“There’s a school here at Belle Fleur for children who are orphans, most of whom were rescued by these men,” smiled the young woman. “I was just a teenager when I was kidnapped to be sold into a trafficking ring. Garr’s father, Wade, was the one who carried me out of there and brought me here. I received medical treatment, counseling, and the best education a girl could have asked for.”
“That’s wonderful. He said you returned. Where were you?” he asked with interest.
“Oh, I’ve been attending medical school. I’ll be joining the medical staff here starting in the new year. I’m a doctor of internal medicine.”
“A doctor,” grinned Jonas. “That’s wonderful. You should feel so proud of yourself.”
“I am, thank you. If you’d like a tour of the grounds later, it’s beautiful all lit up for the holidays.”
“Oh,” he said, looking from her to Garr. Garr nodded at him with a smirk. “Yeah. Yeah, I’d love that.”
“Great. I’ll find you after the parade. Great to meet you, Jonas.”
“Great to meet you,” he said quietly as she walked away. Jonas realized he was the eye of everyone’s attention and turned, grinning at the men.
“She’s a great girl,” said Macie. “Obviously, extremely bright, and most women wouldn’t have survived what she went through.”
“She’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone like her. Her features are so unique.”
“It’s funny,” said Macie with a sly grin, “she wasn’t supposed to arrive until after the new year, but Mama Irene asked her to come early. She arrived late yesterday.”
“I guess that makes me a lucky man,” said Jonas.
“Jonas, Jonas, baby,” said Mama Irene, walking toward them. “Jonas, I’m Mama Irene. You can call me Mama, Irene, or I prefer Mama Irene. You’ll be stayin’ through the holidays, so we have a cottage all ready for you.”
“Oh, ma’am,” he started. The men around the table groaned, and he looked at them.
“Don’t groan at him,” she fussed. “He’s new and don’t know. No ma’ams around here. Understand?”
“Yes, ma- uh, yes, Mama Irene.”
Mama Irene had turned out to be everything he thought, everything he’d been warned about, and more. She seemed to always be near him, watching him, guiding him in some weird, untouchable way.
With the issue around Admiral Harris, his wife, and brother-in-law wrapped up, the team moved seamlessly to Macie and Garr’s wedding. It was as if it was just another day at Belle Fleur, and he supposed that it probably was business as usual for them.
He looked at Khloe, seated across the aisle from him, and smiled. Having taken her up on her offer of a tour of the grounds, he found her to be smart, funny, kind, and maybe the most beautiful woman he’d ever met in his life.
At first it gutted him to even be thinking about another woman. Then, there was a voice in his head telling him to live his life and be happy. He was sure it was his late wife, but it also could have been wishful thinking. Wanting to believe it was true, he made the decision to give it a chance.
If weddings at Belle Fleur were magical, their receptions were off the charts as parties go. Of course, this one combined the reception and Christmas Eve all in one. The entire property was like a huge magical Hallmark movie. Except with guns and dangerous men. Hell, they had dangerous women.
“Khloe? Would you like to dance?” asked Jonas.
“I can’t think of anything better.” As they took the floor, Khloe smiled as Matthew and Irene left the tent, then nodded toward Macie and Garr.
“They’re a wonderful couple,” smiled Khloe. “I’ve known Garr for more than ten years. As I said, it was his father who carried me out of the warehouse where we were being held.” Jonas nodded, unsure if he should ask her any questions about her ordeal.
“Yes, I don’t know them well, but they’ve been really great to me,” said Jonas, smiling down at the beautiful woman in his arms. She wore a plum-colored satin gown, off the shoulders, highlighting her creamy flesh. The silky black hair hung loosely down her back, her gray-green eyes sparkling in the light of thousands of candles.
“Who are those men?” she asked, nodding to a table.
“Oh, I’m not sure exactly. I know they’re former teammates of Conor’s. I think their names are Johnson and Dieter. I only met them briefly.” She nodded, smiling up at him.
“There are so many people here. Some I know well, others I just haven’t seen in years, and still others that have arrived since I was here last. It always amazed me the community that’s been created here. I didn’t ask, but are you married?” He gave a sad smile and shook his head.
“No. I’m a widower.”
“Oh, gosh. I’m terribly sorry, Jonas. I’m sorry I brought it up.”
