“Just a minute, Emma.”
She pulled closer to the edge so the other car could pass. But when it started to go around her, she realized it was staying right alongside her.
Irritated, Rachel shot the driver a speaking glance. But when she saw who it was, she experienced déjà vu and almost ran off the road.
“E-Emma?” her voice faltered. “I’ll have to call you back.”
Dropping the phone, she grabbed the steering wheel with both hands and came to a stop at the side of the road as soon as she could.
While traffic passed by, Luc pulled directly behind her and through the rear-view mirror she saw this gorgeous male lever himself from the car.
Maybe he was the prince she’d envisioned when she’d seen him at the base of the convent. But this prince wore a modern-day blue suit with a white shirt and tie.
>
As he drew closer her mouth went so dry she couldn’t swallow.
He tapped on the window while she fumbled with the switch before it finally lowered. The heat had grown intense, forcing her to turn on the air-conditioner.
He trapped her gaze. “When I heard you had a sudden change in plans, I felt impressed to catch up with you and see if there’s anything I can do to help. Has something happened to your grandfather?”
She tore her eyes from his, absolutely stunned he’d gone out of his way to track her down.
“How did you find me?”
“My friend works at the car rental.”
He knew everyone and everything. This was exactly what she hadn’t wanted to happen, at least not consciously.
“Grandfather was all right when I talked to him earlier today.”
She struggled to come up with an excuse that wouldn’t give her away.
“Actually I’ve stayed in Alsace longer than I’d planned. Now my business is done here.”
“Maman told me you placed a large order. I can’t complain about that, now, can I? But I’m still waiting for the answer to my question.”
“I’m supposed to be in Châlons-Sur-Champagne today.”
Ignoring her declaration, he said, “I noticed you talking on the phone. If you have a boyfriend who has become impatient for your return, then your action is understandable.”
“No—” she blurted. “That’s not the reason.”
He had to know she wasn’t interested in anyone else.
Judging by his ghost of a smile, her denial appeared to have pleased him.
“Since you were aware of your business plans before you came to Alsace, then I believe I know the real reason you chose to slip away this afternoon, but we can’t discuss it here. Follow me into Thann. We’re almost there now.”
“Wait, Luc. Please listen to me—”
But he’d already started for his car.
By the time her trembling limbs could function enough to put the car in gear, he started passing her. As he drove by she felt his dark brown gaze probing hers. She knew if she didn’t follow him, he’d be back to find out why.
Her pounding heart almost suffocated her before she pulled onto the road behind him.
Much as she knew this was wrong, her emotions had taken over, crowding out her misgivings.