Falling For His Unlikely Cinderella (Escape To Provence 2)
“Don’t be an idiot. It’s long past time you found someone.” She gave Alain a kiss.
“Thanks, Nathalie.”
“I owe you big-time after the way you helped me get back with Dominic. We’re so happy it’s ridiculous, and we want you to know that same feeling again.” She kissed Raoul’s cheek and left.
Raoul wasn’t far behind with Alain to take him to the doctor. So far his son seemed perfectly healthy, but Raoul was a bit nervous. This was all part of being a new parent as Arlette had reminded him earlier. The knowledge that Cami would be arriving at the villa later to fix their dinner filled him with excitement and helped him deal with his worry over being a dad.
* * *
When Cami arrived at the villa at three, it was clear that Raoul hadn’t returned from the doctor yet. He’d left the back door unlocked and she was able to walk in and get busy cooking her specialty of escalope de veau and roast potatoes.
She was still smiling over her mother’s surprised reaction to the candied violets she ate and loved when she heard the doorbell ring. It was probably a delivery of some kind for Raoul. She wiped her hands on a towel and walked through the villa to answer the door.
A stunning auburn-haired woman probably late twenties, dressed in a designer suit stood there scrutinizing Cami who was wearing jeans and a pale yellow crewneck pullover. The woman carried two wrapped packages hanging at her sides.
“May I help you?”
“I’m here to see Raoul Fontesquieu.”
“I’m afraid he’s not here, but I expect him later.”
“Will you see he gets these as soon as possible?”
“Of course.”
She handed her the packages and left before Cami could ask the woman’s name. Cami suspected she’d just met Sabine.
After she disappeared down the steps, Cami shut the door and carried them to the kitchen where she placed them on the counter. No sooner had she put their dinner in the oven than the phone rang.
It was Raoul. Her pulse raced as she clicked on. “Hi!”
“Hi, yourself. I dropped off Alain at his grandmother’s and I’m driving home from La Gaude, but there’s been a traffic accident. I may not be there for another ten minutes.”
“That’s no problem. As I’ve got you on the phone, you should know a woman came to the door and left two packages for you.”
“Interesting. Will you do me a favor and open them?”
“All right.” She walked over and undid the paper on both of them. “They’re framed oil paintings of a vineyard. Oh! Your great uncle Jerome’s signature is in the lower right-hand corner of both. I didn’t know he was an artist too!”
“He was a Renaissance man and did them when he was in Bordeaux. I thought I’d seen the last of them. They’re one of my treasures. I can’t wait to see them and will be home soon.”
They hung up and Cami set the table. Before long Raoul walked in the kitchen. His dark gleaming eyes found hers. He kissed her long and hard. “Something smells wonderful, ma belle. You didn’t have to do all this.”
“I wanted to, and I have to tell you how impressed I am by the way you’ve put your kitchen together. No more boxes.”
“Nope. Alain helped.”
“That I would have loved to s
ee. Which brings me to the burning question. What’s the verdict from the doctor?”
He washed his hands. “My son is in perfect condition and is taller on the chart than most children his age.” She noticed him examine the paintings.
“It would be a shock if he weren’t,” she quipped. “Come sit down and I’ll serve you.” As she put a plate of food in front of him, she said, “You seem particularly happy. What else is going on?”
“A lot of things. When I was out of town before, I made my cousin Jean-Pierre the official head of Sales and Marketing at a meeting. It’s an enormous relief, but more importantly, I’ve found a nanny for Alain.”
“Really?” She served herself some food and sat down, looking excited for him. “What’s she like?”