Maybe his mother could give her some advice. “Rene is reluctant to use that word.”
Cricket sighed. “That’s his father’s doing, but he isn’t his daddy. I assure you his father wouldn’t go around calling himself a dog dad and fretting over whether a six-pound dog is properly eating.”
Watching Rene with Lady had been a revelation. She’d always known how thoughtful the man could be, but there was so much love in him. It was just restrained, and she’d come to understand that was a learned behavior. Something that was learned could be modified. He had to realize that it was okay to be emotional with her.
He certainly didn’t have any trouble showing his passion in bed.
Cricket reached up and put a hand to her cheek. “I think Rene has loved you for a long time, but he’s not sure he can trust it, and that in many ways is my fault. Mine and his father’s. We were honest with him. Too honest about how we married. I even admitted that if he hadn’t come along, we probably wouldn’t have stayed married.”
Sylvie felt her eyes widen. “When did you tell him that?”
“Many years ago. He was working in Chicago and he heard some rumors about us at a family gathering.” She sighed and sat back as Lady snuggled down in between them. “That’s the thing. The family will shut down all rumors in public, but they’ll let them fly in private if they think it will better someone’s position. Anyway, he was told that his father never loved me and had to marry me for money, which wasn’t true. Ross had plenty of money, but he needed my family connections.”
They hadn’t discussed his parents at all. Rene always seemed to change the subject. “Why did you marry him? You didn’t need the money, either.”
“Oh, no. My father ensured both my brother and I had ridiculous trust funds. My brother was interested in running the company our father started,” Cricket explained. “Even after he took the company public, he gave me a good portion of what he’d made because I’d let him have the company lock, stock, and barrel. Why did I marry Ross? Like I said, part of it was for the adventure of it all. I had a degree and a job, but it wasn’t a passion for me. If I’m truly honest with myself, I suppose it was because I wanted to please the man I actually did love at the time.”
Sylvie’s heart threatened to break. “Louis?”
A wistful look came over Cricket’s face. “Yes. I was the Rene in that situation. I pined for the boy next door, and he only saw me as a friend.”
Sylvie shook her head. “I did plenty of pining over Rene. He’s the one who pushed me away the first time. But that doesn’t matter now. Are you still in love with Louis?”
Because she thought the man might have changed his mind. He looked at Cricket like she was the sun in the sky.
Cricket hesitated long enough to let Sylvie know she was right. “Do you think God holds us to promises we make when we’re in our darkest hours?”
“Like what?”
“When Rene was in that accident, I promised God I would never ask for anything else if he saved my son.” Tears clouded her eyes. “I was in the car riding out to the hospital and I prayed so hard. I meant it in that moment. I even meant it later. When I had cancer, I didn’t pray for myself. I prayed that Rene would have enough strength to get through it. But lately, I’ve started thinking that I’m not dead and I could have something good for myself, but I made that promise.”
Sylvie shook her head, emotion welling inside her. “No. I might not know everything, but I know that’s not a promise God would hold you to. You are not old, Cricket Darois. There’s a whole world out there for you to explore. Maybe you did pick your room, but the door is open now. You raised a fine son and you were a good wife. It’s your time. No one else’s.”
Cricket turned to her. “Why is Rene suddenly treating Louis like an unwelcome guest?”
“He’s worried about some things that are going down at work.” She sighed. “And he knows something is going on between the two of you because I picked up on it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Of course you should have,” Cricket argued. “It’s Rene who should have brought it up. I didn’t because I’ve been feeling guilty. He was so good when I was sick. And now he’s got all this responsibility on him.”
“He should have been good to you. He’s your son. He doesn’t get to dictate who you date.”
Cricket sat up straighter. “You’re right. I’ve been wondering a lot lately if I shouldn’t do some of the things we talked about doing after Ross retired. Even if I have to do them alone. I’ve been stuck in the house for too long. I let myself get old.”
She’d been sick and mourning, and Rene had stepped in. “I think getting out sounds marvelous.”
“I’m going to take the Benz out,” Cricket confided. “I didn’t drive for a long time because I felt too weak. Then it made Rene nervous.”
“Well, he did spend time in a hospital because he was hit by a woman who had a heart attack while driving.”
“He’s done nothing but worry for the last three years, and he needs to stop,” Cricket said. “I need to show him I’m strong again. I’m alive, and that means I need to get on with the business of living. I’m going to the library this afternoon. I’m meeting with the head librarian about starting some children’s programs and a book club that doesn’t involve drinking Celeste Beaumont’s cellar dry. Those women do not take the books seriously.”
“Yeah, my mom is way more interested in the chardonnay.” Sylvie heard the doorbell chime and stood, picking up Lady. “I think that’s a great idea, but are you sure you want to drive?”
Cricket stood as well, her shoulders in a prideful pose. “I do. I’m taking my life back. It’s a lovely day and I shouldn’t have to worry about traffic. It’s the perfect time to get some of my freedom back. Now, you should start trying on some clothes. I suggest finding a bag that doubles as a shield of some sort. You’re going to need it with Roberta.”
“Ma’am, there’s a delivery,” the housekeeper announced. “I told them to bring it up here.”
As her room started to fill up, Sylvie hoped clothes were all she needed to get through the next few days.
She held Lady and let herself smile as the Louboutins started to stack up. “All right. Let’s call Sera and Hallie and have a fun afternoon. What do you say? And no chewing on the shoes.”
She let go of her worries for a while.
* * *
* * *
Rene looked down at his cell and smiled. Sylvie had sent him a picture of Lady sitting in a sea of designer boxes.