Max’s ability to stay calm in stressful situations always amazed me, especially when he was in those situations with me.
We arrived right on time at the restaurant. My heart pounded from the panic of the race to get there. I smoothed my hair and took a deep breath.
Max led me into the restaurant, which was quite crowded. I spotted Cateline not far from the entrance. She was already seated, along with another woman who had thick, dark, curly hair and was closer in size to me than petite Cateline. She and Cateline leaned close as they talked.
“There they are, Max.”
“Oh, good, I’m starving.”
The hostess led us toward the table. As soon as we neared it the other woman stood up so fast that she knocked into the table. The water glasses trembled but did not fall over.
“Samantha! I can’t believe it’s you.” She grinned and held out her hand to me. “My name is Agnes DuBois. I’m a huge fan—probably your biggest fan. I can’t believe I’m meeting you in person!” She squeaked out her final words and gave the hand I offered her a firm squeeze.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I was a little startled by how excited she was and also completely flattered. “This is my husband, Max.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Max.” She shook his hand as well.
Once we were all seated at the table, Agnes began to gush.
“When I heard about the book tour that Cateline was interested in starting, I knew you had to be part of it. I have to say that your book has been the most powerful book I’ve ever read.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that, but I’m glad that you liked it. I’m sorry we’re a little late.”
“Not at all, you’re right on time. We got here a little early so I could talk Agnes’ ear off about the tour. Please sit.” Cateline smiled at Max. “So you’re the famous husband, Max.”
“Famous?” He raised an eyebrow and pulled out a chair for me.
“I might brag about you now and then.” I grinned at him.
He smiled in return and sat down beside me.
“Well, then I guess we’re even because I sure do brag about my lovely wife.”
“How could you not?” Agnes piped up.
The waitress approached the table to take our orders. I selected something I was familiar with, as I didn’t want to risk a food disaster in front of Agnes and Cateline. Max followed suit, and we both ordered wine.
“So, Samantha, what have you seen so far in Paris?” Cateline picked up her own glass of wine.
“Max took me to see the Eiffel Tower. It was quite an experience.”
“It always is.” Agnes nodded. “I’ve gone a dozen times but I’m still awed by it. There’s one place you simply must go, though, as I think you’ll really enjoy it.” She pulled out a pen and jotted down the address on a napkin, then handed it to me. “Trust me, it’s one place that you don’t want to miss.”
“Thank you.” I tucked the napkin safely into my purse.
“Samantha, before our food arrives why don’t we talk about the reading tomorrow night?” Cateline picked up her phone and tapped the screen. “I just want to make sure it goes smoothly, as it is the opening of the tour.”
“Oh, yes, of course.” I nodded.
“You will do your reading and then we’ll have an autograph session after. Does that sound okay to you?”
“Absolutely. I’m just so grateful for this opportunity.”
“We’re glad to have you. As you can see, my friend Agnes is just a small example of the amount of impact that you’ve had on your readers. In fact, we expect to have a full house tomorrow.”
I bit into my bottom lip to prevent a wince. I had done a few small readings but this wasn’t just a reading. This was the launch of a book tour, and I was nervous.
“I just have to ask—I’m dying to know Samantha—how is the next book coming along?” Agnes leaned close to me across the table.
I nearly choked on the sip of wine that filled my mouth.
“Uh, well, it’s progressing.”
“Oh, sure, it’s probably about done, right? I mean, your readers are chomping at the bit to get to that next book. As soon as it’s out, I’m sure it will fly off the shelves.”
Chapter 14
I stared at Agnes with a mixture of pride and horror. I couldn’t even imagine the next book being done. It was barely started and what was written was not exactly my best work. Luckily the food arrived before I had to lie to cover up how much I’d slacked off.
“Well, with the book tour and all, we’ve had to adjust our timeline a little.” Max smiled to cover my apprehension.
“That’s right, you’re helping Samantha out?” Cateline nodded to the waitress as she received her food. “That must be so lovely to work together. Now what is it that you do, Max?”
“He’s my master.” I blurted the words out as my plate was placed in front of me. The waitress gave me an odd look and hurried off. Agnes and Cateline looked at one another and then back at me.
Only then did I realize what I’d said.
Max appeared to be covering his mouth with a napkin to hide his laughter.
“Webmaster! Oh, my.” I shook my head and blushed. “I mean, he runs my website for me and takes care of all the technical aspects of my work. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this.”
Agnes giggled. “Oh, that kind of master. That makes sense.”
“Well, no matter what kind of master he is to you, I’m sure you both love working together. I don’t know if I could do that with my husband. We’d probably murder each other,” Cateline said.
“I think we work well together.” Max glanced over at me.
“Oh, yes. Though sometimes he can be a little distracting.” I shot a look over at Max as the toe of his shoe pushed against the smooth curve of my ankle.
“And she can nitpick the tiniest thing.” Max quirked an eyebrow.
“Well, no matter. When that book comes out, I can’t wait to read it.”
I felt a surge of frustration. Here I was having a meal with two women who fully supported my writing and I couldn’t even be bothered to get the next book ready to go. In the back of my mind I had promised myself that I would buckle down and get some work done before I headed off to Italy, and now I was paying for my lack of diligence.
I picked up my fork to take a bite of my food. As I stabbed the fork into a piece of meat, it slid through the gravy and right off my plate onto the white tablecloth.
“Oops, it looks like someone’s dinner got away.” Agnes laughed.
Max reached over with his napkin.
“Pesky meat. It never stays on my plate.” He chuckled as he wrapped up the meat and set it aside.
I looked over at Max with a small smile of gratitude.
When I tried again I managed to get the meat into my mouth. Then I reached for my glass of wine to wash it down. When I lifted my arm, my elbow knocked into Max’s silverware and sent it rolling off the table. I groaned and reached down to get it.
“No, let me. I’m just a little clumsy tonight. I’m so sorry.” Max collected the silverware.
I realized that he had covered for me yet again.
“Don’t worry, Max, we all get a little clumsy now and then,” said Cateline. “Isn’t that right, Samantha?” She raised her wineglass.
“I can toast to that!” I picked my glass up as well, but the base of the glass was stuck in the gravy left behind by the meat, so the tablecloth lifted up with it. I tried to yank it free, and the sudden gesture caused my entire plate of food to land in my lap.
“Oh, dear.” Cateline pursed her lips. She set her glass of wine down on the table.
Agnes jumped up and tugged off her blazer.
Max grabbed the plate out of my lap and tried to hide the fact that he was using a napkin to scoop meat, gravy, and rice out of my lap.
I could only close my eyes and try not to scream.
“Here, Samantha, you can wear this. It’s long enoug
h, it should cover any stains.” Agnes smiled.
I looked up at her. “Really? Thank you.”
“Of course. We all make mistakes.”
“Me, more than most, it seems.” I sighed and shook my head. “Thanks, Max.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” He piled the lap food onto my plate and gestured to the waitress. As the waitress took the plate Cateline leaned toward her.
“Please bring a fresh meal.”
“Oh, no, that’s okay, I’m fine.” My stomach was in knots.
“I insist. It’s important that you eat, Samantha. I find that a good bellyful of food always helps me sleep well, and I want you awake and perky at the reading.”
I began to relax. I could see that these two women weren’t there to judge me. They liked my book, and they were willing to accept the chaos that was me along with it. I ate my meal with careful movements.
After dinner we lingered outside the restaurant while we waited for the car service to return.
“Don’t forget to check out that place I told you about. It’s a garden and it’s gorgeous.”
“I’ve got it right here.” I patted my purse and smiled. “Thank you both—for everything.”
“Thank you.” Agnes met my eyes. “I really mean that, Samantha. Being a woman of size in the fashion epicenter of the world hasn’t exactly been easy for me. Your book has taught me to find my own beauty, and I don’t even know how to express my gratitude for that.”
“Never doubt your strength, Samantha.” Cateline gave me a quick pat on the shoulder. “You are honest, you are in touch with yourself, and the people around you, and you know how to reach the hearts of others. That’s a special talent, even without being a gifted writer.”
“You are too kind.” I hid the blush in my cheeks as I looked away.
The car pulled up to the curb.
“See you tomorrow night, Samantha. Please let me know if you have any trouble, okay?”
“Cateline, is there any certain way that you’d like me to dress?” I glanced down at the stain on my skirt. “I’m guessing less gravy.”
“Less gravy would be good.” Cateline laughed. “But other than that, please just wear what you feel comfortable in.”
“Okay.” I started to take off the blazer to return it to Agnes.
“Please, keep it. I have plenty more.” She waved to me as she and Cateline walked away.
“Lovely people.” Max nodded toward them.
“Yes—yes, they are.” I smiled.
Chapter 15
Early the next morning Max and I set off for the address that Agnes had given me. The driver recognized it and headed straight for it. After a short drive the car slowed down. He dropped us off at a beautiful spindled gate. On the front of the gate a sign displayed the name of the garden.
“Here you are. Would you like me to wait?” The driver glanced into the back seat.
“No, it’s fine, we can call when we’re ready.” I opened the door and walked toward the gate. Max followed after me after tipping the driver.
“This looks very interesting.” He pushed opened the gate and we walked through.
On the other side were sprigs of purple flowers that seemed to blossom from the cracks of the pavement. There were several elevated gardens to see as we moved down the first path. Interspersed with the flowers were small statues. I didn’t recognize the figures, but I did enjoy seeing them amidst the petals.
“This is very nice. I’m glad that Agnes suggested it.”
Max pointed to a nest that was hidden in the low branches of a small tree. “It looks like there might be babies in there.”
“Aw, baby birds?” I tried to peer through the branches. “Where? I can’t see them.”
“Right there.” Max tried to point out the nest again.
I really wanted to see the tiny little creatures so I ducked my head under the low branch in an attempt to get a closer look. As I did, my shoulder bumped into something. It moved a little when I bumped into it. Then I heard a very strange sound. The sound reminded me of something, but I couldn’t quite place what it was. I continued to look for the nest.
“Sammy! Get out of there!” Max’s hands gripped my shoulders and he tugged.
“Max, stop, you’re going to scare the babies.” I stumbled back and all at once I recognized the sound. Bees! They were everywhere. I must have bumped into a hive.
I scrambled away from the tree in an attempt to escape the bees, but the buzzing sound followed me. I felt the burning sensation of bee stings on my face, shoulders, and arms. I started to panic, as everywhere I turned there were more bees that swarmed me.
Max pulled off his shirt and waved it at the bees. That only seemed to make them angry. When one of the bees stung the side of my neck I started to run. I ran as fast as I could down the path. The bees managed to keep up with me but not many were stinging. I hoped for shelter but there was only more garden.
Then I spotted a large fountain in the center of all of the garden paths. Without hesitation I launched myself into the fountain. It was just deep enough that I could completely submerge my body. I stayed under the cold murky water for some time. Max’s hand slid under my arm and he pulled me up out of the water.
“No, the bees!” I tried to pull away.
“They’re gone, Sammy, look. It’s okay.” I peeked over the side of the fountain. I didn’t hear any buzzing or see any bees.
“Are you sure?”
Max helped me out of the fountain.
“Excuse me, that is not a swimming pool!” A woman in a green uniform marched up to me.
“I’m sorry, there were bees and—” I turned to face the woman.
She gasped when she saw my face.
“Come with me, I have some cream to treat those. Oh dear, you poor thing.” She took my hand and led me to a small white building. I hadn’t even seen it, as it was tucked behind some thick trees. She opened the door and I was greeted by a very sweet smell. The room was filled with flowers.
“I’m preparing for a wedding.” She gestured to a rolling chair. “I’m not really supposed to do this, but I can’t let you suffer. I’ve been stung by those nasty bees before.”
My face throbbed with multiple bee stings. I blinked back tears, as the pain was intense, but it wasn’t just the pain that upset me. It was the experience. Everything had been going well, and now everything was ruined. I had the reading that night, and now I was covered in bee stings. How was I going to be able to stand in front of a crowd like that?
“Thank you.” Max spoke up as the woman pulled out a bottle of cream.
“Yes, thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do. I’m sorry that this has happened to you. We can’t remove the bees as they are vital to the ecosystem, but they are very pesky too.”
“I was trying to see a nest and bumped into the hive.”
“Yes, nature has a way of being vengeful if disturbed.”
“Are you sure that she doesn’t need to go to a hospital?” Max frowned as the woman covered each sting with cream.
“Unless she starts to swell up, she should be fine. Have you ever had any allergic reaction to bee stings before?”
“No.” I sighed as some of the burning subsided with the cooling effect of the cream.
“Then you should be fine. You can take this with you. Just reapply it whenever the stinging starts up. Alright?” She smiled and handed me the tube.
I took it from her and managed a smile in return. “I can’t believe I was so stupid.”
“You weren’t stupid.” Max shook his head. “It’s my fault. I pointed out the nest.”
“It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just nature.” The woman shrugged. “Some things just happen.”
Chapter 16
Her words lingered with me as we waited for the car service to return. It occurred to me that we never would have been at the garden if it weren’t for Agnes’ suggestion. Somehow I’d been directed into this event. But why?
Was I not supposed to do the reading that night? Was I not supposed to even be in Paris?
I was feeling rather sullen by the time we got back to the bed and breakfast. Max led me upstairs and tried to cheer me up with a glass of the delicious wine that Poppy offered to us. I sipped it and sighed.
“Sammy, I have to tell you something.” Max met my eyes. His features were aligned in a very serious expression.
“What is it?” I braced myself for another blow.
“I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on before.”
“Before?” I frowned. “I know I’m a mess now.”
“No. You look a million times sexier in polka dots.” He winked.
I had to laugh. I didn’t want to laugh. But I had to. “Polka dots, huh? Do you think the people at the reading tonight will feel the same way?”
“Sammy, they’re not going to be there to judge how you look. They’re there because they love your work.”
“I don’t know, maybe I should cancel.”
Max frowned. “I’ll support whatever decision you make, but I think that showing up despite the difficulty that you’ve faced will have a much bigger impact.”
I nodded a little and sat down with my glass of wine. I wanted to wallow, but talking to Max reminded me that I needed to bounce back. The bees didn’t have anything against me, they didn’t seek me out. It just happened. And now the only choice I had was how I’d deal with it.
I opened up my computer and decided to do a little writing about how to deal with difficult situations. In the past, my first instinct would be to turn to food or television to wipe away the frustration or stress.
I put together a short list of alternatives to that option: —meditation, focused breathing, a walk out in nature—preferably where there weren’t any bees—a short nap to ease exhaustion.
As I read over the list I realized that I hadn’t been employing any of my methods lately.
“Max, I think I’m going to do some meditation before we leave for the reading.”
“You’re going to go?” He smiled.
“Yes, you’re right. It will be a good example. I just hope that Cateline will understand.”
“She seems like the understanding type.”
“True. I think a little meditation will help me get focused again.”
Sammy in France (Single Wide Female Travels #1) Page 5