Falling For Her French Tycoon (Escape To Provence 1)

“According to Nathalie, their affair took place two and a half years ago.”

Etienne’s eyes narrowed. “That’s when Raoul got married. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? People have often said they think we’re all brothers.”

“I know,” Dominic murmured. “As late as yesterday evening I thought it was possible Nathalie had been involved with Raoul because I didn’t know about her stepsister. Naturally, when I introduced them, they didn’t know each other. There’s only one thing to do. Show Raoul this photo.”

“Agreed.”

“If this is the woman Raoul fell in love with, then his life is going to get a thousand times more complicated.”

“When are you going to talk to him?”

CHAPTER NINE

MONDAYS WERE ALWAYS busy at the pharmacy. Nathalie went in at nine and waited on customers with a quick break for lunch. Her mom stayed home to take a breather from work. Nathalie told Denis to go home early and she would close up at seven, her one late night during the week. It was time she did her part.

The last customer left the pharmacy a few minutes after seven. Nathalie locked the door and was walking to the rear of the store when someone knocked on the front door.

She turned and walked back, thinking it was the customer who’d just left. But it was Dominic! Her heart plummeted to her feet.

“Will you let me in for a minute, Nathalie? I have something important to tell you.”

Help. “No, Dominic. I’ve already said goodbye to you.”

“It can’t be goodbye. I’ve found your nephew’s father. We need to talk.”

What?

She knew Dominic was honesty personified. That meant he’d shown Antoinette’s picture to his brother and cousin. Which one had recognized her? Nathalie pressed a hand to her heart, unable to believe this was happening.

“Where can we go now that you’ve closed for the night? I’ll follow you.”

She didn’t dare go anywhere alone with him. Better to stay right here with the lights on. She unlocked the door. “Come in.”

“Thank you.”

There was no one more appealing to Nathalie than Dominic. Tonight he’d dressed in a business suit and tie. No doubt he’d come from some kind of meeting. She looked uninspiring in a white lab coat over a dress, no makeup and her hair pulled back to the nape. But right now that wasn’t important.

“Which one of them recognized her?”

He studied her features. “Raoul.”

“So he was the one?”

Dominic nodded. “I asked him to tell me if he’d seen or knew this woman, then I handed him the photo. He took one look at it and paled before asking me how I came by it. That’s when I told him you’d been looking for the man your stepsister had loved, but I didn’t tell him there was a baby.”

“Oh, Dominic—” She hugged her arms to her waist, hardly able to contain her emotions.

“He remembers her telling him she had a stepsister and can’t believe it’s you! He wants desperately to talk to you anywhere, anytime you say.”

Her eyes met the burning blackness of his. “I want that too,” her voice trembled.

“You have no idea how eager he is and will do whatever you suggest.”

She shook her head. “That’s wonderful!”

“He’s wonderful. You’ve only met Raoul for a moment, but you don’t know him yet. There’s no better man in this world.”

Nathalie had difficulty swallowing. “Obviously my stepsister felt the same way or she would never have gotten involved with him. Where would he prefer to meet?”