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“That’s a wonderful picture of her.”
Smiling, he turned to find Rachel’s grandmother at his elbow. She wore a blue dress that made her eyes glow, burgundy chunky heels, and dark-red lipstick that screamedI am alive. He bent to kiss her cheek. “Are you on the prowl today, Lottie? You’re dressed to kill.”
She patted her halo of hair, glancing curiously at the old man at the end of the bar. “I’m hopeful.”
Didier stepped forward. “Jamie, you cannot monopolize all the beautiful women today. Are you not going to introduce us?”
A hand on Lottie’s back, he said, “Ms. Lottie, this is my friend, Didier.”
Didier took Lottie’s hand and kissed the back of it gently. “Enchanté, madame.”
Her smile became radiant. “No one’s kissed my hand since before I was married.”
Jamie lifted his mobile and took a picture. He could see her as a young woman in that smile.
“And the handsome young man?” she asked.
Erik stepped forward, smiling at her warmly. “I’m Erik, ma’am. Pleased to meet you. Can I find you a seat?”
That was the most the kid had spoken to a stranger. Jamie and Didier exchanged a look.
Didier shrugged. “Il aime les femmes d’un certain âge, peut-être.”
He doubted that Erik was into older women. Maybe the kid was just starting to get comfortable with people. Jamie hoped.
Chris came over. “I feel like I should issue a warning to all the men here, Lottie.”
“You know I’m harmless, sweetheart. Mostly.” She patted Didier’s arm, right above his wrist, by his watch.
“Can we buy you a drink?” Didier asked, still holding her hand.
“Why, how gallant.” She beamed at him before saying to Chris, “I’d love a glass of wine.”
Chris raised his brow. “You got ID?”
She laughed, her head thrown back. “Sweetheart, I had my first drink before even your parents were born.”
Shaking his head, Chris poured her a glass and set it in front of her. “Behave yourself, young lady.”
“What fun would that be? Thank you,” she said to Jamie as he handed it to her.
He slipped his mobile back into his pocket and picked up his glass to inhale its scent. It smelled like home. He lifted his glass. “To new friends.”
The four of them clinked their glasses together.
“I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”
He turned around to find Rachel frowning at them, her luscious lips thin. Those lips could fell him, but today they had a tinge of unhappiness that made him want to gather her into his arms and assure her it would all be okay.
Surprised by the intensity of that urge—and whether she’d welcome it—Jamie cleared his throat. “Didier’s getting Lottie tipsy so he’ll have a better chance with her.”
Lottie snorted. “It’s going to take more than one glass for that.”
Sighing, Rachel tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as she gripped a clipboard against her chest. She looked fabulous, wearing a pale-gray dress and black sweater over it, with sandals. Her toes were a spring pink that matched the gloss on her lips. “You promised to behave, Grandmother.”
“Women who behave never make history, granddaughter.” Lottie lifted her glass to sip it. Jamie caught the glance she gave the old man in the corner, who seemed unaware of them as he doodled.
Mumbling something under her breath, Rachel faced him. “You actually came.”
