Page 63 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Thirty
‘I’ll say it again you’re an amazing woman.’ Tom’s warm, open smile brought Fee close to tears. ‘You’ve made yourself the person you are today and no DNA test will change that.’
The urge to run away from him and the whole mess swept through her and Fee didn’t know how she stayed seated. She’d never intended to upset anyone by coming here. After lastnight’s debacle Lisette had disappeared upstairs to sleep in her old bedroom. Allain explained the reason Fee hadn’t seen any mention of Lisette when reading about him was because his wife had been fanatical about maintaining their family privacy. Ellen had rarely accompanied him to social events and their daughter was never allowed to. It’d hurt Fee when Allain assured Lisette his relationship withMaddy was unimportant. Part of her understood he was a father protecting his daughter but what aboutherfeelings?
The last twenty-four hours had shifted her perceptions and made her re-examine what she was doing to Tom.
This was a man whose reason for living revolved around his large, extended family and who had enough research material on his ancestors to write a book. He’d broughtback to life the cabins his forebears built when they settled in Tennessee, and Black Cherry meant everything to him. The idea of him loving a woman who wasn’t sure who both of her parents were and whose idea of a settled home was staying somewhere for more than a couple of weeks was totally crazy and always had been.
‘You’re doin’ it again, honey,’ Tom remonstrated. ‘Jumping to conclusions.My brain’s in pretty good workin’ order and I’ll make my own decisions.’
‘I didn’t mean…’ her voice trailed away because she couldn’t lie. Everything tumbled out and in a flash the warmth left his face.
‘Is that really what you think of me? That I can’t love my family and where I come from and you? That’s bullshit.’ Bitterness laced his words.
‘Strong feelings often blindus to the truth, Tom. Don’t get me wrong. Our… relationship has been wonderful. It’s helped me get over a tough time.’
‘Glad to hear I’ve been of use.’ She couldn’t blame him for sounding churlish.
‘You know that’s not how I meant it.’
‘Do I?’
Fee sucked in an audible breath. ‘Be real, Tom, we have nothing in common. Can you really picture us living happily everafter? The situation with Allain has simply helped clarify things for me.’
‘Oh good.’
‘Sarcasm doesn’t suit you. You’re too nice.’ She managed a tight smile but he didn’t respond. ‘I’m sorry to have dragged you out here for nothing.’ Big, fat tears filled Fee’s eyes and he pulled out another clean white handkerchief from his jeans pocket and passed it to her.
‘Please. Nocrying. I’m a man and we don’t do tears well.’ He struggled to crack a joke. ‘Anyway if we’re nit-picking you didn’t drag me out here. I came of my own accord because I knew meeting Dupre would be difficult and wanted to support you.’
Fee knew she should thank him but could only manage a brief nod. ‘I’d better go or Allain will wonder where I am.’ Tom stared at her in quiet disbelief.‘Will you go back to Black Cherry today?’
He tried to read her mind but failed, unable to decide how she wanted him to reply.If you’re not sure what she means ask the woman outright. Turning his grandmother into a Tennessee version of Dear Abby had been a mistake because now he couldn’t get her opinions out of his head.
‘Do you want me to?’ Tom couldn’t make it any plainer. Hesat back in the chair and sipped his cold coffee. Anything so he might not appear quite as desperate. Fee couldn’t meet his eyes.Good.If Istill bother her that much I’ve got a chance.
‘It might be for the best.’ Her cool words contrasted with the way her trembling hands clutched at her handbag strap. ‘I’m really sorry, Tom.’ Fee’s voice broke.
Before he could stop her she pushedthe empty chair next to her out of the way and took off running.
‘Where have you been?’ Allain hurried out from the kitchen as Fee limped back into the house. ‘We might not be sure I’m your father yet but I can still worry.’ His attempt to joke about their situation made everything worse.
‘I’m sorry. I woke early and walked down to the Cafe du Monde.’ She left it at that, wonderingif Lisette was back but not comfortable with mentioning their acrimonious meeting to him.
‘It’s a long way with a bad knee,’ he commented, ‘and before you ask your mother mentioned your injury and I’ve been reading about you online. Call me nosy if you like but I was curious what kind of woman my… uh, you were.’
‘Don’t believe all you read.’ She hated how she either came acrossas a saint or totally mad. ‘I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to believe everything I’ve seen about you?’
His warm laugh filled the room. ‘Touché. You got me there,cherie. I usually come across as either a greedy business tyrant or a male version of Mother Teresa for the little bit of charity work I do.’
“Little bit of charity work” was a complete misnomer. He was a philanthropiston a grand scale but also did a lot behind the scenes which only got revealed when someone broke his request for anonymity. There was a lot to admire about him and remembering the merry-go-round of her mother’s boyfriends Fee couldn’t help hoping Allain did turn out to be her father, even if having Lisette for a half-sister was the price she’d have to pay.
‘Did you have any breakfast?’
‘I tried the famous beignets and café au lait. They were delicious.’
‘Really?’ Allain’s eyebrows rose. ‘Was that a good idea?’
