Chapter 73 Jean-Paul
Chapter 73
Jean-Paul
She’s skittish at first. Who wouldn’t be?
But he takes her to the parking lot by the Mast General Store and explains gears and brakes and acceleration. They set the mirrors and seats. She’s attentive and interested and asks the right questions. When she sits behind the wheel, she has a confidence that surprises him. And when she starts the car, shifts into drive, and manages to steer flawlessly around the lot without jerking them forward, he bursts with a new form of pride.
“That was good!” He beams.
“Jean-Paul.”
“Yes, Rosalie?”
“I can’t lie to you.”
And before she says it, he knows. The innate connection they share. “You’ve had more practice than you led me to believe.”
She nods. “There were a few times I had no choice. Groceries. That sort of thing. Let’s just say, I’m a natural.”
She continues to surprise him, but he warns her she can’t drive without an adult in the car. His heart feels like it’s no longer his when he adds, “Promise me you won’t do that again.”
And she smiles at him, because she understands.
They park the car and head off on foot to the Valle Crucis Community Park.
“There’s a lot we have to figure out. It won’t happen overnight. Renée and I will have more time when we sell the inn. It’ll give us a chance to get to know each other better.”
“Why’d you do it?” she asks.
They’re on a path surrounded by babies in strollers, joggers, and laughter. He stares out at the beauty of their home. The looming trees, the grass, a burst of green. “Renée and I couldn’t have children.”
He doesn’t wait for her to respond.
“For whatever the reason, it wasn’t in the cards, and it was hard. I’m not sure why I did it. At the time, it was impulsive, and I probably didn’t think it through. Maybe it gave me some power, knowing I could help someone else. I wasn’t open with Renée, and that cost us. But you have to know, she felt it too. Early on. Even before I knew it was me. When I told her you found your father, she was the one who wanted to help. So whatever the reason I had for doing what I did all those years ago, it gave me you. And I don’t regret that for a second.”
They walk around the loop, and Rosalie shares some of her best memories. He already knew the worst. She asks him how this will work moving forward, and he doesn’t tell her that he’s already thinking about the future. About visitation and shared custody. Could he adopt her? He’s getting ahead of himself. They will take it one day at a time. Much depends on Cassidy.
And the first step is getting through today.
He takes her hand in his and squeezes.
At five minutes to four, the guests begin to file out the front door. When he and Rosalie returned from their driving lesson, there was work to do. He had moved the wooden benches from the campfire over to the lawn by the oak tree, its branches fanned across the sky. Renée and Simone set a table with flowers and an assortment of cheeses, fruit, and fig spreads. Another table has a plain white tablecloth. The setting is simple, but that’s the best backdrop for the best memories. Above clouds chase each other, scattering along the sky directionless. Go away, he whispers.
Sienna, Lucy, and Henry arrive first, and Simone hands them each a glass of champagne. They’re curious, but they’re happy. Refreshed.
Henry asks, “Are you going to tell us what’s happening?”
Renée waves him off. “What’s the fun in that? More importantly, what’s with the weather?”
“The sky is unpredictable.”
That’s when Lucy fits herself beneath his arm and grabs him around the waist. “Kind of like life. I like it that way.”
They kiss, and Jean-Paul catches Renée basking in the healing power of their home.
Rosalie’s next. She strolls toward them with her head held high, a deep smile across her cheeks. “Hi,” she says shyly to the group.
“How’s your mom?” Lucy asks, moving in for a hug.
“She’s good. Better.”
“How are you?”
Rosalie thinks about her answer before offering a slow-moving nod. “I’m good. I’m really good.”
The inn’s door swings open, and Leo and Penny waltz out. She’s a vision in a sundress showing off her bare shoulders.
They toast and drink, gathered on the gorgeous property when Renée and Simone approach, pushing a cart stacked with boxes. One by one, they place them on the bare table, and Simone removes the contents from the cardboard. They’re cakes. A lot of cakes.