Having the Frenchman's Baby

If he could see into her psyche right now, he would know she never wanted to leave him.

There was a reason for that—she was in love for the first time in her life. So deeply in love she was in pain.

They took a different, faster route to Ribeauville that wound through the foothills past stone houses, castle ruins, even crucifixes left over from other centuries.

Once they reached his house on the summit, she pulled in next to his Wagoneer and jumped out to get her suitcase from the back. Luc had already unlocked the door to the house.

“I’ll be downstairs,” he called to her.

“As soon as I change, I’ll join you!”

There was no time to lose. Once inside, she found the bathroom down the hall and discarded her dress for jeans and a T-shirt. After putting on her walking shoes, she raced down the stairs.

Luc had already left for the vineyard through the walkout basement. At a quick glance she noted a bedroom, bathroom and laboratory. Her eyes traveled around the storage room. It was full of tools and vintner equipment, including several boxes of stakes.

She picked up a bundle, reached for a twine holder and headed out the door. In a minute she found him on the west side of the house where the young vines had the longest exposure to light.

Though they were supported by a stake already, they would need more bolstering to survive a violent storm.

She noticed he’d already made progress and was halfway down one of the rows.

“Leave those things at the head of the next row, then come and I’ll show you how you can help.”

She hurriedly complied.

“We’ll make faster time if you tie the stake to the vine after I’ve driven it into the soil.”

She nodded, then got down on her knees to see how much twine to cut, and how exactly to tie the vine.

Watching him work was a revelation to her. No indecision. Every movement was precise, perfect. So quick!

Hers on the other hand were slow and clumsy. But he continually praised her for her efforts. Part of her problem was the knowledge that these were his experimental vines. She didn’t want him to lose them.

The next row went a little faster because she’d finally gotten the hang of it. When they came to the end of it, their eyes met.

“I think you’ve been holding out on me, Rachel. I think you’re a vintner’s daughter.”

Before she could countenance it, he pressed a quick kiss to her lips, then moved on to the next row.

Keep praising me like that and I’m your slave for ever, her heart cried.

A little more than halfway through the plot and she heard the rumblings of thunder.

While she’d been concentrating on her job, the wind had picked up. Strong gusts whipped at her hair. Luckily the ribbon kept most of it out of her face.

“Feel that drop in temperature?” he asked.

“Yes. It was hot again this morning.”

“By the time we go inside, I’ll have to turn on the heat.”

Those words sent certain pictures flashing through her mind. The thought of being alone with him in his own house caused her pulse to pound in her ears.

Afraid Luc could hear it, she worked harder and faster, anxious to finish what they’d started. Helping him like this bonded her to him on a new and deeper level.

Soon the smell of rain filled the air. Bits of leaves and debris began to swirl around them. Another crack of thunder sounded much closer this time, causing her to jump.

She looked up to discover the giant thunderheads she’d noticed earlier were upon them. An eerie darkness had settled in.