Cami couldn’t believe it. Tears spurted from her eyes. “You mean I’m not dreaming? I’m really going to have a normal life?”
“Yes.” He patted her arm. “I understand there’s a wonderful man out there somewhere who’ll rejoice when he hears this news. But for the time being you need to stay quiet and rest.”
Raoul.
More tears streamed from her eyes. She was alive! The operation was over and she was going to live a full life. She couldn’t wait to tell Raoul everything!
* * *
Two days later Cami and her mom drove to Nice to be with the family while she recovered. Cami half lay on the bed in her robe watching the 5:00 p.m. news, but one announcement caused her to sit up straight.
“More news from Provence. Matthieu Fontesquieu has been named CEO of the Fontesquieu empire in Vence due to his son, Raoul Fontesquieu, stepping down after his divorce from Sabine Murat. More on this story is forthcoming.”
“Raoul, darling,” she whispered to herself. His father had finally accepted what had happened. Now Raoul had gotten his wish and was now truly on his own.
She gotten her wish too.
The operation had made her well! Joy, joy! Since the doctor had talked to her in the recovery room, she’d wanted to phone Raoul and tell him everything, but had needed to wait a few days until her strength had returned.
Her mom had gone to the beauty parlor to get her hair done and hadn’t returned yet. That’s what Cami needed to do. Hers needed to be cut. It had grown too long to manage.
“Cami?”
“Come in.”
Her sandy-haired aunt Liliane peeked inside. “I have a message for you from Emil.”
She couldn’t imagine. “What is it?” They’d been so wonderful to her.
“Raoul Fontesquieu would like you to call him as soon as you can. Apparently your message box is full and he hasn’t been able to get through. Emil said he sounded pretty desperate on the phone.”
“Raoul talked to Emil? But how could he?”
“I don’t know.” Her aunt smiled.
“No one knows where I’ve been recuperating!”
“Why don’t you call him and find out?”
Cami couldn’t believe it. No one at NI, or at the hospital had any idea where she’d been. Had he hired someone to find her? Would he actually do that? This wasn’t supposed to have happened. She’d planned to call him tomorrow.
Too many emotions had converged at once, but the one that overpowered her most was a joy beyond bearing. According to the doctor, the keyhole surgery had fixed her heart. She wouldn’t have to worry about it ever again. But right this second it was beating so hard, she feared there could be real damage.
Her aunt was still standing there. “Did he tell Raoul I’ve had heart surgery?”
“No. He feels it’s your place to do that.”
“Tell him thank you for that. I promise to get hold of Raoul tomorrow.”
“I think that would be a good idea.”
From that point on Cami was an excited, nervous wreck. She kept going through her mind how she would approach him and what she would say. Finally she got on her laptop and sent an email to the Degardelle Company.
Dear Sir
My name is Edouard Sorel. I’m from Marseilles and read your ad in La Provence. I’ve been in Nice and would like to meet you in person.
I realize it’s quick notice, but I’m afraid to get into something and fill out forms without meeting the head man first.