Chapter Two
Caleb felt relief flood through him as Addie Fontaine swept out the door of the Blue Bayou. A few hours ago he’d been of the belief that the bistro was about to slip through his fingers. It had been a lonely, desperate feeling to be in that fragile position. Ever since he’d conceived the idea for the eatery, Caleb had been determined not to ask his family members for financial support. Daniel—who owned a multimillion dollar corporation—was very generous with his growing fortune. And Parker, the oldest Donahue brother, owned a very successful PI business. Caleb had wanted to do it without getting a handout from his family.
When push had come to shove, he’d reached out to Sebastian Fontaine for financing. In retrospect, it had been a bad decision. His pride had prevented him from reaching out to family, but in the process, he’d gotten into a situation without taking the fine print into consideration. It had been a rookie mistake on his part. Thank the Lord he hadn’t lost his pride and joy through a foolish error.
All in all, he was thankful Addie seemed invested in the Blue Bayou. And discovering that the Fontaine family wanted to inject more money into the bistro felt like manna from heaven. Losing his business would have been another huge loss in his life. Owning the bistro had been a lifelong dream he’d held ever since he was a child. And through pure grit and pluck he had made it happen. It was his crowning achievement in life.
He glanced at his watch. He had a lot to do to get ready for the lunch crowd. Caleb heard the back door close shut and he found himself grinning. Paolo had perfect timing. He was always right on time for work. Paolo was his sous-chef and all around Jack of all trades. Caleb depended on Paolo to help him run the bistro like a well-oiled machine.
“We’re going to be busy today,” Caleb said, swinging his eyes up to greet Paolo. Rather than Paolo standing there, it was his brother, Heath. With his dark brown hair, blue eyes and olive complexion, he had an exotic look about him. People always tended to stare at Heath. With a birth name of Delgado, Heath knew part of his heritage was Hispanic. The other half was Scottish.
“Hey,” Heath said in a low voice. “What’s up?”
“Heath! Sorry, man. I thought you were Paolo.”
“No problem. I know you weren’t expecting me. Can we talk for a minute? I know you’re getting ready to open up, but I need a favor.”
“Come sit down, Heath. Whatever you need. Just name it.” Heath walked over to the table and sat down. Caleb patiently waited for him to say something.
“I’m going to need a place to stay for a bit.” He hung his head, then jammed his hair through his shaggy hair. “My lease runs out next week and since Bella and I were planning to get married at city hall I thought I would be moving in to her house. But we’re not together anymore, so I need a new plan.”
“What happened between the two of you?” Caleb asked. “You’ve been in love with her ever since you were sixteen years old.” Bella Vincente for all intents and purposes had been the love of Heath’s life for the last ten years. Caleb had never seen a couple so in sync or so deeply in love with one another. But then Heath had been deployed to the Middle East. By the time he’d returned stateside, he was no longer the same guy. Caleb had tried on several occasions to get through to Heath, but there seemed to be some sort of shield he had in place now. No one or nothing could penetrate it.
Heath sighed and crossed his hands in front of him on the table. “When I came back from the Middle East things felt different. Before I went there was nothing I wanted more than to settle down with Bella. But now everything feels different. I’m different.”
“So you don’t love her anymore?” Caleb pressed. In a million years he couldn’t imagine it to be the truth. Bella and Heath were like peanut butter and jelly. They just went together seamlessly.
Heath twisted his mouth. “Of course I still love her. But sometimes love isn’t enough.”
“Heath, there’s a lot you’re not saying. What happened over there? Why can’t you talk about it with us? You keep shutting everyone out.”
His brother grimaced. “I don’t mean to. It’s just difficult. None of you have ever served in the military. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me. I’m a great listener. I know you lost your best friend over there. That’s not something you just get over with the snap of a finger.”
Heath opened his mouth to respond just as the door opened heralding Paolo’s arrival. Caleb wanted to groan at Paolo’s ill-timed arrival.
Heath turned back to Caleb. “Can I come stay with you or not? It will only be until I can find some other digs.” His gaze was intense.
Caleb nodded. “Of course you can. My doors are always open. I’ll make another set of keys tonight.”
Heath jumped up from his seat. “I’ll give you a call later.” He patted Paolo on the shoulder as he walked past him and out the back door of the kitchen.
Once he was gone Paolo locked eyes with Caleb. “Did I interrupt something?” he asked.
Caleb shook his head. “It doesn’t matter, Paolo. Getting anything out of Heath these days is near impossible. He’s changed, my friend.”
Paolo nodded. “It’s understandable. The horrors of war are in his eyes.”
Caleb frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
“I’ve seen it a lot. Soldiers come back and it’s all there in their eyes. The pain. The scars. The losses.” He shrugged. “I see it in Heath’s eyes.”
As Paolo walked toward the stove to turn it on, Caleb found himself wondering what had happened to his brother that was so painful he couldn’t reveal it to his loved ones. Ever since they were kids the Donahue siblings had shared everything. Secrets were few and far between. But all that had changed since Heath’s return. Heath was brooding and angry. Somehow or other, Caleb would figure out what had transpired over in the Middle East that had altered his brother so drastically. If his brother was drowning, he wasn’t going to sit around without handing him a life preserver.
The Donahue family stuck together. Donahue strong was their family motto, handed down to them by their father, Jude. He, along with his own three brothers, had coined the phrase growing up in New England. It was now the mantra of the Donahue siblings of Pelican Bay. No matter what challenges were thrown their way, they had vowed to stick together and support one another. This time would be no different.
Caleb shook off his worries about Heath. It was time to buckle down and get ready for the lunch crowd. As his other staff members began to pile in to the bistro, Caleb couldn’t help but reflect on his meeting with Addie Fontaine. Things were about to change at the Blue Bayou. He would ask Paolo to be head chef. It would be a wise move. He prayed it was all for the good of his business.
The question was, would Addie be a breath of fresh air for the bistro or an albatross around his neck?
**
Addie went through the rest of her day with a spring in her step and a smile etched on her face. She felt optimistic about working with Caleb Donahue. Perhaps her father had been trying to do something nice for her. Maybe he’d viewed this as a great place for her to cut her teeth in the business world. This could be a wonderful opportunity to bridge the gap between herself and daddy. Maybe after all this time they would forge a close bond. She really didn’t care about being his heir. That was her mother’s concern and she didn’t want to make that a focus of her life.
“How was your meeting with your new partner?” Laurel Woods, Addie’s best friend, had invited her over to her house for dinner. They were sitting in Laurel’s back yard eating steaks hot from the grill, corn on the cob and potato salad that melted in Addie’s mouth. Addie had brought along a refreshing watermelon salad and cornbread as a contribution toward the meal.
Addie took a sip of her ice-cold lemonade. “It was fine, which was a relief. I wasn’t expecting him to be so nice. He was a bit brusque at first, but he mellowed out.”
“That’s great. I know how much you’ve been wanting to sink your teeth into a professional challenge. Now you have a chance to prove yourself.”
“Yes, although I hate that Caleb is smack dab in the middle. It’s not really fair that he’s all tied up in this. He was happy running the Blue Bayou all by himself without interference.”
Her friend’s eyes widened. “Did he say that?”
Addie laughed. “He didn’t have to say it. It was written all over his face. He was fairly fierce at first. Daddy didn’t give him any warning about my involvement.”
Laurel shrugged. “That’s the price of business, I suppose.” She leaned across the table. “So tell me about him. Is he handsome?”
Addie felt her cheeks blush. “I guess.” She ducked her head. “Who am I kidding? He’s really nice looking. Warm brown skin. A great smile. Eyes that seem all-knowing. I don’t know why, but I have the feeling he’s a really good person. It just radiates from him.”
“Really, now?” Laurel asked, wagging her eyebrows. “That’ll make work interesting.”
Addie coughed, then shook her head fiercely. “No mixing business with pleasure. Succeeding in this endeavor is my number one priority. I want to do it for myself. Not just to make inroads with my father.”
“Who says you can’t get to know Caleb Donahue in the process?” Laurel asked. She looked Addie up and down. The expression on Laurel’s face looked as if she’d smelled something rank. “Can I ask you a question? Did you wear that outfit to your meeting with Caleb?”
“Yes,” Addie said with a nod. “I wanted to wear my favorite skirt. It always brings me good luck.”
Laurel sputtered on her lemonade. “Addie, I love you to pieces, but that skirt is terrible.”
“What’s wrong with it?” Addie asked, surprised by Laurel’s comment. Her friend was one of the most supportive people she’d ever met.
Laurel made a face. “I remember that skirt from freshman year in college. And the blouse looks as if it’s four sizes too large for you.” She wrinkled her nose. “You’re going to be working at a trendy bistro, which means you need to look more current. That won’t cut it.”
“I hate being trendy,” Addie said with a pout. “That’s not me at all. It’s important that I feel like myself.”
“Addie, I’m your best friend. And I’m going to be brutally honest with you. You’re a beautiful woman. Not only on the outside, but your heart is as solid as they come.”
Addie frowned. Laurel was being as subtle as a bull in a China shop. “But? I can hear a but coming.”
Laurel threw her hands up in the air. “You hide your light under a bushel.”
Addie knew the expression well. Her grandmother, Genera Fontaine, had used it time and time again. Nana had always been of the belief that Addie hid herself away from the world. Addie willed away the painful memories. Nana had been right in a sense. Ever since losing her twin sister, she’d wanted to shield herself from life’s painful moments. The tragedy had made her turn inward. Hiding herself away helped ease that pain.
“I don’t like being noticed.” Addie surprised herself with her admission.
“Because of Tabitha?” Laurel asked in a soft voice.
Hearing her sister’s name felt like a jolt to the system. For the past ten years, they’d avoided saying Tabitha’s name out loud. The pain cut too deep. For Addie, losing her twin had been like losing the best part of herself. And she was still finding it difficult to navigate the world without such a large piece of her soul.
Addie shrugged. “Tabitha was the glamorous twin. She was the one who was an expert at putting on makeup and creating beautiful outfits from her designs. She was the one who turned heads wherever we went.”
“That’s not exactly true. You both radiated like the sun. And what you never realized is that the two of you were so alike but so different at the same time. Both delightful.” Laurel reached across the table and grabbed Addie’s hands.
“Addie, you’ve hidden long enough. Tab loved you more than anything. She wouldn’t want you to be hiding behind those thick glasses and long skirts. You’re a woman of faith. Do you really think God wants his precious ruby not to shimmer and sparkle?”
“Laurel, I wouldn’t even feel like myself without them.” She hung her head. “It’s almost like a security blanket at this point.”
Laurel clapped her hands together. “Well then, it’s a good thing you have me in your corner.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “Your friendship means the world to me.”
“Baby steps, my friend. Baby steps. I happen to know you have a new set of glasses. Ones that are far more flattering. Not to mention those contact lenses you were fitted for a few months ago. I’m not saying you need to change, Addie. But as one of your oldest and dearest friends, I just want you to know that it’s okay for you to shine.”
Addie sniffled and wiped away a stray tear. “On some level I know it’s okay to shine, but it’s always felt as if that was Tab’s job. It was all so effortless for her. I always hung in her shadow. I have to admit it felt comfortable. I need to adjust my thinking. Baby steps? You promise?”
“I promise, my friend.” She reached for her lemonade glass. “Let’s make a toast. To new beginnings!”
With a trembling hand, Addie reached for her glass and raised it to clink against Laurel’s. “To new beginnings,” she said in a trembling voice.
She silently prayed for courage to be the best version of herself possible. And she knew it had nothing to do with her outward appearance, although she did need to make some tweaks in that area. She’d never gotten past losing Tabitha. Her other half. And, in order to move forward with her future, she needed to deal with it. Addie needed to get closure and to figure out who she was past being Tabitha’s twin and the daughter of a rich and famous man.
**
Before the evening was over, Laurel had given Addie a few outfits to try on from her closet. Laurel worked at one of the largest real estate companies in the Southeast. She was a consummate professional who always managed to look fantastic in a wide assortment of clothing. Although it had been a tad bit painful to hear Laurel’s opinion of her fashion sense, Addie trusted her best friend’s opinion. She knew Laurel only wanted the best for her. That knowledge helped Addie realize she needed to make some changes.
“You look sharp!” Laurel raved as she stood before her in a navy skirt that skimmed her knees and a white sleeveless silk shirt.
Addie frowned. “It’s not too much. Too clingy?”
Laurel gestured toward the full-length mirror that stood in her bedroom. “Don’t take my word for it. Take a look at yourself.”
Addie stepped in front of the mirror. She let out a shocked gasp. The skirt fit her to perfection. It wasn’t tight at all, even though it felt way different than the loose, flowing skirts she’d been wearing for as long as she could remember. Laurel was right. She looked crisp, clean and as sharp as a tack. For a few moments she simply stood and admired herself.
“Like what you see?” Laurel teased. With her peachy complexion and green eyes, Laurel’s cheery disposition only added to her beauty.
Addie nodded. She felt a bit shy about complimenting herself. It wasn’t her way. She so very rarely thought highly of herself, which was fairly tragic. “I never dress like this, but I like the way I look.”
Laurel threw back her head and laughed. “Well, that’s a start. I think you look terrific. And I think Caleb Donahue will think so as well.”
Addie scowled. “I’m not doing this for Caleb Donahue. Like you said, I need to dress the part and portray myself in a professional light.”
Laurel gestured toward the clothes she’d gathered from her closet and placed on the bed. “Have at it. There’s a whole bunch of clothes sitting over there. Anything you like feel free to take.”
On impulse, Addie stepped toward Laurel and threw her arms around her. She was suddenly filled with emotion at Laurel’s kindness. She didn’t have a whole bunch of close friends. It made the ache from missing Tabitha ease up somewhat. She would never fully get over losing her sister, but having a supportive and loving friend like Laurel meant the world to her.
God had truly blessed her with Laurel’s friendship. He had heard her call and answered her prayer. Addie had other prayers she’d whispered to God in the hours between darkness and dawn. She’d asked for healing within her family and a love to call her own. Addie had never been in love. She’d never had a man tell her she was the earth, moon, sun and the stars. And she wanted love in her life so much. Sometimes the loneliness gnawed away at her. God didn’t want his children to be alone. He wanted them to love and be loved.
So much was changing in her life. She was changing. Perhaps love would find her. God willing, she would be able to walk through life with someone who loved and understood her. A man who would embrace her, flaws and all. Someone who saw greatness in Addie and inspired her to be the best version of herself possible. It was her most fervent wish.