Page 60 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘Good. My cook left us a pot of her outstanding Jambalaya.I hope you like your food spicy?’
There was no point pretending because she didn’t want to make herself ill. Fee explained about her ulcer and the restrictions it placed on her diet. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve heard so much about the Cajun and Creole foods but most are off-limits for me.’
‘My dear. You have nothing to be sorry for.’ He frowned. ‘How about a poached egg on wheat toast witha little smoked salmon?’
‘That sounds delicious but will it suit you?’ Fee asked and laughed when he assured her he’d doctor his up with plenty of hot sauce.
The kitchen ran the whole width of the house and resembled the set of a TV cookery show with its massive high-end appliances, acres of marble countertops and gleaming copper pans hanging from a metal rack suspended from theceiling. She perched on a bright red leather stool at the breakfast bar and sipped a glass of sparkling water while Allain worked on getting their meal ready. He’d turned down her not-very-insistent offer to help after she’d declared herself willing but not very able.
‘What’s your mother doing these days? Allain asked
It would sound awful to admit they hadn’t seen each other inyears but she couldn’t pretend everything was fine between them. ‘That’s not an easy question to answer.’
He set down the box of eggs and turned around. ‘Why not? Is something wrong with her?’
‘Not as far as I know.’ As simply as she could she told Allain about her difficult childhood and the way it’d affected her relationship with her mother. ‘I suppose she did the best she could,’Fee said with a shrug, struggling not to sound bitter.
Allain’s smile disappeared leaving deep-set frown lines cutting grooves into his narrow, lean face. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s not your fault,’ she said hurriedly. ‘You may not want to hear this but I’m pretty sure if you’d married my mother it wouldn’t have lasted. She’s never stayed long with any man so I’ve no reason to believeyou’d have been different.’ The sudden pallor under his tanned skin hinted at his distress and she wished she could retract her words.
‘If you’re trying to make me feel better about leaving you’re doing a lousy job.’ His throwaway comment made her laugh out loud. ‘You’re so like your dear mother.’ A broad grin spread across Allain’s face.
Fee wasn’t sure how to respond withoutsounding rude.
‘I meant it as a compliment,cherie.’
No doubt he did but as far as she could see the worst aspects of her character came from Maddy.
‘Remember I was an idealistic young man when I met her.’ Allain’s voice softened and she sensed him drift away to another place and time. ‘She was a hell of a way to celebrate turning twenty-one. I’d never met anyone like Maddy.’His emerald eyes shone. ‘Never did again either. My late wife, Ellen, was a wonderful woman, but she wasn’t your mother.’
An awkward silence hung between them and Fee took another sip of water.
‘Not much of a host, am I?’ Allain suddenly asked. ‘You must be starving. I’ll get on with cooking our eggs.’ He turned away and quietly went back to work. Soon he shared out the food betweentwo plates and returned to join her. ‘Would you care for a glass of wine?’
She regretted she couldn’t indulge because it would help to smooth out the rough edges of conversation. ‘My ulcer wouldn’t be happy.’ Fee felt the urge to share something of herself with Allain. ‘I overindulged in alcohol and pain medicine when I was working to deal with the stress and I’ve made a life choice toavoid both now.’ She plastered on a smile. ‘My doctor warned me I could forget celebrating my fortieth birthday if I didn’t. I’m not sure I’ll be hanging the flags out either but that’s not his fault.’ Her self-deprecating remark fell flat as Allain looked so sympathetic tears pricked at the backs of her eyes. ‘Let’s eat,’ she declared and picked up her knife and fork. Fee exhaled quietly when hedidn’t say another word and followed her lead.
Half-way through eating the front door slammed.
‘Papa, where are you?’ A girl’s high-pitched voice rang out. ‘In the kitchen?’ The swing door flung open and a stunning blonde, all long, tanned limbs and scarlet high heels ran into the room. She stopped dead at the sight of them.
Papa?Fee waited for Allain to say something,anything, but he remained chalk-white and silent.
