The Paris Connection. Cerella Sechrist

enjoys his little surprises,” she jumped in to spare Cole having to reply.

      “Emma is correct.”

      They all turned at the sound of Julien’s voice. “I decided to surprise you. I thought it would be good for you all to get away for a weekend, as a team. To get to know your new leadership.” He dipped his head in Cole’s direction.

      Excited murmurs rippled through the group, but Emma watched Cole carefully. He frowned in dismay, obviously not quite as pleased as the rest of the group. Little wonder, given that Julien hadn’t clued them in to his plans beforehand. She slid her gaze in the older man’s direction, but he did not seem to recognize that he had possibly caused offense.

      “Julien,” she murmured, but he was too busy beaming in reaction to his other employees’ responses to the news.

      “Julien,” she repeated more forcefully. His eyes found hers, and she frowned. “Could we speak for a moment in your office? Please?”

      His pleased expression faltered, and she noticed his eyes shift from her face to Cole’s.

      “Oui. Certainly.”

      The others didn’t seem to pick up on the unease clouding around their American counterparts as Julien led Cole and Emma from the room. As they arrived at Julien’s door, Emma reached out and laid a hand on Cole’s arm, leaning in to whisper softly enough that Julien would not hear.

      “Give him a chance to explain.”

      Cole glanced at her briefly and then nodded before stepping into Julien’s office. Emma closed the door behind them.

      “Julien, why wasn’t I consulted about this decision?”

      Julien frowned at Cole’s question. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

      Emma stepped forward before Cole could speak again. “Julien, I think you should have informed Cole of your idea before announcing it to the others. He— We both,” she corrected, “were at a loss in there.”

      Julien’s eyes suddenly widened in understanding. “Ah, I am so sorry.” He shifted his gaze from Emma to Cole. “I apologize, to both of you. I only thought a retreat might be a helpful way for you to get to know your team and give them the opportunity to embrace you as a leader.” Julien took a step forward and addressed Cole. “It was utterly thoughtless of me. I have been so used to making all the decisions as owner of the company, I forget that as my CEO, you should be allowed to take the lead.”

      From the corner of her eye, she saw Cole relax. “It’s all right, Julien. No harm done.”

      He didn’t say so, but she knew that if it hadn’t been for the rocky start between them, he might not be so on edge.

      “But I’m not sure if this is a good idea. Won’t the board find a weekend at a château a bit extravagant?”

      “As board chairman, I can make those kinds of decisions. You leave the board to me.”

      “But shouldn’t our efforts be focused on the company and making sure our clients are still confident in our abilities after the merger?”

      Julien waved a hand. “It is only one weekend. It will be the perfect opportunity to learn each other’s strengths. You will find it invaluable, I promise you.”

      Emma was surprised when Cole turned to her.

      “What about you? Do you think this is a good idea?”

      She found her jaw sagging slightly in surprise that Cole had asked her opinion. Snapping her mouth closed, she looked from Cole’s hesitant expression to Julien’s hopeful one and then back to Cole.

      “Yes, I think it’s a good idea.” She straightened her shoulders before speaking again. “It will solidify your position as our boss.”

      He eyed her a moment more before nodding. “All right, then. When did you book this retreat for?”

      Julien smiled proudly. “You leave on Friday.”

      * * *

      EMMA DEFTLY GRABBED a bottle of perfume out of Avery’s fingers as her daughter ran from her bedroom. She tossed the fragrance into her cosmetic bag as Jacqueline shook her head.

      “She has so much energy. I grow tired just watching her.”

      Emma reached for a blouse and folded it neatly before tucking it into her bag. “She’s really excited that you’ll be watching her this weekend. She’s been looking forward to it ever since I told her you’d be coming.” She moved toward her former mother-in-law and took her hand. “Thanks for agreeing to babysit while I’m away. I’d have hated to ask Melanie to change her plans for the weekend.”

      Jacqueline squeezed her fingers in return. “It is my pleasure, dear. You know I am always eager for a chance to spend time with my granddaughter.”

      “I know, but I’m sure it’s still a bit of an inconvenience, taking the train from Le Mans into the city on such short notice.”

      Jacqueline waved this consideration away. “Only an hour’s ride.”

      Just then, Avery sailed back into the room. She was dividing her time between watching Melanie pack for her own trip to the Loire Valley, and “helping” her mother prepare for the corporate retreat. Jacqueline reached out and managed to catch her granddaughter in her arms. Avery giggled and squirmed as her grandmother dropped kisses all over the crown of her head. She released Avery, who planted a kiss on her grandmother’s cheek before rummaging through Emma’s cosmetic bag. She pulled out a container of blush and ran toward the mirror to apply some.

      “Besides,” Jacqueline went on after the interruption, “I would gladly take the train for twelve hours if it meant a weekend with my granddaughter.”

      Avery turned with a grin, one cheek covered in a swath of pink.

      “Avery, put that back,” Emma chastised and then reached for a pair of sturdy shoes.

      Jacqueline eyed the contents going into the bag.

      “This trip was unexpected, was it not?”

      Emma shrugged. “I don’t know how long Julien’s had it in mind, but he didn’t consult me ahead of time. Nor the new CEO.”

      Avery, with her cheeks so pink it looked as though she’d been sunburned, dropped the blush back into the cosmetic bag resting on the bed and then skipped out of the room once more.

      “Did you ask Brice,” Jacqueline finally ventured, “if he would be willing to watch Avery this weekend?”

      Emma couldn’t meet Jacqueline’s eye, so she kept her attention focused on the remainder of her packing. She knew it disappointed her that her son didn’t exhibit more care for his daughter.

      “He had other plans, I believe.” She didn’t explain that this was to have been Brice’s weekend with Avery anyway, and that he had canceled, as he so often did.

      Jacqueline expelled a long sigh. “One day he will recognize what it is he takes for granted. I am always telling him that at some point, he will have to grow up.” The sadness in Jacqueline’s tone caused Emma to reach out and squeeze her former mother-in-law’s shoulder. Jacqueline reached up and touched her hand.

      “Don’t worry. As long as Avery has you, she has all the love she needs.”

      Jacqueline shook her head but wisely chose to let the matter drop.

      “Tell me more about this retreat and everything you will be doing. It sounds delightful.”

      Emma filled her in on the activities listed in the estate literature, as well as Julien’s attempts to unify Cole with his senior recruiting team.

      “Are you looking forward to it?” Jacqueline often asked her the most pointed of questions.

      “A little bit. It will be fun to get away.