He thought of her constantly, her image always close to his heart. This must be love, for he'd never experienced anything quite like it before.

  But how could he convince her of his love? How did he prove his love when she had so many reasons to doubt him?

  His father walked up beside him, pulling Max out of his thoughts. “Looks like you're going to have a good harvest this year.”

  Max shrugged, not really caring one way or the other. He gazed at his father, feeling miffed at the man, yet it wasn't his fault he couldn't control his mother.

  “I know you're angry at me for allowing your mother to come, but I couldn't stop her. You know how she can be,” Charles said.

  “Yes, she reminded me the other night of just how the two of you can be a son's worst nightmare,” Max said angrily, though he realized everything that happened could have been prevented if only he'd been honest with Nicole from the beginning.

  “I came out here to talk to you,” Charles told him. “We were wrong to come barging into your life like this and now we've made a mess of things.”

  Max frowned at his father, the red puffiness of his face accentuated by the alcohol. The man was slowly killing himself and Max didn't know how to stop him.

  “You can certainly say that again,” he said.

  Charles looked hard at his son. “You know, the two of you appeared so happy the day we arrived that I was sorry we'd come to interrupt this time. All your life you've been pushed to acquire Rosewood for the family, but maybe that's not what's best for you. Maybe you should think about your happiness and tell your mother to stay out of your life. I know I've never been a strong enough husband for her, but if you don't stop her now, she'll always interfere.”

  “Nicole and I were happy, Papa. And even now, Rosewood belongs to Nicole, not to me. I intend to give it all back to her.” Max stopped, a sudden thought occurring to him. “In fact, I need your help. The harvest should be finished late this afternoon and I want the three of us to pack up and move out of Rosewood.”

  Charles laughed. “That's a good start, Son. I can tell you right now, your mother is at the house moving furniture around the way she wants it. Your wife hasn't come out of her room, but I know the servants move things back after your mother goes to bed.”

  Max shook his head. “She just doesn't understand Rosewood no longer belongs to her, does she?”

  “No. Her father spoiled her and then I was always such a disappointment to her when I couldn't pay the debt to get Rosewood back. Your mother is a very unhappy woman.”

  Max nodded. “Then, when I tell her we're leaving this afternoon, she will likely hate me for not fulfilling my obligation.”

  His father nodded. “Probably for a little while. But I think you're right. Our time at Rosewood has come to an end.”

  “Yes, it has. Nicole owns the plantation now and it will remain hers no matter what happens to our marriage,” Max said, his plan giving him a huge sense of relief. “I can only hope that someday she'll forgive me.”

  ***

  “Mother, why have you moved the furniture?” Max asked when he came into the house later.

  “Dear, it looks so much better this way. When I lived here, we always had the chest over here. Now we just need to get new curtains and then the room will be back to its former grandeur,” she said with a smile. “I knew you would like what I've done.”

  “I didn't say I liked anything. I asked you why you moved the furniture. This is Nicole's home, not yours any longer,” he said, trying to be frank with his mother.

  “Of course it's Nicole's home, but I certainly thought she would appreciate my decorating expertise. After all, I have so much more experience living here than she does,” she said, moving a vase of flowers just so.

  Max shook his head; she didn't want to hear him. “Well, it's not going to matter any longer anyway. Because we're packing up our things this afternoon and leaving.”

  “Leaving?”

  “Yes, the four of us are departing Rosewood for good.”

  His mother's mouth dropped open and her eyes widened.

  “I absolutely will not!” she replied. “I've waited over twenty years to see my home again and I'm not ready to return to New Orleans.”

  Max stood and calmly gazed at his mother. “I don't care what you want. You're departing with me this afternoon; if that means I have to carry you kicking and screaming out to the wagon, then so be it. But I suggest that you have your maid pack your belongings or you can arrange for Nicole to have them sent to you.”

  Her face appeared flushed and her green eyes were wide. “Do you know how insulting this is, to have my own son discharge me from the family home?”

  “Spare me the hysterics, Mother. Our time at Rosewood ended years ago. This home now belongs to Nicole and we're going to go peacefully after disrupting her life here,” he said calmly.

  “You're going to let that. . . that woman you married just keep everything you've worked for all your life?” she asked, her eyes tearing up. “I'm sure your grandfather must be pounding on his tomb right now, wanting out to set you straight.”

  “Grandfather is dead. You have one hour and then we're leaving,” he said and whirled away, walking out of the room before she could say anything else.

  Next he stopped at Paul's room, where he pulled out the boy's meager belongings and packed them in a small trunk. They would pick him up at school on the way into town. There was no need for him to witness the destruction of his father's marriage, especially since the boy cared about Nicole.

  Max went to his own room and pulled out his trunk and began to pack his belongings. Though most of his things were still in New Orleans, he had accumulated quite a few items and he quickly packed them in the trunk. With one last glance he looked around the room. He would miss this place, but he had only himself to blame.

  As the servants loaded the wagon, he went to Nicole's door and knocked.

  “Who is it?” she called.

  “It's me, Max,” he said. “We're moving out as you requested. I've come to say good-bye.”

  She opened the door and frowned at him. “Is this some kind of trick?”

  “No, everything is packed. Mother is finishing up and Father is supervising the servants loading the wagon. We're leaving,” he said, staring at the fullness of her lips, wishing he could taste them one last time.

  “Why?”

  “I think it's for the best,” he said, aching to touch her. “I'm sorry for the hurt I've caused you, Nicole. I let the ambition of my family lead me most of my life, not thinking of how it could harm others. You made me see how destructive my pursuit has been. All I can say is I'm sorry. You don't deserve to be lied to.”

  She stood, staring in shock at him.

  “Where will you go?” Nicole asked as she wiped a tear from her eye.

  He shrugged. “Eventually, I'll go back to New Orleans, but tonight I just thought we would go into town and let you have some well-deserved peace.”

  She stared at him, the look in her blue eyes disbelieving.

  “I also wanted to give you this.” He handed her an envelope.

  “It came yesterday from my team of lawyers. It's your original birth certificate showing who your father was. I can tell you that he knew of you and even included you in his will. His lawyers on the East Coast have been searching for you and will be contacting you soon regarding your inheritance. You'll never need to worry about finances again.”

  She put her hand to her mouth and stumbled back inside her bedroom until she found a chair. There she sank down, trying to understand everything he'd said.

  “You found my father?” She gazed up at him in amazement. “Why?”

  “I knew that you've always wondered about him, and decided to do my best to find him for you. This way, you can be relieved about who you are,” he said.

  She sat there, staring into the distance, shaking her head. “This is too much to comprehend at once.”

  “Yes,” he said. “I wanted to tell you sooner, but didn't have all the information yet.”

  “Oh, my God, my father,” she said, and then she looked up at him. She shook her head. “I can't say anything right now. I don't know what to say. I'm overwhelmed.” And then she gazed at him, her face suddenly looking suspicious.

  “What about Rosewood?”

  He shook his head. “Rosewood is not mine, its yours.”

  Nicole raised her brows, but didn't say anything.

  “When I get back to New Orleans, I'll put in the necessary paperwork to have our marriage annulled. Though we've been intimate, I may be able to get us some sort of annulment. If not, we can live in separate cities and I'll never bother you again.”

  Her brows drew together in a frown.

  “I won't make any claims against the land and I won't allow any of my family to make any petitions against Rosewood either,” he said, watching her eyes grow wide. “It's all yours, Nicole.”

  She stood there, her mouth open. “Why are you doing this? I don't understand. You married me for the land.”

  He took a deep breath, knowing that this was his one chance to salvage their marriage. That he had to deliver the biggest speech of his entire life or spend the rest of his years missing his wife.

  “This week I realized that I'd spent almost my entire life trying to obtain Rosewood. After I acquired Rosewood through marriage to you, I, too, didn't count on falling in love with you. Until I met you, I'd never been in love and didn't believe in the emotion.”

  He took a deep breath. “But last week when you said you loved me, I was so afraid that you would find out the truth. I didn't know how to undo all the lies and deceptions to keep both you and Rosewood. In the end, I decided that you are by far more important than any piece of land, and that maybe the time had come for my family to let Rosewood go. So I'm leaving and taking my family with me. The crop is in at the mill and I'll release any holds against Rosewood. I want you to be happy, Nicole. I want you to have this land you love so much. I want to thank you for your love; it's something I'll always treasure.”

  Nicole stood there staring at him, her mouth open, not saying anything. A pain seized his heart and he felt his insides quiver as she stood silent. She exhibited no response to his words of love. He'd truly lost her and she must not feel that there was even a chance of their marriage ever working.

  A wave of pain and sadness so intense went through him, he felt his knees quiver.

  “You said you loved me,” she said hesitantly. “But how do I know it's true?”

  “You don't. I don't have any proof. I can only leave Rosewood and wish you the best,” he said, hoping she would realize he had given up his life quest just for her.

  Nicole stared at him, looking uncertain.

  He swallowed back the lump that formed in his throat.

  Her eyes searched his, her gaze somehow still uneasy. “Thank you, Max. This means a lot to me.”

  He took a deep breath, wishing she would run into his arms, but knowing he'd truly ruined his marriage. “You're welcome.” Somehow he had to make a dignified exit. “If you need me I'll be in a hotel in town until the day after tomorrow, and then I'm returning to New Orleans.”

  “Of course,” she said. She opened her mouth to speak and then halted.

  “Good-bye,” he said, and walked out the door to the waiting wagon below, feeling like he'd left his heart here with Nicole.

  Chapter Eighteen

  For the next three days, Nicole jumped every time she heard footsteps, certain that Max would walk around the corner. Yet every time she'd been disappointed. By now he should have returned to New Orleans and his previous life, leaving her to face alone the party they'd planned together.

  Originally, tonight after the party, she'd intended to tell him that she wanted their marriage to last, forever. But now she would greet her guests alone, and when it was over retreat to the house that echoed with loneliness and memories.

  She sighed, not really in a festive mood, even if Rosewood was decked out in all its finery. At the first sign of darkness, a pyre of wood stood ready to be lit next to the drive leading to Rosewood. A makeshift dance floor had been constructed under the trees, where the guests would dance under the canopy of stars. A cool fall breeze blew from the river neither too hot nor too cold. The harvest was complete and the totals for the cane staggered Nicole. By far this year's crop was exceptional and she couldn't help but feel that Max deserved the credit for making it bountiful.

  Though this party would truly spotlight Rosewood and induct them into the River Road society, she had since lost the urgency to belong. She knew the name of her father, but somehow the need to fit in didn't seem quite as important as before. She would have no children, no family, and no legacy to leave behind. Most of all, there would be no Max at her side.

  God, how she missed him and wanted to call him back, but her pride refused to let her go after him. She would not follow a man who lied and misrepresented himself. He was gone and she must learn to get on with her life.

  Yet a tiny voice kept insisting he'd apologized. He'd said he was sorry and he'd given her Rosewood when he could have kept the plantation.

  And somehow the thought of facing all these people alone seemed frightening. Yet this was what she'd worked toward all these years and tonight was her opportunity to belong to a community, as she'd always dreamed.

  But somehow the thought no longer appealed to her.

  Max wouldn't be by her side, greeting the guests, showing them about the house. She'd be alone, years of her life ahead of her, to live inside this house she'd wanted, with no one to share the heritage.

  Nicole loved Max, had known she loved him for a while, yet she'd let him walk out the other day only because she'd felt so confused when he'd told her he loved her and given her the name of her father.

  How could she let him stay, unless she felt certain of his love? But how could she just watch him go, when she knew she loved him? Instead, she'd lost Max, and now she waited to greet her guests, feeling alone and uncertain about her future, missing the one man who could make her feel alive.

  She should never have watched him drive down that long dusty road with his family in tow. He'd said he loved her, but the lies were so fresh and the scars from Jean's betrayal were barely healed. She needed to make sure that she understood that he meant to give her the entire plantation, keeping no part for himself or anyone in his family.

  She needed to remind herself that he'd taken his mother and father and moved them out of Rosewood to a hotel in town—clearly giving them no quarter when it became obvious that Audra meant to change everything back to the way the house looked when she'd lived there as a girl.

  Max had sacrificed everything to restore the house to her. But more importantly, he'd said he loved her. That he wanted their marriage vows to last forever, and would be willing to get it annulled if she wanted. She didn't want their marriage annulled. She wanted their union to last forever, but first she must get through tonight.

  She could let her pride win and say she'd never follow Max, living out the rest of her life alone, or she could go to New Orleans and see Max. Tell him of her love and how she wanted their marriage to work. Tell him that Rosewood felt empty and lonely without him and needed him at the helm.

  She could either learn to sleep alone with only her pride, or she could forgive Max and take another chance at happiness. The choice was hers alone to make.

  Since the party was mostly outdoors in the cool fall weather, Nicole stood at the bottom of the stairs and greeted her guests as they arrived in their carriages. Tables and chairs lined the verandah where the guests could watch the dancers on the dance floor or simply enjoy the view of the river. A lively band played next to the dance floor and paper lanterns swung from the trees, lighting the area, casting dancing shadows among the trees.

  A cool breeze blew in from the river, a full moon graced the darkened sky, and the stars twinkled in time with the music. Nicole stood feeling anxious, a frozen smile on her face. She only wanted the night to be over. A carriage pulled up and Mr. and Mrs. Reuss alighted.

  “Welcome to Rosewood,” Nicole said, greeting them with a stiff smile.

  “Everything looks so lovely, dear,” Mrs. Reuss said. “Where is your husband, Mr. Viel?”

  Nicole swallowed her nerves and gave her prepared answer. “He's been detained in the fields and hopes to join us later.”

  The older woman frowned, but nodded her head. “We'll see him later, then.”

  “Of course,” said Nicole, wishing they would just move on and let her greet the next carriage that arrived.

  The couple slowly climbed the wooden stairs as Nicole prepared for the next guests. The sound of a horse's hooves caused Nicole to glance up. She couldn't believe her eyes.

  Max came riding up on his roan, dressed to the hilt in his nicest suit. Her heart almost stopped at the sight of him so strong and masculine astride his horse. He swung his leg over the horse, slid to the ground, and then handed the reins to a waiting servant.

  She felt his gaze on her as he walked toward her and her hands began to tremble. She felt so afraid.

  When he reached her he simply stared at her, his eyes sweeping over her.

  “Why are you here?” she whispered, her voice cracking from the strain.

  He took her hands in his and leaned close to her ear. “Won't your guests expect your husband to be here?”

  “Yes, but. . .”

  The Reusses halted on the stairs, watching them. He kissed her cheek, the feel of his lips warm against her skin. “Sorry I'm late sweetheart, please forgive me.”

  Tears threatened and quickly she swallowed them back. She looked directly in his eyes. “You're forgiven. I told everyone you'd been called to the fields for some minor emergency, but that you hoped to return soon.”

  He smiled at her, his eyes intense, and she wondered at their message. “I wouldn't have missed our first party for any reason.”

 

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