Chapter Two

"Bonjour, everyone. I trust everything is well," responded Rosie. "How are you all doing?"

"We are fine. And you?" responded Michèle woodenly.

"Walking on cloud nine. I've missed you all very much and want to tell you what has happened in my life the last year-and-a-half. Oh, where to start-"

"Great, when are you leaving?"

"Marie, that's rude!"

"Well, I just wanted to know how long we have to put up with Beau making a fool out himself over her."

"I'll be here for about five days. As for Beau, I don't think he'd be interested in chasing after a married woman."

"M-m-married?" Louis squeaked.

"Yes, I'm married," Rosie beamed, "We were only married the day before yesterday. My husband, Ian, is across the street waiting in the bar for our table. Oh, I can't wait to introduce you to him. I don't think any of you met him when he surprised me by coming to visit me for my birthday while I was teaching. In fact, coming here for our honeymoon was actually his idea because this was where we realized we had fallen in love with each other. He's the best…"

She was interrupted by cries of delight from the triplets; however Louis was sick to his stomach about the news. Beau was surely going to kill him, when he heard about this latest development.

"Oh, Rosie! We're all so happy for you. Please fill us in on what's been going on in your life, and don't you dare leave out a single detail."

"I would love to, and will do so during my stay here, but I really must be going…"

"What's your hurry, beautiful? You don't have to run off on my account," said an all too familiar voice to Rosie.

"Beau!" She turned and there he was, blocking the door so she couldn't escape.

"In the flesh. I knew you would come back because you couldn't stand being away from me, not even for one second, eh, Rosie?"

"Beau, charmed I'm sure. How have you been? You're looking well," Rosie told him. Inwardly, she groaned. Beau had not changed one little bit. I'd forgotten how conceited and arrogant he is, she thought.

"Why thank you, Rosie. I do what I can to keep myself in shape," he told her. "You know I was just thinking of you. What do you say you and me take a walk over to my gym and take a look at my trophies and awards? Then later on, we'll have a little private dinner while you and I discuss our future together? What do you say, babe?"

During this time, he had managed to maneuver her out of the shop, and pinned her against the building's storefront wall.

"What's happening? I can't see. Move it, Louis!" The girls gathered in the door of the shop and looked on as the events unfolded. A crowd of curious onlookers had gathered in the vicinity, to watch as well.

"Beau, I think I'll pass on that. Now, would you please let me go?" Rosie told him.

"Not a chance, Rosie…until you say yes."

"What? Never! Besides I couldn't even if I wanted to. Beau, I'm asking you to leave me alone for the second time."

"I'm sorry, Rosie, I can't do that, until you become a little more rational."

"Rational! I'll give you rational, you arrogant, egotistical, self-centered son of a…" Rosie fumed, as she struggled to get free. "Get your hands off me. Let me go this instant!"

"Whoa! Down, girl! I forgot just how incredibly hot you become when you get angry," Beau said rather smugly as he watched her.

Since he was so close to her, his eyes swept over Rosie's slender, lithe body. She was breathtakingly lovely, more so than any other woman he had ever known, which was why he wanted to possess her. Every inch of her being exuded grace and beauty. Although he liked women who were small and petite, Beau was captivated by Rosie's height of 5'8". It seemed to fit her as well as her long reddish-brown hair, soft hazel eyes, and long legs, but what really turned him on were her full and luscious blush rose lips. One glance at them and Beau wanted nothing more than to feel them up against his, as well as the rest of her.

From behind him, a deep baritone voice spoke up. "I think you need to honor the lady's request."

"Look, buddy. I don't know who you think you are, but this isn't really any of your business. If I were you, I would keep on moving," Beau told the mystery voice, without turning around.

"I can't do that because if you mess with her, then you have to deal with me."

"Yeah, and you are?" Beau sneered.

"Her husband," replied Ian, enunciating it loudly and clearly.

"H-husband?"

"Yes, her husband! That's right! You heard me. Now kindly take your hands off my wife!" Ian snapped at Beau.

Beau was so stunned to hear this news, as were the rest of the crowd gathered around, that he did so. With him being momentarily frozen, Rosie took the opportunity to escape. He shook it off and turned to see the man who was claiming to be Rosie's husband. Another surprise awaited him, because he hadn't expected to see how good-looking Ian was. Rosie, when talking about Ian in the past, hadn't mentioned his physical appearance. She had always said that Ian was funny, intelligent, and a great guy.

"Rosie," Monique asked, "That's your husband? That's Ian?" By this time, the girls had forgotten that it was way past closing and were swooning at the sight of him.

"Yes, he is," Rosie replied. "Not only that, he's also my best friend, my confidante, my heart, my soul, my partner, my everything." She looked at Ian with love in her eyes.

"Oh, how romantic!" Marie sighed.

"Rosie, don't hold back on us, introduce us to him, please!" the triplets pleaded. The other women in the crowd also agreed.

"Alright, alright," Rosie laughed. "Every one, I'd like to introduce Ian McKendrick, my husband. Ian, these are the LaFemme sisters, Marie, Monique, and Michèle, and over there that's Beau Laroche. There's a reason why he's so proud of his first name. It means handsome. Modest, huh? He's the one you need to watch out for," Rosie said the last part quietly to Ian.

"Hello, Ian! It's nice to finally meet you. We've heard so much about you," the triplets said, giggling.

Above the hustle and bustle of the crowd, Ian heard the hostess call, "McKendrick party of two!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Rosie, our table is ready. We'd better go."

"Alright, Ian. See you around, girls."

"Don't forget, Rosie!"

"I promise, I won't," she laughed.

"I take back all that I've said about Rosie. She does know how pick 'em!" Michèle told her sisters, low enough so that Beau didn't hear her.

"Isn't he a sight?" all the women thought.

Every pair of female eyes was upon Ian, taking in his 6' 3", 225-pound well-proportioned frame, his broad shoulders and chest, as he passed by. They were also pulled to his tousled dark brown hair, the lone wayward stray lock and his handsome face with a dimple in his chin. However the feature that really stood out were his azure blue eyes, and all the women could tell how kind and gentle they were.

The scrutiny of so many women at one time made Ian uneasy. He was not the type who liked to be the center of attention, unlike some men. He just wasn't like that. He thought of himself as a one-woman man. Decent, honest and hardworking, he went about his life unaware of just how attractive he was to the opposite sex.

Ian looked back over his shoulder at Beau and sized him up. So, that's the guy I've heard so much about from Rosie, he thought. I'm going to have to keep my eye on him. He looks like he could be trouble. Unconsciously, he had moved closer to his wife during this time, and put his arm around Rosie's shoulders, as a subtle warning to Beau.

Beau narrowed his eyes and glared at the newlyweds as they entered the restaurant. He couldn't understand what Rosie saw in Ian. This is momentary defeat, but the victory will be mine. Rosie will be mine! Besides he thought, he's not as handsome, tall, or muscular as I am. This made him feel somewhat better about the situation.

To make matters worse, he had been disgusted to see all the three sisters, his girls, fawning over this new guy. He glanced over where they had been but since the show was over and the crowds dispersed, the sisters had retreated to their shop to finish closing. He shot a look over towards Louis's direction, only to find out he also had disappeared. That little coward, when I find him, I'm going to murder him! This is entirely his fault, he thought as he went into the tavern.