A week after the fire…
Gene gazed at the ruins of her business and wondered what she’d done to anger fate. The State Police were involved in the investigation. Her life hit rock bottom when they’d asked her if she’d been responsible so she could get the insurance money. If it hadn’t been for Dee’s support sitting in on that conversation, she’d have accepted her fate. Dee’s strength and belligerent attitude had absolved them both of any wrongdoing. Except deep down she knew that Charles’s death had been her fault. How could it not be when he was her employee and a friend? She should have made him leave with the others in the beginning. She walked closer to the ruins.
“Gene, it’s still too dangerous.”
She glanced at the speaker and smiled. “I know, but Matriarch was the heart of our business and Beautiful was the crowning glory of the future. It’s important to me to see this.” Her hand was taken.
“You aren’t the only one who loved them, Gene. Will you let me do this with you?”
Gene reached up her free hand and smiled through tears. “I’d like nothing more. Thank you, my darling.” She bent and kissed Dee softly on the lips. “Let’s find them and say farewell.”
Together they entered the area, carefully picking through the debris of broken windows, furniture, and surprisingly, a fair amount of water. The acrid smell of smoke lingered as they walked gingerly toward the lab. Remarkably it didn’t look as damaged as the other lower floor areas and she reached out a hand to push the partially open door.
A sob escaped her lips as she saw the overturned tables and dead plants, gasping as she saw the tangled remains of Beautiful. Dee squeezed her hand. She blinked back tears and gave a tiny smile to the woman at her side. What would she have done without Dee’s support and, most importantly, her love?
“We can come another day, Gene.”
The soft entreaty was sensible, but this wasn’t a sensible situation. How many people would even care if plants died? She did. They were her life, at least until now. She glanced at Dee’s profile.
“I’d like to do this now and then move on. If you want to go, I’ll understand.”
Dee shook her head and gently pulled her closer. “I love you, Gene Desrosiers, and the way you care about life, all life, and that’s just one of the many things that makes you special.
“I’m not sure I can do this, Dee.” Gene kissed Dee’s lips fleetingly and their foreheads touched. Tears dripped down her cheeks.
“It’s okay, together we can do anything. Trust me.”
Gene pulled away slowly. “Trust you? Yes, always. I told your dad as much during our time together here, trying to get out of the building. You make me stronger than I thought I ever would be.”
They moved toward the area Matriarch lived and there was no sign of the old rose.
Gene frantically combed the area, turning to Dee she threw up her hands. “She’s gone?”
“She can’t have. Unless...”
“Unless what, Dee?”
“That was the reason for the fire. They stole Matriarch and to cover their tracks they set the fire. It’s plausible, Gene.”
“No, no, she wasn’t worth anything.”
“Yes, but we, and maybe Larry, were the only ones who knew that. It was always a comment in the staff canteen that without her the business would be nothing. Maybe someone thought that she was valuable.”
Gene placed a hand to stop the moisture running down her cheeks. “Charles died for this, Dee, it isn’t fair.” Her voice was desolate.
“No, no, it isn’t, wait…” Dee dropped her gaze and then began rummaging in the mess on the floor. Eventually she held up a piece of paper.
“Charlie would never have left paper on the floor, he was too damn tidy.” She held it out.
Gene took it carefully and read the message…
Dear Gene, if you get here in time and wonder where Matriarch is, know that she’s safe unless the whole damn building goes up. I figured our symbol of hope deserved saving. I placed her in the dangerous substances cabinet with water for a few days. My wife was the gardener, sorry if that wasn’t enough. Tell Felix, if I haven’t already, that I saw that scoundrel Riggle running like hell from the chemical compound when I came here.
Hope she makes it. Hope we all do. Charles
“Dee, we need to find the dangerous substances cabinet. Charles tried to save her.”
“Charlie was one hell of a guy.” Dee gave her a surprised look.
“Yes, he was. He also saw the person who did this.”
†
Max curled and uncurled her hands as she waited for Felix. He was recovering well and even cracked the odd joke. That wasn’t something she associated with him, but maybe it was simply that they hadn’t known or wanted to know each other enough to make this happen.
“Alice said you needed to speak to me.” Felix slowly walked into the room, sitting down in the nearest chair.
“Yeah, yeah, I do.” She balled her fists and sucked in a deep breath. “About twenty-five years ago I was hoping to ask you this, but things didn’t work out, and…”
“You want to marry my sister.”
Max’s jaw dropped seven stories. Did he gain second sight with that heart attack? Eventually composing herself she replied. “Yes. As the next of kin, I wanted to do it right. Alice deserves that and more.”
“You should have had more courage when I was belligerent. Then my sister wouldn’t have been living in sin all these years.” Felix scratched his head.
“Hell, I didn’t think you approved. You said as much at Dee’s birthday party and after that we had no contact. What kind of person does that make you?’ Max demanded.
“An idiot. I’m sure that’s lukewarm in your opinion.”
Max turned away and headed for the door. He was the jerk, he always had been, and a smartass to boot.
“For the record, Maxine Reed, I’d welcome you as part of my family. We do stupid things when we are younger, or simply because we are blinkered. I’m not blinkered anymore.” He stood and held out his hand. “I think you should marry my sister as soon as possible. Alice has been waiting a long time.”
Max’s heart flipped at the words. The tone was most significant, full of warmth when he said Alice’s name. She swung round.
“Well actually we married ten years ago when it became legal. Alice has always thought it wasn’t real because her family wasn’t there. I’d love to have a second ceremony and make it right for her.”
“Make it happen. Now you owe me a beer.”
Max shook her head. “Nope, water for you, my man. I’ll organize the ceremony when you can lift a schooner or two. Deal?”
“Deal.”
†
Sheila Sutter walked into the office and Quinn’s back stiffened. They’d given her leave for a week after the fire trauma, but she was now back and expecting…well, who knew.
Claudia pushed her favorite coffee toward her, giving her a sympathetic look.
“Hey, Sheila, great day, what’s new?”
“What’s new? Tim, what’s new? My god you need to keep up to date. We’ve lost the Driscol account for sure and you ask that.”
Tim Andrews shriveled like a mollusk back into his chair.
Quinn waited for Sheila to censure her. For sure she would blame her—it wasn’t a great leap.
Sheila’s shrill voice floated around the room as she talked but Quinn wasn’t listening. Her life had changed dramatically in the days she’d spent at Grady. Desrosiers, Charlie, and Simone had entered her life.
“Don’t you have anything to say, Quinn?” Sheila growled.
Quinn looked at Sheila. “Sorry you lost the account.”
She watched as Sheila went from beige to a ruddy red complexion. Heart attack symptoms, and I don’t give a damn. She’d lost a friend, one she hadn’t known for long but long enough to know he would have been part of her life forever just like Tay.
“You are responsible, Quinn, you had it in the bag. Even Samantha Driscol was going to be there to promote the brand. You should have done better.” She snarled.
Quinn closed her eyes and slowly took in a calming breath. “Are you accusing me of setting the fire and killing a person…no, a friend?”
Sheila muttered several things, none of them audible, then glared at Quinn. “If the shoe fits.”
Quinn stood and walked menacingly toward Sheila when the door swung wide.
“Arnold, what are you doing here?” Sheila shrilled.
“Stopping you from bringing Sutter’s down with a defamatory accusation to one of our employees. Sheila, from this moment on, you are relieved of your position, and please don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” Arnold gave his sister a glare.
“You can’t do this, I own half of the company,” she said, her voice wavering.
“Well according to you we don’t have a company. I figure you should sell me your shares and I might even be generous if you do it today.” Arnold walked up to Sheila into her personal space.
“Ridiculous, Arnold, you are not yourself,” Sheila agitatedly replied.
“More myself than I’ve ever been. Are you going to leave, or shall I have security eject you?” Arnold crossed his arms over his chest.
“You wouldn’t?”
“Oh yes, I would, and you know it.”
The siblings had a standoff and Quinn was amazed when Sheila simply picked up her purse and left the room.
“Tim, get me Driscol on the phone. You can use this office.” He pointed to Sheila’s door and Tim scurried in that direction. “And if they don’t talk, camp outside their door.” Tim nodded and entered the room.
He turned to Claudia and gave her a warm smile. “I’ve heard all about your ability to supply the right type of caffeine fix—why not surprise me.”
“Got it, boss.” Claudia breezed out of the room.
Arnold turned to Quinn and gave her a serious look.
“So what task do I get?” she tentatively asked.
He walked toward her with a smile. “Not a task exactly just this.” He pulled her into a hug. “Figured you need this after your exploits and I’m glad you survived. If you want to talk, I’m here.”
Quinn’s heart felt like it would burst as tears welled, hell they didn’t well, they flowed. Her head dropped onto his shoulder and she sobbed like a baby.
†
Amalie Desrosiers looked over the land her son had embraced in a way he never had his birth country of France. It had always hurt. Perhaps that was why she had been hard on Genevieve when he had sent her to France after her American mother died. There were so many decisions to make, and how could she decide if they were the right ones? Hers had obviously been abominable. Until that fateful fire, she had not seen Genevieve since she left France on that rainy morning, twenty-five years earlier. She had not seen her granddaughter that long-ago morning, she had remained in her room licking her wounds from their words, or rather her accusation the night before, about Genevieve’s lack of commitment. It had taken her dear best friend, Sophia, to explain that family forgives no matter how many years had passed. Before she died, Amalie needed to accept that and make the journey for reconciliation, regardless of her failing health.
Genevieve’s car appeared and she watched as the vehicle came to a halt. Dee stepped out first and then opened the tailgate. I like that young woman, she has inner strength.
Genevieve slowly left the vehicle and walked to the back of the SUV.
Then they carried what looked like a rose tree toward the house, eventually placing it carefully on the path close to the steps.
“Grand-mère, it’s Matriarch. She’s home and I think with care she will live.”
The beaming smile Genevieve emitted was so like her son that she choked back tears. What was so important about this rose? She did not understand. “Genevieve, it is a…”
Dee sprinted onto the porch and stood next to her.
“This is the rose you gave your son many years ago when they first started the business.”
“The same rose?” Amalie gave the young woman at her side a surprised look.
“Yes. It’s the symbol of Desrosiers…our mascot I guess.”
“Thank you.” Amalie placed a hand on Dee’s shoulder. With the aid of her cane, Amalie took the steps down from the porch and walked toward her granddaughter. There was only one thing to do—she pulled her into a fierce hug.
“I love you dearly, Cherie.”
“I love you too, Grand-mère.” Genevieve gave her bewildered look.
Eventually they broke apart and Amalie looked over the rose.
“She is sick, Cherie, I’m not sure she will live.” At the startled look on Genevieve’s face she tapped her cane. “I think I know a potion that might help. Many years ago, when I was working in the business with your grandfather, it was what Alaine called our rescue elixir. I will need some herbs and if we get right to it, by the morning it should have enough power to help.”
“Thank you, thank you. We can do this can’t we, Dee?” Genevieve grinned.
“Together we can do anything, Gene.”
Amalie smiled at Dee’s words. “Excellent. Now let’s get to work.”
†
Dee watched Gene traverse the porch of Desrosiers House at least five times since she’d drawn her car up the drive, switched off the engine, and simply sat watching the love of her life. The clock on the dash gave credence to her timings. Gene had gone through so much in the past three weeks and finally they thought all the problems were behind them. Yet you’d think she had a bee in her bonnet at the rate she paced the wooden boards. What the hell could go wrong now? Climbing out of her Honda Civic she smiled as she mounted the steps to the porch, with unsettled nerves.
“Hey, are you training for a marathon you haven’t told me about?”
The pacing stopped. Gene turned to her and for a split-second Dee saw anguish in the features of the woman she loved. Then it disappeared and Gene threw up her arms.
“No, I’m hardly a marathon type of woman.”
Dee smiled and quickly broke the distance between them and took Gene in her arms and kissed her deeply. It was some time before they came up for air.
“Oh, I don’t know, depends on what the marathon is all about,” Dee whispered and gave a saucy wink. She watched as Gene went several shades pinker. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, why do you say that?” The nervous response told its own story. Dee hadn’t worked for this woman for a decade and a half without know that something was wrong.
“Just a friendly question.” Dee kissed Gene again and then walked over to the far side of the porch. “To be honest you seemed agitated when I drove up. Not that I don’t blame you for all that you’ve been through.”
“You are right, as always. I am.”
Dee blinked a few times, surprised at the response. “Can I help?”
She watched Gene thread her fingers together several times before placing a hand on them. “I love you, nothing you can say will change that. Let me help if I can. Please?”
Gene dropped into the nearest chair and Dee followed suit.
“Grand-mère has had a fall at her home. She broke her left leg in two places and is in the hospital. Her friend Sophia called me and asked…” Gene stopped speaking.
Dee’s heart dropped. Now she understood or at least thought she did. Talk about imperfect timing. Amalie had only returned home four days ago after spending two weeks with Gene. Sucking in a silent breath she smiled and took Gene’s hand.
“You must go, darling. She needs you.”
“How can I go, Dee? The business is in ruins and I’ve only scratched the surface of organizing the rebuild. Grady needs to know that Desrosiers considers it a priority to get people back to work as soon as possible.”
Disappointed that this was the reason, but understanding why, Dee stroked the fingers in her hand.
“Just because you are not here doesn’t mean that the rebuild won’t happen. Right?”
“Right.” Gene frowned, “But…”
“Yes?”
“I don’t want to leave you, Dee. If I go will you come with me?” Gene’s eyes stared intently into hers.
Dee clutched Gene’s hand tighter and stared into her tear-filled eyes.
“I’m saying this but wish like hell I wasn’t. Amalie needs you right now, Gene, and I think if you didn’t go and something worse happened, you would never forgive yourself.” She shrugged. “I’m going to miss you every single second you will be gone but I’m certain in my heart that you will come back to me. We have lots of years left together, Gene. Amalie is not so fortunate.”
“Why can’t you come with me?” Gene’s face puckered.
Dee sighed. She didn’t need to ponder that question very long. “Like you, Gene, my family is important. My mom needs me now until we know dad is out of danger. The doctors, as you know, say another stroke may happen again. I can’t be thousands of miles away. I’m sorry.”
This time her hand was squeezed. “I guess we are both tied to our families. I just…well...” Gene pulled her as close as the seating allowed. “I love you, Dee. A part of me wants to say to hell with everyone else and be selfish.”
Dee’s heart thrummed so hard she was sure Gene must hear it. “Me, too, but then we wouldn’t be the people we are, and we would never have loved each other. I figure we’ve waited sixteen years to be together, another few weeks can’t do us any harm. What do you think?”
“I love you.”
“Good enough.” Dee snatched a kiss and then stood, pulling Gene up with her. “Let’s go and explore that love intently inside. It will keep us going when we are apart.”