Chapter Six

Once Ian and Rosie left, the villagers dispersed and went back about their own business. After a while the only person left was Beau. He was brooding about what had happened. Rosie was not his and to top it off, Ian had ended up a hero. It irked him no end. He could still picture Rosie looking at her husband with admiration and with joy. Not to mention the fact that all the other villagers, especially the triplets, were impressed with Ian's actions. He slowly began to understand what Rosie saw in Ian, but that didn't mean he liked the situation any better.

The newlyweds weren't the only one that Beau was frustrated with. Something else bothered him. He had noticed that the rest of the villagers had treated Louis with more respect than normal. Some of the women were looking at him in a different light. Grudgingly, Beau admitted to himself that maybe he had misjudged Louis. After all what he had done had taken a lot of guts.

While he was pondering this, a little girl ran into the hall. Beau didn't pay any attention to her until a second figure entered the building. He immediately recognized the young man. It was Chester Potter, better known as "Chet", the son of Mrs. Potter. That could mean only one thing. Rosie's old beau, Jean-Claude DeVincent, was back in town. Beau smirked and rubbed his hands together. I can have a lot of fun with this, he thought snickering. Maybe today won't turn out to be so bad after all.

He watched Chet and the little girl play for a while and then whistled to get their attention. The little girl was frightened by the noise and sought Chet out for security. Chet was startled but soon realized who it was.

"Beau, it's been a long time. Remember me?"

"Yeah. You're the son of DeVincent's cook. He's back, huh? By the way, who's the kid?"

"Why, yes he is. Along with my mother, Henri, Monty, and Cheri. He's here for a while to stay in his family home. As for the girl, that's Adeline, his adopted daughter. She's the reason why Rosie and he broke up." The last words were spoken in a low voice so that the child did not hear. "That's what I've heard any way."

"It's funny that you should mention that name because she's back in town now. Bring DeVincent and the others to Le Bistro at eight o'clock tonight sharp. Later!"

He strode out of the lodge before Chet could ask any more questions. Adeline looked up at him and asked, "Am I going to get a new mommy?"

"Maybe, just maybe. C'mon, let's tell every one the news!" And with that they rushed to share the tidings with the others.

"She's back?" every body half-yelled simultaneously. "Where is she staying? Have you seen her? Who did you hear this from?" The others gathered around Chet.

"Please, one question at a time! I haven't seen her yet, but I heard it from Beau. Granted, he can be arrogant and mean, but if he says Rosie's back, I'm inclined to believe him." He proceeded to tell the others about what Beau had said about meeting at the restaurant.

"What do you think, everybody? Should we tell Jean-Claude about it?"

"Should you tell me about what?" Jean-Claude DeVincent entered the room at the end of the conversation.

"Sir! You're back early!" Monty said. "What happened?"

"Nothing, I just got bored. Besides I know the countryside as well as the back of my hand. It's lonely riding by myself out there. I just wish I had someone to share my life with."

"You have Adeline, and us, sir."

"Yes, I do but that's not what I exactly meant."

"Ah, he means that certain special someone, a friend of the heart, a ladylove, Monty," Henri responded.

"I know that, Henri!"

"You mean someone like Rosie!" Cheri blurted out. The others tried to hush her, but it was too late. Jean-Claude had heard.

"She's back in the village? Now? Where? How long has she been here?"

Chet related all of what Beau had told him to Jean-Claude. He closed his eyes and thought about her. He had not seen or heard from Rosie since they had gone their separate ways several years back. He supposed she had been right to end the relationship. He had handled the situation very badly. What would she say to him? What would he say to her? Would she even want to see him at all? Somehow that didn't matter. Here was a second chance for love. He wasn't going to let this pass him by. He'd even beg her for forgiveness, getting down on his knees if he had to.

"She's not staying at the LePages, like she did the last time when she was teaching over here?" Mrs. Potter asked her son. "That's odd. She became such good friends with both of them. I wonder why."

"She was here a time before this?" Jean-Claude asked, puzzled.

"Yes, why I believe it was two years ago. We had lunch and spent the afternoon together. It was great to see her," Monty replied.

"Why I didn't see her? I was here in this area at the time, too."

"I'm sorry to tell you this, sir, but she requested that you not come. I believe she still had bitter feelings toward you at that time."

"Oh," Jean-Claude answered morosely. Again he thought about what would happen when they met. It might not be pretty. Not that he could blame her, being in her position. After all, he mused, look what had happened with Adeline and Suzette.

"I don't know, Mom." Chet finally replying to the question posed to him. "Perhaps we'll find out when we meet Beau in the bistro at eight. Maybe he'll have convinced Rosie to go with him just this one time."

"Sacre bleu! Did you say eight? It's now 7:15pm. We need to get going if we are to be there on time." Henri exclaimed. Every one scurried off to get ready.

A sudden pounding on the door woke Rosie and Ian from a sound sleep. They had dozed off after their afternoon of lovemaking.

"Who could that be?" Ian asked.

"I don't know. We'd better see who it is. I'll get the door." Rosie responded starting to get out of bed. Ian stopped her.

"Oh no, you're staying in bed. I'm not taking any chances. I'll get the door. Besides for all we know, it may be Beau come to try to steal you again. And with the way you look right now, sweetie, it would be awfully tempting for any man to want to do exactly that."

Rosie shook her head and rolled her eyes in response to this. Ian threw on his pants and went to answer the door. The pounding had continued during this time. "I'm coming, I'm coming! Keep your shirt on! Rosie, I think it best if you get dressed."

He reached the door, tore it open and stood face to face with Beau. "What are you doing here? What the hell do you want, Laroche?"

In the background he heard Rosie ask who it was. He called back to her, "It's Beau."

"I came to take you both to dinner to congratulate you. I want to make amends for the way I've been behaving the last few days. Consider it a gift, also a peace offering from me."

"What's the catch?" Ian eyed him suspiciously.

"No catch. Promise!"

"What's going on here?" Rosie asked, coming to the door. She was wearing Ian's shirt. Beau stared at her. Rosie had never looked so desirable. Ian caught him gazing at Rosie and shot him a searing look.

"He says he's going to take us to dinner tonight, but I think he's got other plans." The last was whispered in Rosie's ear.

"How sweet! Thank you, Beau. We accept your invitation," Rosie ignored Ian as she addressed Beau.

"I'll wait for you outside. The reservation was for eight. See you downstairs," he said and turned and left. Ian shut the door and looked at Rosie, disbelieving.

"You want to tell me why you just did that," Ian asked her, his arms crossed over his chest while his fingers drummed against his forearms.

"Ian, he was trying to make a nice gesture. It would have been rude to turn him down. I know it's Beau, and yes, he might have an ulterior motive but he's making an effort. Now let's get ready and go to dinner, okay?" She caressed his face while she said this.

Ian started to protest but Rosie silenced him with her finger and then a kiss. She walked back to their room and started to freshen up for dinner.

Ian scowled in response and muttered to himself, "I still say he's up to no damned good."

Twenty minutes later they were downstairs, all set for the evening. Beau was down by the steps looking out towards the street.

"Beau, we're ready," Rosie called out to him.

He turned to say something and stopped in his tracks. His words were forgotten as he gazed at her. Rosie was resplendent, wearing a soft mint green dress with a floral pattern of roses on it. She was also wearing emerald earrings and a pendant, both gifts from Ian. The whole ensemble emphasized Rosie's beauty, especially her hair and eyes. Her hair usually pulled back, was in loose waves that softly framed her face.

She and Ian began walking to Le Bistro. Watching them together, Beau found he couldn't take his eyes off her nor could he move. When Rosie realized that he was not with them, she looked back and laughingly asked him, "Well, are you coming with us or are you just going to stay there all night?"

Beau found his feet, caught up with them and took his place on the other side of Rosie. At first, Ian wasn't too sure about this. Then he felt Rosie's hand slip into his, squeezing it in reassurance. He looked at her. She smiled and winked at him. Ian realized that he had nothing to worry about, because her eyes said everything. Rosie was only focused on him. To her there was no other man in the world right now. Ian's position softened as he looked at the woman he loved. They walked to the restaurant in silence, both content just to be by each other's side.

Beau was amazed at this display of love. He had said nothing during this time. As he watched the couple, he was struck by the fact that here was a relationship based not on outward appearances, but on much more important things such as respect, trust and love. For the first time in his life, he realized how lonely he was and how envious of another person, especially Ian, he was. I wonder if I'll ever have a relationship like that, he thought to himself.

Across the village, at Le Bistro, Jean-Claude and his friends were waiting on Beau and Rosie. They had gotten there a few minutes early and had informed the hostess of a reservation under LeBeau. She had looked a little surprised at this, but no one had caught on. Mrs. Potter and Cheri were across the street in the boutique to pass the time. The others were outside waiting for the rest of the party to show up.

"Chet, are you sure he said eight?" Henri asked him.

"Yes, I'm quite certain. Where's Jean-Claude now?"

"He went into the bar for the time being to fortify himself. You know how nervous he is. It's the prospect of seeing Rosie again."

"Are they here yet?" Mrs. Potter and Cheri inquired, coming out of the shop.

"No, not yet."

It was at this moment that Rosie, Ian, and Beau turned the corner and headed towards the restaurant. When Rosie saw her old friends, she let go of Ian's hand and raced towards them, overjoyed to see them again. Ian looked at Beau. In response to this, he shrugged his shoulders.

"Mrs. Potter! Cheri! Henri! Monty!"

The four looked around to see who had called their names. It was Cheri who spotted Rosie.

"Look, there she is! It's Rosie!" she announced. The others then saw Rosie and went to welcome her. Ian and Beau hung back as not to get in the way.

"Oh, it's so good to see you again," Rosie told everyone. "I've missed you all so." There was hugging and carrying on as Rosie greeted them one by one.

It was at this moment that Jean-Claude and Chet came out of the bar. Jean-Claude stopped in his tracks when he saw Rosie. There she was. What to say to her? Then it happened, Rosie turned and saw him. His heart jumped at the sight of her. Could it be possible? She was lovelier than the last time he saw her.

"Rosie! It's good to see you again. It's been so long."

He walked over to her and gave her a big hug. Ian took a cautious step forward, scrutinizing him. So this was the guy who had broken Rosie's heart and had held it captive for so long. Looking at them he was struck by a sickening thought. Did Rosie still have feelings towards him?