“Want to bet? He didn’t give us those cars and pay for four years of university for nothing!”

  Fleurine moaned. “Our father was a monster, and Raoul and his family are the kindest people I’ve ever known to want to help us. But I don’t want him to feel he owes us anything more.”

  Marti frowned. “Haven’t you been listening? This isn’t about us. He’s head over heels in love with you. But if you’re too stubborn to see it, then you don’t deserve him.”

  “You don’t know everything. Maman was right when she told me that Raoul and I come from two different worlds.”

  “That’s a ridiculous cliché, and you know it. If it’s true, how come he proposed to you at eighteen? He wasn’t blind to our world back then and knew exactly what he wanted when he pursued you.”

  “He’s right,” Emma chimed in. “Listen to our brother.”

  Marti moved closer. “The man asked you to meet him in secret while our father was still terrorizing everyone. Now it’s a decade later. He’s going to prison because of Raoul, who still wants you and lives on the estate. Why are you holding back on this?”

  She got up from the couch. “I’m afraid I’ve hurt him too deeply.”

  “Then, there’s only one way to find out. Go to him.”

  “Let’s not talk about Raoul. Right now, I’m concerned about you guys. What do you say we go to bed for a few more hours? Tomorrow I’ll take a taxi to my apartment and come back for you in my car by seven.

  “We’ll drive to the dealership so you can pick up your new cars. Then you can follow me to my apartment and have a look for yourself before you go to class. If you like it, then I’d love you to stay with me. Otherwise, I presume you’ll decide on student housing, because you can’t stay here. Try to get a little sleep now. I love you both so much. Emma, I hope you know I never meant to hurt you by withholding information.”

  “I get it, and I’ll get over it because I love you too. Don’t worry. It’s not too late where Raoul is concerned, but don’t wait too long.”

  “Emma’s right,” her brother said before going to his bedroom.

  Sleep eluded Fleurine completely. The conversation had forced her to confront her feelings for Raoul. Were her brother and sister right? Did she still have a chance with Raoul? Or was her mother’s advice true, and Fleur was right to keep Raoul at arm’s length because it could never be? Those questions tortured her.

  Early in the morning, she packed and called for a taxi. At six fifteen she went out in front. There was no sign of Raoul or his car, intensifying her pain. She left for her apartment. After grabbing a cola from the fridge, she got in her car and headed back to the palais to pick up her siblings and their belongings.

  Within another hour they’d gone by the dealership to get their new cars and followed her to the apartment. They made the decision to stay with her for the time being, then they left for the university.

  After they drove off, Fleurine lay down on the bed and phoned her mother.

  “Maman, did you get the job at the boulangerie?”

  “I did, and I’m working as we speak.”

  “That’s the greatest news I could have. I’m so proud of you.”

  “It’s a miracle. Do you know Raoul sent me a picture of all of you going to the Tour Eiffel for dinner? Talk about a happy family. He’s one incredible man.”

  “He’s the reason I’m calling you. Maman, something has happened you need to know about before you hear it from the kids. Can you talk?”

  “I’m alone right now. Go ahead.”

  “They’ve gone to the university in their cars, but they’ll be back at my apartment later. They’re planning to stay with me for a while anyway.”

  “Wonderful! Now, tell me what is worrying you?”

  In the next breath Fleurine told her about the situation with Emma and her crush on Raoul. When she’d finished, her mother chuckled.

  “That poor thing, but she’s only been under his influence two days. She still has time to get over it because she loves you. As for Raoul, he has that effect on every woman living. But you and he imprinted on each other in childhood. It’s the reason he’s never found another woman he could love.”

  Fleurine trembled. “That’s the thing, Maman. I ended it with him in Ischia after he asked me to marry him again. I told him I couldn’t because I loved my life as a software engineer and planned to go to the top. By telling him that, I hurt him so terribly he’ll never be able to forgive me or let me in his life again.”

  After a long pause Simone said, “You told him that because of what I wrote to you in my letter ten years ago. I knew you were hurting, and I didn’t want you to die of love for him. So I told you to make a success of your life and not depend on a man.

  “Surely you know why I said what I did. But that man adores you to the point he’s turned himself inside out for you and our family. If you’ll go to him and explain the real reason you turned him down, he’ll fall for you all over again.”

  Fleurine couldn’t hold back to her tears. “Marti told me the same thing last night.”

  “I raised a brilliant son.”

  “I’m afraid it’s too late.”

  “Nonsense. Not everyone in this life gets a second chance. If I could give you a mother’s wisdom one more time, I’d tell you to come home to La Racineuse and make your life here where your love ignited. Like his brothers, Raoul’s heart is here on the estate. He’s never going to leave. If he sees you back and settled, he’ll know you can’t live without him either. That’ll be the proof he needs to know you love him more than life itself.”

  With pounding heart, she sat up on the bed. “If I thought that were true... I’d have to resign from Aire-Tech.”

  “Then, what are you waiting for, ma fille?”

  She was way ahead of her mother. “I’m so glad you could talk to me. Thank you for everything. Your advice saved me once. I have faith it will save me again if my love for Raoul is meant to be. Have I told you how thrilled I am about your new career? I’ll call you later when I know my plans. I hope you don’t mind my moving back in with you.”

  “It’s your home too and always will be.”

  After getting off the phone, she freshened up and left in her car for Aire-Tech. No doubt her boss wondered what was going on with her. When she entered the building, she went straight to Philippe’s office and peeked inside.

  He smiled. “Laure! At last!”

  “I know I’ve been gone longer than you’d anticipated, but so much has happened I hardly know where to start.”

  “Sit down, and let’s talk.”

  She sat opposite him. “I have to tell you that no one has ever had a better, kinder, more understanding employer than you. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for hiring me and giving me all the opportunities I’ve enjoyed over these past five years.”

  His smiled faded. “Why do I get the feeling you’re about to quit on me?”

  “I have to! In order to be with the man I love heart and soul, I have to move back east where I was born. It’s where he was born too and works and lives. If I want to spend the rest of my life with him, I can’t stay in Paris. But please know I won’t leave until you’ve found someone else.”

  “It will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace you.”

  “You know that’s not true, but I love hearing you say it. I’m back right now and am ready to go to work until you’ve found the right person.”

  He sat forward. “From the beginning I’ve wondered why you weren’t snapped up long ago. Now that I can feel your urgency and excitement, far be it from me to stand in the way of your happiness. If you want to clear out your office, you’re welcome to leave as soon as tomorrow or the next day. I can tell you’re in a hurry. He’s a very lucky man.”

  Her eyes smarted. “Thank you, Philippe. You’re the best, and I’ll never forget you.” She wrote out her address on the estate and handed it to him.

  Fleurine left and went upstairs to her office to phone her landlords. She explained she had to leave Paris. However, her brother and sister were both attending the Sorbonne and would like to stay in her apartment. Fleurine offered to pay more rent for the two of them.

  Her landlords sounded disappointed she was leaving, but they were delighted to know her family would like to rent from them. With that decided, she gathered up her things and left the building. Thank goodness Paul had been working outside the office and hadn’t seen her.

  Relieved, she drove back to her apartment and started to pack. After so many years, she was finally going home where she’d always yearned to be. Her heart leaped when she thought of seeing Raoul again in such familiar surroundings. She clung to her mother’s last comment.

  If he sees you back and settled, he’ll know you can’t live without him either.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  RAOUL HAD BEEN back on the estate more than two weeks, knee-deep in work. But no amount of business prevented thoughts of Fleurine from torturing him. How long would he remain in this hell which was becoming more unendurable by the second? While he’d been analyzing figures from the livestock report, Damond came into his office late one afternoon and put a small white bakery box on the desk.

  He eyed his assistant. “What’s this?”

  “Before l left town, I decided to pick up a treat for us.” He opened it and pulled out a mannele with chocolate bits on top and ate one. “Have you ever had one of these? They’ve just started making them, and I could eat a dozen of them in one go.”

  The sight of his favorite bread brought so much pain Raoul squeezed his eyes together for a moment. He pushed himself away from the desk and stood up so he could breathe. “Where did you buy them?”

  “At Beauchamps. It’s the only boulangerie in La Racineuse I like.”

  Raoul wheeled around. “Who waited on you?”

  “Maureen, the owner. Who else? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Maybe he was losing his mind. “I’ve got to go, but I’ll be back soon to eat the one you brought me. Thanks, Damond.”

  He raced out of his office to his truck and headed for town at top speed. Raoul had bought pastry from Beauchamps for years, but he’d never known them to make mannele bread, let alone with chocolate bits. Only one person in the world had ever produced one like that.

  When he rolled up in front a few minutes later and got out, he saw the Closed sign in the window. Muttering a few choice epithets, he walked back to the truck and climbed in. After rubbing his eyes, he turned on the engine and started for the estate.

  Before he went home for dinner, he returned to his office, deciding to eat the treat Damond had bought him. He reasoned it couldn’t possibly taste like Fleurine’s and he’d be able to put this earthshaking incident to rest.

  His assistant had gone home, leaving Raoul alone. He walked over to his desk and opened the box.

  Here goes.

  He reached inside.

  One taste, and he was instantly transported back in time to the hay barn when he’d devoured Fleurine’s parting gift. He swallowed it in two bites, wanting more. There could be no mistake. It meant that somehow the bakery had acquired a recipe like Simone’s, the one Fleurine had learned from her mother.

  Before he left for home, Raoul phoned Simone. He needed answers but reached her voice mail. He left a message that he needed to talk to her and asked her to call him back.

  Once at the chateau he realized he had no appetite and went straight up to his suite. Raoul kept waiting for his phone to ring. It rang half a dozen times, all right, but nothing came from Simone. He finally climbed into bed. To his chagrin, restlessness kept him from getting a good sleep, and he awakened early. He planned to drive to the boulangerie before he showed up at his office.

  “Raoul Causcelle!” a voice called to him as he entered twenty minutes later. “I haven’t seen you in here for quite a while. What brings you around?”

  He smiled at the owner. “Bonjour, Maureen. Last evening my assistant brought me some of your goodies. They were so delicious I’ve come back for more.”

  “That’s good to hear. What would you like?”

  “Your mannele. It has to be a new product you’ve introduced, and that bread happens to be one of my favorites.”

  “After all the years you’ve come in the bakery, I didn’t realize you had a preference for it. You should have said something long before now. You’ll be happy to hear my new pastry chef includes them in her repertoire.”

  “Anyone I know?”

  “Simone Dumotte.”

  Simone? So he hadn’t imagined it.

  “When did you hire her?”

  “About two weeks ago. It was after her husband’s arrest. She’s an outstanding pastry maker, and I was lucky to get her before she found work somewhere else. You remember Horace. He had to retire.”

  Raoul nodded. “Do you have any more mannele right now?”

  “Sorry. They sold out so fast it was amazing. You’re not the only one with a taste for it. Come by before we close this evening, and I’ll have some boxed for you. How many do you want?”

  “Save me a dozen.” He pulled a bill out of his wallet and put it on the counter. “Thank you.”

  “Bien sûr. I’m glad you came by. It’s nice to see you again. Have a great day.”

  “You too.”

  Raoul left and headed off for work. He couldn’t get over Simone. That woman was something else. Already she’d become pastry chef of the best boulangerie in La Racineuse. She possessed a drive, the same drive she’d passed on to her daughter. After escaping to France from Switzerland, Fleurine had earned her living making bread and pastry so she could go to college. After doing a lot of research on what kind of career she wanted, she’d aspired to become a talented software engineer.

  Untethered from Dumotte’s leash, both she and her mother had been ready to conquer new worlds. Naturally he was thrilled Simone had refused to be a victim, but this new job had happened so fast! Evidently she’d wanted to be a pastry chef for years. All it took was getting rid of Garber to realize her dream.

  Raoul had never seen that side in either of them. Except when he really thought about it, that wasn’t true. Simone had helped Fleurine escape from her desperate situation years ago. In truth she’d methodically thought things out months before Christmas so Fleurine could get away, be safe and excel in a career she treasured more than anything else.

  More than being with me.

  Raoul’s gut twisted. The Dumotte women were unstoppable. His head had been in the clouds where Fleurine was concerned.

  At quarter after four that afternoon he left work for the boulangerie wanting to pick up the pastry his mouth watered for. But before driving away with it, he got in his truck and drove around the back. With the Renault still there, he waited in the cab for Simone to emerge from the rear exit.

  As soon as she appeared, he got out and walked toward her. “Simone?”

  “Oh, Raoul—bonsoir! I was planning to call you tonight. Last evening, I was out playing dominoes with my friends, and we all agreed to turn off our phones. Forgive me for not getting back to you sooner.”

  Simone already had a coterie of friends to enjoy. The knowledge warmed his heart.

  “Don’t think about that. I’m just glad I caught up to you. Maureen told me you’d been hired. Fleur always claimed you were the greatest cook on earth. Now you’re the head pastry chef at Beauchamps. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thank you. I’m very happy. How are things for you?”

  The woman had no idea the agony he was in. “I’m doing fine. What’s new from Emma and Marti?”

  “Lots of moans and groans while they catch up on several weeks of missed work. It’s music to my ears, of course. Thanks to you and your family’s incredible generosity, they’re finally able to get the kind of education I’ve always wanted them to have. I swear I’ll never be able to repay you, but I’m going to try.”

  He shook his head. “We’ve been all through this before, Simone. It’s your goodness and sacrifice that kept everyone safe all these years. Our family can never repay you enough. No amount of money could equal your courage. You have maintained a loving, stable home that kept Garber doing his job at the dairy until he was caught.

  “Speaking of Garber, I just learned today that his sentencing will be next week. The attorneys working with me have urged the judge to bring it forward as soon as possible and get it over with. You won’t be required to attend unless you want to.”

  “I couldn’t, Raoul. I never want to see that man again.”

  “I understand completely.”

  A shudder racked her body. “He came close to murdering me when I was sixteen. Knowing this is about to end is the best news possible.”

  Raoul reached out and drew her into his arms. “Your nightmare is over.” He could wish that his own would end. “Everyone on the estate is feeling the relief. Remember that if you need or want anything, all you have to do is call me. I’ll always be here for you.”

  She kissed his cheek. “Bless you, Raoul.”

  After he helped her into her car, he started for home. At least the air was cooler now that October had come. He could be grateful for that much respite, even if he wondered how much longer he could endure this life. It angered him that thoughts of Fleurine still held him captive. What in the devil was wrong with him?

  * * *

  A week ago, Fleurine had driven to La Racineuse from Paris and had settled in with her mom. She felt good about leaving Emma and Marti. They’d met the landlord couple and seemed perfectly happy living in Fleurine’s apartment while they went to the university.

  One uncomfortable moment happened when Fleurine went back to Aire-Tech to get the last few personal items from her office. Paul had learned she was leaving and wanted to know why. She told him she missed home but thanked him for his friendship and wished him well. He didn’t like her response and followed her out to her Peugeot in back. Poor Paul. He needed help. Hopefully the new female software engineer Philippe hired would fall for him.