Chapter 72 Who is Stacey?
Lucas pulled back. "It is so good to see you! Please come in have a seat I will introduce you to my family." He said ushering her inside.
"Elizabeth." He said ushering her as well, but he could sense she was not pleased at the interaction. "I will explain." He whispered in her ear as he ushered her to sit.
"Stacey, this is my entire family. This is my beautiful wife, Elizabeth. These are my children Jack, Caleb, Amelia, and Adelaide. These are our parents William and Grace Thatcher, and Jonathan and Helen Bouchard. This is Elizabeth's sister Miss Julie Thatcher. This is Mrs. Gladys Harper." Lucas introduced while everyone shook hands but curious as to how these two knew each other.
"I must say Lucas when I answered the ad I did not even think about it being you, but I should have known. Bouchard is not a common name. It is wonderful to see you again." Stacey said adoringly.
"I must say I am surprised that you would answer an ad like this. How is Derrick?" He asked her concerned.
"Lucas, Derrick passed away two years ago. I lost all that I had when he died." She replied emotional.
"Stacey, that house was bought and paid for, how could you lose it?" He asked now a little annoyed.
"I had to sell it to pay for Derrick's medical bills." She said now starting to cry. "I have been taking any job I can get just to make it."
Elizabeth could feel her heart starting to soften for the young woman. She was still curious about the rest of the story.
"Stacey, why didn't you tell me Derrick was sick?" He asked now sad.
"We couldn't find you Lucas. You must admit you did just disappear." She said. "I must admit I never would have expected to find the famous Lucas Bouchard, world traveler, master magician, popular businessman, the perfect gentleman settled down here in Hope Valley with a wife and four children." She said.
Elizabeth was now getting annoyed. She obviously knew a lot about her husband and was less than comfortable with how well they knew each other.
"Stacey I moved in search of love and happiness which I have found here. I would not trade the life I have here for anything." He said now reassuring Elizabeth it was okay as he gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek.
"Elizabeth, I must say you are one lucky lady! I can't tell you how many women tried to date this man in college." Stacey said looking at Lucas.
All eyebrows were now raised at that statement dying to here this story. "Well Stacey it was good seeing you. If you want to go to the hotel, tell them I said to give you a room and a job. We will catch up later." He said now ushering her to the door as fast as he could knowing already that Elizabeth was going to be all emotional and he would spent the rest of the evening talking about more of his past and perhaps arguing with the one person he never wanted to argue with. He shut the door behind her and let out a deep sigh.
All arms were now crossed and everyone was now staring at him. "What?" He asked innocently as if he didn't know what they were all waiting on.
"Lucas Bouchard, you owe us this story." Elizabeth said demanding in her less than amused teacher voice.
"Elizabeth there is no story. She was married to one of my good friends in college they had a hard time I bought them a house and we spent a lot of time together the three of us. That's it. End of story." He said abruptly.
"No, that's not it. Now she's here in Hope Valley planning to stay I gather. You offered her a job and a room." Elizabeth said uncomfortably.
"I'm sorry did you want me to offer her a room here with us and the nanny position?" He asked sarcastically. "I thought I was doing the right thing by making her leave."
"Of course not. Don't be absurd. There is no way that woman is staying here with us." Elizabeth said in a frustrated tone.
"Elizabeth, she is a widow much like you, give her a chance you may find you have a lot to talk about and maybe you can help her." He said annoyed by her behavior.
Julie and the rest of the family were amused by what was transpiring. Julie loved the dramatics. She found it extremely entertaining.
"Lucas Bouchard, were you in love with that woman?" She asked him in front of everyone.
"What? Elizabeth you are out of your mind right now. I am going upstairs. I am not having this conversation down here with you in front of our family. I can not believe you are asking me that." He said annoyed because of her constant accusations and questions and the other part because of the truth behind her question.
Elizabeth followed him up the stairs to the bedroom and shut the door behind him placing her hands on her hips. "So."
"So what?" He asked annoyed.
"You never answered my question and I demand you tell me the truth." She said firmly.
"I don't think you want to know the truth." He said uncomfortably not wanting to talk about this with her.
"I think you owe it to me." She said the emotion in her voice.
"Alright, have a seat." He patted the bed next to him for her to sit and let out a deep sigh.