His voice was silent and warm when he said those words, his eyes gently holding her gaze.
Stay calm, Grace. Just breathe.
She inhaled some much needed air, gently squeezing his fingers.
"Me too", she whispered with a small smile, hoping beyond hope that he will blame the cold air for her blushing cheeks and not realizing that it was her own heart betraying her.
—--
The time passed quickly and it was not long before the sun started to make its way toward the hills.
Grace knew that it was time to gather the kids and head home. The little ones groaned in protest, not wanting the day to end. As much as Grace tried to reason with them, she wasn't successful.
Maybe because I don't want to leave either, she thought.
It wasn't until Lucas told the kids that they will do this kind of party again. Children squealed in delight and quickly ran off to put on their coats.
Grace smiled at him.
"You're getting yourself way over your head by promising them a party, Monsieur Bouchard. They might take your word for it", she quipped, earning herself a smile.
"I hope so", he quipped back, winking and she slightly shook her head, laughing.
She was pulling on her gloves and so she missed a nervous look on his face.
But, she definitely didn't miss nervousness in his voice as he spoke:
"Speaking of parties… I, uhm…", he let out a breath looking down at the floor for a moment.
Grace watched him totally confused.
"Yes?", she asked, one hundred percent certain he was talking about a party for the kids.
But, Lucas looked up at her and smiled nervously.
"I'd like to invite you to attend the Governor's Ball. I'd be honored if you would come", he blinked, quickly adding "You and Lillian, of course".
Grace felt warmth washing over her senses as he stammered. She never saw him like this.
Was he nervous?
Her lips curled up in a gentle smile.
"Thank you. We would be delighted", at his breath of relief Grace couldn't stop her smile widening.
He was such a darling.
He slightly nodded, walking her over to the doors. The kids were already out, saying goodbye to Gustave.
Grace turned on the steps and looked at Lucas.
She lightly caressed his upper arm. She couldn't help it, her hand moved on its own accord.
Lucas felt his breath stop at the light touch of her fingers.
Before he could take a breath in, Grace pulled her hand back and whispered:
"Get some rest".
He smiled weakly.
"Thank you, Grace", he swallowed "For everything".
She gently smiled back at him.
"Anytime", as she went outside she noticed that the kids were already waiting for her.
Gustave offered his palm to help her down the stairs and took the chance to whisper to her:
"Merci beaucoup, mademoiselle Grace".
Grace looked at him, confused.
"Whatever for, Gustave?", she asked.
Gustave looked sadly at her and whispered so that Lucas couldn't hear him.
"For everything you did for him", he gave her a small smile and turned back toward the mansion.
Leaving the yard, Grace ushered the children to walk in front of her as she got lost in thought.
—--
With a deep sigh, Grace closed the doors of the New Hope orphanage and leaned her forehead on the wooden doors. She closed her eyes and let out a breath.
Lillian came into the hallway to take care of the kids' little coats and boots.
She watched Grace carefully, but didn't talk before the children rushed further inside the house.
It was only then that she approached her little sister and rubbed her back comfortingly.
"Grace? What happened? Are you alright?, she asked in concern.
Grace pulled away from the doors and turned around to face her sister.
"Oh, Lillian", she mumbled "I am such a goner!", she quickly went in for a hug and Lillian smiled knowingly. She knew exactly why was Grace in this kind of state.
Hugging her back, Lillian caressed her sister's hair.
"You are not, sweetie. It would be odd if you didn't start feeling something for him. That man is a burning fire!", quipped Lillian causing Grace to pull back, gasping:
"Lillian!"
Lillian laughed.
"I am sorry, honey. But, honestly", she tucked a hair behind Grace's ear "It's no wonder you fell for him. After everything he's done for you and the way he is always there for you couldn't leave you immune".
Grace took a shivering breath in.
"He makes me feel like somebody actually cares about me. Beside you", she silently mumbled. She let her sister take her inside the house "But, Lillian, he was hurt so badly. Elizabeth ripped his heart out. I can never tell him how I feel", Grace looked down "If I do, I could loose him", she sniffed "And I couldn't live with that".
Lillian nodded.
"I know, honey. But, don't loose hope. Lucas only needs some time. He needs to learn how to trust again. But, I think he cares about you and is not even realizing that you may be his salvation", said Lillian, taking a hold of her sister's hand. She added carefully "Remember how hurt you were after Patrick? Did you ever think that you would be able to open your heart again?"
Grace shook her head.
"No. Absolutely not. But, Lucas…", she sniffed a bit "Lucas is different, Lillian. I never knew a man with such goodness in him. Not just towards me. Look what he does for the kids. And he makes time for them, loves to spend time with them".
Lillian nodded.
"I know, sis'", she gently agreed "He is a good man".
Grace fidgeted on her chair a bit.
"You know, he told me more about how he ended up being a Governor", as she relayed the whole story to Lillian, Grace mumbled "I just can't believe it that nobody asked him what does he want! I get that the townsfolk act in that way, but Elizabeth…First she encourages him then she walks over him and hurt him so badly. He did so much for her and she was never there for him".
Lillian shook her head.
"I can't understand that either. Sounds to me that she didn't love him at all. I cannot imagine the pain he went through", she smiled softly at her sister "But, I know that you are good for him, as he is for you. I can see that he restored your faith in people, faith in men. He would never hurt you the way Patrick did. And what he did to protect you from those horrible Matthews men…", Lillian pulled her sister in for one more hug "For that I will be eternally grateful to Lucas".
—--
John Matthews slammed the doors of his office closed.
"You said that I won't have any problems! You said that my business will be safe!", he pointed an accusing finger at the man sitting in the chair at his table, smoking cigar "Now, Bouchard has inspectors going through the papers and accounts in my bank without a warning! Without me being able to false the documents, to protect myself! If you don't do anything, he will have me behind the bars in no time!", he yelled, throwing his hands in the air "Hell, he's got MY son behind the bars already!", his face darkened dangerously "You better have a plan, Balfour. Or I will take you down with me when I hit a bottom", he said warningly.
The hand holding cigar moved and reached toward the ashtray. Fingers pressed cigar down, stopping the smoke…but, the thick smell of it stayed in the air.
Balfour leaned back in his chair.
"Of course I have a plan", his face was dark, his lips turning up in an evil smirk "It's time we get rid of Lucas Bouchard. And I have a perfect plan how and when will we do it".
—--
Lucas looked around. The mansion was turning into something quite special. His staff truly outdid themselves decorating the place for the great event. Furniture was moved, flowers were brought in, everything was being taken care of so that in two days time the mansion would be ready.
For the Governor's ball.
He heard the car doors closing outside and he couldn't but smile to himself.
They were here.
Lucas hurried down the hallway and opened the doors.
"Just bring in that red suitcase first, kind sir. Thank you", a melodic female voice was heard. The woman looked up at the sound of the mansion doors opening and smiled "Lucas!"
Lucas closed the distance between them and hugged his Mother. She hugged him back, more tight then ever and once he pulled away, he noticed a worried look in her eyes. He gently kissed her cheek "I'm alright, Mother. Don't worry".
Helen's forehead creased.
"Well, luckily for her, we are not in Hope Valley", she looked sharply at her son "Or I would give Little Miss Perfect an earful", she cocked one eyebrow up "Which I still may be able to do after the ball".
In that moment, male' voice was heard.
"Helen, let him breathe".
Lucas looked in the direction from where those words came.
His face brightened up and he quickly went to hug the man who stood a few steps away from him.
"Father", Lucas whispered, hugging his Dad tightly "It's so good to see you".
Martin hugged his son back, only now being able to calm down. He was sick worried for Lucas after everything his son went through.
"It's good to see you too, my boy", whispered Martin, patting Lucas' back before slightly pulling away to take a good look at his son's face "We are so proud of you, Lucas".