The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes

by Patricia Sands

  “What a relief Rocco was found! How’s he doing?”

  “The vet reported this morning that our sweet boy has turned the corner and is beginning to look quite chipper. He may be able to come home tomorrow if he continues to progress today.”

  “Supers nouvelles!”

  They took up their positions as Annette whispered they should go afterward to a new chalet in the village de Noël. “Le chocolat chaud—c’est stupéfiant!”

  Feeling calm yet energized after the session, the two friends walked over and through the ancient arch to the Esplanade du Pré aux Pêcheurs. Kat had not been back since Andrew’s visit, and the change was noticeable with all the chalets and rides now in full operation. She was happy to hear French lyrics of Johnny Hallyday’s Christmas music floating through the air.

  “Better that than ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’!” she commented to Annette, who laughed at Kat’s expression of consternation as she muttered about English-language Christmas songs in a French village.

  While they treated themselves to two steaming mugs of chocolat chaud, Katherine entertained Annette with stories about Strasbourg and the exceptional hot chocolate there. They stayed to check out a few other chalets. When the popular children’s song “Petit Papa Noël” began to play, they both laughed and sang along.

  “Adorée taught me that song last Noël, and we sang it over and over as we drove to Sainte Mathilde,” Kat explained.

  “It’s my favorite holiday song,” Annette said. “And my favorite person at Noël is Tante Airie.”

  “Tante who?”

  Annette went on to explain how she grew up in the east, le Franche-Comté, in the Pays de Montbéliard. Tante Airie was as popular as Père Noël there.

  “She’s a fairy who lives in a grotto and has a donkey named Marion,” Annette explained. “She warms people up in cold December and brings them hope with her promises. But here’s the best part: the wind carries children’s wishes to her ear. I always thought that sounded magical.”

  “Does she bring gifts, too?” Kat asked.

  “In our house, she brought fresh fruit and nuts and a few bonbons, and that was a big deal. To naughty children, the story goes, she leaves twigs. Go figure,” Annette said with a snort. “I never did get that.”

  “What I can’t understand is that guy!” Kat said, pointing to a large cutout of a wild-haired, dark-robed figure with sinister eyes and a big stick. It was set next to another cutout of a welcoming Père Noël.

  “Aha. Père Fouettard! Father Whipper!”

  “Why have such a nasty-looking character at Noël? He must scare all the little children,” Kat remarked. “I saw him in Strasbourg, too!”

  Laughing, Annette nodded in agreement. “Je sais! I know! It seems bizarre, but he is part of the centuries-old folk stories. He would accompany Father Christmas and do nasty things and put coal in the shoes of naughty children. He was more of a figure in the north and east of France. Not so much in Provence.”

  “Unless I’m forgetting something, we don’t have any characters like that connected with Christmas in North America. I can do without that guy!”

  “Speaking of traditions,” Kat continued, “I better get home and make up for all the time I lost last week. We haven’t even put up our crèche, and Philippe is bringing home the sapin tonight. Those are the last things we have to do. I think we will wait until tomorrow to decorate it with the family when they arrive. Thank goodness we put up the boughs and cedar ropes when Andrew was visiting.”

  She let out a long sigh.

  Annette looked sympathetic. “You’ve been through quite a trying time this week.”

  “That’s for sure! But, you know, in a weird way it helped me put things in perspective. I had myself tied up in a knot about Christmas and Noël, with plans whirring around in my head. Now I’ve stopped worrying about it. We are simply going to have a very special time together, and what will be will be!”

  “D’accord! That’s the best plan!”

  Belle was draped on the path to the side entrance of the villa. She rolled over on her back for a tummy rub as Kat approached.

  It hasn’t taken her long to settle in—and that tummy is certainly becoming large. Kat obliged with a smile.

  The cat accompanied her inside and sat smugly by Coco’s crate. Kat chuckled, imagining Belle was making a point to the pup that she did not need to be contained. I can’t conceive of life any more without these pets of ours.

  She walked Coco around the property on her leash rather than taking her down to the wooded area. Until the hole was found and covered over, there would be no freedom in that part of the garden.

  They stopped at the stable, and Kat brought Didier and his crew up to date on Rocco’s condition. The men also inquired about Abdalla, having heard the entire story by now.

  “We are waiting for someone from the commissaire’s office to let us know what is happening. I am sure Inspecteur Thibideau will keep a close eye on things. He’s a good man.”

  27

  On the afternoon of December twenty-third, the Villa des Violettes rang with the happy sounds of family arriving.

  Joy, Oncle François, Adorée, and Picasso all drove over together from Sainte Mathilde. Adorée had been living in the village since the summer, when she left London after her devastating Facebook breakup with her fiancé.

  Picasso bounded from the car to greet Kat with his usual exuberance. He carried a bag in his mouth that contained treats for the three dogs and Belle, dropping it at Kat’s feet as he bounced around her in a joyful reunion.

  Kat bent over to give him a hug and accept the obligatory sloppy kiss on the cheek.

  She was saddened to see that Oncle François needed to use a walker, which Adorée unfolded from the back seat before he got out. He had definitely become more frail in the past seven months.

  Noticing her look of concern, he reassured her, “Be happy, ma chère. This makes all the difference in my independence. I’m content to be using it.”

  Joy’s and Adorée’s arms were laden with food supplies for the kitchen, some of which they deposited in the basket on François’s walker.

  “Tu vois? I’m still extremely helpful!” he teased.

  “C’est certain, mon oncle! We made a few stops along the way,” Adorée admitted with a grin and shrug of her shoulders.

  The trunk was filled with gifts, even though the travelers had been admonished to bring only a few small items.

  “Ecoutes, ma chère,” Joy told Katherine. “It’s the first Noël at the Villa des Violettes, so you must let us spoil all of you who live here. Laissez-vous gâter!”

  Kat gave Joy a fierce but loving look. She knew better than to argue with these strong-willed older women from whom she was learning so much about so many things.

  Everyone made exclamations of pleasure as they took in all the changes since their last visit.

  “It feels like just yesterday we were here for that magical day of your wedding,” Oncle François reminisced. “What a transformation you have achieved!”

  “Merci, c’est notre plaisir! It’s an ongoing pleasure to work on this property we love. Come, let me show you around. Philippe will be a little late this afternoon. You know how it is this time of year!”

  After settling their bags in their rooms, Kat gave them a quick tour. Then everyone gathered in the salon for coffee and tea. They had decided to wait for Philippe before opening the champagne, their customary welcome drink.

  “Kat, your Santa collection is wonderful!” Adorée said, as she walked around the room inspecting each one.

  Before everyone had arrived, Kat had carefully chosen where each Santa would go. The smaller ones, many carved from wood, others ceramic or metal, were arranged in a grouping on the sideboard. Bigger ones, some stuffed, were sitting on the backs of chairs or lounging on a bookshelf. Joy and François looked at them all, enjoying them as well.

  Katherine showed them the oldest part of her collection, with the nail-po
lished red-nosed Rudolph, and the newest Santa that Philippe had surprised her with in Strasbourg.

  The time passed with easy conversation, and it wasn’t long before Philippe walked into the house carrying Rocco. Shrieks of elation rose from the women, and Oncle François clapped his hands, shouting, “Bravo!”

  “I knew I had to carry him so he wouldn’t dash around like crazy, which is exactly what he wants to do,” Philippe said as the pup wiggled excitedly in his arms.

  Kat kissed the top of Rocco’s head and lovingly scratched behind his ears, receiving a few affectionate licks in return.

  Then Philippe sat down so Coco could greet her brother. Pico obeyed Joy’s command and sat patiently waiting his turn.

  “We are going to have to help Rocco be quiet for a few more days. No roaring around the property, unfortunately. But Doctor Michaud says he is out from the trees.”

  Kat grinned as Adorée guffawed. “Papa, you mean out of the woods.”

  Philippe smirked at the correction, his eyes twinkling.

  “Peu importe! Whatever! Our boy is healing steadily, thanks to Abdalla for understanding what to do. It is really amazing that he was there to rescue Rocco.”

  “And that you were there to rescue Abdalla,” Adorée added. “It sounds like that is also what happened.”

  “Katherine has just told us the entire story. C’est incroyable! Unbelievable!” François said to Philippe.

  “Vraiment un fin heureuse!” Joy said.

  “Truly a happy ending,” Adorée echoed. “What is happening with that young man? Have you heard anything more?”

  “That was going to be my next announcement,” Philippe said. “Inspecteur Thibideau called late this morning. He is back in Paris and has been told that Abdalla will be given the requisite papers to allow him to stay in France. Thanks to him finding that box—and by the way, it was the box with the money.”

  Stunned silence followed his words, as the enormity of the situation sunk in.

  “The Department of Immigration in Paris is working to trace his relatives in France. That will help his case immensely. They are also attempting to locate his family in Cameroon, who are hopefully still alive,” Philippe added.

  The others gasped. “What a dreadful thought,” Joy murmured.

  “Dreadful but true. There’s a lot of bloodshed happening there right now. We must be prepared for the worst. In the meantime, Abdalla will be allowed to stay and find some employment. I said we would act as his sponsors. C’est bien, minou?”

  “Sans doute!” Kat agreed, filled with a desire to somehow help however they could. Everyone expressed a commitment to support this undertaking. “When can we see him?”

  “We can visit any time, but I don’t know when he will be released,” Philippe replied. “Véronique and David went over this morning with new clothes and personal care items, including some books, for him.”

  “Aha!” She called while I was in the shower and said she would call back, but everything is fine. No doubt it was about that. How kind of them—but not surprising! I will catch up with her later. Now it’s time to celebrate our guests’ arrival and the official beginning of our Yuletide festivities!”

  Rocco was settled on his bed in his crate, and Coco climbed in beside him. The two snuggled as tightly together as they could. Philippe put his arm around Kat, who was brushing tears from her cheeks. “It’s a happy ending, minou. We can relax now.”

  “Grace à dieu! I’m so tired of sniffling and feeling heartbroken. Time to celebrate, bien sûr!”

  28

  Katherine was grateful for the peace that had settled around them after Rocco was found. Everything was put in perspective now he was back home again. The news from Inspecteur Thibideau about the box confirmed the assurance Simone had offered Kat earlier: there was no further danger.

  The drama was over.

  The best news for Katherine and Philippe was that Kat was back—her Christmas conundrum and jingle-bell jitters … another Molly-ism … were behind her.

  What will be, will be, she hummed to herself.

  Philippe set up a tray with champagne and Biot glass flutes, while Katherine took a platter of hors d’oeuvres from the fridge that she had prepared earlier.

  With everyone comfortably settled in the salon, Philippe announced, “As you can see, our sapin de Noël is waiting for decorations. We decided to delay setting up the crèche until you all arrived—though really mainly for Adorée.”

  The young woman rocketed out of her chair. She bised her dad, and then grabbed Katherine’s hands and clasped them to her. “Merci, Papa et Mama Kat! My favorite memory of Noël! I can’t wait! Let’s start now while we are having our apéros. C’est bon?”

  Everyone spoke at once, which caused laughter all around. Philippe popped the champagne cork, and santons were unpacked and toasted.

  The party had begun.

  “Is Simone joining us this Noël?” François asked. His friendship with Simone spanned many decades, and they were always happy to see each other.

  “She is coming on Christmas Day,” Kat answered. “She said she needs to rest today and tomorrow after all the excitement this week. She actually admitted she was a little tired!”

  “Aucune surprise. Philippe told us about her walking to the bottom of the garden with Victor Hugo. She is amazing,” François declared, shaking his head in wonder.

  There was unanimous agreement, and glasses were raised in a toast to Simone.

  Delphine arrived a short time later. She was welcomed warmly with a bise from each person.

  Wiping her eyes, she said, “I burst into tears when I received your text that Rocco was here waiting for me. I clearly haven’t stopped blubbering. Impossible! I’ve never forgiven myself for losing him on my watch!”

  “Oh, dear Delphine, it was never your fault. Please stop feeling that way.” Kat tried to comfort her as she led her into the kitchen.

  Delphine dropped to her knees and reached inside Rocco’s crate. His ears perked up at the sound of her voice, and his tail wagged a welcome as he nuzzled her hand. She gave him some gentle pats and told him how happy she was to see him. Coco made certain she got her licks in as well.

  “He looks pretty good, but thin,” Delphine said. “I was expecting the worst and am relieved.”

  “Now you won’t have to text me five times a day anymore,” Kat said with a chuckle as Delphine grinned shyly. “He was a fortunate pup and well looked after, purely by chance. I know you were as worried as the rest of us.”

  Philippe patted Delphine’s shoulder. “You will always be our number-one dog sitter, pas de question!”

  Delphine sniffled and took a tissue from a box offered by Kat. “Merci, vous êtes très gentils! That’s so kind of you.”

  “Stay and help us decorate our sapin de Noël,” Kat invited. “Philippe just put it up, and we are all pitching in. Adorée is in charge of the crèche. The only requirement is you must join us in a glass of champagne!”

  “May I stay even if I don’t drink?” Delphine asked shyly.

  Kat realized she was being serious and again wondered just what her backstory was.

  “Bien sûr, ma belle!” She smiled. “Sometimes a glass of Perrier is just as satisfying! On y va! Let’s join everyone in the salon.”

  “After I wipe the mascara from my face,” Delphine insisted.

  “Come,” said Kat, “I’ve got some makeup remover that will do the trick.”

  In a few minutes Delphine joined them in the salon, and they all relived memories of being together for Kat and Philippe’s wedding.

  Adorée and Joy brought out all the makings for two fondues. The cheese fondue used Philippe’s contribution of his best Comté. This was served with baguette along with apple and pear slices. The other was a beef fondue.

  Oncle François had disappeared into the kitchen to cut beef tenderloin into bite-size chunks. “It must be freshly cut,” he insisted. “And you see, just because I use a walker does not m
ean I can’t be useful.”

  Kat realized he was making a point. She felt badly for having judged him to be helpless when she saw his walker. She patted his arm and said, “Tu m’excuses, mon cher oncle. I learned my lesson grand moment! Big time!”

  They were interrupted by peals of laughter coming from the salon and calls to “Bring on the beef!”

  Kat carried in a tray with bowls of horseradish sauce, a tomato Provençal sauce, and a mustard sauce. Delphine followed with a green salad in a large olive-wood bowl.

  Everything was set out on the broad wooden coffee table, and the feast was on. Alternating between dipping, eating, and decorating, the evening unfolded with everyone laughing, lounging, and even bursting into occasional song. Stories were shared as different santons or glass decorations were unwrapped, and a sense of history and family filled the room.

  Picasso, Rocco, and Coco took turns visiting with everyone, making certain no one missed out on giving them plenty of rubs and pets. Belle draped her ever-expanding body across the top of a sofa and snoozed for most of the evening.

  “I’ve seen many a litter of kittens born in our barns. I predict it won’t be long now,” Joy commented.

  “I’m excited about having kittens to cuddle,” Katherine said, as Philippe rolled his eyes. “Philippe, not so much,” she added, giving him a squinty-eyed look.

  “Now be fair,” Philippe replied. “It will be fun to have the kittens. I’m just concerned about finding homes for them.”

  “I’ll take two!” Adorée promised.

  The crèche began to spread along the mantel as Adorée took particular care to place the santons in an exacting fashion. Once in a while, she would ask for an opinion. Often there were moments of laughter as silly suggestions were acted upon and certain santons placed where they had no business being. The goats were the most popular ones to get into trouble. It was all part of the fun of creating a story with the charming terra-cotta figurines.

  Everyone took turns hanging the ornaments from Kat’s childhood as well as the foil-wrapped sweets that Andrew had so carefully brought over from Canada. There were also some ornaments from Adorée’s younger years. It warmed Kat and Philippe’s hearts to see their families’ pasts intermingle on the tree.