She threw her head back, laughter floating in the air, and he chuckled. Her eyes widened and her head swung in his direction. “Did you just . . . did you laugh?”

  “Sometimes, seeing another so happy and joyous in their laughter provokes the same response.”

  Bell placed her palms against her cheeks. “You’ve literally just made my day. That’s twice I’ve made you laugh. I’m trying to keep from doing a dance and overturning the boat.”

  “That cannot happen.”

  “Ha! You’ve never seen me dance.”

  He tilted his head, watching her, dreaming. Then something clicked in his brain. He could hold a dance at the château for the opening. “You are a genius.”

  “I am, aren’t I?”

  He shook his head and told her his idea.

  “Oh, will you have the ball before I return to the States?”

  And just like that, his happy mood was gone at the thought of her absence.

  “Jean-Luc? Will you?”

  “Certainement. I will get Adrien to schedule it when we return.”

  “Perfect.”

  Perfect would be Bellamy in his life for the long haul. Not just a summer. But the thought sounded crazy to him. He’d only known her for two weeks. He couldn’t change his life around for a woman he’d known for a couple of weeks. When he got back home, he’d dive into his work and make this the last time he was in Bell’s company.

  Eight

  Why wasn’t her father answering the phone? He never let it ring so long. Bell frowned, then hung up and redialed instead of leaving a voicemail after the prompt. Just the other day, he’d informed her that he was feeling better and would be going to the doctor for a follow-up appointment. She’d expected to hear from him yesterday on how it went, but he hadn’t called.

  Then again, she’d been at one of the happiest places on earth letting her mind wander and imagine what an ever-after type of life would be like with Jean-Luc. Which was so not a good idea, but one that kept creeping up throughout the day.

  “Hello?” A hoarse voice finally answered after the fifth ring.

  “Daddy?” Why did her father sound so sick? He’d said he was getting better.

  “Hey, Bellamy. I didn’t expect you to call today.”

  “You weren’t answering any of my texts.” Thank goodness she’d downloaded an app that allowed her to make international texts and phone calls.

  He sighed. “I’ve been resting.”

  “What did the doctor say yesterday?”

  A steady hum sounded in her ear. Wait, was that a beeping noise? “Dad, are you in the hospital?”

  “Yes.”

  She closed her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you been there?” She’d been out here almost three weeks. Had it been a week since Disney? Surely he hadn’t been in there that long.

  “Just a few days, Bellamy. I may have fudged a bit about getting better. I went back to the doctor and he had me admitted.”

  “Dad!”

  “Bell, you’re doing important work. I knew if I told you, you’d just be distracted.”

  “You think? My only parent is in the hospital. Of course I’d want to know. At least I could have been praying for your healing.”

  “I’m sure you already have been. Besides, the nurses are giving me top-notch care. The doctor is checking on me daily. I’ve even got that stupid tube thing you have to breathe into to get the air moving in my lungs.”

  Bellamy wanted to rail at her dad for keeping his decline a secret. Unfortunately, she could see the wisdom of his actions. There wasn’t anything she could do to make him better. And he was right. She’d been praying for him every day. Still, that didn’t take away the hurt or lessen her fears.

  “When can you go home?”

  “When I show improvement.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Her dad sighed. “Probably no more fevers and for my lungs to get clear.”

  “I’ll be sending extra prayers up. And I want daily updates.”

  “If that keeps you in France, then fine. I’ll text you daily.”

  She bit her lip. He hadn’t texted her daily yet. “Maybe we should call.”

  “No, Bell. Some days I just want to rest, and the nurses like to interrupt my sleep. I don’t need one more person keeping me from resting.”

  Ouch. She was just one more person now?

  “Sorry,” Dad muttered. “I didn’t mean to sound so harsh.”

  “It’s okay.” He couldn’t see the tear tracking down her cheek. “I’ll let you rest and text you tomorrow.”

  “Love you, sweetie.”

  “Love you too.”

  Bell got up from her bed, slipped on her flats, and left her room. She still had a few more minutes before she needed to return to work. Jean-Luc hadn’t given her work hours but had informed her of meal times, so Bell made sure to start working after breakfast, take a break when Fran had lunch ready, then work until about a half hour before dinner was served. Since the staff took a long lunch break, so did she, which was why she had fifteen more minutes of leisure.

  Not that she was feeling particularly relaxed. No, she wanted to sob her guts out. Bell knew that God was in control. Still, whenever her father got sick, her nerves pulled taut and her heart seemed to beat extra hard and fast until he was well again. She’d prayed over and over for anxiety to leave her. Sometimes she felt an inordinate amount of peace. Other times, she spiraled.

  Lord, please don’t let him get worse while I’m here, so far away.

  She wandered aimlessly around the château, her thoughts on her father. A bark interrupted her musings, and she blinked out of the mental fog in time to see a bichon frise yelp and run right past her in the corridor.

  “Revenez!” Colette shouted as she ran after the small dog.

  Bell’s eyes widened at the spectacle. Since when did a dog roam the halls? She couldn’t imagine Jean-Luc would be very happy with that development. He’d probably frighten the poor dog. A yelp sounded, then the dog came scurrying back, Colette not too far behind.

  Bell stepped in the furry canine’s path. “Sit!” She pointed at him and he sat, tongue lolling out. With a quick bend, she scooped him up.

  Colette slowed from a jog to a walk, then stopped, hands on her knees as she panted. “He is trouble.”

  The dog barked, his tail wagging. Whether in agreement or not, Bell wasn’t sure. “He’s a cutie.”

  “Bah. He is trouble, and Jean-Luc will not be happy he is here, especially if he has an accident.”

  Bell held him away from her. “He’s not potty trained?”

  “Fran says he is, but he certainly is not disciplined. He will not listen to any of my commands.”

  “But he just sat when I told him to.” Bell nuzzled her chin on the top of his soft head.

  Colette tilted her head. “Did you say it in French or English?”

  “English.”

  Colette’s brow furrowed as she tucked her hair behind her ears. “Hmm. I assumed he knew French. Perhaps I must speak to him in your tongue.”

  “Where did he come from?”

  “Fran got him from a friend who can no longer care for him.”

  “I can watch him for a little bit.” He’d already cheered her up. Maybe she could take him for a walk outside.

  “Oh, I was just about to walk with him.” Colette looked torn, but Bell was about eighty percent positive the expression was feigned.

  “I’ll take him. Where should I bring him once we’re done?”

  “Not the kitchen. Fran has it blocked off from him. Find me or Adrien.”

  “Okay.” Bell set the dog down and told him to stay. “Oh, what’s his name?”

  “Topher.”

  Bellamy nodded and told him to come. She headed outside, down the steps, and toward the reflective pool. The sky was a little overcast, but the warmth from the sun chased away the chill that had settled around her heart after speaking with her dad.

  God had already brought her peace via the fuzzy-haired dog.

  Jean-Luc groaned in frustration. A couple of pipes in the dependencies had burst. He’d had to open up some walls to get to the leak, which meant now he’d have to dry out the rooms affected and see what repairs needed to be done. This was not the start to a good day. They were supposed to be finished and all ready to go for the opening. Now he’d have to hire someone to come in and fix the problem.

  He kicked at a rock as he walked back toward the main building. Lord . . .

  Jean-Luc cleared his throat. Maybe he should save his thoughts—well, his prayers—for when he was in the chapel. Non. Maintenant. Do it now.

  Lord, it is Jean-Luc. I know I haven’t talked to You in years. I am so very sorry. I honestly don’t know how to get back to You. If it’s as simple as picking up my Bible and reading or talking to You in prayer, then please show me the way back. And please help me do all that needs to be done in time.

  He wiped a hand across his chin. And about Bell—

  Jean-Luc froze as he spotted her walking along the reflective pool with a dog beside her.

  A dog! Where had he come from? He changed his course and soon met up with the unexpected pair.

  “Sit, Topher.” Bell turned to Jean-Luc and smiled. “Bonjour.”

  “Bonjour.” He pointed to the dog. “Who does he belong to?”

  “Fran.” A telltale smirk tilted the corner of her mouth. “Topher, meet Jean-Luc. Jean-Luc, this is Topher. Shake, Topher.”

  The dog lifted a paw, and Jean-Luc raised an eyebrow. “You are not serious.”

  “Come on. He’s harmless. Just give the paw a shake and be done with it.”

  A groan rumbled low in Jean-Luc’s throat as he knelt to shake the white dog’s paw. Topher had a puffed afro like a halo around his head and seemed to smile in greeting. Nonsense. Jean-Luc straightened to his full height and stared into Bellamy’s eyes—eyes that held the marks of much crying.

  “What has upset you?” he murmured.

  She blinked. “Nothing. We’re just out for a walk.”

  “Your eyes are red.”

  She grimaced. “I’m fine.”

  He folded his arms.

  “Fine. I’m not okay, but I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Why not? Is it personal?” His neck heated. “Forget I have asked. It is not my business.” But it seemed unfair he had bared his soul to her, yet she declined to return the favor.

  “It’s my dad,” she whispered. “He’s sick and in the hospital and didn’t even tell me. I only found out because I called him and could hear the machines in the background. Then he confessed.”

  “What illness does he have?”

  “Pneumonia. It’s bad enough that the doctor admitted him.” She smoothed a strand of hair out of her eyes and continued. “He was diagnosed before I came out here, but they said it was mild and he just needed to rest at home. I hate being so far away from him, but he said he was getting great care.”

  “If you wish to use the château téléphone to check on him, please do. The bill is no problem.” And if that one action could ease some of the worry from her heart, he’d gladly pay the bill.

  He brushed his hand against hers, wanting to offer a touch of comfort. She hooked her pinky through his, her brown eyes searching his. “Merci beaucoup,” she murmured.

  “De rien, Bellamy.” Jean-Luc stepped forward, heart hammering in his chest. He reached out and tucked the flyaway strand behind her ear.

  Her mouth parted as her cheek nestled into the palm of his hand. Jean-Luc took another step forward, sliding his hand down her neck to cup the back of her head. She shifted forward, placing her hand against his chest.

  Did she want to kiss him as badly as he wanted to kiss her?

  “Jean-Luc!” Adrien shouted.

  He whirled around, muffling a few choice words. Of all the times for Adrien to interrupt him. His friend jogged toward them, a look of concern on his features.

  “What happened?” Jean-Luc snapped. Although he was concerned, his senses were still lingering over the softness of Bell’s cheek, the feel of her hand on his chest. He couldn’t seem to focus on his friend’s furrowed brow.

  “The commission called for an update on the renovations.”

  “Oui? Spit it out.”

  “They have a schedule conflict and cannot give us until the end of August.”

  A foreboding slithered its way up Jean-Luc’s spine. “Did they give a new deadline?”

  Adrien nodded solemnly. “Premier August.”

  “You are serious?”

  “Unfortunately I am, mon ami. What will you do?”

  “Stop taking the weekends off.”

  “No, friend. You must at least observe the Sabbath.”

  Jean-Luc wanted to object, but since he’d prayed earlier, this moment felt like a test. “You are right. But I can increase my hours the other days of the week.”

  “I will see if we can hire more laborers.”

  Jean-Luc thanked him and turned to Bell. Sympathy was etched in her every feature, and he wanted to lose himself in her arms once more. “You can have the library ready by then?”

  “I’ll make sure of it.”

  “Merci.” He clapped his hands. “Back to work for everyone.”

  If the château had to be finished by the end of July, then his time with Bell would be cut short a whole month. Perhaps it had been God’s grace keeping them from sealing their affections with a kiss. He had to remember this was not her home. She had duties and responsibilities to return to, and he was not on that list.

  Nine

  Book after book had been inputted into the château’s new catalogue system, and now, Bell could officially move on to recovering the collection and sorting them on the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. As she went through the tasks, Bell’s mind raced, thinking of the new deadline. Her time here had been shortened, and that held so many ramifications. She’d have to work faster and maybe even get some help. Perhaps ask her father to send a coworker who hadn’t met Jean-Luc’s wrath. Well, anyone but Dominic. He’d been messaging her daily, asking if she missed him. She thought ignoring the texts spoke for itself.

  Maybe she could work on her own or ask Jean-Luc if he had funds to hire another curator.

  Jean-Luc.

  They’d shared a moment out by the reflective pool yesterday. One that had hit her from the inside out and left her knees weak and legs trembling with longing. She’d wanted to bridge the gap between them and finally learn how soft his lips really were.

  Bell didn’t know whether to be thankful Adrien had interrupted them—saving her from making a mistake, since she’d be leaving at the end of July—or cry at the loss of Jean-Luc’s touch. The warmth he’d lit inside of her, the heat that had wrapped around her torso as he’d drawn her closer, had turned to ice with Adrien’s call.

  Okay, the feeling she was harboring definitely leant toward annoyance and not gratitude. Try as she might, Bell couldn’t get yesterday’s moment out of her mind. She’d replayed the scene over and over while she worked. The memory had had her searching for Jean-Luc at dinner yesterday only to come to the realization he was avoiding her again. To top it off, she’d had trouble falling asleep, because every time she closed her eyes, she dreamed of romance. Even now, while she went through the routine of recovering the books, her thoughts remained on the resort’s owner.

  Her phone pinged, and she glanced at the notification bar showing a message from her father. Bell unlocked her phone and opened the app.

  Dad: Fever is lower today. Doc is pleased so I guess that’s something. How are you?

  She’d completely forgotten to tell him about the change of plans. Her thumbs flew across her screen.

  Bell: The library now has to be finished by the end of July. I’ve started recovering today but may need more help.

  Dad: Let me know by Friday if you can’t meet the new deadline and I’ll find someone in the office to send over.

  Bell: Not anyone who’s been here already.

  Dad: Obviously

  Bell: Are you feeling better?

  And why hadn’t she led with that question? Was she so addled by thoughts of Jean-Luc and the château that she’d forgotten about her father?

  Dad: I don’t feel bad, just tired. Tired of being here, tired of coughing, tired of being poked and prodded. Tired of not seeing my favorite daughter.

  Bell: Ha! I’m your only daughter.

  Dad: Because you’re my favorite. No need for another child when perfection was already met.

  Bellamy smiled. Her father had said that often, but she knew he and her mom had wanted a big family. Unfortunately, they’d had no luck in having any more kids after her.

  Bell: You bless me.

  Dad: Not as much as you bless me.

  Bell: Love you. Get some rest.

  Dad: Yes, ma’am.

  A bark startled her, forcing her gaze away from her cell. Topher trotted over to her, tail wagging in greeting.

  “Hey, boy.” She knelt before him, rubbing behind his ears. “Did you escape Colette’s clutches?”

  He barked, and she laughed.

  “I won’t tell her where you are, but you have to behave. Touch nothing, understand?”

  Topher barked, then lay down, chin resting on his paws.

  “Good, boy.”

  The morning passed swiftly as Bell recovered a stack of mystery books. She loaded them onto the trolley and pushed them to the far wall, where she’d planned to shelve them. The dark blue covers would look great against the gray walls. She climbed the ladder to grab an uncovered bunch of books.

  The hairs on her arms rose in awareness as she sensed a presence behind her, and she turned. Bell held onto the rolling ladder and looked below. Jean-Luc filled the doorway, his gaze latched onto her.

  Suddenly the room felt as hot as a desert.

 

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