Nora gave her a quick shoulder squeeze. “I am so happy that you love what you are doing. It’s what parents hope for.”
When the two men came into the studio, Olivier explained the police had removed the clamp and didn’t give Pierre a parking ticket.
“He got lucky with that!” Chloe said.
“Mon père, you remember Chloe’s mother, Nora, from our wedding. She arrived a week ago from Canada, as you know.”
Nora stepped forward, extending her arm for a handshake. “It’s lovely to see you again.”
Pierre glanced at her, then his eyes widened with a flicker of recognition as he shook her hand.
“Enchanté, Norma,” he said. His expression revealed nothing and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. She wondered if he was thinking of the wedding or their near collision at the apartment.
“Nora,” she corrected him, as did Chloe and Olivier all at once. Pierre bowed his head stiffly and looked embarrassed.
Awkward,Nora thought.He is hard to read—completely inscrutable.
Pierre shifted his gaze from one to another as he spoke with Chloe and Olivier in very fast French. They turned to walk to the back of the studio. Nora stood rooted to the spot, certain Pierre was saying something less than complimentary about her.
Chloe returned to her mother’s side and grabbed her by the arm, sensing Nora’s concern. “Come on, Mom. Don’t be so judgmental. I know you think he was talking about you, but he wasn’t. He said he’s in a hurry, as he has other things to do. We’re going to take a look at the pieces to be transported. You can help.”
* * *
After an hour of looking at the artwork and measuring a few larger pieces, the task was completed. Pierre only grumbled a little bit and even laughed some, although he avoided looking at Nora.
Olivier drove back to the apartment in the van with his father, while Chloe drove Nora in their car.
When Chloe and Nora arrived at the apartment building, Nora said she had to take Atticus for a walk.
“Will you join us for dinner? I know things didn’t get off to a very good start. I’m sorry Pierre was kind of rude. Sheesh, what else could have gone wrong?”
“Of course, I’ll come for dinner. He was probably just upset about the clamp situation. I’m sure everything will be fine.”
“Excellent. I made a daube de boeuf this morning. Beef stew, your recipe, from when you liked to cook…” She gave Nora a little punch in the arm.
“Haha, very funny. Those days are gone, all right. I would much rather write than cook.”
“Well, Olivier loves your stew as much as Dad did, and it’s been simmering on the stove. Should be just right. We’ll have drinks at seven, dinner at eight.”
“Sounds like the perfect meal for a chilly day like this, sweetheart. That should win over Mr. Grumpypants. Atticus and I will see you then. I’ll pick up a fresh afternoon baguette.”
Nora and Atticus took a brisk walk and when they arrived home, she breathed in the perfumed fragrance from the freesia. She thanked Claire silently for her thoughtfulness, which was a perfect touch, and although unbeknownst to the shop woman, had come on a day that had caused Nora such heartache earlier with Marie-Louise.
Thinking about it, she texted Yvette to see if Marie-Louise was feeling better now and was relieved when the reply was affirmative.
Atticus settled in for a nap while Nora transcribed the day’s notes.
After a few short minutes she stopped, and tears streamed down her cheeks. This day’s transcription proved to be even more emotionally demanding than she had anticipated. She decided to leave it for the morning.
The last thing she wanted was to arrive for dinner with her eyes puffy and red. Pierre already seemed to think she was strange, and she didn’t want to add to that impression. Wiping her face with the back of her hand, she reached for the tissue box, which was a recent addition to the table she used as a desk.
She hoped the dinner would provide good family time, although it might be too much to ask. Her first impressions of Pierre had not indicated there was anything warm and fuzzy about him.
Now she needed to compose herself. A long soak in the tub would be just the answer.
* * *
Just before their scheduled cocktail hour, Chloe knocked on Nora’s door. She tried not to laugh as she explained the reason for her visit.
