“I just need my suitcase—there’s something in there.” She grabbed it from under the tree where she’d left it and Sean took it from her and then drew her onto the path. They ran through the rain and arrived at the house, breathless and soaked. His hand tightened on hers. “Ready?”
“Of course.”
She held tightly to his hand as Sean put the suitcase down, opened the door and pulled her inside.
“Look who I found outside in the rain.”
Stunned silence fell across the table and then everyone started talking at once. Maple sprinted across to her, Jackson stood up and pulled her into a hug and Elizabeth exchanged a knowing smile with Alice.
“I told you she’d be back,” Alice said. “Why do none of you ever listen to me?”
“I knew she’d be back, too.” Elizabeth crossed the kitchen and gave her a hug. “You’re soaking wet! Sean, you shouldn’t have kept her out in the rain. We need to get you dry.”
“I’m fine. I’m not cold. I am very pleased to see you all, and I have a present for you.” She unzipped her case, now soaking wet, and pulled out a tin. “I made these for you and carried them all the way from Paris.” She tipped them gently onto a plate and Kayla gave her an odd look.
“Cakes?”
“They’re madeleines,” Sean said gruffly, his eyes on Élise. “I’m glad you made them.”
He understood the significance and she smiled. “It was time. Time you tried them. If you like them I will put them on the menu at the Boathouse and it will be a small piece of Paris.”
A small piece of her past.
“I just hope they’re better than those things you call pancakes,” Walter muttered and she sped around the table and hugged him tightly.
“I love you, Walter. How are you feeling?”
“I don’t know why everyone keeps asking me that because I’m just fine.”
“Th
at’s good,” Sean said, “because we have something to tell you.” Even as he said the words Alice spotted Élise’s finger and gasped.
“You’ve given her a ring. Oh, Sean!”
Elizabeth beamed. “I knew she loved you. A woman always knows.”
Walter frowned. “I knew, too. I was the one who pointed out he was in love. For all that brain of his, he’s very stupid about some things.”
Rolling his eyes, Sean pulled Élise against him. “She said yes, so now you can all give us some peace.”
“Did you go down on one knee?”
“It’s pouring with rain out there. He’d ruin his trousers.” Tyler stood up and wrapped her in a tight hug. “Welcome to the family. I’m glad it’s official. Just don’t start slobbering all over each other, that’s all I ask. There’s enough of that around here with Jackson and Kayla. I’d suggest we all have a drink to celebrate but Sean has already thrown most of it over the table. Thank God for napkins, I say.”
“She’s already family,” Walter grunted, “and she would have stayed family whether she married Sean or not. And we should definitely have a drink. Champagne. Jackson? Is there any champagne?”
“I do not need champagne to celebrate. Being here, it is enough.” Élise felt tears prick her eyes. “You are all very dear to me and I love you very much.”
Tyler winced and retreated back to his seat at the table. “If you’re going to get mushy, I’m going to need alcohol. Probably a crate of the stuff. Raid the cellar, Jackson.”
Ignoring all of them, Élise tugged at Sean’s hand and pulled him toward her. “I love you. I love you always and I tell you this in front of everyone and I will tell you every day.”
Tyler groaned and slid down in his char. “I’m moving out.”
“It is important to say how you feel.”
“In that case, you should know I feel sick.” Tyler shook his head and turned his back on them. “Tell me when it’s safe to turn around.”