Could a temporary job...

...lead to forever with her boss?

Before she formally adopts her nephew, Nathalie Fournier decides to try to find his father. Her search leads to a picturesque Provençal vineyard where she takes a temporary job—and becomes captivated by her boss, billionaire Dominic Fontesquieu. Dominic’s the man of Nathalie’s dreams, but can he escape the ties of his family to claim her as his own?

REBECCA WINTERS lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. With canyons and high alpine meadows full of wildflowers, she never runs out of places to explore. They, plus her favourite vacation spots in Europe, often end up as backgrounds for her romance novels—because writing is her passion, along with her family and her church. Rebecca loves to hear from readers. If you wish to email her, please visit her website at rebeccawinters.net.

Also by Rebecca Winters

Holiday with a Billionaire miniseries

Captivated by the Brooding Billionaire

Falling for the Venetian Billionaire

Wedding the Greek Billionaire

The Princess Brides miniseries

The Princess’s New Year Wedding

The Prince’s Forbidden Bride

How to Propose to a Princess

Escape to Provence miniseries

Falling for Her French Tycoon

And look out for the next story

Coming soon

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Falling for Her French Tycoon

Rebecca Winters

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-0-008-90319-0

FALLING FOR HER FRENCH TYCOON

© 2020 Rebecca Winters

Published in Great Britain 2020

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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Version: 2020-03-02

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Once again I turn to my oldest son,

whom I often call Guillaume, because he’s

a Francophile like his maman and fluent in their beautiful language. Turning to him for information about my favorite place on earth is better than any book. His knowledge continues to stun me. We have the most marvelous conversations and I learn so much. How I love him!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Dedication

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

Extract

About the Publisher

PROLOGUE
July 31

NATHALIE FOURNIER RANG Claire Rolon, the best friend of Nathalie’s deceased stepsister, Antoinette. The friendship between the three of them went back to childhood.

“Claire?”

“Nathalie! I’m so glad you called! It’s been ages.”

“Way too long. I’m thrilled you answered. Do you have a minute?”

“Yes. Robert is upstairs playing with the baby while I finish the dishes. Go ahead.”

She took a deep breath. “I know Antoinette would have confided in you before she got pregnant two and a half years ago. Is there anything you can tell me about her lover who disappeared on her without explanation? Our family didn’t know she’d even been involved with someone until the doctor said she was pregnant. By then she’d sunk into a deep depression.”

“Your stepsister was very secretive.”

“So secretive she never spoke his name to us and as she died from infection ten days after her baby was born, we still don’t know who his father is,” Nathalie lamented. “Now little Alain is fifteen months old and I’m taking the steps to legally adopt him. Before I do, though, I need to try to find his father.”

“You’re kidding! How could you possibly do that?”

“Hopefully with a little information you could provide.” Nathalie gripped the phone tighter. “You probably think I’m crazy.”

“Of course I don’t.”

“You were the closest person to her, Claire. If she said anything, it would have been to you. Any clue you could give me would help. Did she let it slip where or how she met him?”

“She did say he worked at the Fontesquieu vineyard.”

Her heart raced. “You’re certain of that?”

The Fontesquieu vineyards near Vence, France, were one of the largest and most prestigious, producing the legendary rosé wines of Provence. The land had been deeded to them by royalty centuries ago, and the most coveted vineyard in all Provence was currently run by a titled billionaire. She’d heard stories about the vineyard all her life.

“Yes. Apparently they met at a bistro in Vence where a lot of the vineyard workers from the Fontesquieu estate hang out during the harvest.”

“Do you remember the name of it?” Nathalie cried, encouraged by what she’d just learned.

“It was unusual. The Guingot, or some such name, but I don’t imagine he would be at that vineyard after all this time. I wish there was something more concrete to tell you. It’s not much to go on. I’m so sorry. I think you’ll need a miracle.”

“Don’t be sorry, Claire! The vineyard is the place where I’m going to start looking. One more thing. Did she say what he looked like?”

“Unfortunately not. Only that he was a Provencal and the only man she would ever love.”

That meant he’d been a local Frenchman, probably dark haired and eyed.

“You’ve given me more information than I could have hoped for. Thank you with all my heart.”

“Good luck. Let me know if you learn anything.”

“I will. You’re such a good friend. Thank you for being so honest with me. I know she swore you to secrecy.”

“She did, but it’s been a long time since then. For Alain’s sake it would be wonderful if you’re successful.”

“Wouldn’t it? Talk to you soon.”

Nathalie hung up, deep in thought.

At the beginning of the summer, Nathalie had broken up with the man she’d thought she might marry. Guy couldn’t handle her bringing Alain into their marriage—he wanted his own child with her.

That’s when she’d told him she probably couldn’t have children. When she’d explained about having primary ovarian insufficiency, he couldn’t handle that news. Guy had said he’d wanted to marry her, but he’d refused to consider adopting Alain. Because she wanted her nephew more than anything, it became clear that marriage was out of the question.

Alain meant everything to her.

CHAPTER ONE
August 31

ADRENALINE GUSHED THROUGH Nathalie as she sped toward the Fontesquieu vineyards of Vence—queen of the cities of the French Riviera, in her opinion. They stretched eye to eye above the blue Mediterranean, row after row of immaculately tended terroirs with their healthy grape vines dotting the undulating green hills and summits.

The August afternoon sun had ripened the luscious grapes, filling the air with a sweet, fruity smell as she neared the Fontesquieu estate with its enormous seventeenth-century chateau, rumored to contain twenty-two bedrooms. It reminded her of the book My Mother’s Castle, made famous by the French author and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol. He’d been born in Provence too and had written some of her favorite books about his childhood memories.

But the Pagnol family’s quaint little vacation home in Provence couldn’t compare to the one she could see out the window of her trusty old Peugeot. The magnificent chateau had always been closed to the public, but the estate drew artists and tourists from all over the world.

Nathalie couldn’t imagine the wealth of a family like the Fontesquieux. She’d been born in Provence and had passed by the vineyard many times, but she’d never enjoyed its scenery more than this afternoon.

With pounding heart, she followed the signs posted to find the tent set up for people seeking temporary work grape picking. After planning this since her talk with Claire a month ago, the day had come for her to get a job that would last only the three weeks of the grape harvest. In that amount of time, she hoped to find the man who had fathered her nephew, Alain, if he was still there. But as Claire had said, it would take a miracle.

When she reached the nearby mobile home park she’d visited earlier in the week, she parked and walked down the road toward a line of people waiting outside the tent in the distance.

Before entering, a man—probably early twenties—with dark blond hair handed everyone an application to fill out. He also gave them a list of items they would need if they were eventually hired. She put that list in her purse and sat down at a small table to fill out the form before getting in line. He eyed her with obvious male interest before it was her turn to enter the tent.

The line moved slowly until there was only one person in front of her being interviewed. That’s when she saw the man vetting everyone and stifled a gasp. She wished she had a better description of Alain’s father. All she had to go on was that he was a Provencal, which meant dark haired and dark eyed. The man sitting there certainly filled that description, but it could be a coincidence. Was it possible she’d found him?

The breathtaking, late-twenties-looking male could easily be the heartthrob Antoinette had fallen for! Her darling stepsister’s now sixteen-month-old child possessed this man’s square chin and black hair. He had the same type of build and olive skin.

Thousands of Frenchmen claimed those same qualifications, but this one’s piercing black eyes had a distinct look that reminded her so much of her little nephew, Nathalie was astonished. To think, it might be Alain’s father sitting there not ten feet away interviewing would-be grape pickers. By applying for this job, she could have found him!

According to one of the people in line, hundreds of workers had already been hired during the week. Today represented the last group seeking temporary employment.

“Prochain?” he said in a deep voice that reached her insides.

Nathalie’s heartbeat sped up as she realized she was next in line and needed to follow through. She moved forward to sit opposite him on a chair beneath the tent. The heat of the sun had made the interior uncomfortably warm.

Though he was seated, she could tell he was a tall man, lean in that appealing masculine way. He wore a white shirt with the sleeves pushed to the elbows and as he took the application from her, she noticed a small, pale, café-au-lait birthmark on his underarm beneath the elbow. She had to stifle another gasp because the back of Alain’s right calf had the same birthmark.

Maybe it was a coincidence. Millions of people had them, but this was just one more bit of evidence to convince her he could be Alain’s father.

Nathalie noticed that he wore a watch and no rings, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t married. His nails were immaculate. When he looked up, their eyes met and her breath caught.

Heat crept into her cheeks as she got lost in his intense gaze. They were both taking measure of each other while she waited for him to say something. He couldn’t have recognized her as Antoinette’s stepsister. Nathalie was a blonde. Her stepsister had been a brunette. They came from different sets of parents with different last names.

His virile male beauty stunned her. Her stepsister, who’d been two years older than Nathalie, would have taken one look at him and that would have been it! How well Nathalie understood the instant attraction. She couldn’t look away.

He continued to study her features. “Mademoiselle Fournier? I see here you’ve had no experience as a vendangeuse.”

“That’s right. I didn’t know that was a prerequisite.”

“It’s not, but it’s hard labor, seasonal, and the pay isn’t that great. Why would a pharmacist from La Gaude apply to do entry-level work like this?” La Gaude, France, was a town a fifteen-minute drive from Vence along the Côte d’Azur, the playground of the world’s rich and famous.

She felt those black all-seeing eyes travel over her with a thoroughness that caused her to tremble, and she looked down. He was so gorgeous she was in danger of forgetting why she’d come. For her little nephew’s sake, it was vital Nathalie pull this off. She needed to think fast.

“I’ve lived in Provence all my life and thought that for once I’d use my vacation time to find out what it’s like to work in a vineyard as world renowned as this one.”

On their website she’d seen one photo of the Duc Armand de Fontesquieu, the gray-haired, eighty-year-old patriarch and CEO. She’d seen no other pictures and realized they had to be a very private family.

Though many vineyards used machinery, some vintners—like the vastly wealthy Fontesquieu family with their many terroirs—also hired pickers called coupeurs, plus collectors and sorters for the grape harvest vendange. It lasted for the first three weeks of September. She’d done her homework.

After a slight pause, he spoke. “You do realize that we have no accommodations for you here.”

She raised her eyes to him again. With that comment, she sensed he didn’t believe her reason for wanting the temporary work.

Though it was this man’s job to vet would-be workers, she sensed he had reservations about her. Obviously the “no previous vineyard work” written on the form bothered him. Naturally anyone could apply for grape picking, but their vineyard would welcome those with experience.

“Yes. That’s why I’ve rented a mobile home at the park down the road from here.” Actually she’d come two days ago to put a hold on one until she knew the outcome of this interview.

He gave her a level stare. “Keep in mind you’ll have an hour for lunch and quit at four thirty. If you’re still interested in working here by Monday morning, report to the tent at six o’clock and the assistant vineyard manager will let you know if you’ve been hired.”

It was all up to this man who would have the weekend to check out her references. He spoke with authority. There was an aura of sophistication about him that let her know he had a position of importance at Fontesquieux and had likely worked here long enough to have met Antoinette at the bistro.

“Merci, monsieur.” She got up, aware of him watching her as she walked past the people standing in line, and left the tent. The younger man outside giving out applications flashed her a smile, but she looked away and headed for her car, not wanting to encourage him.

When she got behind the wheel, she was still feeling shaky from all the sensations bombarding her. It might be a long shot, but now that she suspected she’d met the man who could be Alain’s father, she’d do everything possible to get to know him. When she sensed it was the right moment, she’d show him photos of Antoinette and Alain, including the birthmark. If he was the father, she couldn’t imagine him not wanting to see his child.

Of course, if she didn’t get hired, then she needed to find innovative ways to cross paths with him, starting tonight. She planned to seek out dinner at the bistro Claire had told her about. Maybe he’d be there... Just imagining his handsome features left her breathless.

Having finished the interviews, Dominic Laurent Fontesquieu stopped in the midst of fastening his briefcase full of applications. He couldn’t resist taking another look at the Fournier application.

The woman with translucent green eyes and natural silvery blond hair had robbed him of breath. Her deportment and stunning beauty had captivated him. As Dominic studied the particulars on her application, her image swam before him again.

Age: twenty-seven.

Home address: La Gaude.

Cell phone...

Email address...

Employed full time at La Metropole Pharmacy.

Driver’s license.

Own car.

Bank account.

Covered by social insurance.

Degree in pharmacology from Sophie Antipolis University in Nice.

No experience picking grapes.

He tapped the paper against his jaw. What was missing here? Only everything else about her life that might answer the question of what prompted her to apply for this temporary work.

This mysterious, gorgeous, educated woman suddenly appears at the vineyard out of nowhere, wanting to know what it’s like to help with the harvest for a few weeks?

Dominic didn’t buy it for a second. He put the application in the briefcase with the others before leaving the tent, unable to get her off his mind. He was so attracted to her, it shocked him.

Vetting would-be workers was one of his brother Etienne’s jobs as director of the vineyard so he usually oversaw the vendange hiring. But he’d been struck down by a nasty flu bug for the better part of a week and their grandfather Armand had rung Dominic’s apartment in the south wing of the chateau and demanded that he fill in for his brother.

Little had Dominic known that the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on in his life would be among the applicants. He’d wanted to catch up with her after she’d left and take her to dinner to get to know her better. But that had been impossible when other people needed to be interviewed.

Frustrated, he headed for his office in a building on the estate behind the chateau. He left the applications for his assistant, Theo, to deal with until Etienne recovered and drove the short distance to the chateau. Once he reached his apartment, he took a quick shower to cool off.

Until today he’d never found a woman whose looks turned him inside out in just one short meeting. In fact he’d doubted if such a woman even existed. But this afternoon, a pair of translucent green eyes had caught him completely off guard.

Throughout the eleven years he’d been away from home in Paris, he’d enjoyed several intimate relationships with beautiful women. But he’d never experienced this instant, intense, earthy kind of attraction to a woman, not even when he’d been a teenager. And he sure as hell hadn’t seen a woman like her show up for work at the vineyard before.

After putting on a robe, he went to the kitchen to make himself a sandwich. While he ate, he phoned Etienne with an update and told him not to worry, Dominic would continue to cover for him and told him to get better. After hanging up, he needed a distraction. He turned on the TV to watch the news, but nothing helped get his mind off Nathalie Fournier.

She was on some kind of mission. He was certain of it. Though a pharmacist, maybe she had an ambitious streak and did freelancing undercover for a newspaper or a wine industry magazine to make extra money.

He wished his cousin Raoul was home so they could talk. They were closer than brothers and always confided in each other. But Raoul and his father, Matthieu, the comptroller of the company, were in Saint Tropez at a vintners’ conference and they wouldn’t be back until Sunday night.

Any conversation would have to wait until Monday. And then what, Dominic?

Maybe some politician was paying a lot of money for her to get an exclusive on the vineyard. Was it hoped that her digging would turn up something she could expose concerning the migrants who worked at the Fontesquieu vineyard? No one would suspect her under the guise of a pharmacist, of all things.

He supposed anything was possible and didn’t like what he was thinking. Half a dozen ideas of what she might be up to percolated in his mind, as his domineering grandfather was always guarding against trespassers.

Dominic’s thoughts turned to his autocratic grandfather who’d been born with a divine right of kings syndrome. He felt a bleak expression cross over his features. The austere man’s dictatorial personality had forced the whole family to live under his thumb. He’d forced arranged marriages for all his six sons and daughters, and insisted they all live and work together at the massive chateau, determined to keep it all in the family.

Armand had screwed up more lives than Dominic dared count. Under his tutelage, Dominic’s own father and mother, Gaston and Vivienne, had put unbearable pressure on him and his siblings to marry certain moneyed, elite people they’d picked out for them. At eighteen, Dominic had refused to be told what to do.

No one in the family—including his parents—had had a good or happy marriage, souring Dominic’s taste for the institution. Early on he’d made up his mind to study business and carve out his own future. It had been imperative he get away from the family dynamics to survive. His dreams had gone far beyond being a vintner and he’d left home for Paris under the threat of being disinherited, but he hadn’t cared.

He’d begged his brother to go with him, but Etienne had held back, too unsure to challenge their father and grandfather. Their older sister, Quinette, had already been married off.

Ultimately, Etienne stayed and Dominic had left alone, putting himself through college. After graduation he’d studied investment banking in Paris and, in time, he’d worked for a firm there where he’d made a considerable fortune in investments, coming home only for vacations and various events.

He would have stayed there permanently, but four months ago he’d received a frantic call from his mother that his father was seriously ill with pneumonia and might die. Dominic had intended to return to Vence only temporarily but his grandfather immediately insisted Dominic take over his father’s position as funds manager while the older man was ill.

Still hesitant to remain in Vence, it was Raoul, now vice president in charge of marketing and sales for the Fontesquieu Corporation, who’d been the one to beg Dominic to take the job and not go back to Paris.

The two of them had been best friends growing up, always watching out for one another. Over the years they’d always stayed in touch, Raoul visiting Paris when he could. In the end, Dominic hadn’t been able to refuse Raoul and so had stayed on while his father was recovering.

He was no fool though. Ever since his return, he’d known his grandfather had an ulterior motive in wanting Dominic to take over the management of funds. Because of a bad year of frost and rain two years ago, the vineyards in France had suffered severe financial losses and even their family had been impacted despite their assets in other businesses.

Dominic knew his father and grandfather were plotting for him to marry Corinne Herlot, who’d bring the fabulous Herlot industrial fortune with her. She’d been at several family parties, but he could never be interested and had planned to leave for Paris by the time the harvest was over.

At least that was what he’d intended until today when Nathalie Fournier had appeared. Now there was no way in this world could he leave yet...

Nathalie could hear the sound of jazz outside the swinging doors of what turned out to be the Guinguet bistro. There were people going in and out, enjoying the balmy Friday night air with its hint of fruit from the vineyards. She could well understand the lure this atmosphere had held for her stepsister.

Easing past couples, Nathalie walked inside the crowded establishment filled with small round tables and people slow dancing to the music. In the romantic atmosphere, she realized she hadn’t had a date since breaking up with Guy three months ago.

It had hurt that he wouldn’t want to take on anyone else’s child, whether it was Alain or a child they might adopt after marriage. She couldn’t imagine a childless union, but knew that adoption wasn’t an option for everyone. She’d hoped Guy would be open to it but he couldn’t have made his feelings against it clearer.

She’d learned of her condition at the age of twenty. Nathalie had ovulated only once by then. That was seven years ago. Since that time, she’d ovulated only twice. After what had happened with Guy, her natural worry was that any man she would meet in the future might have reservations about adoption, but she couldn’t think about that now. Nathalie knew it had been the right decision to stop seeing Guy and didn’t regret it.

Her mind kept going over what had happened to Antoinette. Her stepsister had fallen madly in love with a man she’d met in this very bistro. She’d loved him so much she’d had his baby.

Today Nathalie felt certain she’d met her stepsister’s lover inside that tent. One look at him and she’d understood the chemistry. Love at first sight, sweeping Antoinette away. But clearly the fire had been only on her stepsister’s part because he’d disappeared on her.

He couldn’t have known he’d left her pregnant, could he? After meeting him, Nathalie knew he was the kind of man who could have any woman he wanted. Antoinette had likely been a dalliance for a month, then nothing more.

Now that Nathalie had met him, she feared that if he was Alain’s father, he wouldn’t want anything to do with a baby he hadn’t intended to sire. Nathalie was beginning to think this had been a terrible idea and she should leave this whole thing alone. Alain had a surfeit of love from her and his grandmother. That would have to be enough.

“Mademoiselle?”

A man’s voice caused Nathalie to turn around. She’d been admiring some of the paintings of the Fontesquieu chateau and gardens adorning the walls.

“Perhaps you remember me?”

She blinked. “Yes. You were the man handing out applications earlier today.”

“That’s right. When I saw you walk in alone just now, I thought I’d say hello and offer to buy you a drink. My table is right here.”

This was probably how it had happened for Antoinette. Her lover had approached her in exactly the same way. Nathalie had to do some fast thinking. If she accepted the invite, she could at least learn the name of the man who had interviewed her. But she wasn’t attracted to this man and didn’t want him to misunderstand.

“Thank you, but I only came in to look around.”

“You can do that right here.” He pulled out a bistro chair for her so she would sit down. Then he took the other seat. “Have you been in here before?”

“Never.”

“My name is Paul Cortier, by the way.”

“I’m Nathalie Fournier.”

“Eh, bien, Nathalie, please allow me to order you the specialty of the house, although you may not like it. Guinguet is an acquired taste.”

“Guinguet? Like the name of the bistro?”

“C’est exacte.” He signaled for a waiter who took their order. “The word comes from the guinguettes that were popular drinking places on the outskirts of Paris years ago. They served local sour white wine, a tradition this bistro keeps up.”

“Who makes the sour white wine here?”

“The Fontesquieu Vineyards.”

“Of course. Your employer.”

“That’s right. They make enough of it to keep the owner here in business.”

“Even though their grapes are red?”

Paul chuckled. “There are lots of secrets about red grapes I’d be happy to explain to you on another occasion. Perhaps on a tour of the winery itself? I’d be happy to arrange to show you personally.”

She shook her head. “Thank you, but just so you know, I’m not interested in a relationship with anyone, Paul.” It was the truth.

He squinted at her. “At least you’re honest.”

The waiter brought them each a small goblet of pale white wine. After he walked away, Paul lifted his glass. “Try it and let me know what you think.”

Nathalie, who didn’t actually like wine, took a sip, then struggled not to make a face.

Paul laughed. “Somehow I knew that would be your reaction. It’s not for everyone. But since you’ll be helping with the harvest, I thought you’d like a sample. Sort of a christening for you.”

She took another sip to please him. “I may not be hired.”

“Unless you have a police record, I don’t see any problem. Please tell me you don’t.” He was a charming flirt who never gave up.

She chuckled. “Not as far as I know.”

“That’s the best news I’ve had since I handed you an application.”

“I guess I’ll find out Monday morning if I made the cut. My interview didn’t last long since the man saw on the application that I knew nothing about grape picking.”

He cocked his head. “Is that true?”

“Yes, but I think it would be interesting to learn.”

“It’s hard work.”

“Ooh. I’m sure there’s a great deal to learn and endure.” She took one more sip, but knew she could never acquire a taste for it. “Now I hope you don’t mind, but I have to get going. When you spoke to me, I had only come in here to take a look around because one of the people in line told me about this place. It was very nice of you to buy me a drink.” There was no sign of the striking French god who’d interviewed her earlier.

“I’m sorry you have to go. Let me walk you out.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“No problem. I’m leaving too.” He cleared their way through the crowds and walked her to her car, where she got in.

She spoke to him through the open window. “If I’m hired, we’ll probably see each other again.”

“I’m planning on it. Otherwise I’ll ask my boss why you didn’t get the job. He’ll go to Dominic for an explanation.”

“Dominic?”

“Dominic Fontesquieu. He’s one of the family heads who interviewed you earlier today.”

What?

“He rarely does any interviewing, but his brother, Etienne Fontesquieu, director of the vineyard, has been ill. If there was a problem with you, Gregoire will get it straightened out with Etienne so you will be hired. You can trust me on that.”

“Thank you very much, Paul. Bonne nuit.”

CHAPTER TWO

NATHALIE DROVE AWAY with her heart in her throat. Could Alain be the son of Dominic Fontesquieu? A man who came from one of the most prominent, titled families in France?

Had it been an illicit affair on his part that he didn’t want getting back to his family? Had he sworn Antoinette to silence because of his name?

Maybe he’d been married and couldn’t afford a scandal that would make the news. If he were divorced now, it could explain the lack of a wedding ring. Or maybe he didn’t like to wear rings. She wondered if he’d kept his name a secret from Antoinette.

Suffused with more questions than before, Nathalie drove faster than usual, needing answers. Fifteen minutes later, she entered the house and found her mother in the family room watching TV while she worked on some embroidered blocks for a quilt. All was quiet, which meant Alain was asleep.

Nathalie sat down on the couch. “I’m glad you’re still up, Maman, because I’ve got something of vital importance to tell you.”

Her mother took one look at her and turned off the TV.

“Please don’t be upset with me if I tell you something that might make you angry.”

“Why would you say that?”

For the next ten minutes, Nathalie told her about her talk with Claire a month ago and her plan to look for Alain’s father. She explained about her visit to the Fontesquieu vineyard to apply for work, and ended by telling her about today’s discovery.

“This afternoon I found a man I believe could be Alain’s father and learned his name.”

Her mother leaned forward. “Good heavens, Nathalie. What do you mean you think you’ve found him?”

When Nathalie told her what had happened today, her mother jumped to her feet looking startled. “Alain could be a Fontesquieu?”

“Yes. If the man who interviewed me is the one, I can see why Antoinette fell for him. He’s...so incredibly attractive, I can’t believe it.” Nathalie had been mesmerized by him.

“I’ve never heard you talk this way about a man before.”

She drew in a breath. “That’s because I’ve never met one like him in my whole life. It would explain what happened to Antoinette.” She cleared her throat. “On the drive back just now, I decided that if I’m hired on Monday, I’ll work there long enough to find out his marital status. If he’s divorced or single, then I’ll approach him. But if he’s married and has children, then for the sake of his wife and family, I’m not sure how I’ll inform him.”

“Oh, Nathalie.” Her voice shook. “Darling... You’re going to have to be careful without positive proof.”

“There is proof if you compare the two of them, even without a DNA test. The resemblance is uncanny. And there’s something else. Dominic Fontesquieu has the same small birthmark as Alain.”

“I’m afraid that still doesn’t prove paternity.”

“You’re right.”

Her mother seemed anxious.

“Don’t worry, Maman. I promise to talk everything over with you before I make any kind of a move.”

“You honestly believe this Dominic could be the one?”

“In my opinion, yes. Just think—if he knew he had a son and wanted him—how wonderful it would be for Alain to get to know at least one of his parents. He’s such a treasure, I would think any father worth his salt would give anything to claim him.”

“I agree, but I’m afraid to credit any of this because—”

Nathalie got up and hugged her. “Because it would be a dream come true if Alain’s father wanted him and they could be united.”

Her mother nodded. “But darling, it could be a nightmare if there isn’t a good ending to this story.”

“I know, Maman. Not every man would welcome that kind of news. I won’t do anything until we’re in total agreement.”

Dominic was already awake at five Monday morning when his phone rang. He checked the caller ID. Something had to be wrong for his brother to call this early.

“Etienne? Have you taken a turn for the worse?”

“Non, non, but the doctor won’t let me go to work for a few more days. Desolé, Dom.” His voice still sounded an octave lower than normal.

“I’ll be happy to fill in until you’re better and will help Gregoire.”

“Thanks, brother.”

Nothing could have made Dominic happier since he wanted to get to know Mademoiselle Fournier. “Stay in bed and relax. Theo did all the background checks on Friday’s applicants and informed Gregoire. No red flags on anyone.”

Which meant none on Mademoiselle Fournier, whose image refused to leave his mind. She’d never been in trouble. No parking infractions or car accidents, no warrants out for her arrest. He hadn’t really expected anything negative to come up on her but relief had swept through him when he learned she was squeaky clean, even though he still had the feeling she’d come to the vineyard for a hidden reason. He planned to get to the bottom of it.

“That’s good considering we need workers,” Etienne murmured. “This is a bigger harvest than last year, Dieu merci. Such news will make Grand-père happy.”

“I’ll drive to the tent now.”

“Paul will be there to help. Thanks, Dom.”

“Au revoir.”

After hanging up, Dominic quickly showered and shaved. On his way out the door dressed in jeans and a fresh white shirt, he grabbed a plum and a baguette to hold him over until lunch.

Hurrying to the main garage on the property, he picked one of the trucks rigged with gear to help the workers and headed for the tent at the base of the western terroirs. Judging by the temperature outside, it was going to be another hot day, which meant the bulging grapes needed picking now.

Mademoiselle Fournier was in for some hard, menial work. By the end of the harvest he’d discover why she’d really come to the vineyard. With more excitement than he should be feeling, he parked near the tent where Gregoire and Paul were addressing the latest crop of new workers.

Though dressed like the others in rainproof layered clothing and gum shoes to protect themselves from the morning dew, she stood out from everyone else. Her height plus the feminine mold of her body made it impossible for him to look anywhere else.

This morning she’d tied her shimmering hair back at the nape of her neck with a band, revealing high cheekbones and a softly rounded chin. He’d studied the enticing shape of her mouth on Friday and the image had stayed with him all weekend, making him wonder how he’d last until he’d be close to her again.

He parked next to the other two trucks and waited until Gregoire gave final instructions to the workers. One by one they climbed into the truck beds with the aid of ladders. From here they’d be driven to the vineyard needing attention.

At that point Dominic got out of his own truck. He lowered the tailgate and attached his ladder so the last ten workers being ushered by Paul could climb in. He was happy to see the pharmacist among them and watched as Paul said something to her that produced a smile before she climbed in. Paul was a gossip, the last person Dominic wanted around their new worker. He would make sure that ended fast, he thought as he shut the tailgate.

Gregoire waved to Dominic before driving into the vines. Paul followed and Dominic brought up the rear. When they reached the designated terroir, he shut off the motor and walked around to open the tailgate.

After the workers used the ladder to get down, he climbed up and opened the locker. “Before you follow the others, I’m handing out scissors, gloves and knee pads for all of you to use while you work here. For those of you who have done this before, you know the gloves help prevent stains, but it’s your choice whether to wear them or not. I presume you’ve brought water bottles and sunscreen.” Everyone nodded and waited their turn.

“At the end of the day, more trucks will be here to take you back to the tent area.”

In a few minutes they were ready and followed Gregoire and Paul’s groups, lining up and down the rows of grapes to get started. Dominic took a walk along another row, satisfied to see that the trailer had arrived for the collectors who gathered the picked grapes to transport to the winery.

When Paul had to leave to help some of the other workers, Dominic took advantage of the moment to catch Mademoiselle Fournier alone. She was kneeling on the pad and had started cutting grapes. He noticed her gloves stuck in one of the back pockets of her jeans.

“Bonjour, mademoiselle.”

She looked up in surprise, giving him the full view of her light green eyes. The woman’s beauty took his breath away.

“Bonjour, monsieur.”

“You prefer not to use gloves?”

“Maybe I’ll put them on later, but I need to practice without them first to get a feel for the work.”

He was surprised as that’s what he would have advised. Paul had obviously shown her what to do and already she’d put some grapes in the bucket provided.

“Did you apply sunscreen already?”

“I did at the last minute.”

“That’s good. The heat is already building. You don’t want to get a sunburn before the end of your first day. You’ll also likely find you need an over-the-counter painkiller to deal with aches and pains tonight.”

An enticing smile broke out on her lovely face. “I brought some just in case. That’s very kind of you to be concerned.”

“He, Dominic.”

“Salut, Paul.” The other man had come back. Dominic still held her green gaze. “Just remember not to kill yourself off today. You’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”

She smiled. “I appreciate the warning. Merci, monsieur.”

Dominic nodded to Paul, then walked toward the truck in the distance. On his way back to the office, he ate his snacks, but he’d need coffee. To his relief Theo had already made it for both of them.

No sooner had Dominic poured himself a cup and walked into his private office to get busy than Raoul arrived. All the family offices were in the same building.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes, mon vieux. Come on in and shut the door.”

“I was hoping you’d be here.” He’d brought a cup of coffee with him and planted himself on a leather chair opposite Dominic’s desk.

“Anything new at the conference in Saint Tropez?”

Raoul shook his head. “The Provencal vineyards seem to be doing marginally better, but it’s going to take years before every vintner in France recoups losses from two years ago. Dieu merci for the personal investments you’ve helped me make.”

“You’re not worried about money, are you?”

“I might be.”

“That sounded cryptic.”

“Let’s just say I’d like you to go over my accounts and let me know what I’m worth. I might need some of it before long.”

Dominic sat forward. “I’ll look into it before the day is out. But promise me you’re not thinking of doing something drastic.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Like leaving the way I did, maybe?”

He knew his cousin’s marriage had been in shambles from the start, and that both Raoul and his wife carried a deep sorrow from losing their little girl, Celine, who had died at one month from a bad heart. Dominic wondered how much longer the two could keep up pretensions.

“My greatest regret is that I didn’t go to Paris with you years ago. Let’s face it, Dom. You were the only one in the family with the guts to get out before being swallowed alive.”

“But I’m back now.” For how long he didn’t know. It depended on Nathalie Fournier, who’d swept into his life on Friday, bringing a beauty and charm that had put some kind of a spell on him. His desire to get to know her had stoked an unprecedented hunger in him, though his cousin didn’t know that.

Raoul stared hard at him. “Yes, but you’re still free to make your own decisions. Nobody owns you and your life is intact.”

“No one owns you, Raoul.”

“You’re right. I take ownership for my guilt and mistakes with Sabine.”

Dom let out a troubled sigh. “As you can see, the tentacles brought me back temporarily.”

“The day you came home was my salvation.”

“You’re mine, Raoul. Whatever you’re planning, don’t leave.”

“Not yet anyway. I need to know where I stand financially before I do anything.”

“I’ll get busy on it.” Something serious was going on with Raoul.

“Thanks. Now enough about me. I hear Etienne is still sick.”

“He’s finally getting better. I’m filling in for him a while longer, but something odd has come up I want to talk to you about.”

“Go ahead.”

Dominic told him everything, but didn’t reveal the strength of his attraction to the pharmacist. “Am I being paranoid that she’s up to something questionable?”

Raoul studied him for a minute. “Being an undercover freelance reporter is a big stretch from being a pharmacist. But I’d trust your instincts as they’re rarely wrong. If you feel something isn’t right, then it isn’t. What’s your plan?”

“I’m going to get to know her.”

“After a few days you’ll know if she’s out for a scoop on the business. It has happened before. Grand-père forced the perpetrators to pay stiff fines and do jail time.”

“That’s our grandfather.” Dominic didn’t want her to have to face that type of punishment for trespassing. If that was what she was doing.

Just then, Raoul received a text. After reading it, he looked up. “I’ve got to get over to my office.”

“I’ll call you tonight.”

“What would I do without you in my corner?”

On that note, he dashed off.

Dominic sat back, pondering his cousin’s counsel to follow his instincts about Miss Fournier. He planned to find out what made her tick.

After pulling all the information on Raoul’s investments, he did some figures and prepared a form to give his cousin. By afternoon he’d finished his work, so he drove his car back out to the terroir. Dominic made sure he’d shown up early enough to catch sight of the woman who was constantly on his mind.

Paul and Gregoire kept moving up and down the rows to help the workers. At 4:30 p.m. he saw her and several others leave the vineyard, though she walked down the road rather than climb into one of the trucks.

Dominic called to her as he pulled his car alongside her on the road. “Mademoiselle Fournier?”

She swung toward him, her eyes lighting up when she saw him behind the wheel. “Bonsoir, monsieur.”

“Since I’m on my way back to the chateau, allow me to drive you to your mobile home.”

“Oh—thank you very much.” It surprised him that without hesitation she climbed in the other side with her backpack.

He started driving at a slow pace. “How was your first day?”

A fetching smile broke out on her flushed face. “You don’t want to hear about it.”

Her comment made him laugh. “It had to be a change from preparing prescriptions for people.”

“Working here with the vines is another existence. No matter how sore I am, it makes you part of this world of living greenery.” She had a unique way of putting things that seemed to confirm his suspicions that she could be a writer. She darted him a smile. “How was your day?”

Was she trying to get information from him? “You’d be bored to tears.” In truth he’d accomplished less than usual and it was all because of the beautiful woman sitting next to him.

“I’m sure that’s not true. For my part, I already feel a camaraderie with some of the other workers. The Lopez family next to me is so cheerful.”

Dominic remembered interviewing them after she’d left the tent. “It doesn’t sound like you’re ready to quit yet.”

“Oh, no. I’m in for the count.”

“Why?” More than ever he wanted an answer to that question.

“I learned as a child that way back when one of your ancestors was titled and given this land. Not very many people can claim a heritage like yours. It made fascinating reading.”

All her answers sounded truthful. “Why fascinating?”

“When I was a little girl, I grew up on fairy tales. Your chateau is the embodiment of those painted on the covers of the books I loved. The thought of working in your vineyard sounded intriguing. Is it true your grandfather holds the title of Duc?”

“It’s a defunct title.” Maybe she was writing an historical account for a publisher and wanted information from the CEO himself. Did she hope for permission from Dominic?

“Even so, it adds a certain mystique from the past that makes you and your family seem out of the ordinary. When I was at the Guinguet, I noticed several paintings of the chateau and sculptured gardens hanging on the walls. It’s very cool.”

Minute by minute she was enamoring him. Eventually they reached the park. “Where is your mobile home?”

“It’s the third one in the second row.”

He kept driving and pulled up behind a blue car. Now that he knew where to find her, he didn’t want to let her go. She had a vitality that intrigued him. Much as he wanted to take her to dinner this evening, he knew she was exhausted after her first day.

“Voilà, mademoiselle. Home in one piece.”

“Bed is going to feel good tonight.”

He could imagine. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you more than you know.”

She got out of the car and he watched her until she waved to him and let herself inside the mobile home. When he was convinced she was safely inside, he backed up and left the park. Tomorrow he had plans for the two of them.

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