Oh, child…know that it will get better. I know it seems a long time off, but someday you'll be able to smile when you remember him. Your heart will still hurt, but you won't cry a river of tears. Let your babies keep you goin' on your weakest days. You have to keep going, child.
Octavia Fontaine hoped the redhead would take her impassioned words to heart. She pulled the blanket to the slumbering woman's shoulder, blessing her forehead with a tender kiss. "Rest, child," she whispered in her honey voice, grateful she'd come to the manor to check on one of her best-loved families in the city.
She took the empty bowl and glass off the nightstand, swaying to the doorway, meeting the two men on the spacious landing. Octavia smiled at the older man. "No one can resist my gumbo, not even a stubborn-as-a-mule redhead." She'd agreed with Doctor Adams' assessment of Madame Broussard – dehydration, undernourishment, and grief.
"Octavia, I sure am glad you decided to pay a visit today. You're what Kitty needed," Doc praised.
The Creole humbly dipped her head while she passed the dishes to her daughter. "Healing her heart will take time, but she'll eat from now on. Quatre gave her mother the scare she needed to get her senses back."
Matt angled a brow, wondering what the word meant. He gazed at the mature woman with the endearing face and calming presence. "Quatre?"
"Four," Octavia answered, focusing on the big man from Kansas. Throughout the years, Delia had shared her suspicions about the marshal that had visited twice a year, but she'd never met the man until now. As soon as Octavia set her russet brown eyes on him, she realized her daughter's suspicions held truth. Straightway, she knew where Alexandre's height, handsome features, and bright blue eyes had come from. "Quatre was Monsieur Broussard's nickname for the child in Miss Kitty's womb," she explained. "Grand homme, you best learn some French if you're staying in New Orleans."
Doc chuckled as Octavia brushed past Matt. The lawman had a flabbergasted expression cemented on his face as the midwife drifted down the stairs.
With a warm smile on her face, Kitty watched her son and daughter quietly enter the master suite. She waved her hand, indicating for them to join her on the chaise lounge. "I need to talk to the two of you," she said as the twins climbed onto the oversized tufted chair.
Alexandre anxiously glimpsed at his sister before settling next to his mother, snuggling into her. He rested his head on her shoulder as he relished the feel of her arm around him. The boy had fiercely missed his mother.
Kitty kissed the top of his head and glanced at her daughter. "Vivi, you got that nest made?"
Vivienne sank into the cushions while she tugged the cashmere blanket over her. She rested her small hand on her mother's belly to greet her sibling. "Oui, Maman," she giggled softly, giving her mother her undivided attention.
"I'm sorry I haven't been myself lately, but I promise I'll do better from now on. I love you both so much," she whispered, looking into the two sets of beautiful blue eyes, "and I'm so sorry you've doubted my love." Kitty comfortingly rubbed her son's back as he hid his face in her bosom, sniffling. "Oh, Honey," she murmured.
"Don't cry, Alexandre," Vivienne soothed. "I told you Maman loves us." She frowned, hearing her brother cry harder.
"Baby, come here to me." Kitty wrapped her arms around him as he put his arms around her neck, crying into her, overwhelmed by his strong emotions. She pressed her lips into his tawny brown curls, soothingly smoothing her hand up and down his back. "Alexandre, my sweet boy, I've always loved you, even before you were born, and I won't ever stop."
Her mother's words awakened a doubt in the auburn-haired child's mind that she'd tried to ignore since the tragic day in Audubon Park. Vivienne chewed her bottom lip while she twisted the cashmere in-between her fingers. "Papa stopped loving us," she faintly proclaimed, brows creasing to fight the tears forming in her eyes.
Kitty jerked her head, gaping at her daughter in disbelief. "Vivienne Serena, what did you say?"
The five-year-old didn't dare look at her mother, envisioning the disappointed expression on her face. She tucked her legs underneath her, concentrating on plucking imaginary lint from the cashmere blanket. "Papa wanted to go with that lady. He stopped hugging me and walked away with her."
The distraught mother sucked in a breath, reaching out to take her daughter's hand. "Vivienne, look at me," she implored. "He was playing a trick on her. He was trying to get her away from us…to keep us safe. I swear to you, Sweetheart, your Papa loved us all so much that he died protecting us. He sacrificed his life, so we all could live," she tugged on her daughter's wrist, pulling her into her embrace once Alexandre scooted over. "Don't you ever doubt how much he loved you and your brothers, mon petit amour," she declared against Vivienne's copper tresses, holding her tightly against her.
The dark-haired boy sat on the big man's knee, laughing with each bounce. Luc fell back into the marshal's chest, looking up at him, studying his face. The man's eyes were focused on a ledger, lips moving slightly as he read the records. The toddler poked the underside of his chin. "Le maréchal," he imitated his big sister, frowning at being ignored. Luc wriggled off the man's leg and crawled under the executive desk. He grinned, scooting toward the small opening at the front of the desk, determined to wriggle through the space and sneak out.
Matt's brows rose as the banker's chair rolled back an inch or two. "Luc, what are you—" he sighed, hearing a loud thump followed by crying. He pushed the chair back and stared at the red-faced, wailing toddler. "Hit your head, huh?"
Luc nodded, rubbing the top of his head with one hand, smearing the tears on his face with the other.
"C'mere," Matt beckoned, lifting the boy into his lap. "You're alright," he gingerly ran his fingers through Luc's thick hair. "Not even a bump."
"Hurts," he mumbled.
"Well, I imagine so, but it seems you have a hard head like your Maman."
From the doorway, the redhead watched her former lover lovingly interact with her son. She'd been surprised when Matt had showed up for breakfast and escorted Alexandre to school. Kitty had seen Vivienne off, then locked herself in her husband's office until Delia had called her away. She slowly entered the room, clearing her throat.
"Maman! Cadeau!" Luc happily shouted, launching himself out of Matt's lap to scurry to his mother, forgetting all about bumping his head.
Kitty smiled at her youngest, stroking his hair out of his eyes. "Hi, Baby. Delia's cousin is here and has something for you."
"What?! Maman, what?!" he asked. The boy loved surprises, especially in the form of gifts.
"Why don't you go see?" she directed, shaking her head as Luc ran full speed out of the office. Kitty looked at the silver poodle, "Cadeau, garde."
Matt propped his elbows on the desk, setting his eyes on the redhead. "Should you go with him?" He'd learned that Luc was a ball of energy, jumping from one thing to the next within minutes with a knack for getting into mischief.
"Cadeau will mind him. He won't let Luc out of his sight, Matt."
As she slowly sauntered to the desk, Matt jumped out of the chair, pulling it out for her. He glanced at the seductive portrait of her above the desk, feeling lightheaded from his impure thoughts while inhaling her intoxicating perfume.
"Thinking 'bout the time you and Henri set fire to the curtains over me?" she simpered, amused by the sheepish, flushed look on his face. "I was furious. Those draperies were from Lord & Taylor and cost a fortune."
"It was an accident."
She chuckled as his cheeks burned to a shade of crimson. Her eyes drifted to the portrait. "It's going to the attic soon. Maybe I'll have one of me and the kids done to replace it."
He awkwardly cleared his throat, noticing how she flipped to the page she'd previously been studying. "Kitty, I was curious. I know it's not my business. I shouldn't have looked."
She shrugged her shoulders. "It's alright, Matt."
He sat on the edge of the desk, peering at the page. "Kitty, what all is there? How many businesses did Henri have?"
"Investments and railroad shares. There's the cotton and sugarcane fields. The mills. Henri was a silent partner for the ice manufacturing company in Algiers. The shipping company. The candy company isn't off and running yet. Henri wanted the children to take over one day. He planned for Alexandre to have the crops and mills. Shipping for Luc. Vivi would choose the hotel or the candy, and the new baby could have what Vivi didn't want."
Matt folded his arms over his chest, appreciating the Frenchman's planning for the children's futures. He wouldn't have been able to leave anything behind other than memories for Alexandre and Vivienne. He let out a gloomy puff of breath.
"He was a genius businessman who loved his children. All of them. I promise you that, Matt."
He met her eyes, softly smiling. "I know, Kitty." He'd never doubted how much Henri loved the twins.
"Henri took Alexandre to the fields the day before he…" she paused, swallowing the lump in her throat while twisting her wedding band around her finger. "He let him pick cotton and told him all about the sugarcane. Alexandre loved every single minute of that day. I wasn't happy about Alexandre missing a day of school, but now I'm so glad they had that special time together."
Matt closed his fingers over her hand, comfortingly squeezing. He sighed as she pulled her hand out of his grasp. "When's the last time you've been to the hotel?" He'd stopped by on his morning walk, surprised by how much the establishment had expanded.
She leaned back in the chair, glancing up at him. "I'm not worried about The Seraphine. Before Luc was born, I hired Delia's youngest sister, Caro, to manage it. I didn't think anyone could be like Sam, but Matt, she's better."
He nodded, crossing his legs at the ankles. "How can I help?"
"What?" she gasped.
"Kitty, how can I help? Is there anything I can do with the cotton or sugarcane?"
"Matt, no. I sent for Silas to oversee the sugarcane harvest. Besides, you'll be leaving soon. Dodge can't go too long without their marshal."
The lawman rubbed his chapped lips together, striding to the back wall of the office. Matt took the cork out of a decanter, pouring a generous amount of whiskey into a glass. He took a slow drink, turning around. "I put in my papers for retirement."
For once, the redhead was at a loss for words. She stared at him, mouth agape, feeling like she was in a dream. She'd wanted him to make that decision for years. Kitty kept her eyes on him as he walked to the desk, spinning her chair towards him.
Matt nudged his finger under her chin, gently bumping her mouth closed, meeting her astonished sapphire eyes. "I'm not going back to Dodge. In fact, I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to stay."
To most children, Saturday was a day to sleep late and be lazy, but a certain five-year-old was awake and dressed before the sun rose over the magnolia trees. Alexandre crept past his mother's bedroom door, wincing as he dropped his leather boots. He closed his eyes as he held his breath. He blew out a relieved sigh, continuing his way to the stairs and to the foyer. The boy plopped onto the bottom stair, tugging on his boots. His blue eyes popped out of his head as the front door opened, revealing the remarkably tall man. "Marshal," Alexandre nervously greeted while pulling on his other boot.
Matt quietly rambled to his son, taking in his boots, long pants, and flannel shirt. "Alexandre, where are you going?"
He shrugged his shoulders while avoiding the man's inquisitive gaze.
"Where are you going?"
Silence enveloped the pair until Matt tipped his hat back and settled his fingers into the pockets of his suede vest. "Son, you better tell me."
"To the fields."
"The fields? Alexandre, you ca—"
The boy leapt to his feet, hooking his thumbs into the belt loops of his pants while fixing a determined look on his features. He set his shoulders and stared at the man towering over him. "Marshal, I'm goin'. You can't stop me. Papa told me the sugarcane needs to be picked in November. I'm s'possed to be in charge."
Matt felt a surge of pride rush through him as he scrutinized his son's posture. He placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Alright, Alexandre."
"Marshal," he piped up as his firm stance weakened. The boy glanced at his boots. "I don't know how to pick sugarcane. I can't saddle a horse either. Papa only showed me once," he admitted in a small, faint tone, looking at the man with watery eyes. "Will you help me? Please?"
The big man crouched in front of his son, remembering the weight he'd felt on his small shoulders after his own parents had passed away. Matt hadn't had anyone to ease his burden. He offered Alexandre a warmhearted smile. "Son, I'll help you. I can saddle a horse, but I gotta tell you somethin'. It's a secret. Can I share it with you?"
Alexandre glanced at him, leaning in while tapping his ear. "Yes, Sir."
"I don't know how to pick sugarcane either, but we'll learn together."
The five-year-old beamed at Matt, readily following him to the door. Alexandre suddenly stopped, gripping the man's hand. "Wait, Marshal." He ran to the entryway table, grabbing a notepad and pencil.
"What are you doing now?"
"Leavin' Maman a note. I don't want her to worry."
With a pleased smile on his mouth, Matt peered over the boy's shoulder, watching Alexandre's tongue touch his top lip in concentration as he scrawled the note. He took the pencil, filling in the gaps of the message while Alexandre walked to the door to wait for him. Matt straightened and appreciated the thoughtful child he'd help create, deciding he wouldn't miss one more moment of the boy's life.
Kitty sat in her sunroom, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight flooding through the windows. Her feet were propped on the teak coffee table while she listlessly flipped through the latest issue of La Mode Illustrée. She shook her auburn head as if that would make her stop thinking about him. In the last month, Matt had become a fixture in her life. Without fail, her former lover had arrived every morning to have breakfast, then he'd take Alexandre to Holy Cross. The duo then spent the weekends in the fields.
Matt had been shown every rock and gemstone in Luc's vast collection several times, acting keenly interested each time. Kitty believed Matt and her youngest son had covered every inch of the backyard in search for unusual stones.
However, Vivienne had rebuffed Matt's attempts to win her over. She'd turned down invitations to both the park and the zoo.
The redhead glanced at the miniature version of herself, fighting the temptation to ask Vivienne what exactly she thought of the big man from Kansas. She had the feeling that Vivienne thought Matt was trying to replace her father.
Vivienne lifted her head off her mother's belly with a frown on her precious face. "Maman, is Quatre still moving?"
"Mmhmm."
"I can't feel her," she muttered.
"Baby, I told you it's too soon for you to feel her," Kitty stroked her fingers through her daughter's tresses. She saw the pout on Vivienne's face. "You'll be able to soon. I promise."
"But I want to now," Vivienne grumbled, slipping off the sofa to plop onto the floor next to her poodle.
"Patience, Vivi." Kitty closed the magazine, tossing it next to her. Her ginger brow lifted as Cadeau barked, bolting out of the sunroom. She heard the butler answering the door and could have sworn she heard the jangle of spurs coming from the foyer. She slowly rose from the sofa, lingering in the doorway, taking in the unexpected sight of her dear friend.
"Doc, you old scudder you!" Festus twanged. "Oh, it sure is good to see you!" He grabbed the elderly man to him in a tight bear hug.
"Wait! What are you doing?! Stop that!" Doc felt the deputy's arms tighten around him. "Oh, for heaven's sake!" With a disgruntled huff, he finally gave into the hug.
Festus released the retired physician. "Seems like you been gone a hundred years! Golly Bill, Doc, I've missed you somethin' fierce."
"Festus, what are you doing here?"
"I come t' deliver a message to Matthew."
"Oh, and you had to deliver it in person? Huh?" Doc eyed him, scrubbing his hand over his mustache, seeing right through Festus' reason. Through the years, he'd assumed that Festus was always itching to come to Louisiana.
"Well," Festus hooked his thumbs into his vest, debating on how to defend his visit. "Miss Kitty!" he cried as he spotted her in the doorway. He rushed to her and took sight of her round belly. Festus gently put his arms around her, hugging her to him. "Miss Kitty, Dodge ain't been the same without ya," he whispered into her ear. "I've missed you more than ole Doc. I was sorry t' hear 'bout your husband."
Kitty pulled back, gently smiling at her friend while squeezing his hands. "Festus, I've missed you and thank you," she pecked him on the cheek. "There's someone you need to meet," she glanced over her shoulder at her daughter. "Vivi, c'mere."
Vivienne warily walked to her mother, hiding behind her skirt. Her blue eyes took in the bedraggled, whiskered visitor's appearance. She'd never seen anyone like him in her whole life.