Having the Frenchman's Baby

Giselle would approve of Rachel. Luc knew that in his gut.

He was about to tell her so when the singing started.

Luc moved his chair around so he could put his arm on the back of Rachel’s. He needed that closeness and the warmth of her body next to him.

For the next half-hour he found the greatest of pleasure watching the woman next to him enjoying the show. Especially when the vocalist performed Luc’s request.

“Thank you for today,” Rachel said later when he drove them back to the convent. “It’s been unforgettable.”

“That sounds like another goodbye speech.”

Her head was bowed. “I really can’t stay in Alsace any longer.”

“What if I asked you to stay through the weekend? Since my divorce, I haven’t wanted to be with another woman. Then…there you were.”

He heard a little moan escape her throat.

“You must have loved her very much.”

“I did. In fact I couldn’t imagine moving on. But meeting you has made me realize life is full of possibilities.

“Think about it and tell me in the morning.”

Before he made the mistake of rushing her, he got out of the car and went around to help her.

When he let her inside the convent, he held back from climbing the stairs with her.

“I’m going to do a few laps in the pool before bed. You go on. I can tell you’re sleepy. Don’t worry about anything. You’ll be as safe as a nun tonight.”

An hour later Rachel was still wide awake, no closer to deciding what to do than when she’d first slid beneath the covers.

She finally sat up and turned on the lamp to find her laptop.

Luc expected an answer in the morning. What tortured her was the knowledge that if she stayed, she’d be giving him her heart and soul.

But she couldn’t say the same thing for Luc. If he’d been telling her the truth, and she was the first woman to interest him since his divorce, then he couldn’t possibly be in the same place emotionally that she was.

Three days together might be all he wanted or needed from her. She couldn’t risk playing with her life’s happiness that way.

If they lived in the same city…

But they didn’t.

Luc was a prominent man with a whole company looking to him for their livelihood. He couldn’t come to England on a moment’s notice.

Under the circumstances there was no way a lasting relationship could develop.

Heartsick, she needed something to occupy her mind, so she brought up the file on her book. It made her feel closer to Luc. She could still hear his voice explaining everything in that unforgettable French accent.

“The dry wine of Alsace tends to have a fullness which provides a rich contrast from, say, the Mosel wines. Its fruity flavor goes especially well with food.

“Alsace’s unique geological make-up is the reason for the exciting aromatic differences found nowhere else in the world.”

Because of his knowledge and intelligence, being with him was a great thrill. All she had to do was say yes to his invitation and she could have three more days with him.

And then what? Never see him again?

Her body ached with pain. Luc had no idea he was the reason the book she planned to write was starting to take shape. Already a title had come to mind.