I Promise You This (Love in Provence Book 3)

by Patricia Sands

  Their conversation was interrupted by their arrival at their first stop. The St. Jacobs farmers’ market was humming with activity, and finding a parking spot was a challenge. Kat described how shocking it was when the original extensive wooden structure had burned to the ground a year earlier.

  The market had been a landmark for a century and a half. Now it was functioning under a massive tent until a new market was built.

  “We won’t have time to explore it all, but let’s go check out some of the cheese vendors.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Just before noon, they turned onto the long driveway leading to Andrea and Terrence’s farmhouse. The snowbanks lining the drive were so high that the normally protruding grasses and willow bushes were nowhere to be seen.

  Katherine grinned as she pointed at the crowded activity around the bird feeders near the porch. Black-capped chickadees fluttered about, upside-down nuthatches waited their turns, and ground-feeding slate-colored juncos taunted the squirrels waiting to muscle their way through.

  As they got out of the car, Kat pointed out tracks in the snow to Philippe. “Andrea and Terrence must have been out snowshoeing this morning. I tried that once and was a total flop at it. I literally spent as much time lying in the snow as I did walking on it. Give me skis anytime.”

  Philippe laughed. “All this snow is making me think we should plan a ski trip next year. I promised to take you to the Haute-Savoie for tartiflette.”

  “Oh, let’s do that! Denise and Armand can join us—without any stress this time!”

  “Bonne idée! We will make it happen.”

  The side door opened, and two border collies roared across the porch and down the stairs to wildly circle the visitors. Terrence stepped outside and blew a whistle. The black-and-white blurs dropped to the ground and didn’t move. Then he blew another command and the dogs hustled into the house.

  Katherine and Philippe laughed as Terrence said, “You just met Frick and Frack. They have an endless abundance of typical border-collie energy. Fortunately they are great about responding to whistle commands.”

  “Cool! Those are the rescue dogs I met on Skype, right? They were much quieter for the camera.”

  Philippe was busy giving the dogs a good rub as Andrea said, “They’re very good in the house. But as soon as they go out the door, they go crazy and think they need to herd everything and everyone.”

  The topic of excitement switched immediately from dogs to diamonds when Katherine—shy but joyful—presented her hand to Andrea. Lunch was a celebratory affair as they toasted the surprise of Kat’s stunning ring and talked about the future.

  “We’re so happy for both of you,” Andrea and Terrence told them. “The story of how you came into each other’s lives is like something out of a romance novel. You’ve renewed our faith in life offering wonderful opportunities no matter what age we are. We can’t wait to see what happens next.”

  “As soon as Molly is stable and we know what the rehab plan is for her, Kat promises she will come back to France,” Philippe told them. “I have to return next week, but I haven’t booked my flight yet. I want to make certain everything is fine here first.”

  Katherine looked pensive. “Dr. Primeau told me that Monday will be a critical day for Molly after all the test results are in. They can’t figure out why her speech is so affected. He told me she will have to be in a wheelchair for a while. Her shoulder injury won’t allow her to use crutches.”

  Much of lunchtime was consumed by talk about Molly’s injuries and how they might have an impact on her future.

  “I’ve never been more aware than right now of how alone Molly is,” Katherine admitted. “She has no family. I’m the only person she is close to—except, I guess, Father DeCarlo, and then you guys.”

  “Terrence and I have talked about it,” Andrea said, “and we will do whatever we can to help her. We can even bring her here once she’s discharged.”

  They all nodded thoughtfully, and Terrence smiled. “Well, let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

  Kat and Philippe went on to describe their plans for the villa. “We know the restoration work will happen in stages and that it won’t be finished for a year or two. But we hope we might be able to open with two guest rooms in the autumn.”

  Philippe explained that there was no question they would have their own small organic garden. “Practically everyone in France, even with just a little patch of property, has a potager. We’re only going to serve breakfast at our inn, so we want herbs and a few vegetables. We’ll keep it simple.”

  “I’ve learned that the French have always been masters of the kitchen garden,” Katherine said.

  Philippe added, “They’ve intermingled veggies, herbs, fruit, and flowers since medieval times, kind of like an English country garden, except the focus is on veggies rather than flowers. The potager is more about a complicity with nature rather than a need for order.”

  “And chickens! There will be chickens for our fresh eggs!” Kat’s eyes lit up, and her voice crackled with enthusiasm. “I don’t know why I’m so excited about that, but I am! You know I’ve always loved your chickens.”

  Philippe laughed as he enjoyed Kat’s elation. “She’s turning a project that could easily be filled with frustration into an exciting adventure. She’s making me feel like a kid again!”

  “So you’ll have to bring your gardening expertise with you and help us get started. Promise you will!” Kat and Andrea locked pinkie fingers to seal the promise. Philippe gave them a quizzical look, and they explained their childhood tradition of sealing a promise.

  After lunch, the men went on a tour of the barns and greenhouses. The minute they were out the door, Andrea turned to Kat. “What a surprise your ring is! How’re you really feeling about it? Did you confess to Philippe how you were worried about moving to France for good? I hope you got those feelings out of your system!”

  Katherine gave her the short version of their talks. She explained how Philippe had been understanding and supportive. “And then, in that sultry, sexy French-accented English of his, he told me he understood. He really tried to soothe my fears. Honestly, I’ve come out the other side of my angst feeling stronger than ever.”

  “But you haven’t talked about marriage? Isn’t this an engagement ring? What about a wedding? I guess I’m still too old-fashioned, but . . .”

  “Marriage isn’t as big a deal in France as it is here. To be honest, we haven’t even talked about it. What we do talk about is the depth of our love for each and our commitment to staying together forever—and he did bring all the documentation we need for me to live in France.”

  Her cousin nodded thoughtfully and shrugged. “That sounds like commitment to me. You’re right. The bottom line is what is important to both of you.”

  “I remember a conversation I had with Molly when I was first falling in love with Philippe. He hadn’t said he loved me, and I was all hung up on that. Molly made a valid point about what she called the ‘L word.’ I’ve never forgotten her reminding me that people often tell someone they love them while they are screwing around with someone else. She said it’s not the words but the actions that count. Another lesson learned the hard way. She was right.”

  “Yes, she is,” Andrea agreed.

  The remainder of the day was spent relaxing by a roaring fire in the massive fieldstone fireplace in the family room. Katherine insisted Andrea pull out old photo albums and family videos going back to their childhoods so that Philippe could be fully indoctrinated into their family history.

  Before dusk fell, they drove Philippe around the area, pointing out landmarks of the Mennonite community, including the quaint covered bridge of West Montrose. “This is about the best we can do with ancient history around here,” they explained with a chuckle.

  They stopped at a local inn on the main street of St. Jacobs for dinner. Philippe was introduced to some traditional dinner selections that involved a lot of melt-in-your-mouth pork dish
es and sauerkraut, accompanied by crispy-crusted warm bread. To top off the meal, they ordered one slice of sweet and gooey shoofly pie, with four forks, for dessert.

  Sunday morning Philippe was treated to a full farmer’s breakfast, with fresh eggs, homemade sausage, and smoked bacon, accompanied by home fries cooked in duck fat. “The secret to the best-tasting potatoes,” Terrence said, adding, “I believe your countrymen introduced that to Canada, Philippe. Merci beaucoup for that.”

  Philippe agreed that this was no secret in France.

  Kat and Andrea shooed the men out of the house again. Terrence was taking Philippe to visit the goat cheese farm up the road.

  The women settled into the cushions of a window seat in the kitchen, steaming mugs of tea in hand. “Honestly, Andie, this situation with Molly’s accident has made me so aware of how we need to make certain we have people in our life who truly care about us. It’s reinforced the need to establish meaningful relationships throughout our life, inside and outside our families, because families can change as time goes by.”

  “Yup! We should always have someone who can advocate for us and vice versa. No question,” Andrea agreed.

  “It’s also caused me to be vividly aware of how quickly the years are flying by. I’ve been feeling like a real boomer through all this. I’m so glad Philippe is here; age becomes meaningless with him.”

  Andrea smiled. “Age is just a number. Especially when we’re blessed with the healthy genes we appear to have. Don’t ever forget that, and don’t worry about Molly. Thanks to her friendship with you, we’ll always be here for her. I had never thought about how alone she was before.”

  Katherine hugged her. “That makes me feel better.”

  Taking her cousin’s hand in hers, Andrea asked, “I’m sorry to be a pest about this. You said this morning that you were feeling less anxious about moving away for good. I just want to be reassured.”

  Katherine patted her hand. “Don’t worry. I know I still have some work to do. Philippe gets how difficult it is for me to make this break and is completely supportive. What I feel now is a clearer understanding that rather than leaving things behind, I’ll be taking them with me. They will always be part of me.”

  Andrea’s eyes glistened. “Exactly, my sweet Katherine. Home is where you want it to be. What you want from the past will stay with you, and you’ll build on that. We’ll miss you terribly, but as we know, time passes quickly. And we’ll visit each other every year. Promise?”

  “Promise! And I’m not leaving any time soon, so don’t make this sound like good-bye!”

  Andrea laughed. “I didn’t mean to do that. Honestly, I’m excited for you. I hope you don’t take too long to make up your mind!”

  Kat left her mother’s letter with Andrea, who assured her that Andrew would treasure it. Kat had already spoken with him on the phone about it and was pleased with her decision. Elisabeth and Jozsef’s story would live on.

  On the drive back into the city, Katherine asked, “Is there anything specific you’d like to see in Toronto? Anything special you want to do?”

  He listened thoughtfully and then replied, “Even though we’re building a life together in France, Toronto is always going to be part of your past and your future. We’ll come back every year, if you like.”

  “There you go being thoughtful again—and next time we’ll come in warmer weather!”

  “Here’s what I suggest. Let’s not worry about touring now. We can save that for our next visit. Going out into the countryside, as we just did, was great! Plus, I’m getting a decent look at the city as we go back and forth to the hospital.”

  With an impish grin, Kat added, “And besides, you would rather not have subarctic conditions. N’est-ce pas?”

  Philippe mimicked intense shivering, and Katherine laughed in agreement.

  “Honnêtement, visiting St. Jacobs was very special. It was an interesting contrast to the busy streets of Toronto. I could feel the organic connection between community and land, even under all that snow, and I liked it very much. Tu as raison, there’s a feeling of Provence there.”

  Kat was reminded how different Philippe’s approach to travel was in contrast to Nick’s. Nick knew all the facts and historical details. Philippe knew a lot about that too, but focused more on the philosophical and organic connection of the French to their culture, the land, and virtually every aspect of life: their art de vivre. The terroir. It was about the loving care that goes into the pâtisseries, the wine, the markets, high fashion, and of course cheese, as she learned so well from Philippe.

  “All about le plaisir et la séduction,” as Joy had explained so well when Kat had first arrived in Provence.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  As Kat and Philippe neared the city, the sun was beginning to set. Arriving at the hospital, Katherine admitted she was feeling a little anxious about not having been with Molly since Friday.

  “I’m so thankful Nick was around. What a support he’s been.”

  Philippe added, “And don’t forget Tony.”

  “I can’t quite get used to everyone calling him Tony. He’s been Father DeCarlo to me for so many years that I have a lot of trouble calling him anything else.”

  Philippe said nothing for a few moments. “There’s a special relationship between him and Molly, n’est-ce pas? I’m not sure what it is, though. Has she ever said anything to you?”

  Kat shook her head. “No, but I’m feeling the same way you are.”

  Philippe looked thoughtful. “At first, I thought I was imagining it. After all, he’s a priest.”

  Silent for a while, Kat then told him that she knew Molly had a secret lover for quite a few years. “I say ‘secret’ because she wouldn’t divulge any information about him. The most she ever told me was that they were friends with benefits.”

  “Friends with what?” Philippe asked.

  Laughing, Kat explained what it meant, and then said, “Oh my gosh, she did once let slip his name was Antonio. Hmm, Father Anthony DeCarlo—could he be the mysterious Antonio?”

  “I think you just figured something out.”

  Kat’s eyes were as big as saucers. “Can it be? I mean, I know I’ve sort of wondered before, but it’s beginning to make sense.”

  Nick was with Molly when they walked in her hospital room. Her eyes lit up as Katherine presented the container of Andrea’s chicken soup and some carrot muffins.

  “You knew there was no way I would come back empty-handed from Andrea’s kitchen, right?”

  Molly nodded vigorously and then looked at Nick with a strange grin.

  “Ready, Molly Dolly?” he asked and then surprised them by singing, “Thank you for the chicken soup” very slowly, going up the musical scale. Molly joined in with just a bit of hesitation, her articulation somewhat unclear.

  “What’s going on?” Katherine and Philippe asked in unison.

  “We’ve had quite the weekend,” Nick said as Molly nodded. “Dr. Primeau was here yesterday with a speech therapist. He explained that the medical team was stumped by their findings because there was no clinical explanation for Molly not speaking. Her brain functions all test normal. The speech therapist suggested that melodic-intonation therapy might work, given Molly’s musical talent.”

  He went on to say that Molly had responded quickly to the therapy over the weekend. “Because Molly doesn’t have any brain damage, they think she’ll regain her normal speech abilities with a continuation of this therapy.”

  Crossing her eyes, Molly spread her arms apart in a questioning gesture.

  Katherine hugged Molly gently, ever aware of her shoulder injury. “I see your attitude is on its way back as well. This is good news, Moll!”

  Molly nodded, her lips skeptically pursed. Nick sang, “I’m feeling very happy,” to the same notes and then Molly repeated it with him, tapping her good hand to mark the syllables.

  “This has been bloody fascinating,” Nick said. “The therapist helped us get used to fitti
ng syllables to the musical scale. We just have to come up with simple words to fit the rhythm. Right now she has to hear it and mimic it, but she should advance before long.”

  Molly waved her left hand around in a “whoopee” gesture that made them all laugh.

  That evening felt like a turning point. Katherine declared it as the best time she’d had since the first shock of the news of Molly’s accident. There was an air of optimism and progress. Molly seemed strong and focused.

  Thrilled by Molly’s progress, Kat momentarily forgot her own happy news. Nick was the first to notice. “Ahem,” he said, with an exaggerated clearing of his throat. “It appears that the two of you have something to share with us.”

  Philippe proudly held up Kat’s hand to show the ring as her face split into a grin. In spite of her joy, somewhere deep inside she felt a small spasm of sadness for Nick.

  Nick offered warm and sincere congratulations. Katherine was touched by his emotion. Clapping her hands somewhat awkwardly, Molly beamed.

  Then she beckoned for Kat to sit on the bed and held her hand as she carefully examined the ring. Looking at Philippe with her eyes sparkling, Molly nodded repeatedly and then reached to plant a kiss on both of his cheeks.

  Katherine, Philippe, and Nick went to dinner together at Casa Mia and discussed a few different scenarios for Molly’s ongoing care. Nick explained that Dr. Primeau’s office would call Katherine in the morning to arrange a time to meet and make some decisions.

  Nick explained he had to head back to Australia. “Here’s what I’d like to put on the table for you to consider. Although nothing concrete was disclosed to me, it sounds like Molly could be discharged for rehab. I want to take care of whatever isn’t covered by your wonderful health-care system, if anything.”

  Katherine nodded. “Definitely one of the great benefits of life in this country. I’m pretty sure Molly is covered for everything. I looked over her insurance plan.”