Atticus gave a loud yawn as he stretched in his bed. Nora assumed he shouldn’t sleep on the guest bed, but she couldn’t help herself for just a quick snuggle. She patted the comforter beside her, and sensing her permission, he leapt up for a morning nuzzle.
He had become such a loving companion, something she hadn’t considered might happen when she’d first arrived to stay with him. She had hoped they would be friends, but somehow a Doberman had never given her warm fuzzy feelings. How wrong she had been.
The sounds of clinking dishes and cutlery reached her ears, and suddenly the enticing smell of fresh coffee wafted into the room. The combination caused her to hop in the shower, dress quickly, and go to the kitchen to see if she could help. Atticus led the way downstairs.
Mami stood alone by the sink, and a roaring fire was going in the hearth. “Joyeux Noël, chérie,” she said. “Papi and Pierre are down with the goats, and Chloe and Olivier have not been seen yet.”
“Joyeux Noël, Mami.” Nora sat down at the old wooden table. “The kitchen feels so cozy and inviting with that beautiful fire.”
Placing a large ceramic cup of café au lait in front of Nora, Mami smiled and said, “I took a guess you might enjoy this with breakfast. I like to wait a while for my espresso.”
“Merci! I do too,” Nora said. “May I help you with anything?”
Mami sat at the table with her. “Non, merci. Everything is under control, and I want all of you out of the kitchen this afternoon. Usually there is a hike planned, and I believe I heard Pierre discussing it with Papi earlier. You need a big appetite for le Réveillon!” she finished with a chuckle.
“So I understand,” Nora replied, wondering how she could possibly eat anything more.
“But this is it today! After this feast, we will return to our normal diets. Grâce à Dieu!”
Nora laughed with her, just as Chloe and Olivier came into the kitchen.
“What’s so funny?” Chloe asked.
“Mami assured me they don’t eat like this all year round.”
“Wait until tonight!” Olivier said. “Then you will truly need a rest.”
Mami had put a plate of warm Madeleines on the table, fresh out of the oven. The easily recognizable scallop-edged French butter cakes were a favorite of Nora’s.
“Chloe, do you know Starbucks sells these at home? But they’re no comparison to the real thing,” Nora said. “Mmmm, Mami, these are so good!”
“I will give you my recipe, ma belle. They are easy to make.”
Mami placed a bowl of fruit on the table, as well as a basket with fresh breakfast pastries and baguette.
“I see dad did his usual quick boulangerie run this morning,” Oli observed.
“Bien sûr!” Mami replied, just as Pierre and Papi walked in the door, followed by the dogs.
The men spoke quickly in French and then Chloe burst out, “Ohhh, les chevreaux! Les bébés chevres! Oh Mom! You are going to go crazy when you see them!”
Nora couldn’t quite sort out what the excitement was all about. Pierre explained in English, “We have some new baby goats in the barn. They are just a few days old and?—”
Chloe cut him off and said, “And sooo cute and hilarious! You’ll die laughing! Can we go down?”
Pierre glowered at her for interrupting, and she quickly apologized. “Désolée, Pierre. I get so excited when there are babies while we’re here. I can’t wait for my mom to see them.”
“Of course. Have something to eat first,” Olivier said. “I have to make some phone calls right now, but Dad said he will go to the barn with you. Right, Dad?”
Pierre nodded and turned his back to get some coffee.
Olivier continued, directing his words to Chloe and Nora. “And if it is all right with you both, we have a hike planned for this afternoon in les Alpilles. You know how Mami doesn’t like us in the kitchen while she cooks for le Réveillon.”
Chloe looked at Nora. “Also, Mami’s two besties, Suzanne and Nicole, will be here in the kitchen with her. They’re a fierce trio and the meal will be outstanding. Papi and Henri and Joseph will play cards, that’s how they help. Trust me, it’ll be a party waiting to happen when we get back.”
* * *
Nora watched Chloe, who was hardly able to contain her excitement as she quickly ate her croissant and jam. Nora gave her a light kick under the table and discreetly nodded to Pierre, who sat at the other end of the table sipping his espresso. Chloe seemed to get the message that she had to wait until he said he was ready.
