I’ll have what you have.”
“I’m warning you now I follow a Spartan diet in the morning.”
Five minutes later he’d taken her inside the little bistro and had shown her how to dip her bread into the coffee and eat it. She followed his lead and probably disliked it, but she pretended to enjoy it.
“You’re sure you don’t want anything else?”
Her eyes flashed. “Positive. As long as I’m in France you know...”
Abby’s spirit of adventure prompted her to try anything. She had many qualities he was crazy about. “I’ll feed you properly after we reach Cluny.”
When they’d finished eating, he walked her out to the car and helped her in. “We’re supposed to get a fair amount of sun today.” He’d left the top down.
“Is Cluny far?”
“Sixty miles. Long enough for you to tell me what’s going on with your friends.”
“Zoe decided to leave for Greece early, and Ginger has already made plans away from Venice for a few days.”
“Does that upset you?”
“You don’t really expect me to answer that question.”
“We’re together for a while longer. I can’t ask for more than that right now.”
She looked around. “The scent of the flowers is heavenly here, Raoul.”
“Pollination is going on everywhere.”
“You tried to embarrass me once, but you won’t succeed again.”
“I have to make one stop at the cemetery, then we’ll leave for Cluny.”
Elation to be with Abby filled his system as he drove beyond the church to the place where André had been buried. Floral arrangements still decorated the grave site. Two figures were huddled there. Raoul stopped the car. “I won’t be long.”
* * *
Abby watched him walk over to the man and woman and kiss them on both cheeks. He must have wanted to be alone with them.
She reached into her purse and pulled out the little storybook his grandmother had given her. There was something touching about seeing Raoul’s name
