“Antoinette could have looked all over and never found a man more exceptional. He’s so crazy about Alain already, it’s extraordinary. I can only think of one other besides your father who’s his equal.”
They stared at each other. “You mean Dominic.”
“You know that’s who I mean. You never gave up and he never let you. If that isn’t love, then I don’t know anything.”
“You know a lot.”
“Then stop worrying you can’t have children. We’ve been through a lot of sadness and grief over the last two and a half years. It’s time we filled this house with real happiness. Finding Raoul is just the beginning.”
Nathalie got to her feet. “Do you have Raoul’s phone number?”
“Yes. He gave me his business card with his cell phone number. It’s in the kitchen on the counter.”
“Thanks.” She tousled Alain’s curls before walking in the other room. Once she’d put the number in her own phone, she texted him.
Do you know where Dominic is tonight?
Raoul answered back so fast it took her by surprise.
Dom and I have a meeting with Etienne at the Tour de l’Est. There’s been a problem with the latest batch of wine. We’ll be on our way in a minute. I’ll keep you posted.
In her mind’s eye she knew the location of the Tour de l’Est. It was a massive round tower on the property. In her readings she’d learned that the land deeded to the Fontesquieux contained some battlements from the fifteenth century. Since they’d cleared out the old weapons and munitions from the east tower, its eight-foot-thick walls with rooms on four floors had been used to store their wine.
Now that she’d found the courage to talk to Dominic, she groaned to think he wasn’t available.
She sent another text.
Thanks. Please don’t tell him I asked about him.
In came his response.
Your secret is safe with me.
The blood hammered in her ears as she made the decision to drive to Vence tonight and take a look at the tour. Maybe she’d be able to catch him. After putting on one of her favorite dresses, she hurried into the living room.
“Maman? I’m leaving for the vineyard. I might be late.”
Her mother smiled at her. “I hope you are. That man has brought a light to your eyes that has never been there before.”
She took a quick breath. “I love you, Maman.” Nathalie leaned over to kiss them both and raced out the front door.
* * *
Dominic had just left the office for the Tour de l’Est with Raoul in his Jaguar when he received a call from their grandfather.
Raoul darted him a glance. “Aren’t you going to get it?”
“No. The old man’s furious because I ended it with Corinne. All that money could have come to the Fontesquieu treasury. I don’t live in the same universe as our grand-père.”
“Does anyone?”
Nathalie had shown Dominic what life had to offer if you were lucky enough to meet your soul mate. He hadn’t believed such a thing existed until she’d entered his world. In the short time he’d known her, she’d taught him what it was to lay down your life for someone you love. In her case, her stepsister’s son. She’d risked the unknown with nothing to go on but a hope and a prayer of uniting a father and son.
Tears stung his eyelids. She might not want to be with Dominic right now, but he had to have faith that in time she would change her mind. They were meant to be together whether she could have his baby or not. He felt it to the very depths of his being. Otherwise there was little sense to life.
Raoul drove them past the winery where they could smell the fermentation before reaching the tour. A dozen cars and trucks filled the parking area. They got out and walked inside the double doors of the old battlement.
“Hey, bro.” The two of them entered the vaulted conference room on the ground floor. Etienne was already there talking with a group of storage workers and managers. “Where’s the fire?”